Clear Title a ‘Top Company to Work for in Arizona’ Again

Capitol Times, Best Companies Group and Best Companies AZ has announced that Clear Title Agency of Arizona has earned a spot on the list of 2023 Top Companies to Work for in Arizona for the 11th consecutive year.

This list is the result of anonymous and comprehensive employee surveys measuring culture, work environment, leadership and employee pride and satisfaction, combined with rigorous evaluations of workplace practices, policies, perks and demographics.

“This year’s Top Companies were selected based on the results of very high favorable employee survey scores, averaging 90% overall survey results and an impressive 92% overall employee engagement. This level of performance for Arizona companies is about three times the national average when compared to Gallup’s recent reporting of U.S. engagement at about one-third favorable,” said Jaime Zepeda of Best Companies Group. “These winners should be very proud of their Top Companies status, for this presents a powerful opportunity to attract and retain the very best talent.”

“This recognition is a direct result of our culture and our relentless pursuit of excellence in all we do to serve our people and our customers,” said Clear Title Agency of Arizona CEO Bart Patterson. “Our people understand that our reputation in the marketplace is a product of their expertise, and we understand how important it is to take care of our people so they can do what they do best, service the customer.”

The “Top Companies” will be honored at a virtual event on Aug. 22.

ATHENA continued from page 18 about living through the filter of joy and happiness.”

Jones is an international bestselling author of six books, has produced her own TV show, “Stop Waiting Start Living,” on the Zondra network, and is the host of the Get S#*t Done podcast. She is a certified master practitioner of neuro linguistic programming (NLP), and also certified in mental and emotional release as well as hypnosis. As a Working Genius facilitator, Julie’s primary role is to help individuals and teams discover their working geniuses through a structured process. This process involves exploring different aspects such as natural talents, skills, passions and motivations.

Jones is scheduled to deliver the keynote presentation at the 4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, presented by Quad Cities Business News, 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall. Nominations are being accepted now for three award categories. In addition to the traditional ATHENA Leadership Award, there will also be the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award as well as the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. FBN

To submit a nomination and secure tickets to the event, go to www.PrescottAthena.com.

SRP continued from page 1 the fourth quarter of 2023 and is expected to reach commercial operation in phases throughout 2025.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with SRP again on CO Bar Solar and providing them with reliable, clean energy,” said Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight. “CO Bar represents a strategic project in Arizona, serving as a prime example of our approach to greenfield development that capitalizes on sizable interconnection positions.”

Jason Ellsworth, CEO at Clēnera, added: “We are excited to deliver increased access to affordable, clean renewable energy in Arizona. We look forward to a fruitful long-term relationship with SRP, as we continue to develop additional renewable energy projects in the state.”

Over the course of the CO Bar Solar construction timeline, approximately 550 construction jobs will be created, with many being local. Once complete, SRP will receive enough power from this resource to meet the needs of approximately 180,000 average-size homes.

“In our efforts to support the delivery of renewable energy, we acknowledge the terrific and wonderful participation of so many businesses and government entities involved in the process to make this happen,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco. “We appreciate the valuable input from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona State Land Department, Coconino County and everyone involved in the

Western CO Bar Legacy Conservation Community for the benefit of future generations.”

SRP officials say the utility has taken significant steps toward decarbonizing its power system while maintaining reliability and affordability. By the end of 2025, SRP expects to have more than 3,000 MW of renewables online. In addition to its renewable resource commitments, SRP has among the largest battery storage investments in the Western U.S., with over 1,100 MW of battery storage projects that will be online by the end of 2024. SRP officials say that with all the utility’s recent strategic resource additions and decisions, SRP is proving to achieve its sustainability goals. More than 75% of SRP’s energy is expected to come from carbon-free resources by the end of 2035. FBN

JUDGE continued from page 14 evicted from their homes.”

“I’ve worked for Judge Krombeen for the past four years,” said Coconino Superior Court Deputy Court Administrator Shelly Bacon. “He was the first person to reach out and welcome me and even offered to help me find a place to live. I admire his thoughtfulness as well as his ability to be a full-time judge, grandfather, farmer and beekeeper.”

Another one of Judge Krombeen’s holistic approaches is utilizing the spent grain from a local brewery. “Honey Creek Farm has partnered with Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery to supplement our animals’ feed with their spent grain. This not only keeps waste out of the landfill but also is a nutritional supplement to the food we provide our livestock.”

In the last 13 years, he has officiated about 200 weddings at the Grand Canyon, the courthouse and other venues. “I kept records until last year. I had to quit because it was too much paperwork.”

Judge Krombeen is a graduate of the Verbal Judo Institute and an instructor with Vistelar, teaching verbal defense and influence skills to staff and members of the judiciary. He also serves as a training faculty member with the Arizona Justice of the Peace Association, Arizona Magistrates Association and National Judges Association. He also is involved with Young Life and the Williams Economic Development

Committee. And, he opens his courtroom to school-aged children from all over the region to learn about the criminal justice system.

The Krombeens have three children and eight grandchildren.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Having something like ice cream and dwelling on the moment and not dwelling on the guilt.

MEMORABLE SUNSET

I pay attention to the sunsets. The last memorable one was two months ago. The sky was on fire and stunning in the most beautiful way. I was in my backyard.

FAVORITE MEAL

Sweet and sour chicken on Jasmine rice.

LAST LATE NIGHT

Sheila and I stayed up late three weeks ago to binge watch a series that we enjoyed, Clarkston’s Farm. It’s about Jeremy Clarkson, a British personality who bought a farm in Central Southwest England. It’s done with humor but has actual take-always for a startup farmer.

Best Advice Ever Received

The best advice was from my father, who didn’t tell me but showed me that things that are hidden are still worth doing exceptionally well. People do things to get attention; my dad showed me sometimes the things that never get noticed are the things worth doing well. FBN

COLT SALE continued from page 17

Elsewhere in the crowded bleachers, another Flagstaff teenager could see her future prancing across the arena. Taylor Girvin, at age 19, is an accomplished competitor with four years on the Arizona High School Rodeo Association circuit. “I do a little bit of everything, but my main events are breakaway and barrels.”

Last year, she took fifth place in breakaway roping at the Junior World Finals in Las Vegas. This fall, she plans to compete in rodeo as a school sport at Central Arizona College. Eventually, she hopes to lasso the “Pro Rodeo Rookie of the Year” award.

Taylor’s journey includes Babbitt Ranches horses from the Driftwood lineage, which Western Horseman magazine has ranked number five on its list of top 10 ranch horse bloodlines. Driftwood, also known as “Speedy” to ropers, was a legendary rodeo horse born in 1932. Registered with the American Quarter Horse Association, he was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2006. Driftwood sired more top rodeo horses than any other horse of his time. His offspring continue to compete on the professional rodeo circuit. Driftwood’s legacy is carried on through the Babbitt Ranches horse breeding program.

“I love their foundation,” said Taylor. “A lot of horses have lack in the bone and hoof. They are not put together well. But those that come from foundational bloodlines are built to last. They are not going to fall apart when you start competing. My great grandpa used to raise Driftwoods. I love these horses. My family has always had some.”

Taylor’s grandfather, Pete Mickelson, owns P&M Trailer Sales. The company has worked with Babbitt Ranches through the years and the family is quite familiar with the Babbitts’ Hashknife horses. The Hashknife brand symbolized the days of the Wild West in American history. It originally belonged to the Aztec Land & Cattle Company, which operated in Northern Arizona from 1884 to 1902. It later became the property of the Babbitt family.

Taylor’s family successfully bid on a filly and a colt last year. This summer, she was on her own in the bidding frenzy. By the end of the auction, she was the owner of two colts with Driftwood genes. One is by the sorrel stallion, Frenchmans Bo Jetz. “I really like that one,” she said. The other was sired by the brown stallion, Caballo Drift. “Those are really good barrel horses.”

After a year on Babbitt Ranches, the colts will join the family’s other horses at their MG Ranch in Doney Park. “I was raised on that ranch,” said Taylor. “I probably spend at least five hours a day riding. Horses teach you patience, hard work and responsibility. I would love to train performance horses that are affordable for people.”

With winning bids ranging from 5,000 to $12,500, 23 colts, all AQHA registered, were sold. “The sale was strong,” said Rodgers. “Bidders were mostly people wanting horses for rodeo-type recreation. They appreciate these horses for their disposition and athletic ability.”

For Babbitt Ranches, the Annual Hashknife Colt Sale is a decades-old tradition that has never been about selling horses. “It’s about community and relationships,” said Cordasco, who, along with the Babbitt Ranches community, offers the event free to the public every year. “We feel so blessed to have family, friends and associates come out to the ranch, participate in this Western tradition, see these beautiful horses and enjoy the day together.”

The Colt Sale is over until the second Saturday of July 2024, but for cowgirls like Grace and Taylor with big dreams and new colts, the ride has just begun. FBN

Bronze Sponsors: people can actually live on.”

The award is named in honor of Flagstaff’s own Carolyn Shoemaker. Shoemaker was a world-renowned astronomer who discovered or co-discovered 377 asteroids and 32 comets, including the co-discovery of the Shoemaker-Levy 9, which broke apart and crashed into Jupiter in 1994.

Moonshot’s Mission Control Award, given to a volunteer who helps to serve Moonshot’s non-profit mission and embodies the energy and passion for entrepreneurialism, went to attorney and Moonshot Board member David Johns. Johns was brought to the stage with an introduction by Whitney Cunningham of Aspey Watkins and Diesel, PLLC, (AWD LAW). Johns currently serves as both in-house intellectual property law counsel to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., where he leads its global trademark team, and as counsel to the Northern Arizona law firm AWD LAW, where he focuses on the business and intellectual property law needs of startup and growing businesses.

Johns has served for many years on the Moonshot Board of Directors, twice acting as secretary. He also has developed and provided training programs on ways that businesses’ concepts can be legally protected. In addition, he has served as an advisor and mentor for new business ventures and participated as a volunteer coach and judge for Moonshot’s AZ Pioneer Pitch Events throughout Arizona.

In the 4th Annual AZ Pioneer Pitch Tour Finals, Tim Elinski, founder of Pin Drop Travel Trailers, took home the grand prize of $10,000 after his five-minute business pitch presentation. Pin Drop Travel Trailers is the manufacturer of a fully self-contained, solar powered micro camper.

“We are invested in rural. We selected Miami, Arizona as the headquarters for Pin Drop. One hundred years ago, Miami was a huge economic driver for the state of Arizona,” said Elinski. “While it has lagged behind in the last couple of generations, we see huge potential in the town, the Copper

Corridor and the region.”

Dennis Dueker of Dueker Ranch, an equine therapy non-profit organization, received $5,000 and the “Crowd Favorite” pitch award.

The ceremony kicked off with a networking reception sponsored by APS.

“APS is a longtime partner and proud champion of Moonshot at NACET,” said Mackenzie Fitzgerald, an economic development representative for the utility and Moonshot Board member.

“We at APS believe in small businesses and entrepreneurs. Each year, we enthusiastically support the essential Moonshot programs like the statewide Pioneer Pitch Tour. These workshops