INSIDE THE DECEMBER 2021 ISSUE: Remembering Jim Babbitt p. 3 Why this Holiday Shopping Season is Different p. 4 A New Era for Peace Surplus p. 6
Verde Wines Gain Status p. 8 Community Profile: Jeff D’Arpa On Board with Polar Express p. 15 How You Can Relieve Stress for Shelter Dogs p. 25
Exploring the Potential of ‘Lived Experience’ Data PWR Lab is Moonshot’s latest pitch winner with wearable information concept By Cindy May, FBN
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hen Adam Stepanovic worked as a data scientist in big tech in Northern California, he saw a problem with the way data collected by these companies was – and wasn’t – used.
On the one hand was the wealth of information collected, analyzed and segmented to target end users, insights basically aggregated for “marketing and manipulation,” as Stepanovic put it. Meanwhile, a lot of actionable data was left out – information that, with a
user’s consent, could be employed to benefit both companies and consumers. “If we give individuals the power to choose who has access to their data and what they want in return for that access, it creates a balanced opportunity for companies and customers alike,” he said. With that philosophy, Stepanovic and his partners, computational en-
gineer Chris Berthiaume and physical therapist Jeff Moreno, founded PWR Lab four years ago. The company has developed a platform that aggregates “lived experience” data, primarily what is collected by devices like smartwatches and other wearables. For example, a runner wearing a GPS-enabled smartwatch generates data that would tell a running shoe
FLY FLAGSTAFF FIRST!
Continued on page 43
Rejoicing in the Gift of Participation Arizona Snowbowl, Nackard Pepsi making the slopes more accessible
Arizona Snowbowl Adaptive Program Ski Instructor Truman Shoaff positions himself behind Jessica Fieldsted for her first ski lesson last March. Courtesy photo
December 2021 | Issue 12 Volume 14
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Bonnie Stevens, FBN
essica’s joy says it all: “I am a skier! Now I can ski with my family!” Jessica, 27, was born with a rare genetic condition known as COACH, which stands for cerebellar vermis aplasia, oligophrenia, congenital ataxia, coloboma and hepatic fibrosis. Only a few thousand people in the country are believed to have this syndrome in which part of the brain does not fully form. Most individuals with COACH have a cognitive
disability, organ problems and difficulty with movement. For Jessica, life has revolved around medications, treatments and surgeries. She had a kidney transplant when she was 13 and currently is struggling with “major” liver problems, say her parents, Joy and John Dillon of Flagstaff. She had another “really big liver surgery” last month but will eventually need a liver transplant, too. “Our daughter has a lot of special features,” said John. Continued on page 37
CHECK OUT OUR NEW FBN PET NEWS SECTION, COVERING A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS ABOUT OUR FAVORITE FURRY FRIENDS ON PAGE 24