

Troy Pottgen with Narwhal Stories and Drew Shaw with Voyce Threads E10
NARWHAL STORIES was founded in 2018 to create branded content that tells great stories and invites audiences to join in the fun. When you work with NARWHAL, you get a “blessing” of nationally award-winning writers, directors, editors and designers who provide outstanding creative, production and post for your content projects—from websites and TV commercials to long-form web series and documentary-style storytelling. 
Troy Pottgen is a pretty good husband, dad and creative director/writer with two decades of experience helping brands share their stories.
Troy earned degrees in Business at Illinois and Copywriting at Miami Ad School. He is a two-time recipient for Copywriter of the Year, a nominee for Creative Director of the Year and winner of Best in Show at the Phoenix ADDYs, and his work has been featured in Communication Arts, the One Show and Art Directors Club of NY.
He once claimed to watch 100 movies and read 100 books a year until his wife’s meticulous documentation in 2012 proved otherwise. Through his volunteer work, Troy tries to live the words of Marian Wright Edelman: “Service is the rent we pay for being.” If you ever greet him with, “Hey TP, I love NARWHAL Stories,” he’ll buy you a coffee.
Connect with Troy on LinkedIn and follow Narwhal Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
Voyce Threads is a socially conscious lifestyle brand that brings awareness to important causes by designing unique pairs of mismatched socks inspired by the work of charitable organizations. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each pair is donated back to the nonprofit the socks represent. 
Elementary school teacher turned sock peddler, Drew Shaw lives to show others what’s possible when you have time and good ideas.
As a budding serial entrepreneur, he founded an education consulting company, wrote a children’s book, and launched a retail brand in just three years.
His most recent venture, Voyce Threads, is a socially conscious lifestyle brand that brings awareness to important causes by designing mismatched socks that tell the inspiring story of charitable organizations. His passions intercept at the point of education, community, and entrepreneurship as evidenced by his numerous board positions on community organizations and nonprofits in Phoenix.
Connect with Drew on LinkedIn and follow Voyce Threads on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Arizona Good Business Radio
What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?
Join Arizona Good Business Radio to hear from local companies who are:
- Centering purpose at the forefront of business
- Creating social well-being for the community
- Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
- Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
- Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions
Arizona Good Business Radio features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.
About Your Host
Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies.
Thomas steers the strategic direction of LFA’s major programs and initiatives as well as the engagement of over 3000 businesses across Arizona. As Executive Director, Thomas guides a team of statewide senior directors overseeing the execution of LFA’s communication strategy, major initiatives and key partnerships, as well as the collaboration of over 30 staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs, small business advocacy, local food initiatives, sustainability, urban development and community building. He frequently speaks to groups locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First Arizona and the importance of local economy work in building prosperity.
Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has participated in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations throughout the Valley including Young Nonprofit Professionals – Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network. Additionally, Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and current participant in Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Local First AZ
Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization that celebrates independent, locally owned businesses. We support, promote and advocate for a strong local business community and raise public awareness of the economic and cultural benefits provided by strong local economies. Local businesses contribute to a sustainable economy for Arizona and build vibrant communities we’re all proud to call home.

leading-
Alejandre Richards is the CEO and Owner of Matrix Media Consulting Group. She is the Founder and Chair of the Annual Women In Business Conference. Richards brings 200+ women together to learn how to master their businesses and sustain longevity in a continually failing economic society. 





Many business owners struggle with achieving the vision for their company. They aren’t sure how they should handle marketing and become frustrated when they can’t find the right clients. Open Window Marketing accelerates the company vision by creating a strategy and message that engages your ideal customer and builds a loyal following for the long term. The business owner can grow their company, maximize their marketing spend, and get closer to making their vision a reality.


Gelie Akhenblit is the CEO/Founder of Networking Phoenix, the largest professional organization in the Valley with over 40K members. She is who you engage with when you understand the value of that “one connection” that can change the trajectory of everything. Gelie consults business owners on strategic business development and relationship marketing, as well as facilitates high-level warm introductions and runs influence marketing campaigns through her own media channels. A seasoned presenter, one of Gelie’s favorite accolades was being invited to share her message on a TEDx stage. As her tagline goes “Who do you want to meet? I’ll introduce you.”
An experienced Real Estate Broker since 2005, Patrick Davis is committed to his clients best interests and to providing a smooth transaction before, during and after the sale of the home. His mission is simple; to provide a world class buying and selling experience to each of his clients, while ensuring the highest level of communication and the most advanced technology in the marketplace.
Howell Cheek joined Sigrist, Cheek, Potter & Huyser, PLLC as managing partner in 1998 after five years as President and CEO of a Tempe-based electronics manufacturing firm. Prior to that, Mr. Cheek was Chief Financial Officer for a major real estate acquisition and development company, as well as Vice- President, Tax Manager for a large financial institution. Mr. Cheek passed the CPA exam in 1983, and holds a Bachelor of Science-Business Administration degree and a Masters of Science degree in Accounting.
Rhino Online Strategies & eCreativity 

As an author, speaker, coach and workshop facilitator on a mission to let women know they are not alone, Maria Tomas-Keegan knows from experience about life’s upside-down moments, and she’s here to help other women turn right side up again. Her new book, “Upside Down to Right Side Up: Turning Transition into Triumph,” is coming out in October.



Zach is currently an incoming Freshmen at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. He will be majoring in Business Management- Entrepreneurship. 

The founders of PSA – Ken Adams and David Bryson met at a networking group and founded the Phoenix Speaking Academy after noticing how many people struggled
when speaking in public. They have been in the entertainment business for over 30 years and now combine their skill, knowledge and expertise into workshops and seminars tailored to helping people become more confident in their public speaking abilities and grow as individuals and professionals. Their mission is to help you overcome stage fright and provide you with the tools and techniques you need to become a dynamic speaker, empowered with confidence and skills to prepare, present and deliver powerful speeches and presentations that educate, inform, and engage audiences of all sizes.


Kristi Henry and her husband, Alan, have explored 6 continents and will be sailing to Antarctica in February 2019. With an extreme passion for travel, they left their careers to help other couples and families experience the exhilaration, personal growth and connectedness they have experienced over the past 30 years. Kristi is an exceptional travel planner who listens, researches and helps you create your masterpiece vacation at a phenomenally affordable price.



It’s often said that entrepreneurs are born and not made, and that certainly holds true for David Hash. Starting when he was a teenager, David has been a visionary, creating customized solutions for businesses to improve efficiencies and increase revenue opportunities. Across his career, he has spearheaded three business ventures covering a range of expertise areas including manufacturing, project management, product development, e-commerce, and staffing and recruiting. His longest-running success story is Continuum Consulting, whose staffing specialists adeptly match IT and finance professionals with leading companies to build win-win relationships.
Kendall Jones is the Community Outreach Manager for Local First Arizona. She is an ASU Alumna, Public Allies Alum, and bridges the two communities of education and social justice through her work everyday. Kendall sees strength in collaboration and is committed to bringing equity to every Arizonan.














