Chandler, AZ July 2023

Elevated Design Premium Locations Exceptional Value

The Lazy Days of Summer

As you read this, I’ll hopefully be lounging in my pool or be a trip somewhere. After all, isn’t that what summer is all about? Relaxation, exploration, and fun?

Honestly, I’m not sure who is more excited when that last bell rings at school that signals summer break—me or my kids!

Even if I’m still busy with work, summer just seems more relaxing. The summer sun, the call of the pool, the break from the constant juggle of homework and after-school activities. It’s like a breath of fresh (albeit hot, here in Arizona!) air.

We’ve got plenty of summer fun for you in this issue. Check out some “cool” water locales perfect for summer splashing, or try making one of the recipes we showcase. We also take you through a newly decorated home, as well as celebrate some milestones for locals.

I hope you find time to relax and enjoy your days this month. Stay cool!

Yours,

MICHELLE GLICKSMAN, EDITOR @CHANDLERCITYLIFESTYLE

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Joyce Selk | joyce.selk@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Michelle Glicksman

michelle.glicksman@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Christina Larson | christina.larson@citylifestyle.com

MARKETING MANAGER

Tanya Lewellen

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michele Phillips, Shana Schwarz, Alison Stanton

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Rochelle Perez

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker

city scene

1: Golfers at the BackFit Cares Golf Tournament, held at Raven Golf Club. 2: There was a 50-50 raffle at the BackFit Cares Golf Tournament. 3: Having fun at the Love Local 40 Women event. 4: Attendees at the Chandler Chamber's Women in Leadership event, honoring the Women of Chandler. 5: The Chandler Chamber's Business After Business event, held at Taqueria Factory. 6: Having fun at the Love Local 40 Women event. 7: Golfers at the BackFit Cares Golf Tournament.

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @chandlercitylifestyle

8: The Love Local 40 Women event was a successful partnership between Community on Purpose and Cabi Clothing. 9: Attendees at the Chandler Chamber's Women in Leadership event, honoring the Women of Chandler. 10: Guests at the Chandler Chamber's Women in Leadership event, which honored the Women of Chandler. 11: The Chandler Chamber's Endeavor. 12: The Chandler Chamber's Women in Leadership event honored Chandler City Lifestyle's Women of Chandler. 13: Attendees at the Chandler Chamber's Women in Leadership event, honoring the Women of Chandler. 14: Golfers at the BackFit Cares Golf Tournament.

BackFit Cares Fore the Kids Golf Tournament

Raises $100,000

The BackFit Cares Fore the Kids Golf Tournament, held in May at Raven Golf Club, raised $100,000. The event was held in a four-person scramble with a shotgun start, and finished with an awards luncheon. The money raised allows the organization to host its first workshop offering holistic mental and healthcare services to kids in need. BackFitClassic.com

Scan to read more.

Want

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Chandler

Officer Jeremy Wilkins

Celebrated

Hundreds gathered for the 42nd Annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service and the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, DC, where fallen officers were honored during National Police Week. Among the crowd were family and patrol teammates of fallen Officer Jeremy Wilkins, who lost his life in 2021, as well as members of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association board, Officer Sam Wagner, and Detective Tom Schuhrke. Wilkins’ name is engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall at the National Mall.

Michael Pollack Honored for 50 Years in Business

Local businessman Michael Pollack was recently honored with the Mayor’s Cup Award from the City of Chandler. Representatives from the city surprised Pollack with the award, arriving at his office to present it. It was given in honor of Pollack’s 50 years in business and for all he has done for the City of Chandler.

Scan to read more.

DVM

The Love Local 40 Women Event Was a Success

The Love Local 40 Women event was a successful partnership between Community on Purpose, the nonprofit started by Amy Jones Real Estate Group owner Mindy Jones, and Cabi Clothing. Local Cabi rep Lisa O’Hearn brought in stylists and a donation from Cabi to provide new pieces to women from qualifying charities. Both conducted a drive for clothing and accessories to complement the donation, as well as hairstylists, massage therapists, and more.

Dr. Nathan Goodwin

Joins Animal Medical Center of Chandler

Dr. Nathan Goodwin recently joined the team at Animal Medical Center of Chandler. He is from Louisburg, Kansas. After graduating high school, Dr. Goodwin attended the University of Kansas, and later graduated veterinary

school from Washington State University. After graduation he worked in rural South Dakota, practicing mixed animal medicine. After a year, he moved to the Southwest, practicing mobile mixed animal medicine. He enjoys general medicine and surgery.  AMCOfC.com

Scan to read more.

AZCEND Receives Chandler Chamber 2023 Community Cup Award for Community Impact

In recognition of its outstanding dedication and transformative work in the community, AZCEND was chosen as the recipient of the Chandler Chamber 2023 Community Cup Award. This prestigious accolade celebrates AZCEND’s unwavering commitment to its mission of providing help and hope to those in need. The award acknowledges AZCEND’s remarkable achievements and the significant impact they have made on the lives of thousands of individuals. AZCEND.org

Scan to read more.

Mingle + Graze Ranked on Yelp Top List

Yelp recently released its list of the 100 top places to eat in the Southwest, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Rankings were determined by a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews. Chandler’s Mingle + Graze, which features hand-picked cheeses and charcuterie, sandwiches, and street tacos, made the list. It was ranked 66. MingleAndGraze.com

Jurassic World Live Tour Roars Into the Valley

Jurassic World Live Tour, a live, family entertainment experience that brings the wonder and thrills of Jurassic World to generations of fans, will roar into Phoenix for the first time ever this summer. The event will be at the Footprint Center from July 28–30.  Jurassic World comes to life against a backdrop of captivating scenery where dinosaurs from the iconic franchise take center stage. The production features more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs operated by animatronics and performers. JurassicWorldLiveTour.com

Photography by Feld Entertainment

CHANDLER CITY LIFESTYLE

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY

SCAN TO FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Inspiration for your best local life.

Exclusive giveaways.

Hidden gem alert!

Good news in your neighborhood.

Local content by local creators.

Inside scoop on all things local.

Locally-inspired food & drink recipes.

“ Cathy has gone out of her way to help ease the stress that comes with an out of state home purchase. She is a professional and went out of her way before, during, and after we closed on our home. We appreciate the attention to detail and the fact that she worked to get to know what our wants and our needs were.

—LIZ S.

ARTICLE BY MICHELE PHILLIPS

Cool Fun for Summer Memories

BE PREPARED FOR THE HEAT BY ENJOYING SOME OF THE VALLEY’S COOL WATER DESTINATIONS

Maybe you have plans to be out of town and out of the heat most of the summer. But for those few weeks when you are home, what then? It’s going to be hot, it’s going to be humid, and if you have kids, they’re not going to want to be cooped up indoors. How many snow cones can you make them? How much doodle art can they doodle?

When it comes to family fun while keeping cool, there are plenty of locations where you can make great memories right here in Arizona—including some amazing waterways.

Here are some of the “coolest” locales to spend the day, where you can enjoy some of the gorgeous lakes and waterways of the area.

Inflatable fun at Paqua Park. Courtesy Paqua Park

LAKE PLEASANT:

Lake Pleasant Paqua Park at Scorpion Bay Marina ( PaquaPark.com ) is open Thursdays through Mondays during the summer. This musttry destination offers more than 7,000 square feet of inflatable water fun. Jump, slide, and swim during one of the 45-minute sessions at the park. Participants must be age 7 or older and at least 45 inches tall. Life jackets are provided and required. TIP: This is also great news for those kids with a summer birthday—the park can be rented for private parties.

Done with the park? Hop over to H2-Whoa! ( H2-Whoa.com), the world's tallest floating water slide. With three lengths to choose from, you can

pick how high you'll fly. Two-hour sessions are offered Mondays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Slide into this adventure—on your back or stomach and remember to strike a pose in mid-air!—or just enjoy watching others in flight.

If you are one of the latter, there are seats in the shade where you can relax and watch your friends and family as they launch up to 30 feet in the air.

There are also Night Flight sessions offered from 8-10 p.m.

Next door to the H2-Whoa! slide is Pleasant Harbor’s Boats 4Rent area ( Boats4Rent.com), where jet skis, pontoon boats, and power boats can be rented for half or full days.

Inflatable fun at Paqua Park. Courtesy Paqua Park

Slide down the giant slide with H2-Whoa! Courtesy H2-Whoa!

PAQUA PARK AT SCORPION BAY MARINA AND H2-WHOA!

BARLETT LAKE

Just 55 minutes from Tempe in Carefree, find this beautiful lake (BartlettLake. com), which has more than 2,800 boatable acres. Located in the heart of the Toronto National Forest, the lake has beaches on the west, and mountains that break the breeze on the east.

The natural habitats surrounding the lake are home to a variety of wildlife, making it possible to spot everything from mule deer to bald eagles.

Here you can rent pontoon boats, a jet ski boat and tubes, kayaks, paddle boards, jet skis, or a party yacht. There’s also shoreline camping available—a fair amount of the west side of the lake is for campers and picnicking. Several state records for fish have also been set here.

For those who dream of continuous access to boats without the entire financial outlay or boat upkeep, there’s the Bartlett Lake Marina Boat Club, a membership-based boat club where members have access to 14 boats year-round, as well as water skis, boards, tubes, and ski vests. The club handles upkeep, insurance, and maintenance, leaving you to be free to simply enjoy boating.

Bartlett Lake is the result of Bartlett Dam, completed in 1936 to tame the flooding and provide irrigation from the Verde River. The dam stands 308.5 feet tall, is 800 feet long, and was the longest multi-arch dam of its kind when it was built. It’s impressive.

Bartlett Lake.

Photo by Red Hog Media

SALT RIVER TUBING

Ready for a fun day floating down a river? With Salt River Tubing (SaltRiverTubing.com), you’ll be picked up at the parking lot by bus to take you to the Salt River. From the moment you board to your float down the river to the (often) wild horse sightings along the way, this water adventure always makes for an adventure to remember.

While you can float separately, groups usually bring ropes to tie their tubes together and float together. You can also bring a cooler and rent a “cooler tube” to tow along.

There are hop-off points along the way, depending on how long you want to float—whether it’s an hour or for the afternoon. The company’s busses run all day, and are usually available within 20 minutes at each hop-off stop to pick guests up for a ride back to the parking lot.

To participate, guests must be 8 years old or 4 feet tall. Life vests are not available for rent but can be purchased for $15 at the snack shack.

Look for special summer events, such as the 25th Annual Spooktacular Halloween (July 15) and 11th Annual Mega Hawaiian Hula (July 29) events, for extra floating fun.

Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat!

Tip: The river is best traveled with a UV-protective sun shirt.

Spot wild horses while tubing down the Salt River.

Design ‘To the Finish Line’ HELPS TAKE HOME

As a real estate agent and interior designer, Lisa Ryan Whyte knows firsthand how a carefully curated combination of furniture, artwork, and other decor can help transform a house into a home.

Recently Whyte, who is the lead agent at the Ryan-Whyte Real Estate Team in Chandler, was asked by a client to apply her design skills and knowledge to add artistic interior design touches to a home he recently purchased.

Her client, who is also a realtor, wanted to upgrade both the look and feel of his family home in the East Valley.

“I helped him with furnishings, accessories, artwork, and decor that helped take the home to the finish line,” Whyte says, adding that her client is a “savvy homeowner” who had a good idea of what he wanted in the remodeling finishes inside and just need help completing the furnishings and decor.

For instance, to fill the home’s large white walls and help make the spaces feel cozier, Whyte chose large-scale modern artwork.

Whyte also made staging changes to the shelves in the large kitchen to make them not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

DO YOU SUFFER F

F

L O W E N E R G Y

B R A I N F O G

P O O R S L E E P

L O W L I B I D O

H A I R L O S S

“We chose furniture for the main room that would be comfortable for their growing family—they have toddler twin boys—while also creating a space that was elevated with decor and design,” Whyte says, adding that this included a large sofa with plenty of room for everyone.

In the home’s main bathroom, Whyte selected a beautiful bathtub that is not only the focal point of the space, but also is an ideal place to relax and unwind.

As a bonus, all of the needed bath items are now within reach, including wall hooks directly behind the tub that easily hold large towels.

The bathroom also features a dual vanity, and ample storage space under the sinks in cabinets that feature clean lines.

“In the primary bedroom we cozied up the room with neutral bedding with a lot of texture, and added a sitting corner that’s perfect for relaxing or reading in a comfortable chair,” Whyte says.

While her recent project was in a home that was off the market, Whyte says she constantly sees firsthand how eye-catching and attractive interior design can make homes that are for sale more appealing to potential buyers.

“Whether you’re staging it to sell or finishing off a custom remodel with new furnishings, it’s important to remember the impact that staging and design will have on a space,” she says. “Buyers can envision themselves in a home. Furnishings, decor, accessories, and art are the key elements to making a home feel like it’s your own special space.”

RyanWhyteTeam.com; WhyteHouseDesign.com

Tastes of Summer

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

yield: Two pans with two layers ingredients

• Four cans of chicken breast or precooked shredded rotisserie chicken

• 4 cups of sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese

• 1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup

• 2 bags of hatch New Mexico Green Chile (I buy the satchels from New Mexico, have them roasted when I purchase them, bring them home to peel them, bag them, and freeze them). As an alternative, you can buy cans of Hatch New Mexico Green Chile

• 1 glass jar of green chili enchilada sauce from Sprouts

• 1 bag of corn tortillas (approx. 24 tortillas total needed)

• 2 disposable aluminum pans or two glass enchilada pans

directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium-sized pot, mix the canned or fresh chicken, green chilis, green chile enchilada sauce (save 1/8 of the contents of the jar and set aside), and a can of Cream of Mushroom soup. Bring to a light boil and then turn on low while mixing periodically.

“This is a family recipe that I have never shared,” says Nikki Chavez McKee with Classic Guys Plumbing (ClassicGuysPlumbing.com), Holistic Healing Heroes (HolisticHealingHeroes.com), and We Paint State 48 (WePaintState48.com). Each time I announce to the family that I’m going to make it, everyone is excited and everyone shows up. I’ve made it for company functions, and employees of other companies always remember me by my enchiladas. I’ve been told on a scale of 1 to 10 they are a 20 by many plumbers in the Valley. We love this dish because it tastes amazing and is a flavor explosion in your mouth.”

In your two aluminum pans, pour an evenly placed amount of green chili enchilada sauce that was saved from the glass jar into the bottom of the pans. Then layer your corn tortillas on the bottom, one next to the other in a two-by-two formation, until you have six corn tortillas total on the bottom layer of the pan. Use a ladle and pour an evenly distributed amount of contents from your pot over the tortillas. Then evenly distribute one cup of sharp cheddar cheese over the top. Repeat these steps for your second layer. Do this with both of your pans so you have two layers, and your last layer will be cheese on top.

Once you are finished layering, place both pans in the oven at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until the top is lightly golden brown around the edges.

Denise McCreery, owner of d’Vine Gourmet (DVineGourmet.com), shared this recipe, which is a classic French country salad, and is an elegant (and easy!) summer meal.

“This is a simple yet hearty summer salad, made using fresh or leftover grilled fish and easy-to-assemble ingredients. Its French heritage makes it unique and refreshing!” says McCreery. “I served it to my new in-laws the first time they came to visit. I needed something super impressive yet easy to make that could be served on the patio … this dish was on point!”

Classic Salad Niçoise

ingredients:

Dressing: (whisk together until well blended)

• Juice from one large fresh lemon

• 1 tablespoon white wine or champagne vinegar

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• ¼ teaspoon garlic

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad:

• 1 large head butter lettuce leaves, washed **

• 1 pound small red potatoes

• 1 pound thin green beans or baby asparagus

• 1 pint of cherry or heirloom tomatoes, halved

• 4 red radishes, quartered

• 1 cup kalamata olives or black Niçoise olives

• 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved

• 8 oz. grilled tuna (salmon is good, too!)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Fresh thyme or dill for garnish

directions

For tuna, grill your tuna or salmon steak until desired doneness with lemon, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. Canned tuna also works. Add potatoes to a medium pot, cover with cold, lightly salted water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and keep at a low boil for 10 minutes, until al dente. Add the green beans and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Drain the potatoes and beans and immediately add to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. When cool (5-10 minutes), remove all, pat dry, and cut into bite-size pieces.

Line four individual plates or a large platter with butter lettuce leaves, arrange potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, olives, radishes, eggs, and tuna on top of each plate, dividing the ingredients evenly.

Drizzle each salad with some dressing. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and herbs. Serve with crusty bread and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or hearty IPA.

** Drizzle butter lettuce leaves with olive oil and throw on the hot grill for 2-3 minutes until char marks appear for an added, smokey flavor to your salad!

ACQUA DI MARE IS A WORLD-CLASS DINING

EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

ARTICLE BY SHANA SCHWARZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROCHELLE PEREZ

MORE THAN A MEAL

that experience. We make sure to have them walk in with a smile and walk out with a smile … and come back, of course.”

Hristov has traveled the world, including years spent as a professional footballer, but it was his later career that helped set Acqua Di Mare in motion.

“I was working as well on a cruise line for six years and I got to know cooking in New York, Miami, Italy, Serbia, and I combined all the knowledge,” he says. “I came to Arizona in 2018 and moved here from Manhattan, where I worked in a Greek restaurant. I learned a lot about the Greek kitchen, as well. It was an extra education.”

With a name like Acqua Di Mare (Italian for “water of the seas”), one might expect a restaurant with traditional Italian fare. And they’d be right. Almost.

“It’s an Italian restaurant with a flare of French and Greek cuisine,” explains Nikola Hristov, the man behind Chandler’s hottest new restaurant.

Hristov, who is Serbian, was taught to cook by his grandmother, a Sicilian chef, but also learned from kitchens all over the world. Taking what his Nana taught him and combining it with what he learned elevates Acqua Di Mare to its unique status.

“It’s a dining experience, not just come in, eat, and leave,” says Hristov. “Every step is special from the moment when you walk in—every single step counts. We guide a guest to a table for fresh basil, fresh daily-made bread. It’s layers to build

He opened Acqua Di Mare in March after a soft opening for friends and family in February of this year. The menu is as varied as it is impressive, and the staff is happy to make recommendations. When asked which dish guests should try for their first visit, Hristov doesn’t hesitate.

“Lobster di Mare—it’s a creation, more a French dish than Italian,” he says. “There’s cream, bacon—it’s a full-flavored dish. It’s different than any other place for the lobster. This is more rich than what other places do. Most places say white wine with lobster, but try it with a medium-bodied red wine or a full-bodied red wine—it’s a nice experience. It’s like a cooking class. I cook it next to you and explain while I go. I think it will impress.”

There are several seafood options on the dinner menu, as the name Acqua Di Mare might imply, but there are also several other entrees to choose from. A limited number of Chateaubriand and Kobe Tomahawk Steaks are served, as well as Rack of Lamb.

For now, Hristov is the only one who does the tableside experience, while his head chef, Gustavo Heredia, manages the kitchen and staff.

“Gustavo is a professional chef, as well, with a high knowledge, and I’m very proud to have a right hand like his next to me,” says Hristov. “I’m hoping to have my waitstaff do the same thing. My goal is I want all my staff to know how to cook in the future. That’s how they can be closer to the guest and have a nice conversation.”

Acqua Di Mare is open for brunch and dinner, with reservations highly encouraged. Due to the nature of table-side cooking, Acqua Di Mare can only seat a maximum of six guests every 15 minutes during regular business hours. This helps guarantee everyone will receive the attention and care they deserve to ensure a memorable dining experience.

For brunch, menu highlights include the Frittata Di La Mandolina (a traditional Italian dish made with eggs, bacon, heavy cream, caramelized onion, and grape tomatoes) and Crème Brule French Toast (brioche bread with caramelized sugar in a Brule crème).

Acqua Di Mare is located at 106 S. Oregon St. For reservations, call 602.885.8782 or visit AcquaDiMare.us

Young Orthodontics Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

The Chandler Practice Offers Patient-Centered Care to People Ages 3 to 100

ARTICLE

BY

ALISON STANTON

Dr. Aubrey Young knew she wanted to be a dentist when she was 14. An accident had damaged two of her teeth, requiring emergency root canals.

“My dentist made it so interesting by showing me the nerves he removed from inside my teeth. It was that day I decided I wanted to be a dentist,” Young says.

After working for years as a dental assistant, dental hygienist, and practicing general dentist, Young achieved her dream of opening her own practice.

Young is now the owner and founder of Young Orthodontics. She offers a number of services at her Chandler practice, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

“My specialties are moving teeth with Damon Braces and Spark and Invisalign Aligners, modifying growth and development of the upper and lower jaw bones using a myriad of different growth appliances, treating and assisting in the treatment of sleep apnea and other airway problems, and treating and assisting in the treatment of soft tissue development problems in the face,” Young says, adding that she sees patients from age 3 up to 100.

“My oldest patient was 84 when she started her treatment.”

Young’s expertise in airway health, as well as her extensive background as a dental assistant, dental hygienist, and practicing general dentist, help to set Young Orthodontics apart.

As Young notes, she recognizes the critical role that proper airway development plays in overall health, sleep quality, and facial growth.

In addition, her understanding of airway issues allows her to assess, diagnose, and address potential airway problems in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.

“Also, my background has provided me with a unique perspective and comprehensive

understanding of various aspects of dentistry,” she says.

This experience allows Young to approach orthodontic treatment holistically, not only considering the alignment of teeth but also the overall oral health and well-being of her patients.

No matter what brings patients into Young Orthodontics, they can rest assured Young will listen attentively to their concerns, goals, and medical history.

Young is proud of, and humbled by, the many accomplishments Young Orthodontics has achieved over the last five years.

“I take pride in delivering high-quality treatment outcomes and exceptional patient experiences,” she says, adding that she enjoys seeing the way addressing airway-related issues has a positive and tangible impact on her patients.

“Witnessing the transformative changes in our patients’ lives is a source of immense pride and fulfillment.”

Young is also deeply grateful for her incredible team members and the supportive dental professionals in the community who contribute to the success of Young Orthodontics.

Looking ahead, Young says she hopes to continue growing her practice, pursuing advanced training, and building strong relationships with her patients.

“We take pride in creating a warm and welcoming environment that fosters long-term patient loyalty and satisfaction,” she says. “We deeply value the trust our patients place in us and strive to exceed their expectations through compassionate and comprehensive care.”

Young Orthodontics is located at 1055 W. Queen Creek Road, Ste. 5. For more information, visit  SmileStraight.com .

ZUHAIR ALHAIG NAMED MARATHON REGIONAL FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR!

A Chandler resident for the past 26 years, Zuhair Alhaig is a local success story, owning multiple businesses in Chandler, Tempe, and Phoenix, including gas stations, truck stops, car washes, and retail. The success of his ARCO station on Arizona Avenue and Chandler Heights earned him the Marathon Regional Franchisee of the Year for the fifth time. He was honored and celebrated with his wife, Amy, recently at their National Convention in Costa Rica.

Alhaig earned a civil engineering degree from Northern Arizona University and immediately started on his entrepreneurial career in 1985 by buying a local grocery store in Tempe, which he still owns today. He has more than 40 employees, many of whom have been with him for years.

The secret to his success?

“Customer service is always number one and we work hard to keep gas prices down!”

In 1991, he met Amy when she was a relationship manager at Chase Bank, and they have been married for 27 years. They have three children who all attended Chandler Unified Schools and graduated from Arizona State University.

Many customers have gotten to know him personally over the years, and he is well-known for his kindness and willingness to help those in the community when they have a need. He can often be found at one of his Chandler businesses, so the next time you see him, be sure to say hello and congratulations!