Flagstaff 20 under 40 2016

Sponsored by:

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And The 2016 Winners Are...

Marney Babbitt 6

Glenn Leest 13

Ande Burke 6

Drake Louks 13

Lisa Campos 7

Kathryn Mahady 14

Janet Chavez-Vesely

Chad McCutchen 14

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Stephanie Collins 8

Johnathan Mullaney

Marissa Griffin 10

Tommy O’Connor 16

Brent Harris 10

Stephanie Smith 16

Travis Joralmon 11

Stephanie Stackhouse 17

Michelle Koechle 12

Christopher Taylor 18

Erin Kruse 12

Ari Wilder 18

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PUBLISHER DON ROWLEY EDITOR SETH MULLER 928.913.8668 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR COLLEEN BRADY 928.556.2279 ASSISTANT EDITOR ANDREW WISNIEWSKI

Editor̓s Note:

Welcome to our new 20 Under 40 special edition The Arizona Daily Sun, in partnership with the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to present 20 Under 40, a collection of some of the best and brightest of Flagstaff’s young businesspeople. As the name suggests, we have—through a nomination and selection process—assembled 20 businessmen and businesswomen from across industries and professions. We’ll celebrate their work and efforts in this special publication. “The Greater Flagstaff Chamber is thrilled to launch, in collaboration with the Arizona Daily Sun, a monumental new award program which spotlights emerging and young professionals,” said Julie Pastrick, President and CEO of the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.

“Developing and supporting young talent is a baseline economic development initiative that the Chamber has focused on for more than ten years. Now we have a formal way to show our appreciation for the good work young professionals are accomplishing as well as highlight their commitment to community. With encouragement and mentoring, our first class of 20 Under 40 are sure to grow into greater leadership roles and impact our community and state in great ways.” Colleen Brady, Advertising Director for the Arizona Daily Sun and organizer for this special edition, added, “We are very excited to feature the stories of young professionals in this new publication and show how important they’ve become to Flagstaff’s economic success.” Along with the publication, we will host a special reception at Twin Arrows Resort & Casino to honor how they have helped change and grow the community.

928.913.8669 PHOTOGRAPHER JAKE BACON ART DIRECTOR KEITH HICKEY SALES CONTRIBUTORS ZACHARY MEIER KIM DUNCAN SAVANNAH BARLOW BEN ZELLER SHAYNE CAFFREY LYDIA SMITH GRAPHIC ARTISTS CANDACE SCHIPPER KELLY LISTER LAURIE WINN

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016 20 UNDER 40 RECIPIENTS Marney Babbitt

Glenn Leest

Ande Burke

Drake Louks

Lisa Campos

Kathryn Mahady

Janet Chavez-Vesely

Chad McCutchen

Stephanie Collins

Johnathan Mullaney

Marissa Griffin

Tommy O’Connor

Brent Harris

Stephanie Smith

Travis Joralmon

Stephanie Stackhouse

Michelle Koechle

Christopher Taylor

Erin Kruse

Ari Wilder

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS! AWARDS PARTNER:

EVENT SPONSOR:

CORPORATE SPONSOR:

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Marney Babbitt

Ande Burke

Several of our 20 Under 40 choices are young professionals who are taking on roles in youth advocacy and in the field of healthcare.

In the case of Marney Babbitt of North Country HealthCare, she crosses paths with both.

“I was working in higher education and, after five years, I was burnt out,” Marney says.

“College can be hard for students for a variety of reasons. I saw that girls who valued themselves and were not afraid to be themselves did much better in college.

I learned about Girls on the Run (GOTR) from my friend, Sara Morley and immediately knew I wanted to work with the program. I never imagined I would be able to work with GOTR and live in Flagstaff. I feel so fortunate that I am able to do life changing through an organization that builds strong girls.”

Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization that teaches life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. Marney is a council director for the Northern Arizona chapter. The curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.

With GOTR, running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Important social, psychological and physical skills and abilities are developed and reinforced throughout the program.

Marney also loves being able to live and work in Flagstaff through her position at North Country. “I was born and raised in Flagstaff and left to go experience the world while pursuing higher education. I always missed the warmth and community of Flagstaff, but couldn’t find employment that suited my strengths. I feel so fortunate that North Country HealthCare has been such a good fit for me professionally. After experiencing six other cities, I know that there is nowhere like Flagstaff — my home.”

Ande Burke has a passion for positively impacting the lives of Arizona families through her work in the healthcare and education systems. She is highly motivated and resourceful in creating opportunities for businesses to establish community partnerships and connect to the communities and customers they serve.

Ande has a proven track record as a high performing senior business development expert with over 13 years of strategic leadership and detailed project management experience. She offers extensive marketing, report writing, proposal writing/coordination, and documentation preparation.

A former marketing director for Mountain Heart, Ande is the CEO of AB Marketing Solutions, LLC. She also plays other vital roles in the community, including serving on the Coconino Community College Foundation Board of Directors.

“I have served on the Coconino Community College Foundation board of directors for four years to help advance educational opportunities and workforce development in Northern Arizona,” she said. “I also serve on the CCC- PAC yes on prop 410 which seeks to ensure funding for the community college.”

Other highlights of her community service include: • Education and Workforce Development Committee, Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, 2014-Present • Skills for Workplace Success, 2014- Present (Volunteering with 8th graders monthly to instruct on necessary skills and job opportunities focused on STEM education in Arizona).

• Coconino County, Poll Worker 2004-Present.

• Volunteer Inspector for Coconino County elections. Sun Sounds of Arizona, Reader 2007-2013.

• Developed tracking systems, developed structured recess protocol, as well as teacher and family support classes, through the 21st Century Grant and HERMOSA Vida Project.

• Victim Witness Services, Victims Advocate, 2006-2008 (Over 600 hours assisted victims of domestic violence on an on-call basis three times monthly.

For all of Ande’s success, she follows a simple line of how to conduct herself honestly and professionally. “Follow the four agreements. Be impeccable with your word. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.

Don’t take anything personally.”

NAHEC Youth Program Coordinator at North Country HealthCare Girls on the Run of Northern Arizona Council Director

CEO of AB Marketing Solutions

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Lisa Campos

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Northern Arizona University We’re honored to have a number of 20 Under 40 affiliated with Northern Arizona University as graduates or in esteemed positions. One of those is Lisa Campos, a name familiar to many in the athletic circles on campus.

Lisa started her career as an Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Texas at El Paso. She handled all disciplinary matters and worked with a variety of student activities.

Working with students in higher education has always been her passion and, and after a couple of years as the assistant dean of students, the athletic director at UTEP offered her an opportunity in the athletics program.

“When initially presented with this opportunity, I was not certain athletics was the right place for me and my skills,” Lisa says. “Although I have always been a sports fan, I was not a student-athlete in college nor did I really know if the athletics culture was the right fit for me. However, after many conversations with many of my Student Affairs mentors, I realized this was an unbelievable opportunity for both me and the athletics department.”

After being at UTEP for 11 years, the opportunity with NAU Athletics presented itself. NAU Athletics provides students an opportunity to participate in Division I Athletics while obtaining their college degree.

“There are multiple challenges I face in my position, personally and professionally,” Lisa says. “As one of the youngest female athletic directors in the nation, combined with the fact that out of over 330 Division I athletic programs in the nation, there are only two Hispanic female athletic directors, I serve as a role model to young women aspiring to my position.”

She adds, “Working in a predominantly male driven organization, there are assumptions women do not know how to lead an athletics department …Therefore, there is definitely more pressure for women athletic directors to do the best job possible.”

Lisa shares that she did not know much about Flagstaff before she was recruited to NAU. However, once she learned more about NAU and the Flagstaff community, “it became very clear to my husband and I that this was the right place for us. It is a community that has embraced me and my family.”

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Janet Chavez-Vesely

Stephanie Collins

Educators made a number of appearances on our 20 Under 40 nominations list, and one of the sterling honorees among them in Janet Chavez-Vesely. Janet works at Coconino High School as an English and Success 101 teacher. Her own career beginnings have root in her own time in high school.

While she had a wonderful high school experience, she noticed that was not always the case for her peers, many of whom did not get good grades, ended up in trouble with the law or a few who became pregnant or dropped out.

This really sparked her interest and desire to do something. After attending The Cesar Chavez Leadership Conference at Arizona State University as a Junior in high school, she learned fundamental qualities of true leaders and the idea that “expecting something to happen will never guarantee that it will.”

“The only way to see change and make a difference is by being the change and difference,” Janet says. “I saw a problem with ‘school’ for a certain population of my peers and I knew that something needed to be done to address the needs of these students. This idea became my motivation to teach. I so urgently wanted to and still work to reach out and help the kids that have little to reach for. I had great teachers and I continue to carry our passion to reach all students in my classroom every single day.”

Janet found a home for teaching at Coconino High School, which proved to be a great fit for her values and approach to education.

“Our mission at Coconino High School is to strive to build upon the tradition of Panther Pride — a positive environment that honors yet unifies all cultures — and work in partnership with parents and the greater community to encourage each student in his/her pursuit of academic excellence and to instill a lifelong enthusiasm for learning,” she shares.

One of the guiding ideas for her teaching is to maintain enthusiasm in the classroom and hope that enthusiasm leads to student engagement. “If you’re not passionate about your profession, you need to find something else. Much like a customer, students can sense your excitement and they in turn buy-in to whatever it is I’m ‘selling them.’”

Our 20 Under 40 collection features a number of great young professionals who have seen incredible success in the healthcare field. Among these is Stephanie Collins, a dentist with her own practice in town.

The office provides comprehensive dental care and services to children and adults. These services include cleanings, fillings and crowns, tooth removal or extractions, root canals, dentures, implants and mild orthodontic cases. They also educate children and the community by participating in “Dental Day” at local elementary schools and speaking to undergraduate students at the Pre-Dental Club at Northern Arizona University.

“We also set up shadowing experiences for students to come to the dental office and observe,” Stephanie says. “We volunteer at local community events including Flagstaff’s Give Kids A Smile, the NAU Hygiene Dental Programs annual Kiddie Clinic and Mission of Mercy in Central Arizona.”

Stephanie moved to Flagstaff for an optional dentist residency. She later worked as an associate dentist and part-time for the NAU Dental Hygiene Program and worked full time at the Coconino County Public Health Services District Dental Clinic position as their full time dentist director.

“I have always wanted to own my own practice, and I was introduced to a dentist transitioning into retirement,” she says. “I then took over his patient load and started my own practice.”

Though she loves her profession, Stephanie has another exciting interest that keeps her connected to the Flagstaff area.

“Rock climbing is one of my greatest passions,” she says. “My husband and I chose Flagstaff because there is endless rock climbing in northern Arizona but also in Arizona itself. It is a short driving distance from other world class climbing areas. We also wanted to find a community with potential for personal, spiritual and professional growth and a great community to live in. Flagstaff is it!”

As far as her ethic, Stephanie says, “We are humans, naturally relational. Develop and strengthen your relationships with your patients and everything else will follow, your reputation, your business growth, your success.”

English Teacher/Success 101 Teacher at Coconino High School

Dentist/Business Owner at Stephanie Collins DDS PC

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Marissa Griffin

Brent Harris

We are excited to share a number of 20 Under 40 honorees who are deeply involved or hold positions with important nonprofit, charitable organizations in Flagstaff. Among our young professionals is Marissa Griffin, A Community Manager with the American Cancer Society.

Marissa’s background is in sales and marketing but she has always had a passion for planning events and being able to help people. When a position opened with the American Cancer Society in Flagstaff, it drew her interest right away as it was working in Flagstaff and surrounding communities.

It encompassed promoting cancer awareness, education and raising funds for research through events like the annual Climb to Conquer Cancer or The Flagstaff Denim and Diamonds Gala. Events like this help to fund free programs and services for patients and their families.

“The first time I took part in the planning for The Climb and got to see 4,000 people from all around share stories and be a part of fighting for this one cause, I knew this was something special I wanted to be a part of.” Marissa says. “Unfortunately, today, we live in a world where everyone knows someone affected by cancer. And if I can help make even the slightest difference to a loved one fighting cancer, or comfort to those who have lost someone I know were doing something right to help end this terrible disease.”

The American Cancer Society is a community-based voluntary health organization. As a non-profit their goal is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer. This is done by funding research, providing education and advocacy and offering free services to patients and their families.

More than two million volunteers carry out the Society’s mission of eliminating cancer and improving quality of life for those individuals facing the disease. In Flagstaff, the office covers all of Northern Arizona, serving over 15 communities and running 12 events to help fundraise money in the fight against cancer with volunteers assisting in every community.

“We also have a local cancer research center in partnership with The Northern Arizona Cancer Center to help provide information and assistance to patients and their families, as well as wigs, assistance in rides to treatment, hotel stays and many other great programs to help benefit and enhance overall well being of a patient going through their cancer journey,” Marissa shares.

One of the young bright members of the Flagstaff legal community, Brent Harris has worked as an attorney in various firms and capacities before becoming the City Prosecutor for Flagstaff.

Harris graduated in 2004 and went to work for the law firm Kirkpatrick & Harris, PC, which later became Harris & Winger, PC. He opened his own law office, Brent D. Harris, PLLC, which was a successful criminal defense and estate planning law firm. In 2015, he joined Team Flagstaff by becoming an Assistant City Attorney.

“I wanted to spend more time with my young family and wanted to work on ‘quality of life’ crimes in the City of Flagstaff,” Brent says. “After 13 months on the job, I was hired as the City Prosecutor for this City, managing my office staff of three assistant prosecutors and four support staff.”

Along with his work in Law, Brent also is a licensed Realtor and an associate with Linton Real Estate, “a company with a long history in Flagstaff and with which I am proud to be associated.”

Outside of his professional work, Brent is President of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff for his second term.

“What excites me most about my current position is the ability to use my Master’s degree in Public Administration by running the most effective and efficient agency that I know how—I learn and teach every day and gain great satisfaction from my current position,” he says.

With his role as prosecutor, Brent found a great number of challenges in getting the office to a better place despite the difficulties related to workload and budget. The staff of eight prosecutes every misdemeanor in the city.

“Being a united, optimistic, respectful team, makes this challenge not only doable but exciting and fulfilling,” Brent says. “I believe that we can and are making a difference in the lives of the citizens of this awesome city. We work with small, medium and large businesses and stakeholders from every walk of life to protect our quality of life, reduce quality of life crimes, reduce recidivism, provide opportunities for rehabilitation, run a Veteran’s Court and Mental Health Court and work daily to make this City a pleasant place to live, shop, visit and learn.”

Community Manager at American Cancer Society

Prosecutor with the City of Flagstaff

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Travis Joralmon

Insurance Agent with McCullough Insurance Agency Among our 20 Under 40 honorees, we have many who are important members of their service industry. Among them is Travis Joralmon, who works as an insurance agent with McCullough Insurance Agency.

McCullough Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency that works with our clients to provide all types of insurance to fit their needs. It was founded in Flagstaff in 1919 and so has been around for nearly 100 years. Travis is one of 11 members of the McCullough Agency.

He provides services in personal lines, health, life and commercial lines.

“When I started in insurance I was given an amazing opportunity to be an Agent at McCullough Insurance,” Travis says. “I am constantly having to work on technology issues like supporting the office staff to fixing download issues with carriers.”

He adds, “In our industry, Flagstaff has an overwhelming number of insurance agents. McCullough Insurance has been in business for nearly 100 years and has developed a reputation for professionalism, high ethical standards and community mindedness.”

Travis was born and raised in Flagstaff and remains happy to call this mountain town his home. “Flagstaff has always been a local minded community and I have always given back to different organization by volunteering.”

Some of Travis’s volunteer work include his efforts as the head coach of the Flagstaff Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team, which he handled from 2001 through 2009. His work with Team F.A.S.T. was part of a highly structured program that promotes skiing and snowboarding. Travis has also volunteered for Special Olympics Arizona and counts children, education, human rights and science and technology among the causes he cares about.

Along with his work at McCullough Insurance Agency and his volunteer efforts, Travis also worked as an IT Associate with W.L. Gore & Associates from 2006-2009. For all his initiatives and career efforts, he lives by the motto: “Never forget the importance of happiness in business.”

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Michelle Koechle

Erin Kruse

When it comes to Flagstaff, photography is big business. The mountain town in the scenic Southwest is home to numerous commercial, landscape, artistic and event photographers. The professional shooters are a big part of the town and include all manner of styles and genres.

So, it’s exciting to include a photographer on our list for our 20 Under 40 honorees. Michelle Koechle, a lifestyle photographer specializing in high school seniors and female portraits, has always had an interest in photography, and, while growing up, felt she had an eye for it.

When she went to Northern Arizona University in 2002 however, she chose not to major in photography due to the influence of her parents convincing her to major in “something more reliable and well-rounded.”

After she graduated, she worked in Human Resources and Office Administration until she was laid off in 2008. “I decided to take it as an opportunity to go back to school, and take a few classes I actually had an interest in — photography was one of them. My professor, Joe Cornett pointed out to me, ‘You’re good at taking pictures of people. You should look into that.’

I took his advice and started my business. I haven’t looked back since.”

While Michelle loves her work, she notes that it does have its share of challenges.

“The biggest challenge currently in the photographic industry is the oversaturation of amateur photographers,” she says. “With cameras being so affordable these days, many people purchase one and decide to call themselves professionals because of the caliber of their cameras. We all have to start somewhere, but it’s hard to make a living in an industry where hobbyist or amateur photographers are charging next to nothing for a photo shoot. I have to make sure I stay ahead of that.”

As for being a photographer who lives and works in Flagstaff, Michelle was not sure if she would stick around, “but something about the town pulled me in and kept me here.” She says the growth of the town in recent years has been an interesting aspect.

“It’s great, but the growth is so rapid — it’s difficult to keep up with the demand. I’m trying to overcome this challenge relative to my business by hiring and training other photographers to work for my brand. Hopefully, we will soon be able to take on more shoots.”

Erin Kruse, one of our 20 Under 40 Flagstaff honorees, works with more than 500 volunteers statewide as the Senior Corps Programs Project Director at Northern Arizona University. And her arrival there followed years of engagement in the world of volunteerism.

“After graduating from college I worked for Caterpillar in Peoria, Ill.; Miami; and Raleigh, N.C.,” she says. “It was a great experience but I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in the non-profit sector. I moved to Denver for a fresh start — and for the mountains. Upon arriving in Mile High City I started volunteering and networking.

An acquaintance asked me to help with an annual event she was planning.”

Soon after, she was spending her days at Volunteers of America, the largest non-profit in Colorado, preparing to bundle and deliver 5,000 fruit baskets to elderly, homebound individuals. “Not only did I get to be a part of wonderful event, I also got to know the organization and learned about services for older adults as well as the field of volunteer management.”

NAU posted a position managing the same programs Erin had in Denver.

She was thankful for the opportunity to continue to utilize her skills to support volunteers to make Flagstaff “stronger, healthier and more connected.”

The Civic Service Institute at NAU educates and engages Arizonans in service and volunteerism. The team recruits volunteers throughout the state to meet unmet community needs. They expand the capacity of their partner agencies, typically non-profit organizations and schools, by matching them with volunteers who have needed skill sets.

“Through Senior Corps and AmeriCorps Programs (federally funded, national volunteer programs) we give Arizonans meaningful ways to be involved, strengthen their communities and learn new skills,” Erin says. “I am the director of three programs for people 55 and better: the Foster Grandparent Program, the Senior Companion Program, and the RSVP Program. The majority of our volunteers, ages 55 into their 90s, serve children who are struggling in school and visit homebound elders to help them maintain their independence.”

For Erin, Flagstaff is a great place to be and to engage in the kind of work she does. “I continue to be impressed with what a generous community we live in. Flagstaff residents care about their neighborhoods, schools and the greater community. I’ve seen them come together for projects again and again.”

Owner/Photographer at Michelle Koechle Photography

Senior Corps Programs Project Director at Northern Arizona University

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Glenn Leest

Drake Louks

For 20 Under 40 honoree Glenn Leest, his entrance into independent investment came after five years working as a paramedic. Thanks to a family friend, he was able to take a leap from one completely different field to another, a move also helped by his knack for “working with people and with numbers,” he says.

“After a few long discussions, I realized that I would be able to help those in my community through the investment industry and create a satisfying career for me and my family,” Glenn explains. “Shortly thereafter I started working at that family friend’s investment practice. I spent two amazing years at that practice before I was recruited to my current firm.”

Glenn is an investment advisor with Four Peaks Wealth Management, an independent investment advisory firm based in Flagstaff. Using a proprietary asset allocation model, the firm builds custom portfolios to assist clients in achieving their long-term financial goals.

“My current position requires an incredible amount of determination,” Glenn shares. “The investment field can be extremely rewarding, but it is also more challenging than most people can comprehend. The statistics for those who leave the industry in the first two year are staggering and can be 90 percent or more.”

He adds, “I have heard the word ‘No’ more times than I care to repeat while in the first two years in the industry. My mentor taught me that the sooner you can get through the ‘Nos’ the sooner you can get to the ‘Yeses.’

Being able to locate, cultivate and establish those relationships takes an incredible amount of determination and ingenuity that most people simply cannot achieve.”

Glenn moved to Flagstaff in 2004 after graduating from high school in Southern California. Having lived close to the beach and having fantastic weather in California, his reason for leaving was family-orientated. His family decided to move to Flagstaff in 2004 and he made the choice to come to Flagstaff as well.

As far as a good piece of advice that’s helped him along the way, Glenn notes that, “One of my mentors while I was still a paramedic gave me some great advice. He said, ‘Glenn, your integrity is worth over six figures’ … This person saw my potential and realized how important a person’s character and integrity is.”

Among our 20 Under 40 honorees, it’s no surprise to see some great work in the information and technology industries. Among our young professionals in this arena is Drake Louks, who is the CEO of Arizona Tech Advisors.

After working at Coconino County Sherriff’s Office for two years, Drake decided it was not for him, and pursued another position that would provide more financial assistance with school. He was offered a job at Verizon, which allowed him to finish his bachelor’s degree in public administration.

“I still had something in the back of my head telling me to pursue technology,” Drake says. “I then went on to work for GoDaddy, which taught me more about technology — but that still wasn’t enough. I began taking online classes, buying computers that were almost broken and taking them apart, and learning everything about them. I continued doing this and formed an official side business.”

He continues, “A death in the family brought me back to Flagstaff and I noticed there was still no Apple Store or even a service center here. I began working with an IT company in town who told me I would never get an Apple contract.”

With great persistence, Drake was able to petition Apple and eventually land the contract as the only Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) in Flagstaff. Arizona Tech Advisors provides multiple services for owners of Apple products, including training and IT support. However, the work does come with its share of challenges.

“The biggest challenge I face in my position is not having full control of the outcome” according to Drake. “All of our customers being 100 percent satisfied is my goal, however, working with a multitude of large companies can sometimes make that goal quite challenging. For example, parts being out of stock at the warehouse is something I cannot control, but I know the additional time it takes to get the part hurts customer satisfaction. ” He adds, “I want to be clear: my comment regarding customer service is in no way directed at Apple Inc. As I mentioned before, we partner with many companies in addition to Apple, and no company is perfect. Companies make mistakes, and people understand that. When this happens I explain the situation to a customer and tell them what we are doing to fix it. The amazing residents we share our community with are usually very understanding. While apologies don’t fix problems, customers know my apologies are sincere means the world to me.”

Investment Advisor for Four Peaks Wealth Management

CEO of Arizona Tech Advisors

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Kathryn Mahady

Attorney with Aspey, Watkins & Diesel, PLLC Kathryn “Kate” Mahady is another one of our bright 20 Under 40 stars in the legal field. She taught seventh grade social studies in Tucson Unified School District for seven years before enrolling in law school. She earned an M.A. degree and was awarded two Fulbright awards to travel to Turkey in 2005 and to South Africa for the full school year of 2007.

While teaching was very rewarding and inspiring, the continual intellectual challenges that practicing law offers drew her more strongly to that career path.

“I pursued a career in law in the hopes that I could do work that would be helpful to others, while also providing myself with continual challenges and areas for learning and professional growth,” Kate says. “Fritz Aspey, my partner at Aspey, Watkins & Diesel, has told me that, even after over forty years as an attorney, he is still learning new things every day. I find this challenge exciting and inspiring and I am looking forward to a long career in law, during which I will continue to learn every day.”

Aspey, Watkins & Diesel, PLLC is the largest general service law firm in northern Arizona. It offers legal services in nearly every area of law and has been a member of the community for 41 years.

“The biggest challenge that I face as an attorney is also the greatest inspiration that I have as an attorney, which is the great variety of work that I am able to do in my law practice,” Kate shares. “In this position, I have been able to represent people in a wide variety of circumstances, including women seeking orders of protection against abusers, U.S. citizens seeking to immigrate their spouses, criminal defendants seeking to set aside their convictions and move forward with their lives, companies seeking protection for their intellectual property, individuals and families who are completely overwhelmed by debt and many other people who have found themselves in many other situations.”

Kate also loves living and working in Flagstaff, which she explains has a “small, respectful legal community that provides nearly all of the opportunities that a larger market has” and active, friendly population that pushes her to active in the outdoors.

“I moved to Flagstaff five years ago and could not imagine living anywhere else,” she says.

Chad McCutchen Vice President of Omni Channel Digital Technology/Deckers Brands

Chad McCutchen is a Flagstaff Under 40 professional whose role is global in scope. Given his Vice President role with Deckers Brands, he oversees 39 employees who operate the global digital business for a portfolio of footwear brands. The current brands are Ugg, Teva, Sanuk, Hoka One One and Koolaburra.

Their responsibility includes operating the direct-toconsumer websites and creating digital experiences in the company-owned stores. They currently have digital business operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and China.

“I started with Deckers as the eCommerce Business Manager in September of 2007,” McCutchen says.

“That year the eCommerce business consisted of the ecommerce sites for Ugg Australia, Teva and Simple Shoes in the United States. We finished that year with ~$44 million in eCommerce sales. By the end of our most recent full fiscal year we had grown the eCommerce division to operate in Canada, Europe, Japan and China. Through that expansion we had reached ~$250 million in global eCommerce sales. The space between that $44 million and ~$250 million is where my career has been built.”

McCutchen explains there have been countless long nights, a lot of calculated risks, hundreds of thousands of miles in the air and urgent problems requiring immediate solutions. But he gives much credit to his team.

“I’ve surrounded myself with brilliant and hard-working people and have tried my best to keep them motivated towards achieving what I know we can achieve,” Chad says. “This career would not have been possible had I not had great parents who instilled a relentless work ethic in me. I also have an amazing life partner in my wife. Her dedication to our family, her wisdom and the workload she carries to manage our household are monumental. Any career success I have belongs as much to the team I work with, my parents and my wife as it does to me.”

While tackling a big job that’s global in range, Chad appreciates being able to call this mountain town his home.

“Flagstaff is the kind of community where my wife and I want to raise our children,” he says. “I travel a lot for work. But every time the wheels touch down at Pulliam Airport, and then I step out onto the tarmac, that burst of mountain air and the serene surrounding of pine trees remind me of why, no matter where I travel, Flagstaff is my home.”

15

Johnathan Mullaney Owner/Broker at Village Land Shoppe

For the owner of Village Land Shoppe, his purchase of the real estate company could not have come at a worse time, as it came right before the biggest housing recession of modern times.

Building the business and becoming profitable during this challenging market has been the biggest professional challenge for him to overcome.

Fortunately, Village Land Shoppe was able to not only stay afloat, but grow and thrive in the face of the recession and position itself for continued success in this current growth period.

“Overall the biggest challenge I face in my position is market volatility,” Johnathan says.

“As the owner, my priority is making sure my agents are taken care of first, and that they are successful.

This has meant at times sacrificing personal gain for the good of the business, but shared success of all agents and partners is a Village Land Shoppe value I am proud to promote.”

Johnathan’s father, Steve Mullaney, started Village Land Shoppe from the family garage in 1988. After his unexpected passing in 2005, the son purchased the business from his stepmother as a way to carry on his father’s legacy and help provide for his widow and teenage daughter, who were left behind.

“I had been working for Village Land Shoppe for about seven years as a Realtor while putting myself through college at Northern Arizona University in Computer Information Systems,” he says. “I knew that buying the business upon his passing was the right thing to do to provide for his family, and carry on the business traditions he instilled in me as a child.”

Johnathan is an Arizona native who spent the majority of his childhood and life in Flagstaff, and he’s a graduate of both Flagstaff High School and NAU. He chose to stay in Flagstaff for his love of the people, forest, environment and climate, and to help support the city that he loves.

“Village Land Shoppe has helped attract and retain valuable members of our community, like active and retired police officers, teachers, military, nurses, doctors, firefighters and first responders by participating in the National Heroes Home Advantage Program,” he says. “This program gives a percentage of our commission back to buyers and sellers who qualify for the program to reduce their closing costs. This helps attract and retain these valuable community members.”

Congratulations!

You are a shining example of what is right and good about Flagstaff and our country.

Janet Chavez Vesely

Congratulations Christopher Taylor!

General Sales Manager Flagstaff Buick/GMC

Selected as one of the 2016 Arizona Daily Sun’s 20 under 40 finalists!

16

Tommy O’Connor

Stephanie Smith

In the last ten or so years, the importance of branding, marketing and interaction design have become crucial in the business world. More and more companies are rising up and helping to create strong design work, and one of them in Flagstaff is owned by 20 Under 40 honoree Tommy O’Connor.

“We do both branding and interaction design,” he says. “What’s interaction design? It’s the design of how users will interact with technology … We design the flow, look and language of websites as well as mobile and web apps.”

Some of the larger clients on Tommy’s Made with Math roster include Adobe, DivX and GE Healthcare. Some of the local clients they’ve worked with include: Wanderlust Brewery, Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill of Northern Arizona. They also work with quite a few startups.

“My love affair with visual communications started right after high school,” Tommy says. “I wasn’t doing so well in college, and I had no clue what it was that I wanted to do with my life. One day I was hanging around in a bookstore and I came across a magazine on graphic design. I bought the magazine and must have read every word a dozen times.”

He continues, “I was still a poor college kid so I couldn’t afford a computer yet. So about two years later I was working at a restaurant and had enough money to finally buy a computer. A friend gave me a ‘cracked’ version of Photoshop and that’s basically where it all started.”

As much as he loves running his business in Flagstaff, it does have a few obstacles in terms of the learning curve a number of local businesses have.

“I’d say that the lack of clients who have experience purchasing design work has been our biggest local challenge,” Tommy says.

“When I drive around town I marvel at the ratio of logos that have the peaks incorporated in them. I get it, we’re all proud to be mountain folk. I know I am. So, it’s a common idea for a business owner who doesn’t understand branding. I’m pretty proud to say we’ve only done one logo with peaks, can’t win them all!”

Among our 20 Under 40 honorees who work in public service is Stephanie Smith, who is a vital member of the team for the City of Flagstaff as the Assistant to the City Manager. Stephanie has been with the City for 10 years. And from the first day on the job, she says she took full responsibility for her future in public service. “I claimed my career.”

Before assuming her role at the City, Stephanie served two AmeriCorps terms in Flagstaff. She also volunteers on different boards including the NAU Alumni Association Board, and participated in the Flagstaff Leadership Program. She earned undergraduate degrees in political science and geography from NAU in 2004.

In 2009, Stephanie decided to go back to school and earned her MPA in 2011 from NAU. She shares that her education, involvement in the community and diverse job experience have prepared her for her current career. She embraces the challenge of working for Flagstaff and doing the best at her role.

“I believe the role of local governments is changing and I believe my work directly responds to this change,” Stephanie says. “This is really an impressive time to be a leader in local government.”

She continues, “As a local government professional, I think our biggest challenges we face is turning public policy into tangible results that shape how our community looks and feels.” The City of Flagstaff is working to bring greater engagement on local issues to residents. “Creating less intimidating and more inviting environments for engagement is key. Local policy impacts all residents and the engagement strategies need to reflect this impact.”

Stephanie sees hers as an important position in the City to help the community and make those connections. “My job at the City of Flagstaff includes evaluating and implementing new and innovative ways to collaborate in our community and with our partners. My commitment to public service is directly aligned with my commitment to preserve and promote what makes so Flagstaff special.”

Owner of Made with Math

Assistant to the City Manager at the City of Flagstaff

17

Stephanie Stackhouse Financial Advisor at Edward Jones

Our 20 Under 40 list has a handful of young professionals who have taken on the challenging and competitive career in the world of finance. The tireless work of building client lists, keeping up with the market changes and laws and all of the many facets within the financial industry make it a tough arena to enter and succeed.

So, we’re excited to include honorees for 20 Under 40 such as Stephanie Stackhouse. She put herself through college working in finance and was turned off by the lack of care and attention given to the clients. An advisor from Edward Jones had called to talk to her about the opportunity and she explained that she was not comfortable selling products to clients that don’t need it to better the profits of the company that employs her.

“He laughed and told me we should meet,” she says. “I met with Matias for 45 minutes and it changed my life. He showed me how Edward Jones was structured, how we work with clients and how I would never be asked to sell something to make the firm a profit. I loved the business model and the ability to work daily with clients to find what works best for them.”

Stephanie works with local families to help them achieve their financial goals, create financial freedom and create legacies.

“The emotions and the connections I have with clients is the hardest part,” she notes. “From my first meeting with clients I am vested in their future and accomplishing their needs. It is so hard to see what clients have had done to their financial goals. Watch them travel through the good and bad of life, personal and career losses, illness, life changes, to walk them through where they are, what they’ve been charged and how it has impacted their long term picture.”

Along with having a passion for her job, she and her family also have a passion for Flagstaff and loves being here. “Have you looked around? Flagstaff has everything you could want in a community.

We know our neighbors, we see our friends at the grocery store or downtown. We love the mountains, the hiking, the camping, but also the sense of community we have in Flagstaff.”

Congratulations

to North Country HealthCare’s own

Marney Babbitt

on being named a 20 Under 40 finalist for her dedication to fulfill our mission to create healthier communities.

northcountryhealthcare.org

18

Christopher Taylor

Ari Wilder

Christopher Taylor’s career in automotive sales began with a phone call.

He was working as a grant writer and compliance coordinator for a nonprofit organization in 2003 when he had the phone conversation with the owner of Flagstaff Buick GMC. He had suffered an injury at Lake Powell and knew Taylor had suffered similar injuries. It turned out, too, the owner needed a sales person to head up to their Page dealer, and he offered him the job.

“After a few days of thinking about the career change, I was all in,” he says. “Packed up a few items in a box, mailed them to my new address in Page, Arizona and jumped on a plane. Have never looked back because this is the best job I could ever have. It has helped me become a man and a great provider for my beautiful family.”

Christopher oversees 55 employees as part of Flagstaff Buick GMC and takes much of the great advice he has received and models it around how he runs the business. “Leave the place you work in better shape than you found it. Be a leader people want to follow and want to work for. Your staff is the most important asset you have; take care of them and the rest will take care of itself.”

As part of his work at the Buick dealership, Christopher also helps to develop his employees by conducting weekly trainings and “invest in our personnel by sending them to training that will make them better.”

However, Christopher sees some challenges that have to be handled at the dealership and that hard work is still required to keep the wheels turning. “(The biggest challenge is) getting more locals to walk into the store and just give us an opportunity to earn their business,” he says. “At both stores we have made it priority number one to become more a part of the community from getting involved at NAU to have Saturday events just inviting the community the community to come out.”

He added, “I can’t stress enough to anyone who is looking to grow their business it begins at home. And if you take care of Flagstaff, I believe they will take care of you.”

Ari Wilder is the leader of The Literary Center, a well-respected nonprofit organization in Flagstaff. The Literacy Center helps adults, teens, and families improve their literacy skills to reach their educational and life goals. Professionally trained volunteer literacy tutors teach classes, staff drop-in hours, and work one-to-one with individuals and families.

Ari oversees a part-time staff of three employees and the success of the organization relies on its ability to leverage community resources. Last year, more than 100 literacy tutors worked with 421 learners. They attained impressive goals, including registering to vote and voting for the first time, starting a business, earning their GED and supporting the education of their children.

“I have worked in education all of my life,” Ari says. “Teaching and learning is my passion and I believe that every person, young and old, has the right to an education. After college, I started as a high school biology teacher at a newly opened public magnet school in New Jersey. Then, I had the opportunity to teach middle school science in Tucson, Arizona. The relationships that I built with my students and their families continue to this day.”

She continued, “The biggest challenge that I face as Executive Director of The Literacy Center is creating an outstanding learning environment to meet the literacy needs in our community. To do this, it is vital to have welltrained volunteer tutors and sufficient financial resources. Running a nonprofit organization is similar to running a business. Through my position at The Literacy Center, I have honed my financial management skills and my strategic planning, taking into account income and expenses, and dedicating time and energy in the most effective ways possible.”

Ari and her family had the good fortune to move Flagstaff, and she initially worked as the Dean of Academy at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy for more than five years. Ari remains a big fan of our mountain town spirit.

“Flagstaff is a small town with big ideals,” she says. “I interact with people from all walks of life on a daily basis and I am continually impressed by the passion that I encounter for different causes and issues. However, it is vital that all community members, young and old, have access to the educational opportunities and services they need to realize their passions and achieve their goals. This challenge is not unique to Flagstaff and I have dedicated my professional life to ensuring that excellent educational experiences are accessible for all.”

General Manager of Flagstaff Buick GMC

Executive Director of the Literary Center

19

THEY’RE HIGH-ACHIEVING PROFESSIONALS, BUSINESS OWNERS, ARTISTS AND MANAGERS WHO ARE ALL WORKING TO MAKE FLAGSTAFF A BETTER PLACE. Here are some stats about the winners:

34 5.3 408 58

The number of people that the winners collectively employ or supervise

The Average Age of this year’s winners

Number of years they have been employed or operate their own business

YEARS YEARS

Number Born in Flagstaff

Number who attended NAU

20

Five steps for a successful career change Ready for a career change, but not sure how to make the leap? Here are five essential steps you should consider before moving forward.

1. Decide what you want. Take the time to consider your needs, motivations and interests before deciding which path you want to follow. Are you looking for a less stressful career, one that provides more independence or maybe a better balance between work and your personal life?

You can always meet with a career counselor if you’re having trouble deciding.

Live & Work in One of the Most

BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH!

sacrifices you’ll need to make. Certain careers might require more of your personal time or additional education. Getting to know the profession or trade beforehand (i.e. through volunteering or an internship) will also help the decision-making process.

4. Have a plan. Create a detailed action plan to map out the steps you’ll need to take. Identify your main goals while taking your financial and educational needs into account. Determine if you’ll need to work weekends while at school, or how you’ll balance family, work and school life.

2. Assess yourself. Write down your skills, interests, values, strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Better understanding yourself will go a long way in finding a career that’s right for you.

5. Get help. You’ll need the support of your family and friends to achieve your goals, so be sure to share you career aspirations with those closest to you. Moreover, your decisions might disrupt your family and social life, so it’s best to keep loved ones well-informed. Don’t forget to look into various financial aid options along the way. Loans, bursaries and start-up grants can be extremely helpful when changing careers.

3. Evaluate your options. Research the salary, working conditions, long-term prospects, benefits and current opportunities of the careers you find interesting. Determine the time and money you’ll have to invest and

Making a career change can be a big investment, both in time and money.

And as with any investment, you’ll want to make the best-informed decision possible. By being organized and thorough in your planning, you’ll help to ensure that your professional transition is a smooth and successful one.

THE GRAND HOTEL

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Located just one mile south of the Grand Canyon park entrance in Tusayan, AZ, The Grand Hotel joins a family of over 8,000 Xanterra Parks & Resorts employees throughout the United States. The Grand Hotel offers entry-level and skilled positions in Food and Beverage, Retail, Rooms, and Maintenance, and a variety of mid and upper management opportunities. Positions include full time, part time and seasonal.

Grand Canyon Railway (GCR) offers daily passenger service to the Grand Canyon South Rim. GCR is home to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Grand Depot Cafe, Spenser's Lounge, a historic depot and the GCR RV Park & Pet Resort.

This Xanterra property offers a full benefit package for all eligible employees including:

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GCR is a part of a family of over 8,000 Xanterra Parks & Resorts employees throughout the United States. GCR offers entrylevel and skilled positions in customer service, mechanical and technical positions and a variety of mid and upper management opportunities. Positions include full time, part time and seasonal.

This Xanterra property offers a full benefit package for all eligible employees including:

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•

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Offering flexibility and growth opportunities, GCR employees enjoy many benefits including the ability to transfer to any of the many properties within Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

Offering flexibility and growth opportunities, GCR employees enjoy many benefits including the ability to transfer to any of the many properties within Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

To APPLY and learn more our career opportunities visit our website at WWW.GRANDCANYONGRANDHOTEL.COM Xanterra Tusayan® “We are an EEO, Female/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/ Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.”

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“We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Female/Minority/ Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.”

21

Changing Corporate Culture Many professionals’ objective is to reach upper management or the board room.

Making it to the top usually means better pay, more power and the ability to influence major change in your company.

These roles also come with a lot of responsibility for keeping the business afloat and ensuring maximum profitability.

But one hiring trend is becoming more and more prominent as the workforce becomes younger and more diverse: culture building. This is not just a strong buzzword to include on your resume. It also is a philosophy to which leaders must ascribe.

• Promote from within. Nothing shows your employees that you respect their work like promoting them to positions of more responsibility and better pay. This internal focus on career advancement will motivate your employees to perform at their highest potential.

• Communicate regularly. As a management professionals, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in the minutia of meetings, planning and numbers analysis. Don’t forget that building relationships throughout various departments is key to cultivating a positive workplace culture.

What is Culture Building?

hcare Regional Medical Center

Building a corporate culture means fostering a positive environment, one that encourages collaboration and a united focus. Employees who work in an employeefocused workplace are happier and morecare productive because feel like valued xceptional, Compassionate close tothey home members of the team.

If you’re looking to position yourself for a promotion into upper-level management, autiful or White you’re seeking a chance to market your skills for outside C-level positions, here ty of life soars asyou can take in your current leadership role to impact the culture of are some steps your company: • Celebrate success. Work hard to let your employees know that they are appreciAssistance / ated, especially when goals are met and customers are happy. Partner with your human resources department to make sure incentives are in place for strong perRetirement / formance. Reward your best employees and encourage all workers to strive for excellence.

Opportunities Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center Physical Therapist Summit Regional Medical Center Trusted to Deliver Exceptional, Compassionate care to to home Trusted toHealthcare Deliver Exceptional, Compassionate careclose close home Medical Technologist

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Coconino Community College is committed to excellence, diversity and opportunity.

Our employees are dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who make a difference in the lives of the community we serve.

Find out how you can join CCC by looking at our current list of employment opportunities on our website www.coconino.edu

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Dial 711 for relay services and connect to 928-226-4320.

CCC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Congratulations on your nomination for the 20 under 40 awards.

So glad you are on our team!

22

A Word on Our Banquet Venue: Twin Arrows Casino When good people work together, great things can happen. This is the overriding mantra of Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort on Interstate 40, about 20 miles east of Flagstaff. In the 1950s, the exit — with its iconic two arrows piercing the ground, served as a popular rest stop. Now, like a turnaround story, the casino and hotel complex sits on the opposite side of the interstate, with its logo arrow duo pointing skyward.

Twin Arrows opened in late May 2013 as the only casino and resort north of I-40 in Arizona. Like the outbound twin arrows — reflective of the Navajo journey through time — the aim is to move the Navajo tribe and the upscale enterprise upward together. What does it take? Team, talent, training and tradition.

The grand property has a variety of food options from a buffet food court to a sports bar to a café, but the food experience is particularly skyward with Zenith Steakhouse. The ambience in this high-end restaurant takes diners to a mountaintop vista. A layered ceiling structure at the entry mimics a Hogan emerging into a dining room of vast, cliff walls mixed with eagle’s nest imagery utilizing birch branches as custom lighting and at floor level to create dining zones.

With 8,500 square feet of elegant, multi-functional ballroom event space; the Twin Arrows team will assist with arranging a special experience to ensure

no detail is overlooked, so that events are executed seamlessly and within any budget. The ultimate mission is to provide a memorable experience by providing exceptional service coupled with creative menus which emphasize the chef’s inspirations.

The Dine Event Center offers: On-site event manager; initial concept and design of the event to match the vision; award-winning cuisine and gourmet catering; an additional 1,662 square feet of flexible meeting space; state of the art audio visual equipment for dynamic presentations, upscale executive boardroom The four-diamond resort features 200 guestrooms and suites with a décor of the Navajo culture woven into the architecture throughout the property. Guests can play over 1,100 slot machines or favorite table games on the award-winning casino floor. Twin Arrows offers a variety of quality dining options from the delicious Zenith Steakhouse featuring Navajo Prime cuts of beef, to the Arrows Sports Bar, Four Elements Café or the Grand Falls Buffet.

To learn more about the facilities, please contact the sales team: Douglas Kacena, Director of Sales at (928) 856-7132/douglaskacena@nnge.org Geraldine Begay, Sales Manager at (928) 856-7145/GeraldineBegay@nnge.org Daphne Bates, Sales Manager at (928) 856-7172/DaphneBates@nnge.org.

See who won in this year’s

Magazine

Available Starting

11

ENERGIZING ARIZONA UniSource Energy Services delivers clean, efficient natural gas to nearly 150,000 customers across Arizona.

From Flagstaff to Lake Havasu to the U.S. – Mexico border, our employees share a commitment to safe, reliable energy and community service. To learn more, visit uesaz.com.