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