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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Brad Leavitt with AFT Construction Joe Cunningham and Chris Wood with Sunny Energy and Matt Fulton with Heartbridge and The Whining Pig

June 19, 2018 by Karen

Sunny-Energy-AFT-Construction-Whining-Pig-Heartbridge-with-UImproved2

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Brad Leavitt with AFT Construction Joe Cunningham and Chris Wood with Sunny Energy and Matt Fulton with Heartbridge and The Whining Pig

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Brad Leavitt with AFT Construction Joe Cunningham and Chris Wood with Sunny Energy and Matt Fulton with Heartbridge and The Whining Pig

As part of the “It’s Just Good Business” Series, Leadership LowDown Host Jodi Low, with U & Improved and Conscious Capitalism Arizona, catches up with Arizona’s best to talk about the winning combination between leadership, client care and community in construction and solar energy.

A Finer Touch Construction’s (AFT Construction) President Brad Leavitt has assembled a talented team of project managers, construction staff, and support personnel who share a common goal: to build quality projects that exceed the expectations of our clients. With over 80 years of combined industry experience, we’ve learned the value of quality craftsmanship, personalized service, and long-term relationships. AFT Construction was formed in March, 2013 and is based out of Scottsdale, AZ.

AFT Construction is a leader in providing the highest quality construction services at fair and competitive prices. Our pledge is to add value for our customers and clients through integrity, foresight, and innovation. We seek to establish long lasting relationships with our customers by exceeding expectations and gaining trust through delivering high levels of professionalism, timeliness, attention to detail, and service-minded customer satisfaction. Our commitment to this mission enables AFT Construction to be one of the premier construction firms in the Arizona region.

AFT Construction rises above the competition because of our quality, values and customer service. Utilizing our vast subcontractor base and material purchase power, we are committed to offering our customers top services at affordable prices. Communication with our customers is one of our top priorities and something our company takes great pride in. While the construction industry has often suffered from the lack of proper communication, management of expectations and punctuality, we continue to excel in these areas and are certain this has contributed to our success.

Follow AFT Construction on Facebook and Instagram.

Sunny Energy is a residential solar company that is dedicated to helping homeowners save money on their electric bills. The company focuses on delivering superior performance by using the best design, installation, equipment, and financing options to ensure the best combination of value and performance. Each project is customized to provide homeowners with the most advantageous option to produce their own clean and inexpensive energy. With offices in Arizona, California and Texas, Sunny Energy provides solar installation, battery storage, energy management, financing and service and repair. The company has been named one of the top solar contractors in the United States by Solar Power World magazine for the last three years. For more information, call (480) 257-3283.

Joseph “Joe” Cunningham is a co-founder and director of operations of Tempe- headquartered Sunny Energy, one of Arizona’s largest providers of residential and commercial solar energy systems. Joe is also a founding member and president of the Distributed Energy Resources Alliance (DERA), a non-profit trade organization dedicated to the development of distributed energy resources, including solar, battery storage, active demand management, distributed grid services and smart grid solutions for a reliable and sustainable energy supply. An industry leader, Joe is active in photovoltaic (PV) standards development with The SunSpec Alliance as chairman of the Orange Button Construction working group. He has co-authored two white papers, through SunSpec, on PV System Performance Metrics and PV System Commissioning for Performance Guidelines. He is recipient of the SunSpec Open Standards Champion award for years of voluntary standards work. Along with SunSpec, Joe works closely with standards working group members from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia Labs and others. Through this work he is intimately knowledgeable on the value of PV system standards and certifications.

Prior to co-founding Sunny Energy, Joe was director of operations for five years for Centrosolar, a solar energy equipment supplier. He managed operations for North American markets, overseeing logistics, system design, sourcing and purchasing, private label manufacturing and outsourcing, order fulfillment, a nationwide technical services network and online systems. Prior to Centrosolar, Joe spent three years in the PV integration business. He managed, at various times, operations, business development, maintenance programs, sales and marketing. Prior to joining the PV industry, Joe worked for more than 20 years in wireless telecommunications and cable TV, and as an entrepreneur. He has held the positions of president, chief operating officer, vice president, and business development with various companies. He helped develop advanced wireless technology and services, as well as industry standards, government regulations, hardware and software to increase wireless spectrum use efficiencies and performance. He was instrumental in forming and managing a nationwide organization of operators and manufacturers to address equipment reliability and warranty issues. He has been recognized by the Wireless Communications Association International as a Wireless Pioneer and for outstanding contributions throughout his career. Joe has a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Cornell University, where he was a four-year letterman in crew.

He lives with his wife, Resa, in Carefree, Ariz. and is an avid road cyclist, riding more than 5,000 miles annually. He is a past Arizona State Road Racing age-group champion.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.

Chris Wood is a co-founder and business development director for Tempe- headquartered Sunny Energy, one of Arizona’s largest providers of residential and commercial solar energy systems. He is responsible for all of the company’s business development needs including recruiting, hiring and training of the sales team, as well as conducting financial analysis of the products Sunny Energy creates and sells. He also oversees Sunny Energy’s vendor relations.

Prior to co-founding Sunny Energy, Chris was the director of North American sales for Centrosolar, an international solar energy equipment supplier. As Centrosolar’s second U.S. employee, he was responsible for taking the company from a garage start-up to a successful U.S. operation. During his seven-year tenure with the company, he built a network of 720 solar contractors spanning from New Jersey to Guam. His professional career includes work in land development, commodities trading and the food and beverage industries. Chris is a Florida native who grew up in Montreal. Fluent in English and French, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance from McGill University in Montreal.

He enjoys playing tennis and poker. He and his family reside in North Scottsdale.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow Sunny Energy on Facebook and Twitter.

Heartbridge builds great communities for deserving families. Founded by Matt Fulton and Steve Coburn, they acquire lower income, multi-family apartments in need of repair and transform them into conscious living communities. In addition to substantially updating existing apartments, HeartBridge provides vital tools to residents including financial literacy seminars and other helpful programs. HeartBridge Communities touches the lives of very real people – not through handouts, but with a helping hand up.

The Whining Pig was established in 2013 and currently has 5 locations in the Greater Phoenix Area. It is your neighborhood beer & wine bar. Offering a friendly environment for all, they specialize in craft beer, great wines and wonderful service. Their stock is constantly rotating and continues to surprise even the most loyal patrons. The Pig is locally owned and operated with knowledgable bartenders; serving the locals and any other friends that would like to join them.

Follow The Whining Pig on Facebook and Instagram. You can also follow their other locations on Facebook in Phoenix, Gilbert, Arcadia and Ahwatukee and Instagram in Phoenix, Gilbert, Arcadia and Ahwatukee.

The Leadership Lowdown was created to share the REAL story behind valley leaders’ rise to the top, and the truth about what it takes to TRULY succeed in life and business. Hear the raw stories of these leaders’ journeys…the pitfalls, the victories, and all of the heartaches and triumphs in between.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Jodi Low is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Through U & Improved—an award-winning personal and professional leadership development company based in Scottsdale—Jodi has redefined traditional leadership training by creating a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each and every individual who enrolls in any of the two-and-a-half-day experiential training classes. She and her elite training team have advanced the charge in heart-based leadership
development and empower U & Improved graduates with knowledge, tools and awareness to immediately be more effective and responsive leaders at work, home and within their communities.

Among her many accomplishments as a Valley leader, Jodi launched a teen leadership program in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused stewards of our future. In 2016, she founded a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

Jodi has been recognized by industry publications and organizations for her work in leadership development and serves as a source of inspiration within the community. In 2015, she was honored as an “Outstanding Women in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal and by the Phoenix Suns and National Bank of Arizona with the “Amazing Women” award. She has received both the prestigious “Diversity Leader of the Year” and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce’s “Sterling Award.” She was also awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 and was a finalist for the Junior League of Phoenix’s Valley Impact Award. Jodi is a devoted single parent who volunteers her time at her daughters’ school programs and with organizations such as Angel Mamas, where she’s served on the board for three years.

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jay Feitlinger Founder and CEO with StringCan Interactive and Charlie Hess President of St Clair Technologies

June 11, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jay Feitlinger Founder and CEO with StringCan Interactive and Charlie Hess President of St Clair Technologies

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jay Feitlinger Founder and CEO with StringCan Interactive and Charlie Hess President of St Clair Technologies

StringCan Interactive, located in Scottsdale, Arizona is a growing online marketing agency that has twice earned the “Best Places to Work” award in Phoenix. They are passionate about helping grow businesses that sell products and services to families, such as swim schools, gymnastics facilities, and fitness clubs.

Consumers live in a busy world, filled with millions of messages from billions of people. It’s easy for businesses to get lost and even lose contact with their customers. While connecting the right people at the right time may be difficult, it can be done. At StringCan, they believe in simplifying and focusing on building valuable and meaningful relationships between businesses and their customers.

They know customers want to be heard as much as they want to communicate with them. So they keep communication as simple as two cans and a string. Multi-location businesses in particular understand the importance of presenting a seamless brand experience and consistency in communication. They step in to help discover and resolve online company obstacles and fine tuning the brand experience by personalizing for each local market. They specialize in creating a strategy that connects the company with their localized customers and connecting brands with their ideal customers through strategic inbound marketing.

Jay Feitlinger, serial entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of StringCan Interactive, his 8th company, which is a strategic online marketing agency in Scottsdale, Arizona. Since StringCan’s launch in 2010, Jay oversees strategy and vision, building culture that makes going into work something his team looks forward to, recruiting additional team members to help exceed clients’ goals, leading the team and allocating where StringCan invests time and money. One of Jay’s proudest accomplishments is earning Phoenix’s Best Places To Work award, on two occasions, recognizing StringCan for its dedication to its staff personal and professional development.

Practicing what he preaches around helping companies stay focused, Jay has positioned StringCan to help grow businesses that cater to families, such as health clubs, swim schools and gymnastic schools, frequently multi-location companies with their inbound marketing and online advertising needs. This commitment has earned multi-year contracts with large family-oriented companies such as The Little Gym with over 250 locations and GameTruck with over 175 locations.

Through years of experience, trial and error, success and failure, heartache and joy, Jay has found that our professional and personal lives are not in fact separate entities. In fact, it’s only when our home lives thrive that our businesses can be free to thrive too. And this is a truth that every entrepreneur deserves to hear. In 2015, Jay took the lessons he has learned from his last 8 businesses and created a 4-day family retreat to help entrepreneurs and business executives who desire more out of their family lives. The results of this process helped Jay with his own family issues and as he shared the process with others, he was inspired to have his first book published, FAMILY 2.0: Harness Business Principles to Reboot your Family in 4 Days, which focuses on helping entrepreneurs strengthen their families – and in turn strengthen their businesses.

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn and Twitter, and follow StringCan Interactive on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

At St. Clair Technologies, we take pride in listening to our customers’ needs and how they want to do business. “Full Service” and “Partnership” are not just jargon or buzz-words to us. We realize your success depends on our ability to respond to change, to deliver quality and reliability and to reduce manufacturing costs. From a simple connector to a complete wire harness system, let us put our ability and experience to work for you.

Charlie Hess was born in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada, and enjoyed playing Canada’s 2 national sports: hockey and lacrosse, growing-up in the small town where St. Clair Technologies Inc. (SCT) originated. He graduated from The University of Waterloo, Ontario, in 1994 with degrees in Business, and Environmental Science & Resource Management. He began his career in the family business after graduation, with plans to continue his education focusing on Environmental Law. Before he could return to a post-graduate program, SCT requested a volunteer to relocate to Mexico in order to greenfield the company’s first international division. Charlie answered this call, and while his ability to speak Spanish was non-existent, his background in manufacturing had been developed over several years of employment in numerous positions working for the company he now partly-owned.

In the summer of 1996, Charlie and a small crew from the Canadian Operation opened a plant in Empalme, Sonora, Mexico. Having only 4 direct employees in the beginning, the learning curve was steep in this developing nation, but soon a profitable 2-shift operation was growing under his guidance. SCT needed second manufacturing location to manage growth, and after 4 years a facility in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, was constructed. Through a partnership with The Offshore Group (of Tucson, AZ, USA) SCT expanded into automotive and non-automotive electrical system manufacturing in Mexico. Several US Tier 1, and OEM customers were being supplied with electrical harness system utilizing a just-in-time, and in some cases a ship-to-vin sequence process. Under the mentorship of Dave Thomas, President of SCT, and former President of Stoneridge’s harness division: Alphabet (a major competitor to SCT), Charlie expanded his management of the company to include all manufacturing operations, which totaled 4 plants through most of the 1990’s. He was responsible for many facets of the business, and became a driving force behind
the Shareholders’ decision making.

In 2005, he became SCT’s President, and took on all facets of the company’s directions, including: operations, sales, marketing, P&L, asset management and strategic plan development. Since that time, the company’s overall revenue has increased by 225%, and profitability has been successfully maintained through the automotive crash in 2009/10, and into the past 7 years of stable economic growth in the US automotive marketplace. Charlie’s vision is to continue investing in technology and developing his management team to ensure that SCT has a bright future.

Follow SCT on LinkedIn and Facebook.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Blazing a New Path to Success District 3 Toastmasters Spring Conference

June 10, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Blazing a New Path to Success District 3 Toastmasters Spring Conference

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Blazing a New Path to Success District 3 Toastmasters Spring Conference

The Blazing a New Path to Success District 3 Toastmasters Spring Conference was a full weekend celebration packed with fun, education, contests, awards and networking opportunities. Business RadioX was on location with a remote broadcast that included several Toastmasters, speakers and leaders. We have the privilege of sharing a few minutes of their personal and professional journeys with you here.

Begin with the “Spring Conference Recap with Enid, Martha and Catherine” and then jump around to any of the 8 Interviews; Keynote with Patricia Fripp; C & L Award Acceptance Speech; and the JURIS KURSULIS Dedication Speech. It’s all here for you to listen in and be inspired all over again!

Catherine Norman, CC, CL 2018 Spring Conference Chair (Pictured here with her husband, Clifton Norman)

Enid Moore-Cranshaw, DTM, 2017-2018 District 3 Director

Martha Brock-Leftridge, DTM2, 2017-2018 District 3 Public Relations Manager (Pictured here with her husband, Prince Leftridge II, DTM2)

Spring Conference Recap with Enid, Martha and Catherine

DOWNLOAD HERE

Getting the Day Started with Don Griffith, DTM, PID

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KEY NOTE: Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great Presentations with Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE (Introduction by Arlene Pedersen)

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A few minutes with “The Legend of Leadership: A Manager’s Quest” with Author Steve Broe, PH.D., DTM (Pictured here with Rose Nwaturuocha, DTM, Banquet Seating Chair)

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“It’s all about the joy of watching and helping other members grow and learn.”

Michael Scott Warner, DTM, Tonto Area 3 Director and Tonto Division Director Elect

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“A commitment to growing club membership.”

Robert Bush, ACB, ALB, Agave Area A4 Director and Agave Division Director Elect

(Pictured here with Nancy K. Duckett, ACB, ALB Club Pride-S.L.E.E.K. Chair)

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“People and life-long friendships is what’s most important to me.”

Brenda Nason Smull, DTM, Credentials Chair Mentor

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“Wish we had joined Toastmasters sooner!”

The Dynamic Father and Son Team: Randy Tudor, ACB, ALB, Navajo Area 5 Director, Navajo Division Director Elect and Kevin Tudor, CC, ALB, Verde Area 5 Director, Verde Division Director Elect

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Catching up with “The Fundamentals of Adult Learning” Speaker Wanda Ganjehsani, CC

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Communication & Leadership Award Honoree, Jody McPhearson’s Acceptance Speech

(Pictured here with his family and Lynne Nutter, ACS, ALB, C & L Award Chair, Color Guard, TLI Chair)

DOWNLOAD HERE

Family members Catherine Brent (JURIS KURSULIS Daughter) and Tonya Dale (JURIS KURSULIS Granddaughter) presented Sandee Brogan, DTM, the Spring 2018 JURIS KURSULIS SPIRIT AWARD (Induction Speech by Nancy Starr-Cassidy, DTM PID)

DOWNLOAD HERE

Meetings and Conventions Magazine names her “One of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America” Presentation Skills Authority, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

(Pictured here with Sandee Brogan, DTM, Winner of the Spring 2018 JURIS KURSULIS SPIRIT AWARD)

DOWNLOAD HERE

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jim Mapstead with Accurate Signs and Engraving and Randy Gibb with Grand Canyon University

May 18, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jim Mapstead with Accurate Signs and Engraving and Randy Gibb with Grand Canyon University

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jim Mapstead with Accurate Signs and Engraving and Randy Gibb with Grand Canyon University

Accurate Signs & Engraving, Inc. is the nation’s largest supplier of laser engraved tags and decals to solar panel installers, fabricating quality decals and plastic and metal engraved tags for over 25 years.

We pride ourselves on meeting deadlines and delivering unsurpassed customer service.

Jim Mapstead has been a resident of Phoenix on and off since 1963. Shortly after graduating from Maryvale High School, Jim started the Student Suffrage League of Arizona to advocate for getting the voting age lowered to 18. In 1970, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Once his military service was over, Jim attended the University of Arizona and then in 1976 moved to the Washington D.C. area to work on the National Campaign to Stop the B1 bomber.

After the successful completion of that issue, he started his own business in 1983 creating custom furniture. In 1985 he bought a lumberyard in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In 1987, he bought a hardware store in Alexandria, VA, and in 1988 built a hardware store in Frederick, Maryland. He subsequently lost all of his businesses and had to lay off 47 employees in the recession of the late 80’s. In 1991, Jim and his wife moved back home to Phoenix.

Since returning, Jim purchased and continues to run his own business, Accurate Signs & Engraving. Accurate is one of the nation’s largest provider of laser engraved tags and decals to solar panel installers in North America. He has also been an active member of his community. Jim is a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XXVI, and was awarded the Big Brother of the Year award in 2005. Jim is a past Board Member and Executive Committee member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. In 2011, Jim was a Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award winner for Community Involvement. He is a former President of the Sunnyslope Village Alliance, and former President of the Sunnyslope Kiwanis Club. Additionally, Jim is the former Chair of the Paradise Valley Village Planning Committee, and has run for election to Phoenix City Council. He is the former President of the Executive Association of Greater Phoenix, for five years served as the Board Chair of Local First Arizona, and was an ASU W.P. Carey School of Business Spirt of Enterprise Finalist in 2015. Currently, Jim is the incoming Board Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, and Vice Chair of the Herberger Theater Center.

Jim and his wife of 34 years, Jill, have two daughters, Jesse and Leah. Jim and his wife currently travel extensively in search of great food and wine.

Follow Accurate Signs and Engraving on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Randy Gibb is Dean of the Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University (GCU), Phoenix, AZ. Under his leadership since 2014, the business college has moved forward with the vision of Inspiring Free Markets and Purpose for Prosperity, Business as a Force for Good and Business as Ministry. He serves on the Board of the AZ Chapter Conscious Capitalism and the Governor appointed Arizona Workforce Council. Prior to GCU Randy was at Arizona State University as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Human & Environmental Systems Department.

Before transitioning to Arizona higher educational leadership positions, Randy served 26 years in the United States Air Force. His leadership experiences consisted of commanding two US Air Force flying organizations, leading the US Air Force Academy’s Behavioral Science & Leadership Department, and was a Senior Military Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, OH, working human systems integration. Randy has extensive experience in operational leadership, leadership development, organizational change, business development, teaching, and coaching. Randy has published and presented in various aviation/academic journals and conferences on topics of aviation safety and human factors engineering. He completed his Air Force career in 2012 as a full Colonel and Command Pilot.

Originally from Stevens Point, WI, Randy was a Distinguished Graduate from the US Air Force Academy in 1986. Randy was team captain of the 1986 National Collegiate Boxing Association championship team and was an individual national champion at 147 lbs. He earned his PhD and Master of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University in Industrial Engineering – Human Factors. He also has a Master of Arts from the US Naval Command & Staff College in Newport, RI. Randy and his wife, Jill, have been married for 30 years and have four children.

Follow Grand Canyon University on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Frank Neal with La-Z-Boy Arizona and Mike D Hayes with AtWork Group Phoenix

April 30, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Frank Neal with La-Z-Boy Arizona and Mike D Hayes with AtWork Group Phoenix

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Frank Neal with La-Z-Boy Arizona and Mike D Hayes with AtWork Group Phoenix

Frank Neal is President of La-Z-Boy Furniture, Arizona. EBCO Incorporated d.b.a. La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® of Arizona is not just a large, household name – the 10 Arizona stores are an independent, family-owned franchise owned by Ed Breunig III. This offers the best of both worlds – well-known brand name products combined with the friendly environment of a family-owned business. EBCO opened the first La-Z-Boy Store in Arizona and has been operating for 35 years. Out of all La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries North America, EBCO holds the top four positions.

Connect with Frank on LinkedIn, and follow La-Z-Boy on Facebook and Instragram. Interested in working with La-Z-Boy? Check out their job openings here.

Michael D. Hayes is Director of Business Development with AtWork Group Phoenix. He is a native of Arizona, and is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management. Michael’s professional career began with 14 years in the securities business, advising banks, mutual funds and individuals on all types of investments. He purchased Momentum in 2003 when the company’s primary business line was recruiting for logistics companies. Michael has transformed the company into a successful full-service staffing provider. Momentum recently merged with AtWork Staffing Group which has over 51 branches nationwide. Michael is a member of the Executives’ Association of Greater Phoenix (EAGP), 100 Club of Arizona, and Board of Directors for St Joseph the Worker Charity.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn, and follow him on YouTube, and follow AtWork on Twitter and Facebook.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

April 6, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

Ilana Lowery has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Phoenix Business Journal since August 2001. Prior to that, the Chicago native served as managing editor. She first joined the publication as a reporter and projects editor in 1995.

As a reporter she has covered banking and finance, travel, aviation, tourism and sports business. Prior to the Business Journal, she was an editor for Independent Newspapers Inc., a community newspaper chain based in Scottsdale.

Before moving to the Valley in 1989, Ilana was a reporter and editor for Pulitzer Newspapers in Chicago. An award-winning journalist, she also worked as a scriptwriter and associate producer for the NBC-TV affiliate in Chicago.

A 1986 graduate of the University of Illinois, Ilana earned BA degrees in Mass Communications and English. Currently, Ilana is an associate professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

In addition to the Hon Kachina Board of Governors, she is on the board of the Arizona Newspaper Association and executive board of Gabriel’s Angels. Ilana also is a member of the prestigious women’s professional associations Charter 100 and Central Phoenix Women.

Ilana served on the advisory board for the Greater Phoenix Jewish News and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Arizona Press Club and the Arizona Newspaper Association, which in 2015 presented her with the Order of the Silver Key, an honor for journalists who have been in the profession for 25 years or more, contributed to the journalism profession both locally and nationally, and have inspired fellow journalists.

Ilana was a 2014 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Athena Award finalist. In 2005, she was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council and in 2008, she was honored with a Woman of Distinction award by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America – Southwest.

Connect with Ilana on LinkdIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Abbie S. Fink is vice president/general manager of HMA Public Relations and has been with the firm since 1993. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications/social media strategies, special event management, community relations, issues management and marketing promotions.

Fink, an award-winning communications professional, is often called upon to present to a wide variety of business and civic organizations on such topics as media relations, social media and digital communications strategies, issues/crisis communications and special events management, and workplace development and culture.

She is a past president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy and a former executive board member. She is the recipient of the Phoenix chapter’s Percy Award and the national Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA.

Fink has both a master’s degree in mass communications and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism/public relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She is an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University.

Connect with Abbie on Twitter and follow HMA Public Relations on Facebook.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

March 10, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

It all started with an idea. An idea to be the friendliest gym in town. To know their members’ names, not just their numbers. To offer free towel service, even if that meant doing laundry at his apartment until two in the morning. This was the beginning of Mountainside Fitness.

In 1991, founder and CEO, Tom Hatten, began Mountainside Fitness while a junior at Arizona State University. Together with his family and friends, Tom brought his dream to life. From welding gym equipment to painting walls to selling memberships, the early years were true sweat equity in every sense of the word. Mountainside Fitness was founded on community and value, and those continue to be at the company’s core as they grow into 16 locations and over 80,000 members this year.

In November of 2005, Mountainside Fitness Centers was voted 1 of 10 “hottest growing” companies in Arizona by Biz AZ magazine when 5 clubs were added to the chain. Tom has also received various awards and accolades throughout his career, including being voted 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Journal/USA Today, being the Cover story of Entrepreneur Magazine July 2004, and being featured in Forbes Magazine, US News and World Report, Club Solutions Magazine, Paradise Valley Magazine, and Club Insider Magazine.

In addition to growing his company, Tom is a motivational speaker to many business organizations, colleges, high schools and churches. His topics range from entrepreneurship, economics, and corporate community involvement. Hatten is also featured in the college textbook titled Entrepreneurship: A Practice Based Approach co-written by authors: Christopher Neck (Management Professor Arizona State University), Heidi Neck (Entrepreneurship Professor Babson College), Emma Murray (Consultant). And he is currently working on another book Dream On: An Entrepreneurs desire to overcome which is due out in Spring 2018.

Hatten at one time co-hosted the mid-day all fitness request hour for local KZZP FM radio. Tom strongly values the community and has dedicated his time and resources, not only to helping people live healthier lifestyles, but also to social responsibility. Some of the highlights of his commitment to the community include:

2016 Honoree – Teen Lifeline Foundation
2016 Honoree – Muscular Dystrophy Association
2016 Chairman of the board – Make-A-Wish Arizona
2017 Honored as one of the Most Admired Leaders by the Phoenix Business Journal
2017 Board member – AZ Special Olympics
2017 Board member – AZ Diamondbacks Foundation

Tom is also a Founding Board member of AZ Bank & Trust, member of the YPO (Young Presidents Organization) Scottsdale, and member of the International CEO’s against cancer. Born in Austin, Minnesota, he has lived in Arizona for all but 6 months of his life. Favorite charitable organizations include: Make-A-Wish Arizona, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Special Olympics and MDA of AZ.

Tom@MountainsideFitness.com
MountainsideFitness.com
Tom Hatten on Linkedin

Russ Yelton served as Chairman of the AZBio Board of Directors from January 2015 to December 2017. He has been an active board members since being elected in 2009.

He is currently president of Yelton and Associates. The firm provides economic development services as well as early stage business solutions. Yelton and Associates has experience both domestically and internationally and has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs to raise funding and bring their products to a variety of markets. The firm also has a long history of assisting municipalities with the development of co-w0rk, incubators and accelerators as well as loan funds, student focused entrepreneurial programming as well as shared facilities.

As a Board Member at Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, Inc., Yelton provides executive level leadership to a rapidly expanding tissue bank and medical device company. Yelton served as Pinnacle Transplant’s CEO from 2014 to 2017.

Pinnacle Transplant Technologies is a multi-service tissue bank dedicated to ethical participation in the donate life process. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered and American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited, Pinnacle only works with federally chartered Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and agencies accredited by AATB to help safeguard our employees, provide superior allografts for transplantation and assure reverence to our donor families.

Prior to joining Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, Yelton was President and CEO of the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology located in Flagstaff. NACET is a business incubation program that assists companies with commercializing their technologies in both domestic and international markets. NACET is supported by the City of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University where it functions as the Technology Transfer Office for NAU. Clients in NACET’s program received individual business consulting, access to mentors, venture and angel capital and domestic and international student research teams.

Prior to coming to Arizona in 2009, Yelton oversaw the creation of a business incubation program in Asheville, North Carolina in an abandoned 141,000 sq feet former BASF manufacturing plant. That program, located at a community college, included a commercial food kitchen, biotechnology space with wet, dry and core laboratories, light manufacturing and executive offices.

Yelton received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Appalachian State University, a Masters of Business Administration from Western Carolina University and Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership also at WCU. In addition, he received a European Union Grant in 2008 to complete Evaluation of Sustainability Training from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.

Russ@YeltonandAssociates.com
PinnacleTransplantTechnologies
Russ Yelton on Linkedin

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Drena Kusari GM with Lyft and Kyle McIntosh President with Mac6

February 26, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Drena Kusari GM with Lyft and Kyle McIntosh President with Mac6

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Drena Kusari GM with Lyft and Kyle McIntosh President with Mac6

Drena Kusari oversees growth strategy, marketing and operations and under her leadership, Lyft added over $140 million in Phoenix in the last eighteen months. During Drena’s tenure as the Southwest GM, Lyft grew over 6x in rides, drivers and passengers.

Drena is adamant about engaging Lyft in the community. She propels Lyft’s mission by forging partnerships to support community initiatives and fundraise for underserved communities, women, minorities and LGBTQ. She and her team have worked with 60+ nonprofits, organized food drives, and offered financial education and literacy classes. Drena has developed programs to increase the availability and accessibility of rides partnering with Maricopa County, City of Phoenix, State of Arizona and ASU. Moreover, Drena has been the key driver of a series of partnerships with iconic brands in Arizona, such as The Phoenix Suns and Mercury, Barrett-Jackson, Phoenix Rising, etc.

Drena was awarded the Young Professional ATHENA, was recognized as Phoenix’s 40 Under 40 and was one of the 2018 Outstanding Women in Business honorees.

Website: https://www.lyft.com/cities/phoenix-az

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyft/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ridelyftphx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drena-kusari-a40a322/

Instagram: @drenakusari

Kyle McIntosh is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6, which he co-founded in 2011. MAC6 provides both collaborative work spaces and culture focused leadership programs to businesses looking to break through ceilings, its purpose being to build better communities where people and businesses thrive. Additionally, Kyle sits on the board of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, a local chapter of the global Conscious Capitalism movement, working to bring the articulation of Conscious Capitalism and business as a force for good into education. Kyle and MAC6 are active investors in early stage high growth potential businesses, which are creating commensurate impact in the world.

Websites: http://mac6.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAC6Communities

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MAC6Communities

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Chris Sharfner and Dean Katris

February 8, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Chris Sharfner and Dean Katris

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN WITH CHRIS SHARFNER AND DEAN KATRIS

Chris Sharfner is originally from Chicago. He graduated in the top of his class and passed on a basketball scholarship to Xavier and an academic scholarship to Purdue. Instead, Chris took the opportunity to serve in the United States Air Force as a member of a Special Ops unit.

Chris spent four years in the USAF jumping out of airplanes. After he got out he became a broker for Merrill Lynch. After about a year, he realized that he didn’t want to be stuck in an office all day talking about somebody else’s money.

After Merrill, Chris got into the collection industry and did pretty well for myself. He worked from home for a few hours a day and make fantastic money. Although the industry had a way of making you feel “scummy”, it did have its upside. That is until the day his CEO called him and told him that he made too much money! Chris reminded him that he was in sales so he knew that his boss made 10 times as much as he was making.

“He went on about how he lived in a double wide when he was my age, and at that moment it hit me: ‘one day this guy is not going to want to pay me what I’m worth!’ I decided then that I wanted to work for myself so I opened C and J Professional Cleaning in 2004.”

C and J Professional Cleaning Services provides high quality commercial cleaning and janitorial services in Phoenix and throughout the Valley. When Chris is not working, he enjoys working out, riding my motorcycle and hanging out with my family.

C and J Professional Cleaning Services

Dean Katris owns and operates Power Promotions, LLC, a company that grew from a $300 investment (and no real clear plan to move the T’shirt inventory Dean got talked into), to now serving over 175 casinos and dozens of other companies across several industries – with branch offices in 5 states.

Power Promotions is an innovative promotional products distributor. Promotional products, also known as ad specialties, make up a nearly $17 billion dollar industry and are used by virtually every business in America. Why? Items like mugs, pens and t-shirts are memorable and provide a better cost per impression for advertisers than almost every major marketing effort like TV, magazines and the Internet.

Clearly a born entrepreneur, Dean exemplifies the idea that if you want something enough, and you are willing to give it your all, you can attain it. A Business Economics graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Throughout his career, Dean has started and successfully operated several businesses in the apparel industry, as a real estate broker, as well as a custom home building corporation.

With his incredible business insight and passion for personal and professional development, Dean also is an expert leadership development trainer for U & Improved, with more than 15 years experience in the professional development industry, Dean has led thousands of individuals to unlock the thriving, successful leader within themselves and their organizations. Dean drives the message of “U the Leader” with heartfelt passion, delivering a life-changing experience to students who are willing to break through their barriers and who want to start living big.

Dean exhibits what he trains in his personal life as well, as a consistent, nurturing father and role model to his four children and family, related and extended. He maintains a balance in his personal and professional life, ensuring his multiple businesses are thriving while being a constant source of love and inspiration to his adoring children.

Power Promotions LLC