BizTucsonSummer2026

SUMMER FALL 2012 2026

THE REGION’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE

&

SPECIAL REPORT: Rancho Sahuarita at 25 Years

SUMMER 2026 • $3.99 • DISPLAY UNTIL 9/30/26

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BizLETTER Women Leading The Region Awards We are proud to present our sixth annual Women Leading the Region Awards, honoring the extraordinary women who advance Southern Arizona with their vision and dedication.

It’s interesting to note, that with the addition of this year’s dynamic list, we’ve spotlighted more than 80 accomplished women over the past six years, with a selection process grounded in integrity. The number of industries thriving with C-suite, female leadership across the region continues to grow.

The 2026 Women Leading the Region honorees represent accomplishment and dedication in aerospace/ defense, space sciences, medicine, public service (our fire chief !), hospitality/ tourism management, Downtown entertainment venue, communications/ media, medicine, commercial construction, business organization leadership and non-profit management, that are so vital to our community. They also lead strongly with their devotion to charitable endeavors, boosting causes that move Southern Arizona forward.

Recent news reports provide recognition to University of Arizona as the No. 1 university in the U.S. for Space Sciences. So it’s fitting that this year, the photo sessions for the cover and the individual honoree profiles were taken at the University of Arizona Space Institute, which is housed in the UA Applied Research Building. In fact, one of our 12 stellar honorees is Erika Hamden, the director of the UA Space Institute and a professor of astrophysics!

Journalists Jay Gonzales, Tara Kirkpatrick, Tiffany Kjos, Steve Rivera, Valerie Vinyard, Rodney Campbell and Loni Nannini share their stories and accomplishments in this summer edition. Kudos to our creative director and photo journalist Brent Mathis, who conceived and created a dynamic look for the cover photo and portraits at the Space Institute.

Our special report features Rancho Sahuarita, “Building Better Lives for 25 Years,” reported by Loni Nannini and Tiffany Kjos. In the mid 1990s, 3,000-acres of vacant land just south of Tucson began an epic transforma4 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

Volume 18 No. 2

Summer 2026

Steven E. Rosenberg Brent G. Mathis

Publisher & Owner Creative Director

Jay Gonzales Tara Kirkpatrick Loni Nannini

Editor Emeritus

Donna Kreutz

Contributing Writers

Loni Nannini Dave Perry Steve Rivera Valerie Vinyard

Contributing Photographers

Kris Hanning Brent G. Mathis Solaris Photography Kevin Van Rensselaer Ché Wilson

Contributing Editors

tion into Rancho Sahuarita, a masterplanned community with a simple but ambitious vision: Create a community where families can build better lives.

That vision is being realized by more than 25,000 residents. Twice-ranked among the Top 10 selling masterplanned communities in the U.S. by Robert Charles Lesser & Co., a prominent real estate consulting and advisory firm, Rancho Sahuarita has garnered numerous local, regional and national accolades over the past quarter century.

Reporter Tom Leyde reports on El Rio Health’s newest campus. Leyde writes - El Rio Health has done it again.

The nonprofit has opened another comprehensive clinic - the new Stone Health Center. It is El Rio’s largest facility, at 94,569 square feet. The building, vacant for 14 years, formerly housed Tucson Heart Hospital. After a May 12 preview event, with speeches and tours of the facility at 4888 N. Stone Ave., the center officially opened its doors to patients on June 1. El Rio is the largest provider of medical and dental services for the uninsured and Medicaid populations in Pima County. It serves more than 130,000 patients annually and employs more than 1,900 people with an annual budget exceeding $400 million.

In closing, we are grateful for our loyal readers, the tremendous support of our advertisers and our exceptional editorial team, our innovative creative director/photo journalist and their unwavering high standards of journalism.

April Bourie Rodney Campbell Jay Gonzales Tara Kirkpatrick Tiffany Kjos Christy Krueger Thomas Leyde Tyler McCusker

BizTucson News Update (Email Newsletter) BizTucson.com

Brent G. Mathis Tara Kirkpatrick

Contributing Technology Director

Mike Serres

Member:

American Advertising Federation Tucson DM-50 Metropolitan Pima Alliance Oro Valley Chamber Southern Arizona Leadership Council The Chamber of Southern Arizona BizTucson Magazine Issue 4 (ISSN 1947-5047 print, ISSN 2833-6739 online) is published quarterly for $16 per year by Rosenberg Media, LLC., 4729 E. Sunrise Dr., PMB 505, Tucson, AZ 85718-4534. Periodicals postage pending at Phoenix, AZ, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: BizTucson Magazine, 4729 East Sunrise Dr., PMB 505, Tucson, AZ 85718-4534 ©2026 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Opinions expressed in columns or articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

BizTucson

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Advertising information:

Steve Rosenberg 520.907.1012 steve@BizTucson.com

Steven E. Rosenberg Publisher & Owner BizTucson

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Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 5

BizCONTENTS

FEATURES COVER STORY: 45

100

46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

WOMEN LEADING THE REGION Laura Apitz Sally Bach Erika Hamden Stephanie Healy Misty Holmes Vanecia Kerr Dr. Silvia Kurtovic Sharon McDonough Bonnie Schock Lesah Sesma Cristie Street Amanda Wiggins

114 DEPARTMENTS

BizHONORS 104 Metropolitan Pima Alliance Common Ground Awards

32

108 BizSPACE Space Security: The Next Frontier Chamber of Southern Arizona Hosts 110 Industry Panel

34

Kyl Institute for National Security: UA’s Bridge to U.S. Defense

40

BizCONSTRUCTION Big Brothers Big Sisters Opens Mentoring Activity Center, Gift of Angel Charity for Children Uptown Update: New Tempo by Hilton

112

BizAWARDS Southern Arizona Home Builders Association

114

SMALLBiz $800 and a Dream: Carly Quinn Designs Decorate the World

116

BizECONOMY University of Arizona Innovation Drives $459.7 Million Impact

62

BizTECHNOLOGY For a Stronger Semiconductor: IRLabs Donates High-Tech Microscope to University of Arizona

118

BizENTREPRENEUR Startups Shine at 2026 TENWEST Festival

92

BizCONSTRUCTION 120 New to Market 122 Upcoming Developments in the Region

BizAWARDS Junior Achievement Awards Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards

94

BizREALESTATE The Power of Real Estate Summit SPECIAL REPORT Underscores Housing as Economic 67 Driver

96 99

BizCONSTRUCTION Fueling the Trades: Pima Community College Unveils New Building & Construction Technology Center Arizona Public Media’s New Headquarters Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media Opens

ABOUT THE COVER

12 BizTucson < < < Fall Summer 2024 2026

BizHEALTHCARE 100 El Rio Health Opens New Campus: El Rio Stone

BizLETTER From the Publisher

BizLEADERSHIP Trilateral Trade: Governor Urges Renewal of United States-MexicoCanada Agreement CREW Tucson: Women’s Commercial Real Estate Organization Boosts Networking, Opportunities and Leadership

VOLUME 18 NO. 2

45

4

36

110

SUMMER 2026

SPECIAL REPORT 2026

THE REGION’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE

RANCHO SAHUARITA

Rancho Sahuarita at 25 Years

BUILDING BETTER LIVES F O R 25 Y E A R S

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Women Leading the Region Photography & Creative Design by Brent G. Mathis Hair & Makeup: Gadabout SalonSpas Location: University of Arizona Applied Research Building University of Arizona Space Institute

Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 67

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SPONSORED CONTENT

BizTRAVEL

Why to Fly TUS

Q&A with Visit Tucson President & CEO Felipe Garcia

Q: A:

How does Tucson compete with other cities for tourism dollars? What is our positioning? Who is our competition? How has this intensified in recent years?

That’s why the Visit Tucson and Tucson Airport Authority partnership is essential, we’re both working to make Tucson accessible and desirable.

Tucson competes through strategic, data-driven marketing that showcases our authenticity. We use many strategies, from digital advertising, social media and partnerships to reach travelers when they’re making decisions. A recent rebrand by Visit Tucson reinforced the fact that Tucson is a place that welcomes everyone, that we are authentic, that we are a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and member of the Food Capitals with 5,000 years of living culture, world-class astronomy, and genuine hospitality. We compete primarily with the Phoenix metro region, Palm Springs, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, but also with every destination vying for travelers’ dollars. Competition has intensified dramatically in recent years. More cities recognize tourism as economic development and have increased marketing investments. The digital landscape has made competition more aggressive, with destinations spending heavily on search and social advertising.

Tourism marketing is economic development, and more cities are pouring millions of dollars to compete. As an example, the Phoenix metro region invests more than $50 million a year on tourism marketing while Las Vegas, anticipating a decrease on their room tax revenues, has authorized a budget of $460 million for next fiscal year.

Q: A:

Q: A:

How does our level of air service affect that effort?

Why is it important?

Air service is fundamental to tourism marketing success.

We can run compelling campaigns, but if travelers can’t easily get here, they’ll choose destinations they can reach. Direct flights are important for travelers. When we lose direct service from a major market, our marketing effectiveness drops immediately. When we gain new routes, those markets become viable marketing targets. Visit Tucson works closely with Tucson Airport Authority because air service and destination marketing are inseparable. We create demand through marketing, which helps airlines justify routes.

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What are our biggest challenges in recruiting convention and meeting business?

Our biggest challenges are infrastructure and competition. First, hotel room inventory. Meeting planners need concentrated room blocks near the convention center.

While Tucson has quality hotels, we lack the critical mass of adjacent properties that larger markets offer. When conventions need 2,000+ rooms within walking distance, we’re often eliminated early. Second, air service. Convention planners give priority to destinations with robust direct flights from major markets. Limited airlift makes us less competitive against Phoenix, San Diego, or Las Vegas. Third, fierce competition.

We compete against destinations with larger convention centers, larger marketing budgets, and established reputations for meetings. Cities like Phoenix and Austin invest heavily in convention marketing and offer significant incentives. It is also worth mentioning that for meetings, seasonality is a big issue, as it is perceived that we are hotter than anywhere else, the reality is, with humidity that other destinations have, we are sometimes more temperate. But most groups are not willing to come to Tucson in the summer even if it’s a great value time.

Visit Tucson’s convention sales and marketing work to overcome these challenges by showcasing our unique experiences and value, but infrastructure limitations make it an uphill battle.

Q:

When a local business traveler chooses to consistently use the air service at TUS, how does that help our inbound tourism economy and Tucson’s competitiveness in gaining that business?

A:

Local business travelers are essential to maintaining and growing air service, which directly impacts tourism. Airlines decide whether to keep or cut routes based on performance. When locals consistently choose TUS over PHX, www.BizTucson.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

“

Every local traveler who chooses TUS invests in Tucson’s tourism competitiveness and economic vitality.

”

– Felipe Garcia President & CEO Visit Tucson

they help fill seats and prove route viability. More air service makes Tucson accessible to leisure and business travelers. Every local traveler who chooses TUS invests in Tucson’s tourism competitiveness and economic vitality. I remember years ago meeting with an airline route planner who shared with us they were increasing a frequency from New York to Phoenix, since Tucsonans don’t mind driving to Phoenix. If Tucsonans use the flights from TUS, even if they have to make a connection, it supports the case for future nonstop flights.

It’s how we must build the business case

Q: A:

In turn, how does Visit Tucson support TUS in its efforts to win new air service? How has that changed in recent years?

Visit Tucson not only supports TUS air service development through data, marketing, and partnership, but we also join them at meetings with airlines to pitch air service to Tucson. We also actively market new routes when they launch, helping airlines achieve load factors that justify sustained service. In recent years, this partnership has intensified and become more strategic. Destination marketing organizations and airports now recognize we’re interdependent.

Neither succeeds without the other. Some DMOs nationally have begun participating in revenue guarantee programs or minimum revenue guarantees to help launch new routes. The industry has shifted toward viewing air service development as a shared responsibility between airports, destination marketing, and the community.

Tucson Airport Authority’s forward-thinking leadership and strategic vision have positioned TUS as a critical economic engine for our region, and Visit Tucson is proud to partner with an airport team that understands the inseparable connection between air service and destination competitiveness. . www.BizTucson.com

Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 31

BizSPACE

Space Security, The Next Frontier

The Chamber of Southern Arizona Hosts Industry Panel to Focus Upward

By Tom Leyde Holding higher ground in warfare is a major advantage. Outer space is the ultimate higher ground, and maintaining security there is essential for keeping the United States safe.

That, in a nutshell, was the message from four panelists speaking at an Industry Impact Series event presented April 21 by the University of Arizona, in conjunction with The Chamber of Southern Arizona held at the Arizona Inn. Space has become the new arena for global power and technological dominance. As competition between nations increases space is essential to military readiness, secure communications, critical infrastructure and economic resilience.

“We live in a dangerous neighborhood, and we have to do everything we can ... The world hasn’t been this dangerous since World War II,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, UA senior VP for research and partnerships and panel moderator. He said the country needs to move quickly on the issue.

“We need industry. We need startup companies ...,” said de la Rubia. “We’re going to be the home of the strongest academic institution in the nation supporting our war fighters in space.”

Outer space security involves the protection of activities and infrastructure, including satellites, space stations and future missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. As we rely more increasingly on 32 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

space technology for communication, navigation and defense, it is critical that these systems are protected.

Panel members discussing the issue were: • Erika Hamden, director of UA Space Institute and a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow

•

Jim Cantrell, co-founder and CEO of Phantom Space Corporation

•

Dan Geraci, president and CEO of Critical Infrastructure Investments

•

Mark Spencer, Robert M. Edmund Endowed Chair of the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences at UofA.

Before recently joining UA, Spencer served as acting principal director for directed energy within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. In this role, he served as the senior official for directed energy within the U.S. Department of Defense.

The U.S. faces many threats these days, Spener said. He described directed energy as another arrow in the country’s quiver. Directed energy, he explained, turns a light beam into radio frequencies, microwaves or a laser beam than can be projected out of an antenna toward a threat.

While prototypes of the technology have been built, it hasn’t been delivered into the hands of the military.

“We need this technology,” Spencer said. “In the past, it has been overpromised and never delivered.”

He said the military needs to step up and demand the technology and outsource it. That, he said, is likely to happen soon, and that UA is ready to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers to develop and sustain it.

In order to create space security, Geraci said, there needs to be changes in the technology industry. Those changes include bringing small companies and capital together and educating scientists on how to run a business.

“Part of the problem,” he said, “is there are a lot of small (technology) companies and many people don’t even know they’re in Tucson. ... We have all these technologies and no one really knows each other.”

Creating a bridge for those companies is the key to progress, he said. “Too many of these companies are like Hollywood movie sets when it comes to business. It’s great at the door but there’s nothing back there,” Geraci observed.

“The problem is, we need to educate our scientists and engineers ... about how to build successful businesses, and that is the gap that continues to be ignored.”

Phantom Space Corporation was started six years ago by Cantrell and three other individuals. Its goal is transforming the space industry from a highly expensive industry to an easily www.BizTucson.com

“

We need industry.

We need startup companies.

We’re going to be the home of the strongest academic institution in the nation supporting our war fighters in space.

”

Tomás Díaz de la Rubia

– Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, Senior VP,

accessed arrangement.

“We are the Henry Ford of space,” he said. “Space for us is the new frontier.”

He imagines a time when anyone with a computer can put in a code and access data from space.

The company is building a small, reusable launch vehicle to put data centers in space.’

“If we don’t have access to space, it’s like not having warships or aircraft,” he said.

Hamden noted that UA has been at the forefront of space science for decades. The university, she said, is training students to do critical technical jobs and integrating those students into the space industry.

The university needs input from space technology firms on how students can be better trained, she said.

Also, university scientists are perfecting ways to see faint objects, such as satellites orbiting the moon. “As more countries go to the moon,” she said, “it will become an issue. ... We’ve got to make sure our astronauts are safe all the time and know what’s on the moon and who else is there.”

Erika Hamden

Jim Cantrell

Dan Geraci

Mark Spencer

Biz

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Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 33

PHOTOS COURTSEY UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIPS

University of Arizona Research & Partnerships

BizSPACE

Robin Rand

Kyl Institute for National Security

University of Arizona’s Bridge to U.S. Defense

By Tom Leyde A nonprofit institute plays a key role in connecting national security partners with researchers at the University of Arizona.

The Kyl Institute for National Security, formed in 2018, is named in honor of Jon Kyl, a former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives and then, the U.S. Senate for Arizona.

The institute, formerly known as the UA-Applied Research Corporation, aligns UA faculty and infrastructure with national security priorities. Those priorities include space domain, hypersonic systems, optics, information dominance and international security policy.

When a national security entity, be it military, academia or research, needs help with a problem or project, the institute steps in to connect UA departments and faculty to create solutions.

“It is pretty amazing,” said Thomas Kunkel, Maj. Gen. USAF (ret), executive VP and COO of the institute. “We are amazed every day at the talent we have at the university, especially our deep background in space research.”

34 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

Robin Rand, retired U.S. Air Force general and the institute’s inaugural president and CEO, describes the group as supplying “the real sauce” that links UA researchers with U.S. security organizations.

“It’s pretty exciting to be part of,” Rand said. “We’re doing things that help these agencies. The University of Arizona researchers ... help move the ball down the field ... “We’re not the researchers, we’re the facilitators. We speak the government language and shepherd these programs from theory to execution.”

Key focus areas of the institute include health and human performance, hypersonics, cyber security and optics.

Patrick L. Kerr, the institute’s senior VP and chief of staff, explained how it all began.

In 2015, UA formed the Defense and Security Research Institute with Austin K. Yamada at the helm. The goal was to enable the university’s research enterprise to expand research in topics of critical importance to national security.

Kerr was hired along with Chris Shinohara and Christine www.BizTucson.com

PHOTO COURTSEY UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIPS

Ret. U.S. Air Force General President & CEO Kyl Institute for National Security

Fox to operate DSRI and report directly to the university’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research.

The team’s major challenges, Kerr said, were:

•

Identifying significant defense and national security funding opportunities that matched with UA research strengths.

•

Enabling UA faculty and research teams to target these new sources of funding through interdisciplinary collaborations.

•

Establishing public and private partnerships.

For three years, the institute did just that. It then became apparent that one key to its success was its ability to comply with strict requirements of the defense and national security community. In fall 2018, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation was established with the Arizona Corporation Commission and the UA Applied Research Corporation.

UA-ARC would operate as a separate legal entity, while closely affiliated with the university. This allowed UA to operate within the highly regulated defense acquisition world while insulating the university from liability associated with the business. UA-ARC would become the fully compliant contractor of record.

On Jan. 16, the university launched the Kyl Institute for National Security, expanding its commitment to translating research breakthroughs into solutions that safeguard U.S. national security interests and armed services personnel.

In its short history, the institute has achieved significant results. It helped UA secure major contracts in advance optics and imaging worth more than $50 million.

Those contracts include the design and development of a large telescope mirror and a smaller mirror through the university’s mirror lab technologies.

The institute, which is funded by the university, also pioneered new partnership models to speed technology transition. For example, a five-year partnership intermediate agreement was formed with Army G-2 office.

It is designed to streamline the transfer of universitydeveloped technologies and industry solutions into defense applications.

“From my perspective,” Kerr said, “KINS is not only increasing research funding through these efforts but also reinforcing the University of Arizona’s role as a strategic partner to the Department of War. I feel that by connecting faculty innovation with real-world missions, the organization is helping to build a sustainable research enterprise that benefits both the university and the broader national security community.”

Adds Rand: “We are joined at the hip with the university ... We are 100% dedicated to the university.

There’s no seams there.”

Biz www.BizTucson.com

Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 35

Katie Hobbs Governor, State of Arizona

PHOTOS COURTESY THECHAMBER OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA

Trilateral Trade

Governor Urges Renewal of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

By Tom Leyde A trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada is up for U.S. congressional review this year, and Southern Arizona businesses are concerned about the outcome and how it will affect the area’s economy.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was expected to be reviewed in July at this writing. Billions of dollars in trade between the three countries are at stake.

USMCA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, which had no provision for review. Each country 36 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

involved in USMCA must choose one of three options:

•

Renew the USMCA for 16 more years, with another joint review in six years.

•

Withdraw from USMCA, following a minimum of six months’ notice to other members.

•

Continue with the USMCA without renewing. In that case, the agreement would continue for 10 years and expire in 2036.

The trade agreement is so critical for Arizona that Gov. Katie Hobbs went to Washington, D.C., in March to lobby for renewal and instituted a study on the issue. It was prepared by Arizona State University’s Seidman Research Institute, associated with ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business.

On May 18, Hobbs addressed USMCA at an event by The Chamber of Southern Arizona, hosted by jet manufacturer Bombardier in Tucson, titled “The Future of USMCA: What it Means for Southern Arizona.” www.BizTucson.com

BizLEADERSHIP Panel Urges Agreement Renewal for Strong Region

By Tom Leyde

KARLA BERNAL MORALES

SANDRA HODGKINSON

GIOVANI GARCIN

GEORGINA FELIX

“The trade agreement is critical to each of our state’s industries, and that is perhaps most true here in Southern Arizona, where our partners in Mexico are just a stone’s throw away,” Hobbs told the roughly 300 people who attended the event at a Bombardier hangar.

Hobbs said that Arizona’s trade is at record levels and that the state is ranked first in the U.S. for foreign direct investment. She also said that Arizona exports are growing at a record rate and the state is at the epicenter of the world’s most advanced technologies. www.BizTucson.com

“We know that this is not just a trade policy discussion happening in D.C.: This is a decision that affects jobs in Tucson, farms in Yuma, businesses in Nogales and families across out entire state.”

Mexico, Hobbs noted, is Arizona’s No. 1 trading partner. U.S. goods trade (exports plus imports) with Mexico totaled an estimated $872.8 billion in 2025, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Canada is also a trusted trade partner continued on page 38 >>>

A panel of three business people agreed that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement should be continued and improved.

The trio was part of an event by The Chamber of Southern Arizona about the USMCA on May 18 at Bombardier in Tucson. The USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, is to be reviewed this summer in Washington, D.C. On the panel were Sandra Hodgkinson, senior VP of strategy and M&A at Bombardier; Georgina Felix, director of operations and international affairs for the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas; and Giovani Garcin, president of Micromex Inc. Karla Bernal Morales, the Chamber’s chief partnerships officer, served as moderator.

The panelists said having a smooth tariff-free supply chain without glitches is key to successful business operations in Southern Arizona.

“USMCA’s role in agriculture is to make sure Mexican agriculture production moves swiftly into the U.S,” Felix said.

Long delays, she said, can result in produce being unsellable and dumped.

Having and retaining a talented, local workforce is another important element for regional businesses, Garcin said.

Arizona has about 5,000 agriculture workers, Felix said, and it’s important to keep them in the community. She added that tariffs are “a tax in disguise. She said U.S. tariffs on produce from Mexico caused some growers to quit growing while others reduced their planting.

Garcin said it is important to keep updating USMCA. Do that or get out of it, he said. Those updates, he suggested, should include improving code compliance and regulatory rules. “I hope that things will be worked out,” he said.

USMCA must guarantee a tariff-free zone, Hodgkinson said. “It must guarantee the supply chain is there. Our No. 1 priority is the safety and security of our product ...,” she said. “I’m optimistic about the future of Southern Arizona.”

Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 37

BizLEADERSHIP Study Shows Impact of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement The Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business was directed by Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs to do a study on the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement, which is up for renewal this summer.

The following is an abbreviated version of the study’s executive summary:

• In 2024, Arizona exported approximately

$32.4 billion in goods and services globally, including 27.5% to Mexico and 9.3% to Canada

• USMCA is not only a benefit for business. It

needs to be retained and enhanced to enable Arizona and the nation to continue to prosper in the future.

• Arizona’s business community overwhelmingly

believes USMCA is a cornerstone of North American competitiveness and an essential tool to facilitate cross-border business and cooperation.

• USMCA is a major contributor of local and regional stability, benefiting all three nations.

• 87.5% of surveyed state business leaders sug-

gest Arizona will be negatively impacted if USMCA is not renewed. The impacts include trade and supply chain disruption; higher costs for businesses and consumers; job losses; reduced competitiveness; damage to Arizona’s reputation and role as a trade hub.

• The business community is open to changes in the agreement such as: updating the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and reintroducing the Certificate of Origin; modernizing visa and professional recognition policies to support regional upskilling; Ensuring consistent and common application of USMCA in the three nations; prioritizing cross-border infrastructure improvements; considering more cooperation in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, food supply and entertainment.

• However, they largely seek refinement and continuity — rather than renegotiation — to ensure USMCA remains effective, predictable and aligned with modern economic realities.

38 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

“

We know that this is not just a trade policy discussion happening in D.C.: This is a decision that affects jobs in Tucson, farms in Yuma, businesses in Nogales and families across our entire state.

”

– Katie Hobbs Governor, State of Arizona

continued from page 36

for agriculture, energy, aerospace and critical minerals.

“The extent of North American trade is not just seen in a report or a spreadsheet, but throughout our supply chain,” Hobbs said. “You see it in the engineers collaborating across borders, in the parts that cross multiple times before becoming a finished product, and in the workers whose livelihoods depend on those connections. A component may begin in Canada, be refined in Arizona, and be assembled in Mexico ... each step creating jobs and strengthening all three economies along the way.”

While USMCA isn’t perfect and businesses agree there is room for improvement, Hobbs believes that “USMCA 2.0 could strengthen rules for origin beyond the automotive sector.”

“It could enhance labor and environmental compliance, strengthen legal protections for Arizona companies, and reinforce environmental and energy cooperations ... but overwhelmingly, what’s best for Arizona, and by extension America, is not a complete overhaul. We need continuity, refinement and stability.”

While in Washington, D.C., Hobbs said, “Our message to leaders ... was simple: Protect what works. Make adjustments where needed, but do not undermine the trilateral framework that has made America profitable for over a decade.”

The governor said it was disheartening to hear from the Trump administration (which first put USMCA in place) that tariffs would be part of any deal moving forward and that it plans to skirt any congressional review of the agreement.

“At this moment,” Hobbs said, “we need to figure out if the United States, Canada and Mexico will move forward in competition with each other, or as a united trade bloc that will compete against the rest of the world. And to me, it’s clear that the path forward is to build stronger partnerships with our allies, not create uncertainty that weakens supply chains and raises costs.”

The governor told those in attendance that their voices continue to be incredibly important in ensuring that the future of North American federal trade policy reflects the needs of Southern Arizona’s businesses and workers.

“As we approach the USMCA joint review, I will continue being Arizona’s voice is Washington. This is our opportunity to renew an agreement that puts America first while recognizing that our strength comes from a competitive, connected North America.”

Biz www.BizTucson.com

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Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 39

From left: Krystal Popov (The L Offices), Angela Gee (Dean Alan Architects) Courtney Hoyt (Sundt), Karen Farrell (Venture West), Melissa Lal (Larsen Baker), Alexis Ryland (Marshall Foundation), Ashley Stewart (Mahoney Group) and Sally Bach (G2 Contracting)

CREW Tucson Networking Group Boosts Leadership, Career Outreach

By Steve Rivera The CREW Tucson mission statement says it all when it comes to the success of the organization – given it’s celebrating its silver anniversary this year.

That’s a milestone for Commercial Real Estate Women – a diverse group of like-minded businesswomen and men − who subscribe to the charge “to connect commercial real estate women in Tucson for business opportunities.”

For a lack of a better phrase: they are some of the movers and shakers in the commercial real estate industry.

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CREW encompasses business networking, leadership, career outreach and industry research. And, of course, education is key.

“It’s something that we are incredibly proud of,” said Ashley Stewart, CREW’s 2026 president. “Longevity like that speaks to the strength of this community and the value it has brought to its members over time. We still have members who have been part of CREW Tucson since its inception, and one of the most unique things about our chap-

ter is how engaged our past presidents remain.

“Once you experience CREW and feel the impact of it, you don’t really want to step away.” Stewart said. “I haven’t seen many organizations where former leaders stay this connected and invested, and I think that speaks to how meaningful this community really is.

I know that I never want to leave, and look forward to being able to serve on that committee as well when my term ends.” continued on page 42 >>> www.BizTucson.com

PHOTO BY CHÉ WILSON

BizLEADERSHIP

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BizLEADERSHIP continued from page 40 CREW’s success centers on three things: “delivering meaningful programming, supporting the growth of our members, and strengthening our presence in the broader commercial real estate community,” according to the organization.

One might as well call it the power of CREW, where collaboration and moving the needle forward behind opportunities are important. The group also supports the next generation, Stewart said.

She points to the UCREW (university CREW) program, where “we are focused on outreach to students and early-career professionals to help create exposure, access and real pathways into the industry.”

Everyone can succeed in the program, including men.

David Nicasio, a commercial business development officer at Stewart Title, has been part of CREW for three years.

“I really enjoy it. I’m there to support their initiatives, supporting women in

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the commercial real estate industry and those who are looking to get into the commercial industry.

“CREW does a great job of making all members included,” he said.

Nicasio said he’s benefited from the chance to build relationships with other members and also being an advocate for the group, and for women who are in commercial real estate who are not in the group.”

Most importantly, Stewart added, “We want CREW Tucson to be a place where relationships don’t just stay at the surface.”

Member Krystal Popov, now in her fifth year, said CREW “is amazing.”

What drew Popov, founder of Proper Shops and the L Offices, to the group was the quality – and intelligence – of the members. “(In changing professions) and going off on my own in the commercial real estate space, I knew I needed to be with people who were smarter than me,” she said. L Offices is a local private office, coworking and event space company.

“You can’t grow if you are not in a room with people who can’t help you grow.

This, by far – in the commercial real estate realm – is the one to be in.”

She joined after attending CREW’s signature event, A Seat at the Table – an experience that brings together powerful women leaders in the Tucson community to share their stories and the paths they took to succeed.

“If anyone could teach me how to market her space (for lease) and knew where the clients lived, it was going to be these women in CREW,” Popov said.

“That’s what keeps me there. I feel l know what’s happening in Tucson because of them.”

“I always have someone, where I can pick up a phone and call for advice, especially when I’m feeling anxious or fearful about something in the industry or the business,” she said.

Biz

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BizAWARDS

PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Tara Kirkpatrick We are honored to present our Women Leading the Region honorees for 2026.

The BizTucson team prides itself on a selection process grounded in integrity. Our boots-on-the-ground reporting and analysis help us identify the women we spotlight each year in Southern Arizona. Our honorees drive business and innovation in numerous industries and make a meaningful difference.

The 2026 Women Leading the Region represent achievement in bioscience, chamber governance, construction, communications, defense, entertainment, hospitality and tourism, medicine, nonprofit leadership, public service, regional policy and space science. They lead boldly within this community

and contribute to a legacy of leadership that can be seen on our alumni page.

Huge praise for Creative Director Brent Mathis for producing our modern new cover concept. He photographed the group at the University of Arizona Applied Research Building, which is the home of the Arizona Space Institute, led by 2026 honoree Erika Hamden. A sincere thank you to Hamden for providing the marvelous new location.

Lastly, we cannot say enough about the tremendous team at Gadabout Salon Spas, which has been our valued partner from the start, generously providing the makeup and hair services for the honorees each year. We are so thankful to you! continued on page 46 >>>

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BizAWARDS

LAURA APITZ President Roche Tissue Diagnostics

Laura Apitz embraced a philosophy early in her life to seek feedback and guidance from anyone willing to provide it.

“I constantly sought counsel from a few of my college professors that lead the osteopathic medical school I attended, my college basketball coach, and the chemistry lab director where I first did my internship, just to name a few,” said Apitz.

“Their diverse perspectives were instrumental in driving my career forward.”

As president of Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Apitz continues to seek broad input from her team at the region’s bioscience anchor, which has transformed diagnostics with automated, tissue-based technology. Offering more than 250 cancer tests and medical instruments and serving 44 million patients last year, Roche is the top global supplier of cancer diagnostics systems and assays to the pathology market.

“When I think about leading our amazing Tucson team, the most exciting thing to me is the patient lives we touch each year through our life-changing diagnostic tests,” said Apitz, who took the reins in late 2025 from a retiring Jill German.

“The 1,800 colleagues on our campus are the people who drive our innovations forward and ensure we continue to not just improve patients’ lives but personalize their care.

“That focus on improving outcomes throughout a patient’s journey, helps them potentially live healthier, longer lives and is what motivates me in my role every single day,” she said.

Before she was named president, Apitz amassed almost a decade at Roche Tissue Diagnostics, where she held several roles including senior international business leader and lifecycle leader in both oncology assays and pathology systems.

“What I admire most about Laura is her courageous, gogetter spirit, backed by an incredibly broad range of industry experience,” said Rebecca Ewald, VP and Lifecycle Leader for Oncology Assays “Having worked across so many facets of our core systems and assay business, she brings unmatched technical insight to our team. Yet, she remains a true team player at heart—leading with a collaborative spirit that inspires confidence in everyone around her.”

Her Gemba Walks, for example, are a key component of the collaboration-focused Lean Six Sigma process for companies. They are physical walks, open to all employees, around the Oro Valley campus to boost conversation, identify opportunities and drive efficiency.

“The results are transformative, getting us out of our siloes, meeting our colleagues where they work and most importantly thinking in new ways, which often lead to fresh ideas and solutions that drive our business forward,” Apitz said.

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Tara Kirkpatrick

SALLY BACH

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Owner G2 Contracting

PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Tara Kirkpatrick Reputation and relationships have boosted Sally Bach in her ascent to leading her own general contracting firm.

This mother and grandmother has steadily built a widely respected, woman-owned-and-operated GC firm in Tucson– one of only a handful in Arizona certified as a Women-Owned Small Business by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“My company is built on the personal relationships I’ve cultivated throughout my career,” said Bach, owner of G2 Contracting, the firm behind notable projects such as the Madaras Gallery expansion, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s downtown office, Fangamer’s corporate digs and multiple renovation projects for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

“I met Sally at a point when my business was really starting to grow,” said Reid Young, founder of Fangamer, a video game merchandise company. “In the intervening 14 years, we’ve renovated three buildings together, and we’re now gearing up for No. 4. Sally has been accountable and ready to work every step of the way.”

In 1997, Bach was an Office Depot manager when a customer, who worked for a local construction firm, asked her if she’d consider changing careers. “She loved my bubbly personality,” Bach said.

She began as a project coordinator for a Tucson GC firm.

Under the mentorship of Brian Barker, who now owns Barker Contracting, she learned the fundamentals of construction and project delivery. She later transitioned to a real estate development firm and ultimately obtained her broker’s license.

In 2008, Bach started G2 Contracting, specializing in commercial tenant improvements.

“It’s where I found my niche and decided to focus my career,” she said. “I know what landlords are typically required to provide when negotiating lease allowances. Plus, I work with a lot of property owners and managers, so I understand... what’s reasonable to make the deal work.”

Her trades are loyal and she fosters respect on each job site. When attending pre-bid meetings, Bach brings key team members to evaluate the project and identify potential challenges beforehand.

“We gather as much information as possible up front so we can anticipate issues early and minimize change orders down the road,” she said.

Besides decades of hard work, Bach credits CREW Tucson, where she has served in numerous leadership roles since 2004, as a key factor in her success.

“Seeing the way CREW has changed the trajectory of so many women’s careers has been truly inspiring. It’s the organization I devote the most time to because I believe wholeheartedly that CREW has contributed greatly to both my personal growth and the success of my company.”

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BizAWARDS

ERIKA HAMDEN

Director University of Arizona Space Institute

She’s a star in the astronomy world. She’s also a trained chef who delights in whipping up meals most nights.

There are different sides to Erika Hamden, director of the Space Institute and associate professor of astrophysics at the University of Arizona. “I’m going to be maximally myself,” she said. “People think, ‘Oh, Erika. She’s just a wonderful wacko.’”

Space has topped her interests since childhood. Her head was already beyond the sky in elementary school. “I learned about the universe, stars and galaxies when I was in second grade,” she said. “I’ve been into it ever since.”

By the time Hamden was readying for graduate school, she was seeking a way to distinguish herself.

“I wanted to be the person who builds a telescope instead of the person who uses it,” she said. “It’s very niche. Even in a small field, you need to be unique. Having this talent in science and hardware was a valuable skill.”

There was a notable diversion along the way. Hamden took a year off between getting her degree and starting graduate school to earn a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in London.

She spent the time there also working as an au pair for an American family. After finishing her studies, she was a chef in New Jersey before starting her doctorate at Columbia University.

“I still love cooking,” Hamden said. “(Being a chef) gave me really good skills. It taught me a lot about hospitality. You frequently only have one opportunity to make someone happy.”

For her other passion, she had accepted an offer to join the faculty at the University of Toronto when the opportunity in Tucson materialized in late 2017.

“I decided getting a job at the U of A would mean the only limit on what I could do were my own ambitions,” Hamden said. “At a lot of other universities, there’s a concern about what the administration will support.”

Aspera, her next mission, is scheduled to launch in January.

Led by Carlos Vargas, an assistant astronomer at Steward Observatory, Aspera will study the diffuse matter surrounding galaxies, which may contribute to the birth of stars and planets.

Vargas credits Hamden, who is serving as deputy principal investigator on the mission, for making Aspera a reality. Aside from the spacecraft, everything for the $20 million mission was built on the UA campus.

“Erika is the kind of mentor who empowers the people around her to succeed,” Vargas said, “and Arizona’s scientific community is stronger because of her.”

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Rodney Campbell

STEPHANIE HEALY

BizAWARDS

Market Vice President, Southern Arizona Cox Communications

PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Jay Gonzales In the more than dozen years on her way up to her position today, Stephanie Healy made a consistent effort to understand what it means to be a leader, how others do it, how to fit it into her daily approach.

Healy, Cox Communications market VP for Southern Arizona, says the need and time to demonstrate leadership doesn’t always come when there is a big decision to make.

“It usually is not the big moments. It is the small, consistent ones,” Healy said. “Leadership shows up in how I interact with people every day. It’s in how I communicate, how I listen, and how I show up when things are uncertain or changing.”

Healy assumed her current position after 12 years as director of public and government affairs at Cox. Her career also includes two separate stints as an executive at the Southern Arizona Leadership Council.

During her time at Cox, she worked alongside longtime market VP and community leader Lisa Lovallo, who retired at the end of 2024.

“Stephanie’s leadership style comes from a place of equity,” Lovallo said. “Everyone’s voice has value. Getting diverse opinions and listening to different ideas is how she finds solutions that make the greatest impact.”

Healy said she learned from several mentors on her path and paid close attention to her daily experiences to flush out exactly what leadership skills are best to do the job and, more importantly, do it effectively.

“At a pivotal point in my career, someone that knew me well asked me a question that genuinely shifted my trajectory: ‘Do you want to be right, or do you want to be effective?’” she said.

“It stopped me in my tracks, quite literally.

“Early on, I could get so focused on being right that I missed what actually mattered most which was being effective and bringing others along with me. Once I began to understand this, it really did open up new leadership roads for me.”

She acknowledges that women in leadership positions can sometimes arrive from a “different path” and have learned through juggling multiple roles, how to prioritize quickly, context-switching without losing the thread, and how best to stay organized under pressure.

“As a working mother, I rarely find myself singularly focused on one thing,” she said. “You are managing a career, a family, a household, and all of the emotional weight that comes with each of those. Over time, that builds a kind of mental agility and efficiency that shows up directly in how I lead.”

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BizAWARDS

MISTY HOLMES VP, Naval Shipboard Missiles Raytheon

On her way to becoming a Raytheon senior executive responsible for a multi-billion-dollar defense portfolio, Misty Holmes built her leadership philosophy at the intersection of engineering and advocacy.

Holmes serves as VP of naval shipboard missiles at RTX’s Raytheon business, where she leads one of the company’s defense portfolios.

“At my core, I’m an engineer and problem solver,” Holmes said. “I love tackling technical and operational challenges by bringing a diverse team together and empowering them to solve what others think is impossible.”

Her leadership philosophy was also shaped through deeply personal advocacy work. Holmes has two teenage daughters, the youngest of whom has Down syndrome. Holmes serves on the board of the National Down Syndrome Society.

“I found my calling in leadership in both my career and personal life when I became a mother,” she said. “Advocating for my daughter taught me resilience, empathy and the importance of building systems that allow every person to thrive.”

Holmes has visited Capitol Hill to advocate for individuals with disabilities and has supported Down syndrome research and inclusion initiatives.

“You learn a tremendous amount about leadership when you’re leading volunteers,” she said. “People follow purpose, authenticity, and trust.”

Holmes joined Raytheon in 2020. She believes the best solutions emerge when organizations foster open dialogue and diversity.

“I want to make sure every voice is heard,” she said. “We don’t all have to agree, but we need thoughtful debate, professional dialogue, and a willingness to challenge each other to get to the best outcome.”

Six years into her Raytheon career, Holmes remains focused on making an impact.

“I want to continue to lead and impact change,” she said. “I take great pride in solving problems and making incremental progress.”

When Holmes and her family relocated to Southern Arizona, they worked with Camille Rivas-Rutherford as their realtor. What began as a professional relationship evolved into a lasting friendship. The two share a love of jazz and enjoy performances at the Century Room inside Hotel Congress.

“Misty is a true Renaissance woman: an inspiring executive, a devoted mother, a passionate advocate and an incredibly loyal friend,” Rivas-Rutherford said. “She is beautiful inside and out, with a heart of gold, and I am so proud to know her and call her my friend.”

Tucson immediately felt like home for the Holmes family.

“We immediately loved it,” she said. “We love the mountains, the authenticity of the community, and the quality of life. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family and build a meaningful life.”

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Rodney Campbell

VANECIA KERR

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President & CEO United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Tiffany Kjos The word “authentic” often comes up when people describe Vanecia Kerr, who in June marked one year as president and CEO of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

“She really has passion for this kind of work,” said Allison Titcomb, chief impact officer and senior VP of United Way. “She’s really smart and a fast learner, and she values that in others. And she values people being able to step into leadership positions. She’s not one of those who thinks leadership is all about just your title, but that everybody can be a leader in some way.”

Previously chief impact officer for Mile High United Way in Denver, Kerr launched into action in Tucson by meeting with the 60-plus staff members and implementing many of their suggestions.

“Leadership is collaborative. No man is an island unto himself. I believe success requires a level of collaboration with people, both in the community as well as with my team. Everyone needs to understand their value and what they bring to the table,” said Kerr.

She joined the Rotary Club of Tucson, the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and Tucson’s Leading Women. Additionally, she transferred her memberships in the International Women’s Forum and The Links Inc. to Arizona and is involved with the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. “She’s very organized, she’s very strategic—which I super appreciate—but she’s also new to Tucson, so she’s been very open to listening and learning from others,” Titcomb said.

Kerr cultivated her strategic proficiency with 20 years in the corporate sector prior to moving into nonprofit work. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University in Virginia and an MPA from Baruch College at the City University of New York.

Today, she manages $15 million in revenue and $2.7 million in operating funds while focusing on the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona’s four pillars: education, financial wellness, housing stability and health.

Through grants and other work, the organization reaches more than 300,000 people a year, including 13,000 it has helped this year through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and 1,000 Pima County students who each received 12 books through My Summer Library.

“One of the things that really brings me joy is that I know that the work we’re doing is making a difference,” Kerr said.

“I love the people here and being able to work with incredibly smart, dedicated people who want to see our community thrive.”

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BizAWARDS

DR. SILVIA KURTOVIC Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Co-Founder, Tucson Plastic Surgery

Dr. Silvia Kurtovic’s dedication to a compassionate approach isn’t just good bedside manner—it is rooted in personal empathy and advanced medical training.

Kurtovic, who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, moved here from Austin in 2021 to found a practice with her partner, Dr. Raman Mahabir. One of their reasons for moving was to bring DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery, a specialized procedure that can be rare in smaller cities, to Tucson.

“We really wanted to come to a place where we could have a greater impact and more of a connection with the community versus being in a big city,” Kurtovic said.

One of few female surgeons in Arizona to be a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Kurtovic graduated with honors from UCLA, earned her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed surgery training at Cedars-Sinai and a plastic surgery residency at Duke.

Kurtovic was drawn to medicine after her mother, in a community much like Tucson, underwent treatment for aggressive breast cancer.

“My first experience on the receiving end of health care was surprisingly bad and disappointing. Fortunately, this same experience really motivated me to commit to providing better care for my patients.,” said Kurtovic, whose mother passed away about two years after her diagnosis.

“After supporting my mother through breast cancer treatments, I saw the need to bring in a more human-centric approach to caring for surgical patients. To me, one of the most important things is to ensure my patients feel seen and heard throughout their entire healing journey.”

Along with breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgeries, Kurtovic performs mommy makeovers, tummy tucks and body contouring. She’s also a Reiki master and trained in craniosacral work, which, she said, indirectly affects her approach.

“To me it’s about being present, and that’s what these modalities do—they help me stay grounded so I can support patients’ healing in a more authentic way,” Kurtovic said.

Aware many women can’t afford life-changing surgery, Kurtovic and Mahabir founded the nonprofit Reblossom, delivering free surgeries to 17 patients since 2022.

“We wanted to have a broader reach within the community—not just the people who can afford it or who have good insurance,” Kurtovic said. “This is our way to bridge that gap.”

Her focus on patients as people is what sets Kurtovic apart, said anesthesiologist Tiffany Thornton.

“She cares so much about her patients and takes the time to get to know them and figure out what their goals with surgery are and how to get them,” Thornton said. “The women of Tucson are just so lucky to have her here doing these amazing surgeries.”

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Tiffany Kjos

SHARON M c DONOUGH

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Chief Tucson Fire Department

PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Rodney Campbell While working her way up the ladder to become Tucson Fire Department Chief, Sharon McDonough learned valuable lessons she’s now using to run a public-safety organization with more than 700 employees.

Atop the list: Her employees are ordinary people doing extraordinary work.

“We’re seeing things we shouldn’t see,” McDonough said.

“We’re humans, too. We have normal lives with normal challenges. We have struggles in our marriages, some members struggle with substance abuse, everything the public has. But on top of the normal life struggle, we also deal with tough calls that we go to one after another and have very little time to recoup.”

When McDonough became Tucson’s first female fire chief in March 2025 after working for the agency since 1990, she made call reduction a priority. Instead of, for example, sending two trucks with six people on a typical trip, the department has found that one truck with two or four personnel can do the job.

“We’ve reduced the call load on our 18 busiest trucks by 10%,” she said. “That gives our troops enough breathing space to rest, get a workout and a good lunch.”

TFD personnel now have expanded mental health options, including a popular therapy dog named Ember. An athletic trainer has been hired, and McDonough will soon bring a wellness coordinator on board.

She said a recent survey revealed a 58% increase in job satisfaction among her troops. Even those who resign generally aren’t doing so out of frustration.

“During exit interviews, we’re seeing people leave for healthier reasons,” McDonough said. “They have family reasons to leave the state or are pursuing a different level of their careers.”

Lew Harris recently left his post as an assistant chief with Tucson Fire to become chief in Pearland, Tex. He worked with McDonough for 28 years, and they built a friendship and mutual respect.

“The troops always feel heard by Sharon,” he said. “That’s an important part of the puzzle. She looks out for the troops and what they value. That’s something that really connects with the field.”

The work never ends, and McDonough is up to the challenge. She knows the department will be judged by how effectively it serves the community.

“Every day when I come in, I think about our responsibility,” she said. “The biggest thing we often fail at is the responsibility to take care of the people who deliver the service. When you take care of them, they can take care of the business.”

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BizAWARDS

BONNIE SCHOCK Executive Director Fox Tucson Theatre

One of Tucson’s greatest gems that has been the center of downtown for nearly 100 years is about to get an important $26 million expansion, thanks, in part, to the vision of Bonnie Schock.

Joining Fox Tucson Theatre in 2020 as executive director, Schock realized she had a role to play in the theatre’s ongoing existence. Her arts background in stage directing, producing plays and arts administration gave her the knowledge to make this a reality.

“Fox is a space that is irreplaceable and I wanted to apply my skills where they could make a difference. My goal was to ensure it has an ongoing positive impact in the community and what it means to future generations. We want to be vibrant for the next 100 years.”

In 2022, Rio Nuevo invested $2 million to get the project on the drawing board. “Our goal is to open in 2030 with our 100-year anniversary,” Schock said. “Fox purchased the properties to the east and north adjacent to the theatre up to the county building on Stone. We’re developing into a performing arts campus.”

The expansion will incorporate larger lobbies; ADA compliance, including an elevator; a second 350-seat theatre; and a rooftop deck and bar. “This will open the Fox to a much broader range including programs for kids, community groups and events to give us flexibility.”

Schock says a project of this magnitude is a worthwhile challenge. “Historic venues are very important to the community and so rare in the world. We need to preserve them.”

Nancy March, founder of the Arizona Nonprofit Counsel, which provides low-cost legal services to nonprofits, served on the Fox Theatre’s board of directors and the committee that hired Schock. March was highly impressed with Schock from their first meeting.

“Bonnie is very visionary,” March said. “When expansion came along, she recognized it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She could see how it would work and gathered important people to help move the project along while embracing all the special qualities of Tucson. Bonnie is always thinking of how to improve on everything. This is an example of good leadership. She’s the complete package and truly deserves this honor.”

Schock has served as a leadership fellow with the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, the Shannon Institute, and the Bush Foundation’s Creative Community Leadership Program.

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Christy Krueger

LESAH SESMA

BizAWARDS

General Manager Casino Del Sol

PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Rodney Campbell When she started at Casino Del Sol 15 years ago, Lesah Sesma was content working as an event manager.

“I wanted to come to Tucson and work for my (Pascua Yaqui) Tribe,” said Sesma, who was a sales coordinator at a Phoenix hotel when the Casino Del Sol job opened. “I wanted to be an event manager. It was the coolest job.”

Her enthusiasm and talents caught the attention of management, and she was offered a chance to work at the resort hotel as an assistant front office manager.

Comfortable in her role, Sesma was initially hesitant.

“I didn’t want to change jobs,” she said. “But they wanted to start a fire in me.”

That flame has burned brightly ever since. Sesma has served as director of hotel operations, executive director of community relations, and was named general manager three years ago after completing an 18-month company executive training program.

Only two employees were chosen for the program. The other, Miguel Escamilla, is also now a general manager.

“It felt like an MBA boot camp,” Sesma said. “We were going through everything. I met with every director and highlevel executive. We discussed day-to-day and long-term operations.”

Sesma credits her time in Greater Tucson Leadership’s Class of 2013 and subsequent service on community boards for shaping her approach to leadership. “I’m an empath,” she said. “I listen to people. I’m not quick to react when there’s bad news. I try to look for the positive. I enjoy creating clarity and building people.”

Jacqueline Martinez, Casino Del Sol’s director of community relations, said Sesma is the kind of leader who helps her employees thrive.

“Working for Lesah is an absolute honor,” Martinez said. “I deeply appreciate her authenticity and strive to embody the qualities she models every day. She is a wonderful example of a leader who prioritizes empathy and compassion while still guiding us with clarity and purpose. She creates an environment where people feel valued, heard and supported.”

Sesma’s next big challenge is already set. She will be general manager of Casino Del Sol’s new casino, Casino Del Sol Vahi Taa’am, at Grant Road and I-10 when it opens in November.

“It’s going to be exciting to grow with the property,” Sesma said. “The team we have will never let each other fail.”

Although she admits to having pre-opening nerves, she’s busy thinking about the facility’s future with a nod to her past.

“I’m already asking our tribal council when we’ll get a hotel.”

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BizAWARDS

CRISTIE STREET

Senior VP, COO Southern Arizona Leadership Council When it comes to leadership, Cristie Street doesn’t necessarily think it always comes from the front, as the term implies.

Street, who has successfully navigated through leadership roles in business and philanthropy, and who now serves as COO of one of the region’s most influential business organizations, says leadership can come from just about anywhere.

“In some ways, leadership is sort of the ultimate group project. We all play a role depending on what the project is,” said Street, who has been senior VP and COO at Southern Arizona Leadership Council since 2025 after a business career that included co-founding tech company Nextrio.

Street has been active in the Tucson philanthropic community with organizations including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Sister Jose Women’s Center, Tucson Jewish Community Center, Arizona Public Media and the Rothschild Fund for Civic Innovation. She was named the Greater Tucson Leadership Woman of the Year in 2016.

“Titles are only part of the story, a very small part of the story, really,” Street said of her many leadership positions.

“Sometimes you lead from the front, sometimes you lead from the side, sometimes you lead from the back. I’ve been in all of those roles.”

Today, Street is leading a group of leaders, members of the Tucson community who are leaders themselves and who make up SALC, trying to have a positive and productive impact on the community across many fronts including education, infrastructure, health care, the economy and public policy.

“Cristie has a rare ability to earn the trust of leaders from every sector because she leads with credibility, curiosity and respect,” said SALC President and CEO Ted Maxwell. “The most effective leaders don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room. They help others see a path forward. Cristie excels at bringing together people with different priorities and perspectives and helping them find common ground around a shared vision.”

Street, who stepped into the CEO position when she cofounded Nextrio in 2002, said she recognizes that the leadership skills of that day are different from what defines the term today.

“Where sometimes people were brought together because of deep expertise in a particular area, now I think it’s more systems thinking and holistic, where you need to be able to bring experts together and have them work together,” she said.

“I sit in a seat of partnership with everyone. This is where titles don’t really get you very much because we all equally have a piece of this organization on our shoulders so that we can get the policy work done.”

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Jay Gonzales

AMANDA WIGGINS

BizAWARDS

President & CEO Marana Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

By Christy Krueger Amanda Wiggins’ profession is like conducting an orchestra.

As president and CEO of Marana Chamber of Commerce, she must inspire others through leadership, have exceptional communication skills and be a good listener – all with the purpose of supporting and connecting the chamber’s 830 member businesses.

Before coming to Marana, Wiggins worked with the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Tallahassee. What she learned there and brought to Marana was the importance of getting business leaders involved in the local community. “Our mission,” she said, “is creating a thriving community through connected business leadership.”

This is accomplished with networking events, educational programming and strategic partnerships, to name a few.

During her five years at the Chamber, Wiggins has made a significant impact leading her team of six to increase membership by nearly 60%, expand the Marana Visitor Center and add member value through new events and programs like Impact Marana. She also collaborates with other leaders in Tucson, Oro Valley, Vail and Sahuarita. “We connect on important regional issues that impact our businesses and community.”

Wiggins is involved with Discover Marana’s Tourism Master Planning Team. “It’s a deep dive, looking at current assets of Marana and opportunities to expand tourism.” This includes attracting visitors through events like Marana Pumpkin Patch and unique destinations like The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain.

Outside her chamber responsibilities, Wiggins contributes her time to many local organizations, including American Red Cross, Southern Arizona Chapter; Marana Little League; Marana Unified School District; and the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance. She was also selected to be an honorary commander at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. “It’s a way for the community to get connected to the base,” she explained.

Dan Streeter, superintendent of Marana Unified School District, serves on the chamber’s board of directors and knows Wiggins well. “She bridges the gap between the regional business community and our school district and ensures the economy and workforce are aligned. Amanda is very deserving of leading our region and what impactful leaders look like. She’s a good person to recognize.”

“I have the opportunity to represent Marana and these other organizations and be able to bring Marana to the regional table,” added Wiggins. “I care a lot and it’s reflected in the work I do.”

While Wiggins speaks passionately about her work and community involvement, what she really likes to talk about is her family. “I have a wonderful husband and three boys. I do my job and I love my community. And I believe when businesses thrive, families thrive.”

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BizAWARDS

CELEBRATING SIX YEARS OF WOMEN LEADING THE REGION 2021

Adia Barnes Danette Bewley Susan Gray Jill German Daisy Jenkins Jan Lesher Lisa Lovallo Barbi Reuter Judy Rich Adriana Kong Romero Regina Romero Calline Sanchez Laura Shaw Amber Smith Carol Stewart

2022

Mara Aspinall Erika Barnes Elizabeth Cantwell Mimi Coomler Marcy Euler Carlotta Flores Sarah Frost Renee Gonzales Lisa Hagins Styne Hill Karla Bernal Morales Lea Marquez Peterson Kathy Prather Sandra SagehornElliott Michelle Trindade

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2024

Lani Baker Cathie Batbie-Loucks Joni Condit Roberta Diaz Brinton Beverely Elliott Kathleen Ericksen Carmala Garzione Jill Harlow Nancy Kluge Melissa Lal Judy Lowe Melanie Rice Kara Riley Shelley Watson Denise Watters

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2025

2023

Jennifer Barton Lori Carroll Desiree Cook Leigh-Anne Harrison Paula Register Hecht Kate Maguire Jensen Cecilia Mata Amy McReynolds Linda Morales Lisa Rulney Keri Silvyn Monica Vargas-Mahar Jana Westerbeke

THE REGION’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE

FALL FALL 2022 2012

Kym Adair Barbara Borgonovi Natalie Fernandez Alison Flynn Gaffney Iman Hakim Hava Holzhauer Ashley La Russa Jennifer Mendrzycki Liz McCusker Liz Pocock Desireé Reed-Francois Anjela Salyer Kristen Sharp Kristen Swingle

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SUMMER FALL 2012 2025

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PHOTO: KRIS HANNING/OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIPS

BizTECHNOLOGY

The infrared microscope is widely used to identify defects and conduct failure analysis of semiconductor chips, which are the foundation of today’s advanced technology.

For a Stronger Semiconductor

IRLabs Gives High-Tech Microscope to University of Arizona Cleanroom IRLabs, a Tucson-based optics and cryogenics company founded by a University of Arizona alumnus, donated a high-performance infrared emission microscope system to the UA’s Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing.

The system is installed in the ISO 5 semiconductor cleanroom, part of a recently expanded, state-of-the-art nanofabrication facility.

It helps researchers and students detect and analyze near invisible defects 62 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

inside modern semiconductor devices before they lead to costly production failures. Even a single defect can result in millions of dollars in losses during semiconductor production.

IRLabs founder Frank Low, a UA scientist who died in 2009, invented infrared telescopes to observe distant galaxies and star formation. He adapted the technology in the mid-1990s for use with Intel’s computer chips. Intel and NVIDIA use this infrared emission mi-

croscope, known as IREM, during production to ensure quality.

As semiconductor devices continue to shrink, identifying failure points has become increasingly challenging. IRLabs’ IREM technology detects ultra-low levels of infrared photon emissions caused by defects such as leakage currents, hot spots and junction anomalies — without damaging the device. continued on page 64 >>> www.BizTucson.com

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BizTECHNOLOGY

From left – Manny Teran, IRLabs CEO and UA mechanical engineering alumnus, with Krishna Muralidharan, director of the UA Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and professor of materials science and engineering.

It uniquely allows for inspection through silicon and packaging, preserving devices while enabling precise defect localization. This capability is important as advanced semiconductor nodes push the limits of manufacturing precision.

The donated system will allow UA students and researchers to train on the same class of tools used by leading semiconductor makers to ensure quality and reliability. It also supports Arizona’s growing role in semiconductor innovation by contributing to workforce development and research capacity.

IRLabs has a long history of innovation in infrared detection technologies, with applications in astronomy, defense and semiconductor manufacturing. The company’s continued collaboration with UA reflects a shared commitment to advancing research, education and industry impact.

“At the University of Arizona, we believe the most transformative research occurs at the intersection of world-class expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, UA senior VP for research and partnerships. “Strategic partnerships like this allow us to bridge the gap between academic discovery and workforce readiness, reinforcing our role as a cornerstone of the state’s thriving semiconductor ecosystem.”

The Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing, located in the UA’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Building, was recently renovated with support from a $35.5 million award from the Arizona Commerce Authority.

It meets International Organization for Standardization 5 classification, meaning it is a highly controlled environment with stringent requirements for air cleanliness, which is crucial to protect sensitive chips from dust and particles during manufacturing.

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PHOTO: KRIS HANNING/OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIPS

continued from page 62

BizPEOPLE Alexis Martinez

Alexis Martinez has been appointed the new president and CEO of La Posada Communities. She succeeds Joni Condit, who is retiring. Martinez began at La Posada as a front desk receptionist and over the next 23 years, served in numerous corporate roles. She led development of La Posada’s second campus in Oro Valley and played a central role in its construction oversight, financing, operational planning and more.

Elizabeth Babcock

Alta Environmental and Infrastructure has announced that Elizabeth Babcock has joined the company as VP of Land and Right of Way. Babcock brings more than 40 years of leadership experience supporting complex infrastructure and energy projects nationwide. Her expertise spans land acquisition, right of way strategy, permitting, stakeholder engagement, survey coordination, construction support, safety and project execution.

Mary Fowler

Tucson Airport Authority has promoted Mary Fowler to VP and CFO. Fowler joined TAA in September 2025 as Deputy Chief of Finance and was promoted to Interim CFO in March 2026. Since assuming the role, she has provided strong leadership of the Finance Division, overseeing accounting and financial planning and analysis while supporting TAA’s long-term financial strategy and operational objectives.

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BizHEALTHCARE

SPONSORED CONTENT

7 Trends Making Behavioral Health Benefits a Business Imperative Submitted by Heather Kane, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Arizona & New Mexico Behavioral health has become a strategic priority over the past decade. As utilization rises and expectations shift, Pima County employers face two challenges: managing costs while ensuring benefits deliver real value.

To support workforce well-being and keep benefits sustainable, employers need a clear view of what’s changing— and what to do next.

Here are seven trends shaping behavioral health care in 2026: 1. Behavioral health care utilization is up — and so are costs 48% of Americans plan to seek therapy within the next year—up 5% from last year. That’s progress, but it also has a price: behavioral health claims are predicted to increase 10% to 20% in 2026.

For employers, the question isn’t whether to invest, it’s how to invest wisely. Not every employee needs therapy, which can be costly and hard to scale. About 50% of members seeking help may be good candidates for lower-severity options such as coaching or self-help apps. Strong care navigation helps people find the right level of care sooner and supports sustainable costs.

2. Specialized support is becoming the expectation Employers and benefits managers recognize that specialized support is required by some employees for a wide variety of reasons. Some face language barriers or real-world barriers to care; others may desire extra support during maternity, after a significant medical health diagnosis, or as a result of menopause.

Employers also recognize employees who support aging parents or children with behavioral health needs require targeted behavioral health resources.

Without this specialized support, sustained stress caused by these challenges can show up in the workplace.

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3. Increased burnout is impacting mental health Burnout has reached a 6-year high among American workers. 66% of employees experienced burnout in the past year, and Gen Z has surpassed Millennials as the most burnt-out generation.

70% of employees report heightened anxiety under return-to-office mandates. Working parents (especially mothers), shift workers and the “sandwich generation” caring for children and aging relatives often feel the strain most acutely.

Workplace policies and culture that impact flexibility, workload expectations and return-to-office decisions directly influence burnout and behavioral health costs.

4. Employers want ROI, not just access The right programs can deliver results. One analysis found comprehensive behavioral health benefits generated a pooled ROI of 2.3 times program costs, with every $100 invested yielding about $190 in medical claims savings.

As use rises, employers that can measure impact—without adding administrative complexity—will be better positioned to meet workforce needs.

Partners offering a continuum of behavioral health options and effective care navigation strategies can help employees reach the appropriate support sooner.

5. Advanced technologies are reshaping access to care AI isn’t replacing clinicians; it can support them. With appropriate oversight, AI can streamline documentation, identify needs earlier through screening and better match employees to the right support. In areas with provider shortages, AI-enabled tools can expand access without increasing wait times.

As these tools proliferate, employers should look for solutions that follow clear ethical frameworks and build in human oversight, accountability and transparency.

6. Whole-person health care is becoming the norm The industry is moving away from siloed models toward integrated approaches that connect behavioral and physical health. Employees managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease or chronic pain often have higher rates of depression and anxiety. Addressing physical and behavioral health together can improve outcomes and help reduce total costs.

For employers, this is a chance to rethink benefit design. Look for solutions that integrate mental health support into primary care, chronic condition programs and care navigation.

7. Digital tools are gaining popularity Mental health needs don’t stop when a therapy session ends—and increasingly, neither does support. Employers are investing in digital tools that extend care beyond appointments and help employees access help when they need it.

Tools include guided self-help exercises, session summaries that reinforce key takeaways and 24/7 talk-based support for “in-the-moment” needs. When integrated thoughtfully, they can create a continuous experience that keeps employees connected to goals—often improving outcomes without proportionally higher costs.

From trends to action Behavioral health is no longer a fringe benefit. For Tucson and Pima County employers, it’s a core driver of workforce well-being, performance and retention.

The trends reshaping behavioral health care in 2026 bring real challenges: rising costs, higher expectations and demand for more personalized, continuous care. They also create opportunities for employers willing to evolve—by strengthening workplace policies that support well-being and choosing benefits designed to deliver measurable results. www.BizTucson.com

SPECIAL REPORT 2026

THE REGION’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE

RANCHO SAHUARITA

BUILDING BETTER LIVES F O R 25 Y E A R S

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PHOTOS COURTESY RANCHO SAHUARITA

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BizCOMMUNITY

Building Better Lives for 25 Years How Rancho Sahuarita Became One of Southern Arizona’s Most Successful Master-planned Communities

By Loni Nannini In the mid 1990’s, 3,000-acres of vacant land just south of Tucson began an epic transformation into Rancho Sahuarita, a master-planned community with a simple but ambitious vision: Create a community where families can build better lives.

That vision is being realized by more than 25,000 residents who currently live, work, learn, gather and build lasting connections in the Southern Arizona oasis.

“The dream has always been to create a place where people can thrive,” said Jeremy Sharpe, managing partner of Rancho Sahuarita. “That means more than building homes. It means creating experiences, connections and opportunities that genuinely improve people’s lives.”

Twice-ranked among the Top 10 selling master-planned communities in the U.S. by Robert Charles Lesser & Co., a prominent real estate consulting and advisory firm, Rancho Sahuarita has garnered numerous local, regional and

national accolades over the past quartercentury. With 7,500+ households and counting, the unique project continues to evolve as a model for intentional growth, community engagement and long-term stewardship in Southern Arizona.

As Rancho Sahuarita celebrates a milestone 25th anniversary, its leaders are reflecting not only on what has been built, but on the relationships, experiences and opportunities that have shaped the community generations in the making.

A Vision Beyond Housing From the beginning, Rancho Sahuarita was envisioned as much more than a residential development.

Sharpe said the community was designed around the idea that “quality of life is shaped by the spaces and experiences that bring people together,” including parks, trails, schools, gathering places, recreational amenities and a vibrant town center. continued on page 72 >>>

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BizCOMMUNITY

continued from page 71

Robert Sharpe with son Jeremy Sharpe

Building a Foundation of Community While amenities contribute to quality of life, Sharpe said that Rancho Sahuarita’s long-term success has been built around a foundation that includes schools, infrastructure, public safety and economic opportunity.

Michael Bowman, VP of development for Rancho Sahuarita, said the original vision centered on delivering value across multiple generations of homeowners.

“Rancho Sahuarita was conceived around the idea that an attainable master-planned community could provide an exceptional lifestyle and long-term value that simply didn’t exist elsewhere in the market,” Bowman said.

That concept required substantial investment in infrastructure and public-private partnerships. Sharpe said that Rancho Sahuarita worked with the Town of Sahuarita to build the necessary infrastructure from scratch; this includes programmatic support and donation of more than 150 acres for new schools to the Sahuarita Unified School District (SUSD) since the 1990s.

Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy credits those investments with helping establish the foundation for what he believes is one of Southern Arizona’s most desirable communities.

“Strong schools, public safety and quality infrastructure are critical to a community’s success,” Murphy said.

“Those priorities have remained central to Rancho Sahuarita’s growth from the beginning.”

Education as a Community Cornerstone SUSD offers residents comprehensive options in pre-K through grade 12 along with the Sahuarita Early Childhood Center, after-school programming, and Sahuarita Digital Pathways Academy, a fully online school. continued on page 74 >>>

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PHOTOS BY BRENT G. MATHIS & COURTESY RANCHO SAHUARITA

Residents can access more than 15 parks, a 15-acre lake park, and an extensive trail system; multiple recreation and fitness facilities; a splash park and multiple pools; and more than 350 community events and programs each year.

The belief that the true value of the amenities extends beyond recreation has guided every stage of community growth.

“The goal isn’t simply to provide amenities,” said Courtney Leon, VP of marketing for Rancho Sahuarita.

“It’s to create opportunities for people to connect. We want our community spaces to become the backdrop for meaningful experiences, friendships and memories that last a lifetime.”

Neighborhoods are intentionally connected through greenbelts, trails and gathering spaces designed to encourage interaction and strengthen community bonds. These are anchored by Sahuarita Town Center, a commercial, retail and civic hub.

“As soon as someone gets the keys to their new home, they become part of something larger,” Sharpe said.

“One of the things that makes Rancho Sahuarita special is the way neighbors genuinely engage with one another and invest in the community around them.”

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BizCOMMUNITY continued from page 72

Murphy credits innovative collaborations forged between schools, local businesses, higher education institutions and community organizations with facilitating long-term goals of strengthening workforce development and expanding educational pathways.

One example is Sahuarita WINS! The community-wide initiative is spearheaded by Murphy, Sharpe, SUSD Superintendent Manuel Valenzuela, and other community leaders in conjunction with Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, local businesses, nonprofits and faith communities.

Valenzuela said the goal is to bring together educators, employers, nonprofits and civic leaders to support student achievement and career readiness.

“We thought about how wonderful it would be if we could find commonality in purpose and share our expertise and resources to move the community forward in a coherent and aligned way with a focus centered on business, education and overall community,” Valenzuela said.

The initiative has resulted in increased offerings of Advanced Placement courses; field-based internships; mentorship and support from University of Arizona faculty and local businesses leaders; and programming and scholarships that help eligible students transition to higher education.

“It all starts with the heartfelt belief that, together, we can truly do more than if we try to do it on our own. We are better together,” said Valenzuela.

A Legacy of Stewardship The principles of collaboration and stewardship were embraced by Sharpe’s late father, Bob, who founded Rancho Sahuarita with the intent of providing opportunities and experiences for young families.

“My dad believed everyone deserved access to quality neighborhoods, parks, schools and community amenities,” Sharpe said. “He wanted to create places where families could build better futures.”

That philosophy continues to guide the organization today, and Sharpe’s team approaches development with a long-term perspective as opposed to fo74 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

cusing on short-term outcomes.

“It is uncommon for one family to remain involved in a community for 25 years and continue carrying forward the same vision and values,” Sharpe said. “We view ourselves as stewards of something much bigger than any single project.”

Better Together Collaboration has been central to Rancho Sahuarita’s success from the beginning.

Over the years, the community has worked alongside homebuilders, engineers, planners, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations and local governments to create opportunities for residents and strengthen the region.

That spirit of collaboration carries over into philanthropy and community service.

Residents and team members regularly support organizations such as the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center, Tucson Toys for Tots, the Arizona Diaper Bank, Banner Children-Diamond Children’s Medical Center programs and numerous local, regional and national causes.

Carlos Valles, executive director for the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center shared, “Rancho Sahuarita is an amazing supporter not only for our food bank, but for the other resources we offer. It’s nice to have a community that cares.”

Community events and fundraising initiatives have generated millions of dollars for charitable organizations while reinforcing a culture of service and giving back.

“Our mission is about creating better lives,” Leon said. “That extends beyond the people who live here. It means finding ways to make a positive impact throughout the broader community as well.”

An Economic Driver for Southern Arizona Rancho Sahuarita is also a growing economic asset regionally on multiple levels.

“Master-planned communities like Rancho Sahuarita are critical to attract talent in Southern Arizona. Jeremy and his team have done an outstanding job in offering amenities for young families

who are looking for great places to live, work, and play,” said Joe Snell, president and CEO of The Chamber of Southern Arizona.

Sharpe attributes the combination of attainable housing, quality schools, amenities and lifestyle offerings with providing a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining talent with Raytheon, Caterpillar, regional mining operations and other major Southern Arizona employers. Rancho Sahuarita also attracts many active-duty and retired members of the military from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and their families.

The impact extends beyond housing. Rancho Sahuarita residents − and Sharpe’s burgeoning commercial enterprises − significantly influence local businesses, retail centers, healthcare providers, schools and service organizations that contribute to a growing economic ecosystem that generates jobs and investment throughout the region.

“The ripple effect in the community as a result of Rancho Sahuarita’s presence is represented by spending at local stores, businesses, gyms, professional services – anything that residents spend money on as they go about their lives.

That’s a significant number indeed,” said Snell.

Looking Ahead As Rancho Sahuarita enters its next chapter, growth remains focused on the same principles that have shaped the community over the past quarter-century: connection, opportunity, quality of life and long-term stewardship.

Future plans focus on diversified housing, commercial development, new employment opportunities and deeper community engagement throughout the region.

For Sharpe, the true measure of success remains the people who call Rancho Sahuarita home.

“What makes me proud isn’t the infrastructure or the buildings. It’s seeing families who have built their lives here, neighbors who have become lifelong friends and a community that continues to grow stronger over time,” he said.

“That has always been the vision.

Twenty-five years later, we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue building on it.”

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Managing Partner Rancho Sahuarita

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

Jeremy Sharpe

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BizLEADERSHIP

Building Community Across Generations Sharpe Family Uses Purpose-Driven Development to Shape Southern Arizona’s Future

By Loni Nannini For 25 years, the Sharpe family has harnessed the power of purpose-driven development to create Rancho Sahuarita. Today, this defining Southern Arizona master-planned community serves as a model for intentional, long-term development where all stakeholders prosper.

“We believe the built environment has the power to improve people’s lives,” said Jeremy Sharpe, managing partner of Rancho Sahuarita.

“We love creating places that bring people together and strengthen a sense of belonging. Every project we undertake is evaluated through the lens of how it contributes to the broader community and its long-term success.”

That philosophy has guided Rancho Sahuarita’s evolution over the past quarter-century and continues to shape the company’s approach to development, community building and regional investment.

A Legacy of Community Building The 3,000-acre master-planned community was established in 2001

by Sharpe’s late father, Bob, who built upon a multigenerational family legacy in real estate investment, development and community management.

Growing up, Sharpe was immersed in the family business. He worked in a variety of roles, from administrative www.BizTucson.com

support and lifeguarding at Rancho Sahuarita to assisting in land acquisition and development activities throughout college. Those early experiences provided more than an education in real estate: They offered lessons in leadership, stewardship and service.

Bob, who passed away in 2019 after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, remains a profound influence on the company’s culture and values.

“When I was 12, my father gave me a copy of ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People,’” Sharpe recalled. “I still have it on my shelf today. My philosophy, which is just like my father’s and grandfather’s, is centered on connecting with people, treating people well, believing in the goodness of others and rallying around a shared vision.”

Among Bob’s lasting contributions was a simple but powerful phrase: “Today is a good day.”

“When my dad was diagnosed, that phrase became something of a fight song for him,” said Sharpe. “It reflected his optimism and belief that every day presents an opportunity. That mindset remains central to how we lead our company and how we serve our community.”

Stewardship Through Leadership Today, Sharpe oversees a diversified organization of roughly 200 employ-

ees spanning residential development, commercial real estate, construction, community management and the Sahuarita Water Company. The company also specializes in land entitlement and economic development initiatives that support long-term regional growth.

Throughout its evolution, Rancho Sahuarita has remained committed to a people-first culture.

Recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona as a Best Place to Work, the company has developed a reputation for fostering long-term employee engagement and retention. Many team members have been with the organization for more than a decade, and several have helped shape the community since its earliest days.

“Every role contributes to the resident and tenant experience,” said Sharpe.

“Whether someone works in events, maintenance, administration, community management or development, they are helping improve quality of life for the people who call Rancho Sahuarita home.”

As a husband and father of two, Sharpe believes strong organizations recognize that employees have meaningful lives beyond the workplace. Flexibility, family and work-life integration are core tenets influencing how the company supports its team members. continued on page 78 >>> Summer 2026 > > > BizTucson 77

BizLEADERSHIP continued from page 77

“It’s more than something we put on a wall,” he said. “People perform at their best when they have the support they need to be successful both professionally and personally.”

Michael Bowman, VP of development, has witnessed the community’s transformation firsthand over the last 26 years.

“Something special comes from the continuity of long-term employees who have watched the community grow from open desert into a thriving town,” Bowman said. “That history and shared experience are part of our culture in a way that can’t be manufactured.”

Investing in Southern Arizona For Sharpe, community building extends well beyond Rancho Sahuarita’s boundaries.

He believes that private-sector leaders have a responsibility to contribute to the long-term success of Southern Arizona through board service, philanthropy and civic leadership.

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“We view our relationships with residents, nonprofits and partner organizations as opportunities to create value and strengthen the community,” Sharpe said. “Our responsibility is to engage, collaborate and find ways to help others succeed.”

That philosophy also drives his involvement with organizations such as the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, the Chamber of Southern Arizona, Urban Land Institute, Banner Health Foundation and Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

Shaping the Future of the Region Sharpe believes Southern Arizona is positioned for tremendous long-term growth if public and private leaders work together to address challenges and seize opportunities.

“Southern Arizona is an extraordinary place − geographically, culturally and economically—and it is genuinely full of opportunity,” he said.

“Growth, if executed intentionally, raises quality of life. It creates jobs, expands housing opportunities, strength-

ens the tax base that supports schools and public services, and attracts investment that compounds over time. But it requires leadership, collaboration and a shared belief that growth can benefit everyone.”

His vision for development is rooted in creating communities that integrate housing, education, healthcare, employment opportunities and meaningful public spaces.

“When those elements come together, something remarkable happens,” Sharpe said. “People put down roots.

They invest in their neighborhoods.

They create generational wealth and a lasting community where people stay.”

As Rancho Sahuarita looks to the future, Sharpe sees the company’s role as both builder and steward: a family legacy while helping shape the future of Southern Arizona.

“We don’t take that responsibility lightly. The communities we build today should still be creating opportunity and improving lives decades from now. That’s the work we intend to keep doing.”

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Curating Lifestyles, Inspiring Joy Amenities Attract Rancho Sahuarita Residents With hundreds of free annual events and programs, a massive footprint of parks, trails and pools, and an abundance of resort-style recreation, Rancho Sahuarita has spent 25 years prioritizing lifestyle over standard development.

The company is writing the playbook for developers who curate lifestyle and prioritize quality of life for residents.

“One of the things that Rancho Sahuarita has done best is offer an abundance of high-quality amenities, and I think people are absolutely looking for amenities. They want to have a great sense of place, a sense of community, where residents enjoy indoor and outdoor activities with their family and neighbors,” said David Godlewski, president and CEO of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

More than 15 parks, 25-plus miles of walking trails, and extensive water features − ranging from pools to splash pads and a Tot Lagoon − serve Rancho Sahuarita’s 25,000 residents and 7,500+ homes.

The crown jewel remains Club Rancho Sahuarita, featuring a 6,000-squarefoot fitness center, meeting space and more. Club Rancho Sahuarita sits adjacent to Sahuarita Lake Park, a popular fishing spot and home to popular public events such as the community’s “Family, Friends and Freedom” Independence Day Celebration.

Longtime resident Bob Webster, who moved to Rancho Sahuarita in 2002, shared: “Twenty four years later, my wife, Melody, and I still enjoy our walks around the lake, hiking on the many trails and taking a quick dip in one of the many swimming pools.”

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Building a Way of Life Rancho Sahuarita is distinguished among master-planned communities by a slate of amenities focusing on community programming, featuring more than 350 events annually − holiday celebrations, outdoor movie nights and concerts, food truck roundups, youth camps, special needs programming and much more.

“We have homes from many of the same homebuilders that you see in other communities. However, there is something special about choosing a home in Rancho Sahuarita, as it comes with a whole lifestyle offering and experience for your family, that truly sets it apart from other options,” said Michelle Moreno, executive community director of Rancho Sahuarita.

Premium amenities are facilitated through homeowner association dues and include more than 45 weekly fitness classes such as yoga, Zumba, cycling, water aerobics and boot camps.

Health and wellness lectures supported by on-site medical partners are also available, along with personal trainers; a staff nutritionist offers presentations on heart-healthy meals, eating on a budget, healthy school lunches and much more.

Parents can utilize Kids Club, an onsite supervised play center while using the amenities at Club Rancho Sahuarita. There are also summer camps for kids, pre-teen and teen events and dozens of other monthly events. Options abound for seniors as well: Active adults 50 and older who live in Rancho Sahuarita, Rancho Resort and Sonora

by Del Webb can purchase membership in the Saguaro Club. The group enjoys mixers, cooking demonstrations, movie nights and excursions to local at-

tractions and further afield to sporting events and activities in Phoenix.

Moreno emphasized that the offerings are designed to engage people at every age and phase of life.

“Our community is so diverse, from abilities to cultural and ethnic backgrounds to age, so we strive to be diverse in what we offer. It is not cookie cutter.”

She means that quite literally. From “Cookies with Characters,” in which toddlers and parents decorate cookies with Elmo, Cookie Monster and other well-known characters to annual Father-Daughter Dances with complimentary portraits, the events help families to make memories.

“We have one dad who has the pictures from every single year hanging on his office wall...we became part of his memories of good times he had with his daughter. You just can’t buy that,” said Moreno.

The abundance of opportunities also encourage people to expand their horizons, leading to new adventures for everyone in the community.

The adventures are extended to those with special needs. Since 2010, Rancho Sahuarita has offered programming for children with special needs and their families.

“We had started seeing more and more families coming into the community who were hesitant to attend activities because they had a child with a few extra hurdles or a few extra needs, and we wanted to provide something their families could comfortably attend,” said Moreno.

The programs have grown to include an annual Special Needs Prom and a sensory-friendly day at the Splash Park, continued on page 82 >>> www.BizTucson.com

PHOTOS BY BRENT G. MATHIS & COURTESY RANCHO SAHUARITA

By Tiffany Kjos

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BizCOMMUNITY continued from page 80 along with other monthly activities and targeted support groups for families.

“Inclusion is important to our families...they need to know that we support them,” said Moreno. “We have had families buy at Rancho Sahuarita specifically because they were told about our special needs programs and the great deal of support our community has for parents and families who love being included.”

Ultimately, the range of programming is designed to fulfill a promise made to all residents when they choose to buy a home in Rancho Sahuarita.

“It is a promise about raising your family in a secure, safe community that offers everyone not just a place to live, but a whole sense of belonging,” said Moreno.

A New Chapter The Entrada Del Toro neighborhood, the newest addition to Rancho Sahuarita, offers that same sense of inclusion and opportunity for involvement.

The neighborhood was intentionally designed around connected open spaces, with walking trails and recreation opportunities for residents of all ages, according to Diana Dessy, VP of land assets for Rancho Sahuarita.

“Whether someone is a young professional, raising a family, or enjoying retirement, Entrada Del Toro offers a lifestyle that supports every stage of life,” Dessy said.

At the center of this neighborhood sits Club Del Toro, Rancho Sahuarita’s newest multigenerational recreation amenity.

“The facility features a modern fitness center equipped for high-intensity training, pickleball courts, an expansive aquatic area with a splash pad, and an inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities,” said Suzy Mason, VP of operations for Rancho Sahuarita.

“Club Del Toro is not just a new amenity; it’s a reflection of how Rancho Sahuarita thinks about growth. Every addition is designed to build on what exists, not replace or replicate it.”

Entrada Del Toro will feature nearly 1,000 homes with a variety of floor plans by six builders: Richmond American Homes, Century Complete, Lennar, Meritage Homes, D.R. Horton and KB Home.

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To meet builder demand for “padready” property, Rancho Sahuarita invested millions of dollars upfront to deliver the lots in Entrada Del Toro, and Richmond American Homes is happy to be part of the neighborhood, according to Michael Del Castillo, president of the Tucson Division of Richmond American Homes.

“

I think people are absolutely looking for amenities.

They want to have a great sense of place, a sense of community, where residents enjoy indoor and outdoor activities with their family and neighbors.

– David Godlewski

”

President & CEO Southern Arizona Home Builders Association

“Rancho Sahuarita is known for its abundance of family-friendly amenities, its proximity to great schools and its focus on design that brings neighbors together,” he said.

“Being able to offer people the home of their dreams in a community where everything truly is in their backyard is a major driving factor for our buyers.”

Amy McReynolds, president of KB Home’s Tucson division, echoed that sentiment, noting that today’s buyers are looking for more than a home.

“We do see demand for new communities that are close or within walking distance to schools, parks, shopping and dining...on-site amenities help cultivate the ‘community-mindedness’ today’s buyers are looking for,” said McReynolds.

While some homes are move-in ready, buyers also have the ability to custom-

ize homes with options that boost longterm affordability such as energy and water-efficient ENERGY STAR® certification and other features.

Meritage Homes − which holds the distinction of being the first homebuilder in Rancho Sahuarita − offers many of these options along with standard features including major appliances, window coverings, smart home automation and designer finishes.

“We have had decades of success in Rancho Sahuarita and built hundreds of homes in the community over the years,” said Jeff Grobstein, region president of Meritage Homes.

Grobstein credits the developers − the late Bob Sharpe and his son, Jeremy − with delivering on their visionary concept of creating a beautiful community for generations to enjoy.

“There is no question that Rancho Sahuarita is a one-of-a-kind community for Southern Arizona. The amenities they provide are first-class and top notch for any master-planned community in the state,” Grobstein said.

As Meritage Homes finishes up sales in its current phase, Grobstein hopes to continue to build on the mutually successful partnership.

“We are optimistic that we may have another phase upcoming...we are always interested in building in Rancho Sahuarita,” he said.

Pipeline for Future Amenities Rancho Sahuarita has a building cap of close to 12,000 homes, leaving significant room for continued growth through neighborhoods and “curated lifestyle amenities” that have become a hallmark of the community.

“Our amenities have been curated over the last 25 years to provide an experience that I don’t believe you can find anywhere else in Southern Arizona,” said Jeremy Sharpe, managing partner of Rancho Sahuarita.

This philosophy extends to every layer of the community – from the builders and developers to residents themselves.

The collective investment is not just in property; it’s in the people who call Rancho Sahuarita home.

“These amenities reflect Rancho Sahuarita’s commitment to creating not just neighborhoods, but places where people can connect, stay active, and build meaningful community throughout their lives,” said Sharpe.

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Tom Murphy

Mayor, Town of Sahuarita

The Heart of a Growing Community Sahuarita Town Center Evolves Into Civic and Economic Hub

By Loni Nannini The Rancho Sahuarita master plan has always transcended home building, embracing the blueprint for a complete community where residents can live, work, shop, gather and build their lives close to home.

That vision is increasingly taking shape through the continued evolution of the Sahuarita Town Center.

“The Sahuarita Town Center has always been envisioned as the heart of the community,” said Jeremy Sharpe, managing partner of Rancho Sahuarita.

“It’s where commerce, community life and civic engagement come together.

The goal has never been simply to build retail. It’s to create a place where people connect.”

The Sahuarita Town Center represents the culmination of decades of 84 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

planning and investment designed to support both Rancho Sahuarita and the broader Town of Sahuarita. Spanning approximately 350 acres, the mixed-use district is emerging as the community’s primary hub for employment, commerce, healthcare, hospitality, civic services and community events.

“We’ve always believed that commercial development should follow residential growth,” Sharpe said. “As the community matures, the Sahuarita Town Center becomes the economic engine that supports long-term prosperity and quality of life.”

Today, the Sahuarita Town Center includes the Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace, Village, and the Corner, featuring a growing collection of retail, dining and service businesses. The area is

also home to key civic and institutional venues, including educational facilities, healthcare providers, municipal services, places of worship and community gathering spaces.

But Sharpe believes the Sahuarita Town Center’s greatest value extends beyond physical buildings.

“We want to create a true ‘Main Street’ environment,” he said. “A place where families attend community events, small businesses thrive, residents gather with neighbors and local traditions take root. Those are the elements that transform a commercial district into the center of a community.”

That vision has been strengthened through a longstanding partnership with the Town of Sahuarita. continued on page 86 >>> www.BizTucson.com

PHOTOS BY BRENT G. MATHIS & COURTESY RANCHO SAHUARITA

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BizCOMMUNITY continued from page 84 “So often across the country, developers and municipalities operate independently,” Sharpe said. “One of the reasons Sahuarita has been successful is the collaborative relationship we’ve built with town leadership. We share a commitment to thoughtful growth and a willingness to work together to solve problems.”

Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy recognizes the benefits of deliberate, purpose-driven development and believes that collaboration and accessibility are key to the business-friendly environment in Sahuarita.

“Intentional growth, strong infrastructure and a commitment to public safety have helped create the foundation for a community where people want to live, work and invest,” Murphy said.

That investment has generated meaningful economic impact across Southern Arizona.

A significant recent addition is Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita, which brought approximately 150 high-quality jobs to the community while expand-

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ing healthcare access for residents. According to The Chamber of Southern Arizona, the hospital is expected to generate an estimated $165 million in regional economic impact during its first five years of operation.

“The cumulative impact of the Sahuarita Town Center’s growth has been substantial,” Sharpe said. “Every new business, employer and service creates opportunities that strengthen the broader economy and improve quality of life for residents.”

The Sahuarita Town Center has also evolved into a gathering place for some of the community’s signature events, including Winterfest, food truck gatherings and other celebrations that bring together residents, businesses and visitors throughout the year.

“These events create a sense of identity and belonging,” Murphy said.

“They help connect neighborhoods, support local businesses and reinforce what makes Sahuarita special.”

Looking ahead, Rancho Sahuarita plans continued expansion of the Sahuarita Town Center through addition-

al hospitality, restaurant, medical and mixed-use opportunities.

“We’ve been intentional about sequencing growth so that each new investment complements and strengthens what’s already here,” Sharpe said.

“That’s how you build a lasting community rather than simply assembling a collection of buildings.”

Sharpe said that several significant announcements are expected in the near future as the next phase of commercial growth moves forward.

Ultimately, for Sharpe and Rancho Sahuarita, the Town Center is much more than a development project. It represents the realization of a long-term vision for community building.

“When people can live near where they work, access quality healthcare, support local businesses, attend community events and build relationships with their neighbors, something powerful happens,” he said. “The Sahuarita Town Center is helping create that environment, and we’re excited about what comes next.”

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BizCONSTRUCTION

N E W

T O

M A R K E T

Project: Hyatt Regency Tucson Location: 181 W. Broadway Blvd.

Owner: HSL Properties Contractor: Sundt Construction Architect: JLG Architects Completion Date: Winter 2027 Construction Cost: $73 million+ Project Description: This 14-story project will restore 291 guestrooms, add new amenities and meeting space, and improve energy efficiency and accessibility.

IMAGE COURTESY HSL PROPERTIES

Teen Challenge of Arizona – Tucson Men’s Center Location: 2637 N. Oracle Road Owner: Teen Challenge of Arizona Contractor: Concord General Contracting Architect: Light + Path Architecture Completion Date: April 2026 Construction Cost: $22,055,345 Project Description: Comprising 51,541 square feet, the center consists of multiple buildings designed to support residential, administrative, educational and worship functions.

Project:

IMAGE COURTESY TEEN CHALLENGE OF ARIZONA

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SPONSORED CONTENT

BizWELLNESS

Transforming Corporate Culture with Wellness: How Geneviève Nedder is Leading the Change Tucson’s Geneviève Nedder has spent over three decades empowering individuals to lead healthier lives. As the founder of Body Fundamentals Pilates & Wellness and a Corporate wellness strategist and lifestyle consultant, her approach to wellness is rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern science. Today, she’s transforming corporate culture, helping companies foster vitality and resilience within their teams.

Q: A:

You’ve spent years working with individuals, what inspired your shift to corporate wellness?

The demand from my clients, combined with my own health journey, was the catalyst. Over time, many of my individual clients, executives, doctors, and business owners— began asking if I could bring my work into their businesses. They were seeing the personal benefits of implementing a wholistic program including movement, meditation and lifestyle consulting, but noticed that their teams were struggling with burnout, stress, and poor sleep. It became clear there was a need for systemic change. That’s when I realized that true wellness involves more than just helping individuals transform, it’s about creating lasting cultural change within companies.

How does your approach to wellness differ from typical programs?

Most corporate wellness programs focus on quick fixes like step challenges or lunchtime yoga. My approach is more integrated. I blend mind-body medicine, neuroscience, and the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda to create a comprehensive wellness model.

The goal is to address the whole person—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s not about temporary relief; it’s about fostering long-term sustainability and joy. Digital tools like apps are useful, but they can’t replace the energy of in-person connection.

Q: A:

In a recent interview, Geneviève explained why corporate wellness demands more than surface-level solutions, and how her holistic, whole-health approach is reshaping the way businesses approach employee wellbeing.

“When workplace vitality improves, everything else follows — leadership, productivity, culture, and retention.”

– Geneviève Nedder

What are companies looking for How do you measure success in Q:when Q:your investing in wellness? work with companies?

A:

Companies today want to help leaders and teams manage stress, communicate better, and integrate practical self-care into their daily routines.

They’re moving beyond surface-level perks to focus on programs with depth.

That’s why I design customized meditation and mindfulness courses, weekend retreats and nervous system regulation programs. These offerings address real challenges: sleep restoration, cognitive recovery, food as medicine, functional longevity, and burnout mitigation. All designed to be accessible and impactful, so they fit into the demanding schedules of executives and staff alike.

What’s your primary goal during a retreat or workshop?

I want to connect people to their purpose by understanding how their thoughts, emotions, and internal patterns directly shape their health, decision-making, and performance—providing both the human connection and practical tools needed to lead, work and live with clarity and resilience.

Q:

A:

Geneviéve Nedder

A:

Success shows up when we start seeing shifts in company culture.

It may begin with just a few individuals, but soon you’ll notice positive changes across the organization—improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and clearer communication. One client, a doctor, shared that he now meditates before surgeries, which has helped him stay calm. Another client’s manager, who used to deal with constant conflicts, is now mentoring her team. These kinds of shifts are incredibly fulfilling, they lead to greater productivity, improved retention, and a stronger leadership presence.

Signature Programs

• • • • • • • •

Introduction to Meditation & Mindfulness Achieving Restful Sleep Food is Medicine Inner Mastery Outer Success Brain Health & Meditation Self-Care 101 New Routines: Calm and Centered Reconnect to Joy through Meditation

Learn more about Geneviève Nedder’s approach to wellness, transforming the corporate landscape one mindful, energized team at a time. Through whole-health strategies, organizations elevate well-being, empower leaders, and create workplaces that thrive from the inside out.

BodyFundamentals.com change@bodyfundamentals.com

Director & Founder Body Fundamentals www.BizTucson.com

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BizREALESTATE 1

To House, To Soar

The Power of Real Estate Summit Underscores Housing as Economic Driver

PHOTOS COURTESY TUCSON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

By Dave Perry The future of real estate in this region is at once bright and cloudy.

At The Power of Real Estate summit, held in March at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, the optimism and realism were in equal share. Held by the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, this year’s gathering of industry professionals offered a look at the steps needed to succeed.

“Think of this as a look into the future of the Southern Arizona economy,” said TAR CEO Romeo Arrieta.

“We really see opportunity here, but I worry that opportunity may be closing.”

Statewide, the real estate industry accounted for $121.1 billion of economic activity in 2025, representing 23.2% of gross state product. The economic impact of one home sale in Arizona is $144,700. Thousands of people work directly, and indirectly, in the real estate 94 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

industry. Beyond agents, lenders, and workers in the trades, there are developers, inspectors, energy system installers, sign makers, insurers and photographers.

Arrieta, in his second year as TAR CEO, intends The Power of Real Estate gathering to be something more than “just another real estate event.” He has fallen in love with Tucson since coming here from the Marin, Calif., Association of REALTORS®, where the median price for a single-family residence north of San Francisco is $1.4 million.

Housing in greater Tucson is relatively affordable, but the region lacks an adequate, diversified supply, and a home “is still out of reach for too many Southern Arizonans,” Arrieta said. That’s a threat to the region’s ability to attract tomorrow’s high-wage employers, he argues.

Arrieta urges a shift in mindset. He

believes the region and its leaders in the public and private sectors need to think of housing as economic infrastructure, a foundation upon which real, sustainable growth can build.

“Am I going to be able to house executives, manufacturing workers, and front-line workers?” he asked. “Do we have the infrastructure?”

“We have a desperate shortage of housing,” Mike Czechowski, senior project manager for City of Tucson economic initiatives, told The Power of Real Estate crowd.

Czechowski pointed out new retail commitments by Bass Pro Shops and Costco in Tucson, and the $1 billion, 1,000-job investment by American Battery Factory. And, he said, Tucson is working hard to lure suppliers and vendors within the booming Phoenix semiconductor business. www.BizTucson.com

1. Felipe Garcia, president & CEO, Visit Tucson 2. Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and VP of research, National Association of REALTORS®

2

3

4

3. Danny Seiden, president & CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry 4. Anthony Smith, senior economist, Realtor.com

5

“

5. Felipe Garcia, Fletcher McCusker, chairman of Rio Nuevo; and Danny Seiden

For our economy to be able to take off, we need a variety of housing. Look at any thriving economy; they have variety.

– Romeo Arrieta, CEO, Tucson Association of REALTORS®

Where those workers will live is at the core of the challenge.

A December 2024 study conducted for the City of Tucson by Eco Northwest identified a 10-year need of 35,335 additional housing units in Pima County. The Common Sense Institute, which describes itself as a non-partisan research group, claims Arizona has an immediate housing deficit of “roughly 52,846 units” of all types, from singlefamily homes to apartments.

Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said only 25% of Arizona workers can afford a two-bedroom home. “When workers can’t afford to live near their jobs, employers can’t recruit, families leave, and growth stalls,” he said.

Tucson and the nation have “an acute housing shortage for buyers earning unwww.BizTucson.com

der $75,000” a year, said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and VP of research with the National Association of REALTORS®. “That’s a schoolteacher, that’s a first responder − people we need in our communities.”

At the end of 2025, the median price for an existing home in the Tucson market was $382,000, down 2% year over year. For a buyer to put down the traditional 20% to buy a home, that person or family needs to earn $92,000 a year to quality for financing, NAR’s Lautz said. Mortgage rates, and the rising costs of homeowners insurance, property taxes, and home maintenance, raise the hurdle.

“For our economy to be able to take off, we need a variety of housing,” Arrieta insisted. “Look at any thriving economy; they have variety. You can’t just generate the same thing over and

”

over. We need to think about our frontline workers as much as our executives.”

Real estate is “very much a hyperlocal industry,” Anthony Smith, chief economist for Realtor.com, told the TAR crowd. With 5.5 to 5.8 months of supply on the market, “Tucson is turning into a buyers’ market,” he said.

“There is opportunity, and unrecognized potential, in Tucson.”

“We know there are headwinds,” Lautz said, “but there is a glimmer of hope.”

In Arrieta’s view, real estate is “where public policy meets the pavement. We’re trying to connect those dots. We’re roughly one-quarter of the economy.

We need to work together.”

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BizCONSTRUCTION

Fueling the Trades

Pima Community College Unveils New Building & Construction Technology Center Pima Community College continues its innovative approach to workforce solutions, economic investment and dedication to the region’s future with its newly renovated and expanded Building & Construction Technology Center.

“This new center represents our commitment to meeting the growing workforce needs of our region. Students won’t just learn about construction — they’ll gain real, hands-on experience using industrystandard tools and technology under the guidance of experienced professionals,” said PCC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Nasse.

The 25,000-square-foot center, which opened in April, is located at the Downtown Campus for Applied Technology at 1255 N. Stone Ave. It marks the culmination of the vision launched in 2017 for six PCC Centers of Excellence: Applied Technology; Arts; Aviation Technology; Health Professions; Hospitality and Culinary Arts; and Information Technology & Cybersecurity.

“It is really gratifying to see something go from an idea to a vision to a plan to a brick and mortar building that we can step inside and touch and feel. . .this is about honoring people who choose to practice the crafts that create the buildings we enjoy every day,” said Amanda Abens, PCC assistant vice chancellor for workforce development.

The facility will supply cutting-edge equipment and training programs in a wide range of crafts essential to the building and construction industries, including masonry, carpentry, CORE/safety, elec96 BizTucson < < < Summer 2026

trical, heavy equipment, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), plumbing and refrigeration.

PCC is one of a limited number of institutions offering comprehensive training in commercial and industrial HVAC and refrigeration.

A unique aspect of the center is the real-world training environment and lab space— including outdoor labs with scaffolding and cranes—provided to students, said John Gerard, PCC department chair for building and construction trades.

The lab spaces include commercial and residential bathrooms and laundry rooms; maker spaces for woodworking and cabinet making; bays with residential and commercial electrical wiring trainers; a large room for residential and industrial HVAC training; computers simulators for heavy equipment operations, and more.

Gerard said the state-of-the-art equipment provides comprehensive training in construction, repair and troubleshooting for the different areas of study, all of which begin with prerequisite core safety courses that are certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

By early 2027, PCC will offer construction and skilled trade industry-specific credentials on eight different certification tracks through partnerships with National Coalition of Certification Centers, or NC3.

“Our big investment as a college is in the physical equipment. . .all of this awesome equipment is what you would have if continued on page 98 >>>

PHOTOS COURTESY PIMA COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE

By Loni Nannini

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BizCONSTRUCTION

“

This is about honoring people who choose to practice the crafts that create the buildings we enjoy every day.

”

– Amanda Abens Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development Pima Community College

continued from page 96 you were. . .in a field in the industry,” Gerard said.

“We can also certify people in the industry when they are already working. We are not just training students but also pulling the industry back in and adding to their skill set and that kind of merges to give those pipelines we need to get people out there.”

The project, made possible by more than $1.2 million in Congressionally Directed Funding and supported by the late U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva and revenue bonds, is also a reflection of the support of numerous visionary partners, said Nasse.

He also credits the Connie Hillman Family Foundation; Arizona Construction Trades; Arizona Builders Alliance; the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association; Armstrong McDonald Foundation and many other entities for bringing the project to fruition.

“I often say that the ‘P’ in Pima stands for partnership and we rely on our partners in so many ways,” said Nasse.

The upgraded center underscores a commitment to workforce development and working together to address the shortage of skilled tradesmen impacting Arizona and the nation, according to Tim Bee, VP for government and community Relations at ABA. “We don’t have enough skilled workers. Nationally, the construction industry needs about 350,000 new workers this year alone to keep up,” said Bee. “Right here in Arizona, contractors are struggling to hire and projects are being delayed. The issue isn’t whether opportunity exists, the issue is whether we are preparing enough people to step into it.”

The impending retirement of aging tradesmen and years of stigma about entering the trades have also fueled the nationwide shortage. Bee said PCC’s new facility shows renewed appreciation for those who build homes, roads and buildings where people learn, work and live.

“The truth is that construction trades offer something truly valuable: good paying careers, long-term stability and the chance to build something real,” Bee said.

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PHOTO COURTESY AZPM PAUL AND ALICE BAKER CENTER FOR PUBLIC MEDIA

Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media Opens The Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media, a new $65 million stateof-the-art facility to support broadcasting and media innovation, is now open at Tech Park at The Bridges.

The center’s May 1 ribbon cutting brought together University of Arizona officials, donors, staff and community partners to mark the pivotal moment.

AZPM will now operate from a facility purposely designed and built to support television, radio and digital program services–a first in its nearly 70-year history.

The building, near Silverlake Road and Kino Parkway, features high-tech television broadcast and radio producwww.BizTucson.com

tion studios, podcast studios, an accessible and rentable community studio, a performance space for community events and a digital conference center and rooftop deck with skyline views.

The new 50,000-square-foot facility replaces AZPM’s previous location–the basement of the Modern Languages Building–where it had operated for more than 50 years. But with three television services, four radio services and a growing digital presence, it had outgrown the space and needed a specifically built, modern facility to continue its growth.

The facility accommodates broadcastquality production, with trapezoidal-

shaped rooms and double “box-withina-box” wall systems, ceiling systems and floating floor slabs for increased sound isolation properties. In addition to the physical features, the building required extensive broadcast cabling and production infrastructure layered into its design.

The Baker Center for Public Media will also act as a space for public debates, presentations, screenings, and events for generations to come. The 5,000-square-foot Studio A is equipped with floor-level retractable seating and permanent balcony seating.

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BizHEALTHCARE

Stone Health Center Opens

New Clinic is El Rio Health’s Largest to Date

PHOTOS BY SOLARIS PHOTOGRAPHY

By Tom Leyde El Rio Health has done it again. The nonprofit has opened another comprehensive clinic– the new Stone Health Center.

It is El Rio’s largest facility, at 94,569 square feet. The building, vacant for 14 years, formerly housed Tucson Heart Hospital. After a May 12 preview event, with speeches and tours of the facility at 4888 N. Stone Avenue, the center officially opened its doors to patients on June 1.

“This will be the largest one (clinic) that has every service under one roof,” said Clinton Kuntz, DBH, president and CEO of El Rio Health. “We’re expecting at least 100 new jobs on top of other jobs that will be transferring here from our other site,” he said.

El Rio is the largest provider of medical and dental services for the uninsured and Medicaid populations in Pima County. It serves more than 130,000 patients annually and employs more than 1,900 people with an annual budget exceeding $400 million.

Besides primary medical and dental services for children, adults and families, the newest center will house El Rio’s largest behavioral health department. That will include the addition of a second pediatric/youth behavioral health team and El Rio’s new psychiatry residents.

Services also will include onsite mammography, ultrasound, lab, X-ray, same-day clinic, physical therapy, sports medicine, chiropractic care, health insurance navigators, community resource referrals, WIC and a pharmacy with a drive-up window. A mail order pharmacy is also included.

“It is an incredible investment in Tucson’s future,” Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said of the new clinic. continued on page 102 >>> www.BizTucson.com

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BizHEALTHCARE

Clinton Kuntz, DBH President & CEO El Rio Health

PHOTOS BY BRENT G. MATHIS

Regina Romero Mayor City of Tucson

Brenda Goldsmith Executive Director El Rio Health Foundation

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continued from page 101 “But it is also a priority for El Rio that their buildings and interiors are beauti“It’s an amazing addition to this neighful, and use natural light and color to borhood, bringing care closer to families support patients and staff wellbeing and who live, work and play here every day. dignity. In the case of Stone Clinic,” she “This opening of this facility comes at said, “we also appreciated the opportuan incredible time for our community, as nity to bring new purpose to the vacant too many families are facing uncertainty building. Reusing an existing building of around healthcare costs and access to that scale is one of the most sustainable care,” Romero said. “The facility also decisions we can make.” reflects the growing needs we are seeing The entire interior was gutted and across Tucson, especially when it comes rebuilt for El Rio’s needs. The design to mental and bedraws from a modhavioral health care. ern desert aesthetic “A huge gap in that reflects the services now exists Southern Arizona and this facility will region. be incredibly reEl Rio Health sourceful for this Foundation, led by gap. ... We know Executive Director that when people Brenda Goldsmith, are healthy, they led fundraising for can build stabilthe new clinic. It ity in their lives and started with a goal thrive,” she said. of $10 million and Developer Melaunched the effort ridian purchased in December 2025. the building from More than $1 milCarondelet Medilion was pledged by cal Group and El Rio employees, managed it during and board members construction. It was also stepped up. designed by BWS “As of today Architects and con(May 12),” Goldstructed by Barker smith said, “we have – Regina Romero Contracting. The raised $17.3 million.

Mayor, City of Tucson project generated It’s the largest capi65 construction jobs tal campaign ever and represents a $53 in the country by a community health million investment. center.

Everything is possible.”

“It was an honor to use our construcGoldsmith also announced that the tion expertise in the healthcare industry Margaret E. Mooney Foundation has to complete such a meaningful project,” contributed $500,000 for a permanent said Brian Barker, president of Barker endowment fund to help with future opContracting. “Our team showed increderations. ible dedication, and we’re grateful for El Rio Health was founded in 1970 all of the talented trade partners that as part of the early neighborhood health helped us achieve the aggressive schedcenter movement. It grew out of a colule, including the architect, developer, laboration among community advoand El Rio’s fantastic construction team. cates, Pima County and the University We’re thrilled with the outcome and are of Arizona College of Medicine. proud to have played this role in serving With 14 clinics in Tucson, its mission our community alongside El Rio.” is to improve community health through “El Rio really cares about the envicomprehensive, accessible, affordable, ronment that is created for patients and quality and compassionate care. And its staff — it is important to them to create vision is to be a national model of excelprofessional and well-functioning spaces lent healthcare. for all patients,” said Robin Shambach of BWS Architects.

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It is an incredible investment in Tucson’s future.

It’s an amazing addition to this neighborhood, bringing care closer to families who live, work and play here every day.

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BizAWARDS

2026 Metropolitan Pima Alliance Common Ground Awards

By Tom Leyde

The 2026 Common Ground Award Winners 1. The Santa Cruz Cortaro Narrows Training Structures Phase 1 Project and the Santa Cruz River Wildlife Ramp Projects

Located on the Santa Cruz River in Marana, the projects were combined to deliver flood protection and habitat connectivity in a sensitive river corridor.

The wildlife ramp embedded a wildlife passage into a soil-cement levee. The projects finished on schedule and cost from $5.9 million to $5.2 million.

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2. Sosa-Carrillo House Renovation

The project preserved and stabilized a rare mid-1800s adobe home in Downtown Tucson which is now a gallery, museum and event venue within the Tucson Convention Center campus. Its walls and foundation were repaired, and exterior finishes were removed to repair adobe with fiberglass reinforcement and new stabilized adobe. The team also renovated the 1970s addition, which includes restrooms, a breakroom and HVAC. 3. Camino Loma Alta & Old Spanish Trail Intersection and Drainage Improvements

This project upgraded a growing Vail/Rincon Valley intersection to improve safety, congestion and monsoon reliability. It was privately funded by Rocking K Development under Pima County inspection. The work converted a four-way stop into a signalized intersection, added turn bays and built a reinforced concrete box culvert for major drainage capacity.

4. Reid Park Zoo Pathway to Asia

A voter-funded expansion under the Gene Reid Park Improvement Plan, the project will add immersive habitats and education spaces for endangered Asian species.

5. From Vacant to Vibrant: Strengthening Tucson’s Corridors and Neighborhoods with Housing and New Uses

The project summarizes two major zoning reforms adopted by Tucson’s mayor and council in 2025. The reforms are to expand housing choices and address affordability: the Community Corridors Tool and the Middle Housing ordinance. The reforms are met to address the city’s estimated 8,000-plus unit shortage today and long-term demand growth. Corridors Tool enables mixed-use redevelopment along underutilized commercial streets

by easing car-centric standards − flexible density, more height, reduced parking and streamlined approvals. The Middle Housing ordinance allows duplexes through fourplexes, townhouses and college courts citywide, paired with compatibility measures, such as transitions, landscaping and privacy protections. Both reforms were shaped through multi-year public engagement and commission review.

6. Twin Peaks Rattlesnake Pass Widening

A narrow, flood-prone two-lane roadway in Marana was turned into a fourlane corridor serving a rapidly growing area. The two-mile upgrade added lanes, medians, sidewalks, a multi-use path, intersection improvements and major drainage features to eliminate flooding. The project finished eight months early.

Tucson Small Business Center Situated at 600 Meyer Ave., the center is a 12,000-square-foot adaptive use project completed in October 2025 by Tucson Industrial Development Authority to create a shared “front door” for entrepreneurs. It co-located municipal services, nonprofit lenders, financial educators and private capital partners.

Since opening, the center has hosted more than 230 events serving more than 3,500 entrepreneurs.

7. Marana Aquatic & Recreation Center

The center, also known as MARC, is a year-round indoor recreation center and aquatics facility covering more than 100,000 square feet, based on the town’s 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. It opened May 3, 2025. The team stayed on budget through post-COVID cost escalation and material shortages.

MARC features courts, a track, fitness, pools, slides, meeting space and public art. continued on page 106 >>> www.BizTucson.com

PHOTOS COURTESY MPA COMMON GROUND

Nine Pima County development projects were honored May 8 at the 21st annual Common Ground Awards presented by Metropolitan Pima Alliance at Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch.

The projects ranged from a new aquatic center to a road widening project and were chosen for their positive impact on the greater community.

MPA is a nonprofit organization focusing on land use and development policies and practices. It is an alliance of business, government and nonprofit groups. MPA’s goals are improving Southern Arizona’s quality of life and economic vitality.

Paul Pena, MPA board chair, said the Common Ground Awards are presented to those dedicated to making Tucson and Pima County a better place to live.

“I’m just so proud of having the ability to share this with you and promote MPA,” Pena told the audience. “One of the things that makes this such a great organization is our members. It’s all about the ability to bring teams together to create a vision.”

Fourteen projects applied for this year’s awards, said Stefanie Thrush, event chair. “This year’s process was very competitive,” she said. “Applicants had to submit a written narrative as well as conduct an in-person presentation.

You can confidently say that all of these projects showcased here today are truly deserving of this award.”

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BizAWARDS continued from page 104 8. Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar, Sonoran House & Old Pueblo Club at The Village at Sam Hughes

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This project reactivated a neighborhood landmark at the Village at Sam Hughes, creating three complementary concepts in one adaptive reuse space: a scratch kitchen and craft bar, an all-day coffee/tea/wine-and-retail concept, and a speakeasy-style cocktail room hidden within Sonoran House. The main challenge was reworking a dual-wing building to support distinct operations while preserving pedestrian flow and meeting zoning, permitting and liquor licensing requirements. The project created more than 100 jobs.

Community Collaborators: 9. Stantec

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A global design and engineering firm.

Crown West Land Group The group arrived in Tucson in 2013 and continued to support Dean Wingert’s leadership of the Gladden Farms master-planned community, now in its final stage.

10. Rusing Lopez Lizardi & Saffer, Attorneys at Law

The full-service law firm opened its doors more than 30 years ago. The firm is dedicated to strengthening the communities it serves.

11. Swaim Associates Architects

The 57-year-old company has created architecture that reflects the unique character, culture and environment of the Southwest. Swaim employs 22 people, including 10 registered architects.

PHOTOS COURTESY MPA COMMON GROUND

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12. Tofel Dent Construction

Formed in 1984 by Rich and Steve Tofel, the company is a third-party general contractor, specializing in multifamily and commercial construction projects. Tofel Dent Construction, led

by Jim Tofel and David Dent, has 72 employees and operates out of three offices, two in Arizona and one in New Mexico.

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BizCONSTRUCTION

PHOTOS COURTESY BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Activity Center Angel Charity for Children celebrated a ribbon cutting on May 7 to officially open the new Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Activity Center.

Angel Charity committed $856,697 in 2025 to help fund the renovation of the newly purchased building for the center, which will serve as a dynamic hub of connection, learning and growth for children in our community. It will open the door to life-changing opportunities for children facing adversity.

The 5,700-square-foot Mentoring Activity Center, on 2552 N. Alvernon Way, will offer a safe, supportive environment where youth and their mentors, affectionately known as “Bigs” and “Littles”, can engage in meaningful, relationship-building activities. From STEM workshops and cooking classes to gardening, arts and crafts, and tutoring, the center will provide a wide range of enriching experiences designed to foster confidence, resilience and positive development.

“We are so excited to celebrate the official opening of this beautiful new building,” said Angel Charity 2025 General Chair Vicky Curtis. “It has been a true honor to work alongside the incredible BBBSSA team as they brought to life a long-held dream for a dedicated space where Bigs and Littles can safely come together in a central location, filled with opportunities for connection, learning, and fun.”

Pate Contractors served as the general contractor on the project. Architectural services provided by Eglin +Bresler Architects.

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BizCONSTRUCTION

PHOTOS COURTESY TEMPO BY HILTON

Tempo

by Hilton at Uptown Tempo by Hilton, a key part of the Uptown urban village, celebrated a topping out ceremony in March in which the final structural beam was placed at the highest point of the building.

The 144-room hotel, at 7400 N. Uptown Dr., is an integral part of the transformative, two-million-square-foot Uptown project by developer Bourn Companies. When finished, Uptown will feature a sophisticated mix of retail, dining, office space, residential living and hospitality on the previous site of the Foothills Mall.

The hotel is designed by Mayse & Associates, with collaboration by hospitality interior designer Studio 11 Design. It will be operated and managed by Valencia Hotel Group and Stovelight will oversee boutique hospitality purchasing and procurement.

EBCO General Contractors serves as GC on the project.

“The enthusiasm surrounding the Tempo

by Hilton project is energizing,” said EBCO VP Chris Egger. “Our trade partners remained engaged and supportive throughout the extended preconstruction timeline, and that dedication set the tone for a successful build.

Reaching the top-out milestone is an exciting moment for the entire team. We have loved working with Bourn and are proud to partner together on a project that will make a meaningful impact in the Tucson area.”

Added Jerry Hawkins, of Bourn’s Hospitality Division, “Subcontractors are truly the lifeblood of our community, and we deeply appreciate the dedication and craftsmanship they bring to their work each day.”

Expected to open in January 2027, the pet-friendly Tempo will feature approximately 3,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including a dedicated boardroom and an indoor/outdoor bar experience. Guests will enjoy a secondlevel outdoor pool, a fully equipped fitness center, and five dedicated Wellness Rooms equipped with in-room Peloton bikes to support personalized fitness routines.

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PHOTOS BY KEVIN VAN RENSSELAER

BizAWARDS

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Southern Arizona Home Builders Association Awards 2025 Winners 1. Builder of the Year Mattamy Homes

5. Associate of the Year (Small) T&T Cleaning & Restoration

2. Custom Builder of the Year A.F. Sterling Homes

6. Associate of the Year (Large) Southwest Gas

3. Remodeler of the Year Arizona Designs Kitchens & Baths

7. Community of the Year Saguaro Haven - KB Home

4. Developer of the Year Sunbelt Holdings

8. Trader Partner of the Year (Interior Finish) Interior Logic Group

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9. Trader Partner of the Year (Exterior Finish) Gothic Landscape 10. Trader Partner of the Year (Land Development) JW Civil 11. Trader Partner of the Year (Vertical Construction) Wallcon

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PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS

$800 and a

SMALLBiz

Dream

Carly Quinn Designs Decorate the World

IMAGES OF TILES COURTESY CARLY QUINN

By Steve Rivera

www.BizTucson.com

Fifteen years ago, Carly Quinn didn’t have much more than $800 and a dream to launch a business. It turned out, that’s all she needed to make the magic happen.

And yes, it’s seemingly magic given all the success that initial investment generated.

“It was terrifying,” she said. “But I didn’t have a lot.” What she did have was elbow grease, her dream and a tremendous ambition to bet on herself. “Why not?” she said.

What it’s turned into is Carly Quinn Designs, an amazing tile-centric business in a new studio home that generates millions of dollars from her determination to become an artist. Her initial $800 made her $20,000 in her first year in business in 2011. In 2026, Carly Quinn Designs is projected to make $2.7 million, she said.

How did that first $20,000 feel?

“Oh, my god,” she said, “I made more than I made at my job” where she was working as she built her own company.

And the millions now? “I don’t even know,” she said. “There’s so much going on, and my brain is always going.”

It’s the mind of an artist – what’s next and how creative to be. But it fits her. The former temporary tattoo artist turned tile designer, with a background in fine art and graphic design, has come a long way from her early days.

Where does she get her vision of color and creativity? “My brain,” she said, with a smile. “I have a lot of things swirling around in there. It’s pretty cool. I feel very fortunate.”

Quinn’s work utilizes bold and subtle colors, based on a technique called cuerda seca, which is defined as using wax to separate colored glazes

on pottery or tiles. It allows designers to create intricate, multicolored designs with defined outlines.

“It’s highly skilled, labor-intensive work,” Quinn said.

She took to the process early in her career when she was a student in 2005 and a graphic designer for artists, who now work for her. Quinn holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from The ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, Calif.

She started in a 150-square-foot studio in midtown. Quinn bought a kiln “for super cheap from a friend” and just started making tile. “I started blowing fuses,” she recalled. “It was a slow growth. I was working a lot, seven days a week, but I finally saved that $800.”

Today, her designs include smaller tiles to larger murals and designs large enough to highlight in a shower or fireplace − or anywhere. Her work can be seen at her studio – she’s been there since October 2025 – at 711 S. Sixth Ave. There, you’ll find a spacious studio/work area for more than 20 artists who churn out pieces sold all over the world, including Santa Fe, N.M., where she recently visited and saw her tiles on full display.

The studio produces 300 tiles a day and about 1,500 a week – and those are already sold. Online orders from all over the country are being processed and sent out daily. Her studio will eventually encompass 7,000 square feet, after she completes renovations.

“We’re crazy busy all the time,” she said. “It feels good, but it also feels like there’s a lot of work to do. I’m getting there.”

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BizECONOMY

University of Arizona Innovation Drives $459.7 Million Impact A new independent economic impact analysis finds that Tech Launch Arizona, the University of Arizona’s office for commercialization and innovation, generated $459.7 million in economic output and supported 3,070 jobs statewide in fiscal year 2025, underscoring the UA’s growing role as an engine of Arizona’s economy.

According to the report, in fiscal year 2025 running from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, Tech Launch Arizona and TLA-linked activities generated $159.8 million in labor income and $16.8 million in state, county and municipal tax revenues. Compared with fiscal year 2021, TLA’s economic impact grew by approximately 20% across all measured categories, including jobs, labor income, economic output and tax revenue.

TLA is a unit of the UA Office for Research and Partnerships charged with translating university research into realworld impact. The office works with faculty, staff and researchers to protect intellectual property, license technologies to industry partners, and launch startups that bring to market university innovations that range from medical devices and cancer therapies to optics, cybersecurity and advanced software.

“We work with innovations across the university, drawing from every research area and discipline,” said Doug Hockstad, associate VP of TLA. “With the expansive research portfolio of the U of A, it’s a huge, rewarding job.”

Hockstad says that TLA’s ultimate goal is to make UA one of the top universities in the nation when it comes to technology commercialization, also known as “tech transfer,” where it can impact economies and improve lives.

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“Achieving that takes a strong and connected ecosystem that brings together university innovators, a community of technology and business experts, and entrepreneurs and investors to help us map out the best pathway forward for each invention,” he said. “This report is evidence that the ecosystem we’re growing is strong and we’re on our way toward our goals of impact and leadership.”

“At the University of Arizona, we measure the success of our billion-dollar research enterprise not just by the discoveries made in our labs, but by the tangible benefits that translating those discoveries into innovations bring to the people of Arizona,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior VP for research and partnerships.

“This report confirms that our commitment to innovation and partnerships is a powerful economic driver. By translating world-class research into new companies and high-wage jobs, we are ensuring that Arizona remains a leader in the global innovation economy.”

Over a Decade of Growing Impact Along with last year’s impact numbers, the report compares TLA’s impact over two extended time periods. It looks back at the nine fiscal years spanning July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2025, and also looks ahead to the future impact projected for the next five fiscal years from 2026 through 2030.

The top findings for the past nine years show that TLA activities generated: • $3.3 billion in economic output • $1.2 billion in labor income • $122.2 million in tax revenues

Over the upcoming five years, those numbers are projected to be: $2.46 billion in economic output • $855.5 million in labor income • • $90 million in tax revenues In addition to the dollar value impacts, the report describes how TLA’s activities indirectly stimulate the demand for supporting products and services.

Jim Rounds, president of Rounds Consulting Group, who co-authored the report, said, “We’ve studied the impact of TLA’s commercialization activities for many years, and the impact is clear and undeniable – these efforts are having a huge impact on our community and will continue to do so well into the future.”

Understanding the Calculations The analysis was conducted by Rounds Consulting Group and examines the direct, indirect and induced economic effects of Tech Launch Arizona’s activities, including startup formation, technology licensing and office operations. These effects measure not only jobs and revenue generated directly through commercialization, but also broader ripple effects across Arizona’s economy.

“We’re excited to be able to share this news with the people of Arizona,” Hockstad said. “We want everyone to share the understanding that the research and development going on here is truly benefiting people everywhere.

The more we tell that story, the more fuel we’ll have to power Arizona innovation and impact.”

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BizENTREPRENEUR

Startups Shine at 2026 TENWEST Festival TENWEST, the largest entrepreneurship and creativity festival in the Southwest, showcased breakthrough companies that highlight the vibrant startup ecosystem of the community.

The event, organized for the past 11 years by Startup Tucson, was held in late March at various venues downtown. It featured more than 60 sessions, a keynote from Entrepreneur magazine Editor-In-Chief Jason Feifer, and the culminating IdeaFunding pitch competition.

“TENWEST is important to give entrepreneurs and creatives a place to come together, but more broadly it’s important to showcase the startup ecosystem in Southern Arizona,” said Liz Pocock, CEO of Startup Tucson. “IdeaFunding in particular is the best of the best in early-stage entrepreneurs.”

Companies competed throughout the festival on two tracks, “Tech Startup” and “Creative and Community,” with the winning teams gaining the opportunity to pitch for a live audience at the Rialto with major prize money on the line.

The competition narrowed a field of 20 daytime finalists down to six teams for the Main Stage Showcase.

Ultimately, CarbeniumTec won the $10,000 Catalyst Award, Intelligent Clinical Systems won the $10,000 Vision Award, and PhytoCentric Solutions was awarded the Tech Launch Arizona $1,000 Liftoff Prize.

CarbeniumTec is a clean-energy startup developing metal-free, organic batteries for sustainable, long-duration energy storage.

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it to the main stage before,” said Pocock.

Intelligent Clinical Systems makes standard storage racks at hospitals “smart” by guiding staff to exact medical supplies in seconds using light and voice commands.

Recently, the company launched an online WeFunder campaign for community members and anyone interested to be early-stage investors through crowdfunding.

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TENWEST is important to give entrepreneurs and creatives a place to come together, but more broadly it’s important to showcase the startup ecosystem in Southern Arizona.

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– Liz Pocock, CEO, Startup Tucson

PhytoCentric Solutions has developed a way to extend food shelf-life and enhance food safety during transit without relying on synthetic chemicals.

“This was my first time pitching on a big stage in a non-academic setting, and I’m so pleased the judges and audience got it and helped support our company,” said Bibiana Law, founder of PhytoCentric.

Both CarbeniumTec and PhytoCentric highlight one of the startup super-

powers of our region: those born from innovation at the University of Arizona.

The companies originated as research projects by their respective faculty founders. By providing these campus spinouts with funding and recognition, TENWEST is helping to build an engine that transitions academic breakthroughs into viable, job-creating companies, boosting our local economy.

“This year was our strongest yet of groups,” said Pocock. “In the past, we’ve had clear frontrunners, but this year, the whole competition got elevated a little bit. Choices were a lot harder for the judges.”

Pocock added that the interest from companies in Phoenix and the region has grown each year, proving that our Southwest is a nationally competitive home for innovation.

Another company that pitched was O2Art, which creates algae-powered air purifiers disguised as sleek art tiles for luxury building lobbies, founded by recent high school grads. The company began as a student project at The Gregory School, where they won their schoolwide pitch competition, and went on to TENWEST’s main stage.

The company Vozariz won the $2,500 Adelante award, a special cash prize for BIPOC founders. Vozariz is working on speech pathology technology for English-Spanish bilingual children.

According to Pocock, there’s been a shift post-COVID for events like TENWEST that allow local entrepreneurs to come together.

“There’s a place outside of formal education and incubators and training programs where people can come together to connect. Moving back to downtown has made it more authentic to Tucson, too,” said Pocock.

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PHOTO COURTESY TENWEST

By Tyler McCusker

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PHOTOS COURTESY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF ARIZONA

BizAWARDS

2026 JA HEROES JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF ARIZONA Junior Achievement of Arizona held its 2026 JA Heroes awards on Apr. 8. The evening offered a chance to recognize volunteers, educators and partners in Southern Arizona who help students succeed.

THE 2026 HONOREES: 1. Educational Partner of the Year Michelle Gutierrez, Lincoln Elementary 2. Volunteer of the Year Errin Mendibles

3. Teacher of the Year Karl Oxnam, Catalina High School

5. JA Legacy Award Patricia Waterkotte, Rusing Lopez Lizardi & Saffer

4. Business Coordinator of the Year Eric Evenson, Caterpillar Inc.

6. Golden Apple Awards Sarah Price, Wells Fargo; Jennifer Spross, BMO; Phillip Sullivan, Foothills Bank

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BizPEOPLE

Leah Bogen Junior Achievement of Arizona has appointed Leah Bogen the new district director for Southern Arizona. Utilizing 20 years of corporate experience, Bogen will focus on cultivating strategic local partnerships. She has a strong passion for the impact Junior Achievement has on empowering youth through education and real-world skill development.

Bogen also has a reputation for working closely with business leaders and community partners.

Sergio Cossio

Sergio Cossio joined Busey Bank as Market President-Tucson and will guide commercial, wealth management and treasury management in Southern Arizona. Cossio is a strategic thinker and collaborative leader with more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry. Prior to joining Busey Bank, Cossio was VP-Commercial Banking with First Citizens Bank and VP-Private and Commercial Banking with National Bank of Arizona.

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PHOTOS COURTESY ORO VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BizAWARDS

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Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards The Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and awards breakfast on Mar. 26 at El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort. The day kicked off with the Chamber’s annual nonprofit fair, followed by a buffet breakfast and the 2026 awards presentation.

THE 2026 HONOREES: 1. Outstanding Small Business A Senior Journey

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Outstanding Large Nonprofit Youth On Their Own

2. Outstanding Midsize Business Anchor Wave

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Outstanding Community Leader Karen Kochhar, Right at Home Tucson

3. Outstanding Large Business Splendido at Rancho Vistoso

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Legacy Award Art State Arizona

4. Outstanding Small Nonprofit Hearts of Gold Police Family Outreach

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Lifetime Chamber Member Kay Williams

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