Who's Who in Business 2015

MEET 50 OF THE STATE’S HIGHEST RANKING WOMEN

2015

A S P E C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F

YOUR BUSINESS NETWORKING GUIDE

500+

COMPANIES IN 50 CATEGORIES FASTEST-GROWING RETAIL & LEISURE HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY & MORE

ARIZONA’S RESURGENT ECONOMY

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ELANOR MILLWOOD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ARIZONA AREA EXECUTIVE BANK OF AMERICA

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Congratulations

TO THOSE WHO NEVER COMPROMISE INCREDIBLE CARE. 2015 Who’s Who

Rachel Behrendt, CNO

Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix

Sheri Dahlstrom, CNO

Banner Desert Medical Center

Debbie Flores, CEO

Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center

Deb Krmpotic, CEO

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center

Kathryn Perkins, MD, CMO Banner Boswell Medical Center

Laura Robertson, CEO Banner Desert Medical Center

www.BannerHealth.com • Connect with Banner Health:

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A SPEC IA L PU B L IC ATIO N O F

2015

EDITOR Mark Nothaft

STATE OF GROWTH GAINS MOMENTUM

MARK NOTHAFT EDITOR, WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 2015

There’s economic momentum across Arizona you can see and sense, but also momentum you can measure.

Employers are adding positions; jobless claims are falling. Home prices and retail and vehicle sales are up.

These represent incremental improvements from last year, and a far cry from the deepest depths of the recession in 2009.

This year’s edition of Who’s Who in Business — our 24th edition — is aptly themed “Gaining Momentum.”

The research and reporting team for Who’s Who in Business spent the past five months researching more than 500 companies across 50 industries, compiling lists of company data, interviewing women in leadership and uncovering stories of growth and progress.

Accounts of smart, candid, visionary women illustrate momentum gains, such as a grocery store chain merchandising director who worked her way to the top of a traditionally male-dominated field to “deserve a seat at the table,” she says. “It’s about wanting to learn more and to be ready when opportunities came about.”

They are using all available tools, much like the banker who uses her tall stature to stand eye-to-eye with male colleagues. “They tend not to talk down to me or try to intimidate me,” she says. “It’s come in very handy.”

In our main feature, longtime Arizona journalist Kathy Montgomery covers the state’s lengthy journey toward recovery through the experiences of several business heavy hitters — Eleanor Millwood of Bank of America, GoDaddy’s Barb Rechterman, Jamie Korus of Alliance Home Loans, Bashas’ Elva Vivas and Beth Soberg of UnitedHealthcare.

“It (the recession) was a very stressful time,” recounts Millwood, but “we’re definitely seeing our business banking teams doing a lot more lending. Especially as customers take advantage of interest rates to support their business growth.”

Who better to explain where we’ve been and where we’re heading than the hundreds of women executives within the pages of Who’s Who in Business 2015?

They have traveled the arduous road back, and plan to keep the momentum going.

VIEW THE BUSINESS LISTS AND PROFILES ALL YEAR LONG AT WHOSWHO.AZCENTRAL.COM. Who's Who in Business is a publication of The Arizona Republic/ Republic Media. To submit information for the 2016 Who's Who in Business, contact kathy.tulumello@arizonarepublic.com or call 602-444-8002.

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ART AND DESIGN DIRECTOR Aliya Mood

CHIEF OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jake Johnson

COPY EDITORS David Gordon, Kathy Montgomery, Dave Neibergall

WRITERS AND RESEARCHERS Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell, David M. Brown, Renie Cavallari, Joyce Hadley Copeland, Scott Craven, Angelo Kinicki, Shari Lopatin, Kathy Montgomery, Christopher Geoffrey McPherson, Sidnee Peck, Alison Stanton, Russ Wiles, Georgann Yara

DIGITAL PRODUCER Lita Beck

EVENTS PRODUCER // SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCER Melissa Farley

GENERAL MANAGER // CUSTOM PUBLISHING Cami Kaiser

SENIOR MARKETING CONSULTANT // ADVERTISING SALES Kelli Fawcett

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Dominick Galluzzo

ADVERTISING OPERATIONS Craig Ludwig

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Aimee Jolley

SENIOR ADVERTISING FINANCIAL ANALYST Charlotte Tan

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER John Zidich SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, NEWS AND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Randy Lovely EXECUTIVE EDITOR Nicole Carroll BUSINESS // CONSUMER CONTENT STRATEGIST Kathy Tulumello

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tricia Reinhold EDITORIAL 602-444-8002 ADVERTISING 602-444-6889 REPRINTS PARS INTERNATIONAL 212-221-9595, X452 GANNETTREPRINTS.COM. Copyright 2015 by The Arizona Republic All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reprinted or reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Statements and opinions printed in Who’s Who in Business are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Arizona Republic.

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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RECOGNIZES MONICA GARNES FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND MANY CONTRIBUTIONS

IF

AWARD WINNER , APPLY ONLINE AT

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TOP COMPANY WWW .J OBS .F RYS F OOD . COM

YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GROWING YOUR CAREER WITH A

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CONTENTS

FEATURES 6 GAINING MOMENTUM

25 YOUR TIME

STEADY PROGRESS Arizona’s economy is booting up toward full power.

Here’s how the ongoing recovery looks from the perspective of five of Arizona’s top businesswomen and their companies

GET FOCUSED Why are you saying “yes” to so many things? Narrow your focus to find business success.

35 YOUR MONEY

37 YOUR WEEKEND

49 YOUR LIFE

ROAD TRIP For a day trip, take a scenic drive in the backcountry west of Sedona, down Dry Creek Road.

TIDY UP Bank and brokerage statements, tax returns and other documents can multiply like mushrooms in drawers and file cabinets.

How much clutter is too much?

SMART STRATEGIES A balanced life? Think again. It’s about blending, not balance. Here are the eight elements that, in varying proportions, make one whole, hearty, healthy life.

67 YOUR LEADERISHIP PERSONAL GROWTH Are you mindful, or mindless?

Keeping your thoughts in the present, without distractions, could make you a better leader and improve your performance.

TOP RANKED ARIZONA COMPANIES

16 17 18 20 22 23 24 26 28

BUSINESS SERVICES

30 Insurance agencies 32 Advertising and marketing firms 33 Convention/meeting sites 34 Executive search firms 36 Employment services

Chairities Public Private Woman-owned Incubators and accelerators Fastest-growing Minority-owned Foundations Largest employers

LEGAL & FINANCE

ON THE COVER MEET 50 OF THE STATE’S HIGHEST RANKING WOMEN

2015

38 40 41 42 43 44 46 48 50

Mid-size accounting firms Large accounting firms Credit unions Investment advisory firms Stockbrokers Mid-size law firms Large law firms Large banks Mid-size banks

A S P E C IA L P U B L IC AT IO N O F

YOUR BUSINESS NETWORKING GUIDE

500+

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY 51 52 53 54

Hardware sellers Software firms IT suppliers Alternative energy companies

RETAIL & LEISURE 70 72 73 74 75 76 77 78

Casinos Ariz. clothing boutiques Grocery stores Caterers Florists Hotels and resorts Professional sports and events Ariz. restaurant groups

EDUCATION 56 57 59 60

Charter schools Private schools Colleges and universities Community colleges

HEALTH CARE 62 64 66 68

Health insurers Dental insurers Hospitals Assisted living

REAL ESTATE 80 81 82 84 85 86 88

Architecture firms Commercial construction Homebuilders Women agents Commercial services Residential firms Commercial developers

COMPANIES IN 50 CATEGORIES FASTEST-GROWING RETAIL & LEISURE HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY & MORE

ARIZONA’S RESURGENT ECONOMY

GAINING MOMENTUM 4

ELANOR MILLWOOD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ARIZONA AREA EXECUTIVE BANK OF AMERICA

Eleanor Millwood, Senior vice president, Arizona area executive Bank of America COVER PHOTO

By Jake Johnson

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“Companies employing women in large numbers outperform their competitors on every measure of profitability.”

- The Atlantic, April 2014

Of course, that’s not a surprise to us.

Women comprise more than half of the Alliance Bank workforce, including extraordinary executives like commercial banker and Executive Vice President Sherri Slayton, who are empowered to act quickly and think strategically.

Put us to the test. Call 602.386.5500, or visit us online at AllianceBankofArizona.com today.

Congratulations to our very own Who’s Who...Sherri Slayton.

Commercial Banker Sherri Slayton, EVP

602.386.5500 A division of Western Alliance Bank. Member FDIC.

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BETH SOBERG

ELEANOR MILLWOOD

ELVA G. VIVAS

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ARIZONA ECONOMY

GAINING MOMENTUM BARB RECHTERMAN

THE LONG, SLOW CLIMB FROM DEPTHS OF THE RECESSION IS PICKING UP SPEED STORY BY KATHY MONTGOMERY PHOTOS BY JAKE JOHNSON

JAMIE KORUS

The Great Recession technically ended in June 2009, a period that is finally starting to feel as distant as it should.

For too long, the downturn in Arizona traced a path much like the Grand Canyon itself. Economic measures such as gross domestic product, corporate profits, population and job growth fell off like the South Kaibab Trail: steep and unforgiving. The path out has been more like the hike up the gentler Bright Angel Trail.

And just as that path is sharpest close to the rim, Arizonans are hoping for a spike in growth.

“Arizona was among the states hardest hit by the recession,” says Lee McPheters, director of the JPMorgan Chase Economic Outlook Center at Arizona State University’s ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business. “The national economy lost 6 percent of jobs. Arizona lost 12 percent, so by that standard alone, we were hit twice as hard.”

Since then, McPheters says, Arizona’s economy has been running at half-speed, with about 2 percent job growth, half the state’s long-term average. But the Arizona Department of Administration forecasts a slow acceleration, with a projected growth of 2.2 percent in 2015 and 2.4 percent the following year.

And a few economic sectors are on a fast track.

“You can find lots of bright spots,” McPheters says. “Health care never lost jobs in the recession. It just kept growing. Food service has gotten back all the jobs lost. We rank among the leading states for adding jobs in finance, which is amazing, because nationally, finance jobs are not growing very fast.”

Gas prices are relatively low, which should fuel spending. And consumers are taking on more auto and student loans, McPheters says.

“Those are important stories about what people want to do,” McPheters says.

The tech sector has also been “a real spark of growth and excitement,” says Michael Goul, chairman of the Department of Information Systems at W.P. Carey, with tech companies bringing both talent and high-paying jobs to Arizona.

February even brought new momentum to the housing market.

“Buyers are finally coming out of the woodwork,” says Mike Orr, director of the Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice at W. P. Carey. In the $175,000 to $600,000 range, signed contracts were up in February about 30 percent over the previous year.

They doubled on luxury homes of $3 million or more. And when the number of homes going under contract increases, sales tend to follow.

The question remains whether it will last. But Orr says the real-estate market seldom turns on a dime.

In the next few pages, we’ll share the stories of how the recovery looks from the perspective of five of Arizona’s top businesswomen and their companies.

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS

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RETAIL & LEISURE

ARIZONA ECONOMY

FINDING RECOVERY THROUGH BALANCE

ELVA G. VIVAS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND PLANNING, BASHAS' FAMILY OF STORES

Elva G. Vivas has seen many ups and downs in the grocery business, but none as difficult as the recession that put Bashas’ into bankruptcy.

“It was a very bad period for everybody,” Vivas recalls. “Everybody was struggling. Like any other company, we had to become lean. We had to restructure. And we closed 30 stores that were unprofitable. It was really sad and hard, but it needed to be done.”

Vivas went to work for Bashas’ in 1986 as a cashier. She earned an accounting degree from ASU and a CPA certification. Over 29 years, she worked her way up to director of finance, planning and treasury.

Ironically, the recession inspired Vivas’ best work.

“As an accountant, that’s when the company needs you the most,” she explains. “Our team worked really hard. We pulled together. It was hard, but very satisfying to help the company.”

It was also rewarding to see the community rally around Bashas’, an Arizona-based, family-owned grocer, which vowed to repay all of its creditors — 100 percent, with interest. When those checks went out, a number of companies refused to cash them.

“It was a testament to how they like doing business with us,” Vivas says. “And I’m talking about small vendors. For me, it wasn’t the dollar amount, it was that we’d done good. And the fact that we paid everybody back. That says a lot about this company.”

Vivas says the company emerged from bankruptcy stronger.

“We have the right number of stores to keep us profitable,” she says.

Today, Bashas’ has 120 stores that serve different segments of the market. In addition to Bashas’ grocery stores, AJ’s Fine Foods offers gourmet and specialty items. Food City serves the Hispanic market; Bashas’ Dine Markets serves the Native American community.

“That’s what makes us strong,” Vivas says. “They all do what they’re supposed to. We have a very good balance.”

And a recovering economy is beginning to show up at the register.

“We can see the customer is spending a little more,” Vivas says, echoing an industry trend.

“In 2014 and early 2015, we started to see some sales growth,” says Tim McCabe, president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance. He attributes the increased spending to the Super Bowl, lower fuel prices and an improving economy.

“If business continues to grow through 2015, I believe you will see (better) employment numbers grow in our industry,” McCabe says.

Aligned with another grocery-chain trend in Arizona, Bashas’ is investing its capital in remodeling existing stores.

“We’ve done 16 so far and we’ll do about 10 more this year,” Vivas says. “We’re ready to compete. We’ve been here 83 years and we’re still thriving.”

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ARIZONA ECONOMY

LEGAL & FINANCE

BANKING GROWTH LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY Eleanor Millwood had a front-row seat through the financial crisis.

Millwood, an Arizona-area executive for Bank of America, was working at Wachovia National Bank at the height of the crisis. By the end, Wachovia became Wells Fargo through merger, as the banking landscape shifted. Bank of America recruited her in 2014.

“It was a very stressful time,” Millwood says. “But it was also a time I grew tremendously as a leader. I learned to keep my message to the associates very clear, but also support them in getting information to clients because, at the end of the day, our clients just wanted to know what was happening and how it would impact them.”

Nationally, 530 banks have failed since 2007, including 18 in Arizona. But in recent years, recovery in the sector has gained momentum.

A recent Federal Reserve stress test found that the 31 banks tested, including Bank of America, were stronger than at any time since 2008. And Forbes reported that 2014 proved the best period for the sector since the downturn, measured by loan growth.

Bank of America mirrors that trend. While figures were not available for Arizona, on a national basis, Bank of America lent $270 billion to businesses last year, compared with $224 billion in 2012. The assets of Bank of America’s Merrill Edge grew 18 percent in 2014, while those of the Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust components of Bank of America’s corporate portfolio combined rose 6 percent, according to a company representative.

“We’re definitely seeing our business banking teams doing a lot more lending,” Millwood says, “especially as customers take advantage of interest rates to support their business growth.”

Banks in general, and Bank of America in particular, she says, have become leaner and stronger through mergers and by shedding non-core businesses, and also by leveraging technology.

Brick and mortar will never go away, she says. But more customers will be taking advantage of technology, mirroring the way the airline industry persuaded travelers to print boarding passes on their own.

“Banking is moving in the direction of routine transactions being done through alternative channels: mobile, ATMs, online,” Millwood says. “And business owners are going to be using remote deposit options to process (deposits) at their place of business, instead of paying a runner to come to the bank.”

In addition, banks will not simply provide credit to businesses, she says. They will play an increasingly advisory role, with CPAs and attorneys to give advice. Bank of America began placing more local experts inside branches, hiring an additional 35 business bankers in Arizona.

“It’s going to be efficiency, relationship building and a fully integrated approach,” Millwood says. “That’s where I see banking growing."

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ELEANOR MILLWOOD SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ARIZONA AREA EXECUTIVE, BANK OF AMERICA

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ARIZONA ECONOMY

HEALTH CARE

DIVERSIFICATION AND NEED DRIVE EXPANSION

BETH SOBERG CEO, UNITEDHEALTHCARE OF ARIZONA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMING

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Health care looked vibrant against Arizona’s bleak recessionary landscape, growing throughout the downturn.

The state added nearly 7,000 health care jobs in 2014, says Lee McPheters, director of the JPMorgan Chase Economic Outlook Center at ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business, making it one of the few sectors to grow more than 2 percent and providing wages higher than the national average.

UnitedHealthcare’s Beth Soberg watched that growth firsthand as CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. The company, which serves 1.7 million Arizonans, added about 500,000 members in the past five years.

That’s partly because the company serves a broad population with its insurance products, including individual and employer-sponsored health care plans, Medicare and Medicaid, and benefits to veterans and service members through its TRICARE contract.

“Regardless of our economy, Americans need health care,” Soberg says. “We may have seen a shift in elective procedures during those times. But as employers were looking for creative ways to keep comprehensive benefit plans for their employees, we helped them innovate.”

Part of that innovation came through UnitedHealth Group, which provides health-management services, health information technology and pharmacy-benefits management under the Optum brand.

“The diversification of our business allowed us to provide solutions across the continuum of needs,” Soberg says. “That’s a strength that drove our growth during those difficult times.”

And while the company does not disclose its exchange membership, the Affordable Care Act also played a role, bringing “tremendous opportunity for expansion of coverage and more affordable coverage.”

Through participation in Arizona’s federally facilitated exchange, Soberg expects to see a continued increase in individual membership as well as the workforce needed to support those members. That workforce grew from about 2,100 employees in 2010 to around 5,600, serving members beyond Arizona’s borders.

“It’s actually a hub of ours,” Soberg says, for many reasons.

Arizona is a place people want to live, she says, which is a plus in recruiting. In addition, the company is able to tap into a diverse and highly skilled workforce, shared by the tech industry, around customer service and call-center support.

The company is contributing to the state’s workforce through United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative, which provides scholarships to low-income minority students.

“Especially in health care, people want care from people they understand and are like them,” Soberg says. “Across Arizona, we’ve got almost 100 scholars right now.”

Soberg also feels optimistic about the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, and the growth in the biomedical campus downtown.

“I think those will continue to attract talent to Arizona, support our workforce and keep Arizona as a strong economy as it relates to health care,” she says.

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REAL ESTATE

ARIZONA ECONOMY

MORTGAGE BUSINESS HAS DOUBLED Jamie Korus started her mortgage banking company at the start of the worst housing and financial crisis since the Great Depression. The mortgage lender she had been working for failed in the downturn.

So, in 2006, Korus and two partners took over Alliance Home Loans' dormant license, seeing it as a way to get into business more quickly than having to incorporate from scratch.

“It was very challenging,” she recalls, adding that the industry and regulatory landscape changed quickly and dramatically. “It was very exciting. It was very scary.”

“It was challenging to obtain approvals as a startup company,” Korus recalls. “We rely heavily on warehouse facilities to finance our transactions, and a number of facilities had gone out of business. So there were not many places to find the financing just to daily operate.”

At the same time, net worth requirements continued to increase.

“It was a constant game of, OK, we’ve got to that next point but now we need to meet the next requirement,” she says. “It was very challenging. It was also very rewarding as each milestone we needed to achieve, I was able to do so.”

The company began with six employees. Today, it employs 175, with several offices in Arizona, including its corporate office; offices in California and New Mexico; and planned offices in Colorado and Nevada. Korus has been the sole owner since 2011, and is now seeing a rebound in the housing market.

“Our business is double what we were doing last year,” she says. “And our loan amounts have increased. Last year in Arizona, our average loan amount was $183,000. Our average loan amount this year so far is $199,000.”

Wanting a voice in the industry’s transformation, Korus became involved in the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Korus is the chair of MORPAC, the trade association’s political-action committee. She sits on MBA’s board of directors and the residential board of governors, as well as on the advisory board for the MBA Open Doors committee, a charitable foundation that helps families in need.

While the housing crisis gave Korus pause, ultimately, she believes Arizona remains a good place for her company’s home office.

“It’s still a very affordable place to live,” she says. “Phoenix has one of the lowest average down payments of larger cities in the U.S. Our quality of life is phenomenal. Our weather is great, and thankfully, we have no natural disasters. It’s just a very safe place to have a corporate headquarters.

“Arizona’s always thrived on construction and I think we’re going to see that coming back greatly. And we’ve got more jobs. I think it’s just an overall good solid place to be.”

JAMIE KORUS PRESIDENT AND PRINCIPAL, ALLIANCE FINANCIAL RESOURCES LLC

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ARIZONA ECONOMY

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY

‘SILICON DESERT’ CHANGING, GROWING Even in the depths of the recession, Arizona’s “Silicon Desert” experienced half the unemployment of other sectors, says Steven Zylstra, president of the Arizona Technology Council. These days, tech companies can’t find enough talent to fill openings.

The state’s semiconductor and electronics industry remains the fourth-largest in the nation, as does the aerospace and defense industry. But Arizona has also become second for data centers and is an up-and-comer in health and bioscience. An IT component is growing, and smaller businesses are proliferating.

GoDaddy, Zylstra says, is a good example of what can happen.

The company, which began with a handful of people at a ranch house in north Scottsdale, went public April 1. Its stock rose 30 percent on its first day of trading.

Last year, GoDaddy announced plans to hire 250 workers when it opened its global technology center in Tempe — a 150,000-square-foot facility with a game center, indoorclimbing wall, go-kart track and a giant slide from secondfloor offices into a kitchen with on-site chefs.

The company, known for its edgy, irreverent Super Bowl ads, now employs 4,000 worldwide. And it owes a lot of that growth to Barb Rechterman, longtime chief marketing officer who recently was named chief customer officer.

Rechterman worked with GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons for 11 years at Parsons Technology. She followed him to Arizona in 1997, when he sold Parsons Technology to Intuit and founded what was then called Jomax Technologies, after a street he drove by every day.

Parsons tells people he picked Arizona because the weather was nice and you could golf year-round, Rechterman says. The company sold software at first, then launched a website builder.

Parsons believed the domain-name space was “overcharging and underserving,” Rechterman says.

“So we built a solution that made it easy for people to name their business, register a domain name and build a website,” Rechterman says.

Under CEO Blake Irving, the company has refocused on another underserved market: very small businesses.

“Only about half of small businesses in the U.S. have a website,” Rechterman says. “Internationally, the stats aren’t any better. This puts GoDaddy at the ‘sweet spot’ of helping solve a need in high demand. Over the past 18 months, we’ve been working to expand internationally. We are now in 37 countries and 17 languages, and we’re really just getting started.”

Ironically, the economic downturn fueled GoDaddy’s business because many who lost jobs started businesses.

“We grew at a double-digit pace throughout the recession,” Rechterman says.

A similar dynamic is gaining momentum in the state’s technology sector.

“When I arrived in 1997, Arizona’s tech community was primarily semiconductors and aerospace,” she says. “Now, we have startups of all kinds sprouting up all over and it’s great.”

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BARB RECHTERMAN CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER, GODADDY

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ARIZONA COMPANIES

CHARITIES, RANKED BY REVENUE

Top 10 CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA, INC. 1112 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-257-0700 // cplc. org REVENUE $139 million FOUNDED 1969 AZ EMPLOYEES 663 PRINCIPAL Edmundo Hidalgo, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Arjelia “Argie” Gomez, chief operating officer ST. MARY'S FOOD BANK 2831 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix, 85009 // 602-343-3160 // firstfoodbank. org REVENUE $134 million FOUNDED 1967 AZ EMPLOYEES 160 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Beverly Butler Damore, president and CEO GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL ARIZONA 2626 W. Beryl Ave., Phoenix, 85021 // 602-535-4000 // goodwillaz.org REVENUE $117 million FOUNDED 1947 AZ EMPLOYEES 2,828 PRINCIPAL Tim O'Neal, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tanya Perry, executive vice president and chief financial officer VALLEY OF THE SUN UNITED WAY 3200 E. Camelback Road, Suite 375, Phoenix, 85018-2328 // 602-631-4800 // vsuw.org REVENUE $117 million FOUNDED 1925 AZ EMPLOYEES 133 PRINCIPAL Merl Waschler, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Katherine Cecala, chief operating officer

SERVICE-INSPIRED CAREER

ARGIE GOMEZ CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

BY ALISON STANTON

16

From the time she was a little girl, Argie Gomez accompanied her mom on community service projects.

“My mom was a justice of the peace and a member of many service clubs,” she says. “And when she would do community service work she would take me with her.”

That commitment to helping others made a definite impact on Gomez. After working for 17 years in the judicial system, she left her government job to join a non-profit. She came to Chicanos por la Causa about 10 years ago.

“The creativity the non-profit sector allows is what appealed to me,” says Gomez, who is currently chief operating officer at the non-profit community development corporation. “I like the way we are creative with the way we attack social problems, and our ability to get input from the community.”

Gomez also appreciates that Chicanos por la Causa understands that in order to help as many people as possible — last year they helped more than 190,000 individuals — they cannot work alone.

“We have great partners in our community,” she says. “Companies like APS, SRP, Cox, Southwest Airlines and many others help get our word and brand out to the community. For 40-plus years the for-profit entities have contributed towards our education and economic development,

our shelter programs, our substance abuse treatment programs and our 3,200 apartment units.”

One of the many things Gomez likes about her work is the way Chicanos por la Causa supports scholars. The non-profit recently hosted a golf tournament for more than 200 golfers to raise money for college students.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds from the golf tournament went to support students,” Gomez says. “So far, we have served over 1,300 students and have raised over $3.6 million. That is a lot of money raised from golf tournaments.”

Chicanos por la Causa has also supported Gomez’s desire to further her own education.

“I have earned my MBA since being here,” Gomez says, adding that having the advanced degree has given her the business savvy and knowledge she needs to help keep the non-profit sustainable.

When she is not in the office, Gomez loves to wind down with a good book. She has also become quite fond of walking, and can often be found strolling through her neighborhood with the woman who originally inspired her to go into non-profit work.

“My mom is 85 years old now, and she and I go out walking together,” Gomez says. “She is very proud of the work I do.”

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY 1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 85034 // 800-248-6437 // fh.org REVENUE $82 million FOUNDED 1971 AZ EMPLOYEES 105 PRINCIPAL Gary Edmonds, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Mary Vojtko, director of finance MAKE-A-WISH AMERICA 4742 N. 24th St., Suite 400, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-279-9474 // wish. org REVENUE $67 million FOUNDED 1980 AZ EMPLOYEES 137 PRINCIPAL David Williams, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathy Forshey, vice president of corporate alliances; Deborah Thompson, vice president of chapter support COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA P.O. Box 26727, Tucson, 85726-6727 // 520-622-0525 // communityfoodbank.com REVENUE $58 million FOUNDED 1975 AZ EMPLOYEES 130 PRINCIPAL Michael McDonald, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nicollette Daly, chief financial officer PETSMART CHARITIES 19601 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, 85027 // 800-423-7387 // petsmartcharities.org REVENUE $51 million FOUNDED 1994 AZ EMPLOYEES 50 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Maurine Dyer Stevens, interim executive director UNITED FOOD BANK 245 S. Nina Drive, Mesa, 85210 // 480-926-4897 // unitedfoodbank. org REVENUE $37 million FOUNDED 1985 AZ EMPLOYEES 40 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Ginny Hildebrand, president and CEO VALLEY OF THE SUN YMCA 350 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix, 85003 // 602-404-9622 // valleyymca. org REVENUE $34 million FOUNDED 1938 AZ EMPLOYEES 2,120 PRINCIPAL Ralph Yohe, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Julie Starkey, vice president of risk management

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PUBLICLY HELD, RANKED BY 12-MONTH REVENUE

ARIZONA COMPANIES

Top 10 AVNET 2211 S. 47th St., Phoenix, 85034 // 480-643-2000 // avnet.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $28.2 billion FOUNDED 1921 INDUSTRY electronic components AZ EMPLOYEES 2,400 PRINCIPAL Rick Hamada, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN MaryAnn Miller, chief human resources officer and corporate communications FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC. 333 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-366-8100 // fcx.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $21.4 billion FOUNDED 1988 INDUSTRY mining, oil and gas AZ EMPLOYEES 8,451 PRINCIPAL Richard C. Adkerson, president, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathleen L. Quirk, executive vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer REPUBLIC SERVICES INC. 18500 N. Allied Way, Phoenix, 85054 // 480-627-2700 // republicservices.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $8.9 billion FOUNDED 1996 INDUSTRY waste managment and recycling AZ EMPLOYEES 1,200 PRINCIPAL Donald W. Slager, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Catharine Ellingsen, senior vice president human resources; Darice Brossart, senior vice president of communication INSIGHT ENTRPRISES INC. 6820 S. Harl Ave., Tempe, 85283 // 480-333-3000 // insight.com12-MONTH REVENUE $5.3 billion FOUNDED1988 INDUSTRY computers and peripherals AZ EMPLOYEES 1,399 PRINCIPAL Kenneth Lamneck, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Glynis Bryan, chief financial officer SWIFT TRANSPORTATION CORP. 2200 S. 75th Ave., Phoenix, 85043 // 1-800-800-2200 // swifttrans.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $4.3 billion FOUNDED 1966 INDUSTRY trucking, AX EMPLOYEES 3,327 PRINCIPAL Jerry Moyes, founder and CEO, HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Ginnie Henkels, executive vice president and CFO PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORP. 400 N. Fifth St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-250-1000 // pinnaclewest.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $3.5 billion FOUNDED 1886 INDUSTRY electricity generation AZ EMPLOYEES 6,166 PRINCIPAL Donald Brandt, chairman, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Barbara Gomez, vice president, human resources ON SEMICONDUCTOR 5005 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85008 // 602-244-6600 // onsemi.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $3.3 billion FOUNDED 1999 INDUSTRY semiconductor manufacturing AZ EMPLOYEES 780 PRINCIPAL Keith Jackson, president, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kimberly Joseph, vice president global sales operations AMKOR TECHNOLOGY INC. 2045 E. Innovation Circle, Tempe, 85284 // 480-821-5000 // amkor.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $3.2 billion FOUNDED 1968 INDUSTRY semiconducter packaging and testing services AZ EMPLOYEES NA PRINCIPAL Stephen Kelley, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Joanne Solomon, executive vice president and CFO SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET INC. 11811 N. Tatum Blvd, Ste. 2400 Phoenix, 85028 // 480-814-8016 // sprouts. com 12-MONTH REVENUE $3 billion FOUNDED 2002 INDUSTRY grocery stores AZ EMPLOYEES 3,125 PRINCIPAL J. Douglas Sanders, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nancy LaMons, chief human resources officer FIRST SOLAR INC. 350 W. Washington St., Suite 600, Tempe, 85281 // 602-414-9300 // firstsolar.com 12-MONTH REVENUE $2.9 billion FOUNDED 1999 INDUSTRY photovoltaic solar AZ EMPLOYEES 350 PRINCIPAL James A. Hughes, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Maja Wessels, vice president global public affairs

FOCUSED ON BIG PICTURE Most professionals would view losing a promotion to a colleague of similar standing as a frustrating setback.

However, when the position Barbara Gomez eyed was awarded to a co-worker, she saw it as an opportunity and focused on the larger picture. The co-worker became her superior but she knew he had higher aspirations.

“I decided I was going to work as hard as I can and prove to him I am a good employee and can take his place,” says Gomez, vice president of human resources and ethics for Arizona Public Service Co., the subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

In a couple of years he was promoted, and Gomez was promoted to treasurer at Pinnacle West, one of the many prestigious positions she has held since joining the company as an analyst for APS in 1978.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be where I am,” she says. “Everything ends up happening for a reason and, in hindsight, I’m pleased with how things have happened.”

Gomez has held more than 10 positions with the company, many of them financial, several in leadership roles. Working for another employer never crossed her mind.

“I continued to grow and I enjoyed the company,” she says. “APS never gave me a reason to search.”

Born in New York City, Gomez relocated to Miami, Ariz., at

age 2 with her accountant father, stay-at-home mother and two brothers. Her father worked for the company that would become Freeport-McMoRan Inc. and received a transfer to the eastern Arizona town. There, she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Ray Gomez.

She earned her business degree from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., and returned to Arizona, where she would earn her MBA, attending night classes at Arizona State University while working during the day.

Gomez worked for a year as an accountant for Greyhound. The repetitive nature of the job wasn’t for her. She sought variety, which led her to APS. Married for 36 years, Gomez and her husband have two sons and two grandchildren with a third on the way.

Being a rare female among the management ranks in a maleheavy industry has never bothered Gomez, who calls her parents key inspirations.

Gomez also talks about Jaron Norberg, a previous chief financial officer at APS, being a major professional influence. She remembers him recognizing staff that served under him and publicly giving them credit.

“He always diminished himself to bring up his people,” she says. “I try to emulate that.”

BARBARA GOMEZ VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES

BY GEORGANN YARA

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 17

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ARIZONA COMPANIES

PRIVATE COMPANIES, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Top 10 BASHAS’ FAMILY OF STORES 22402 S. Basha Road, Chandler, 85248 // 480-895-9350 // bashas.com FOUNDED 1932 EMPLOYEES 8,511 PRINCIPAL Edward Basha III, chairman HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Elva G. Vivas, director of financing and planning; Denise R. Brownell, director of loss prevention PETSMART INC. 19601 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, 85027 // 623-580-6100 // petsmart.com FOUNDED 1987 EMPLOYEES 3,540 PRINCIPAL David Lenhardt, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee SONORA QUEST LABORATORIES 1255 W. Washington St., Tempe, 85281 // 602-685-5000 // sonoraquest.com FOUNDED 1997 EMPLOYEES 2,900 PRINCIPAL David Dexter, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Joyce Santis, chief operating officer FOX RESTAURANT CONCEPTS LLC 4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite B100, Phoenix, 85018 // 480-905-6920 // foxrc.com FOUNDED 1998 EMPLOYEES 2,586 PRINCIPAL Sam Fox, founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Leezie Kim, vice president, general counsel

EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY

LEEZIE KIM VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL

BY GEORGANN YARA

18

Leezie Kim’s grandfather named her with a poetic combination of two Chinese symbols — “beauty” and “clarity and wisdom” — translated into Korean.

The vice president and general counsel for Fox Restaurant Concepts acknowledges that set the bar pretty high.

“I don’t live up to any of that,” says Kim, laughing. “But it was a nice gesture from my grandpa.”

Her resume, however — which includes representation of high-profile clients such as the National Football League and Arizona State University, serving as general counsel to Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and serving as White House appointee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — makes a compelling argument to the contrary.

Kim, a corporate finance lawyer, served 12 years as outside counsel for Fox Restaurant Concepts before founder Sam Fox asked her to join the company in 2014. “Fox was always my favorite client,” Kim says. “So how could I say no?”

Born in Seoul, South Korea, to an engineer father and pharmacist mother, Kim emigrated with her family at age 4, when her first name was translated into English, resulting in “Leezie.” After a few years in Michigan, they moved to Scottsdale when Kim was in the seventh grade.

Kim earned her degree in economics from Rice University before grad-

uating from the University of Virginia School of Law. Although she can’t explain why, Kim always wanted to be a lawyer. She ponders aloud that her highly educated parents, who spoke perfect English, may have been a factor.

“You learn very early the power of persuasive language and speech,” Kim says. After a pause, she chuckles. “Or, maybe it’s because I feel I’m always right.”

In law school, Kim met her husband of 16 years, Gary Restaino, criminal division chief for the U.S. attorney’s office in Arizona.

The decision to return to Arizona came after living in older, more storied, parts of the country. Kim appreciates that in Arizona, family history doesn’t dictate destiny. Nor is it limiting.

“They don’t ask what your parents did or ask if my grandfather went to boarding school with your grandfather,” she says. “Out here, people want to know what you can do. They judge you on your merit.”

Kim values the opportunities she’s experienced, from involvement with U.S.-Mexico border issues to being strapped to a moving helicopter.

“My mother would always say, ‘This is no dress rehearsal,’” Kim says.

“Meaning, this is your life. You only get one, and you need to do everything you can with it. I’ve done that and I feel like I’m the luckiest person.”

DISCOUNT TIRE 20225 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-606-6000 // discounttire. com FOUNDED 1960 EMPLOYEES 2,020 PRINCIPAL Bruce T. Halle, chairman and founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lori Governale, senior vice president of people care SHAMROCK FOODS CO. 3900 E. Camelback Road, Suite 300, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-272-6721 // shamrockfoods.com FOUNDED 1922 EMPLOYEES 1,977 PRINCIPAL Norman and Kent McClelland, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Ann Ocana, chief marketing officer EARNHARDT AUTO CENTERS 7300 W. Orchard Lane, Chandler, 85226 // 480-783-4620 // earnhardt.com FOUNDED 1951 EMPLOYEES 1,080 PRINCIPAL Hal J. Earnhardt III, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Robbyn McDowell, chief financial officer TROON GOLF LLC 15044 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 300, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-606-1000 // info@troongolf.com FOUNDED 1990 EMPLOYEES 1,652 PRINCIPAL Dana Garmany, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Ruth Engle, executive vice president and chief financial officer EMPIRE SOUTHWEST LLC 1725 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa, 85210 // 480-633-4000 // empirecat.com FOUNDED 1950 EMPLOYEES 1,536 PRINCIPAL Jeff Whiteman, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Holly Purcell, director of human resources CHAPMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP P.O. Box 12375, Tempe, 85284 // 480-970-0740 // chapmanchoice.com FOUNDED 1966 EMPLOYEES 1,333 PRINCIPAL Eddie Davault, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kristine Barber, controller

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ARIZONA COMPANIES

WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS, RANKED BY 2014 REVENUE

Top 10 AMERICAN AUCTION COMPANY 951 W. Watkins St., Phoenix, 85007 // 602-252-4842 // americanauctionco. com FOUNDED 1995 2014 GROSS REVENUE $199 million EMPLOYEES 193 PRINCIPAL Deb Weidenhamer, CEO MACH 1 GLOBAL SERVICES INC. 1530 W. Broadway Road, Tempe, 85282 // 480921-3900 // mach1global.com FOUNDED 1988 2014 GROSS REVENUE $112 million EMPLOYEES 69 PRINCIPAL Jamie Fletcher, CEO CHAS ROBERTS AIR CONDITIONING 9828 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, 85201 // 602943-3426 // chasroberts.com FOUNDED 1942 2014 GROSS REVENUE $75 million EMPLOYEES 542 PRINCIPAL Sissie Roberts Shank, owner and CEO CALIENTE CONSTRUCTION INC. 485 W. Vaughn St., Tempe, 85283 // 480894-5500 // calienteconstruction.com FOUNDED 1991 2014 GROSS REVENUE $62 million EMPLOYEES 78 PRINCIPAL Lorraine Bergman, president and CEO

HER BID PAYS OFF

DEB WIDENHAMER CEO

BY GEORGANN YARA

20

When Deb Weidenhamer got into the auction industry, just 11 percent of auctioneers were women, a statistic that plummeted at highlevel positions.

Not long after she started American Auction Company in 1995, representatives from two competitors paid her a visit. They told her she wouldn’t survive in the industry because she is a woman.

Twenty years later, Weidenhamer runs a nearly $200 million international company. The pessimistic competitors who delivered that message are no longer in business.

The Internet turned what had been a brick-and-motor business into one that became search-and-click, Weidenhamer explains. “We were able to incorporate the Internet and make it useful to us. We brought together the best of both worlds.”

A former mergers and acquisitions analyst, Weidenhamer once commuted between her home in Phoenix and her office in San Francisco. On a flight home, she sat next to an 80-year-old auctioneer. They struck up a conversation and his profession intrigued her.

Seeing a lucrative opportunity, Weidenhamer quit her job, attended auction school and opened her company as Auction Systems Auctioneers and Appraisers two months later. As she did more business outside the United States, her company was commonly referred to as “the American auction company.” For that reason,

and because the word “system” is now associated with the software industry, she changed the company’s name this year.

In Galveston, Texas, Weidenhamer’s father was an evangelist and inventor with 18 patents to his name. Her mother stayed home to raise Weidenhamer and her four siblings.

Weidenhamer was 11 when she partnered with a company to sell camping equipment and housewares.

She made flyers and brochures and went door to door. This followed her first business lesson, during a short stint as a Girl Scout.

“I was a Scout until I found out I couldn’t make money from cookie sales,” Weidenhamer says, with a laugh.

She graduated from Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky., with a degree in business administration and earned a Certified Auctioneers Institute designation at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Weidenhamer moved to Arizona with Bruce, her husband of 25 years, soon after they got married, believing Phoenix held the best career prospects.

Her father proved influential, both personally and professionally.

“He taught me how to balance your personal belief system with the challenges you come across in the business world,” Weidenhamer says. “To be true to yourself and do what sometimes flies in the face of traditional wisdom.”

SPIRIT ELECTRONICS 23910 N. 19th Ave., Suite 26, Phoenix, 85085 // 480-998-1533 // spiritelectronics.com FOUNDED 1979 2014 GROSS REVENUE $29.3 million EMPLOYEES 11 PRINCIPAL Vickie Wessel, president ALLIANCE HOME LOANS 5410 E. High St., Suite 200, Phoenix, 85054 // 602867-6000 // AllianceHomeLoans.com FOUNDED 2003 2014 GROSS REVENUE $29 million EMPLOYEES 164 PRINCIPAL Jamie Korus, president CORPORATE INTERIOR SYSTEMS 3311 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, 85040 // 602-304-0100 // cisinphx.com FOUNDED 1985 2014 GROSS REVENUE $27.5 million EMPLOYEES 30 PRINCIPAL Lisa K. Johnson, president and CEO CONSOLIDATED RESOURCES INC. 4849 W. Missouri Ave., Glendale, 85301 // 623931-5009 // consolidatedresources.com FOUNDED 1990 2014 GROSS REVENUE $27 million EMPLOYEES 68 PRINCIPAL Linda S. Rockwell, CEO COCHISE COMPANIES 333 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, 85009 // 602-2772-0911 // cochisecompanies.com FOUNDED 1986 2014 GROSS REVENUE $22.4 million EMPLOYEES 84 PRINCIPAL Apryl Erekson, owner HARMON ELECTRIC 945 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, 85027 // 623-879-0010 // harmonelectriccorp.com FOUNDED 1975 2014 GROSS REVENUE $17.2 million EMPLOYEES 85 PRINCIPAL Julie King, CEO

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ARIZONA COMPANIES

INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF MEMBERS

Top 10 GANGPLANK 260 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 85225 // 480-539-6800 // gangplankhq.com FOUNDED 2008 EMPLOYEES Memberrun, no paid employees MEMBERS 1,000+ PRINCIPAL Jade Meskill, co-founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kim Kressaty, board member CO+HOOTS 1027 E. Washington St., Suite 107, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-688-2825 // cohoots.com FOUNDED 2010 EMPLOYEES 4 MEMBERS 250+ PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jenny Poon, founder EAST VALLEY PARTNERSHIP 535 W. Baseline Road, Suite 107, Mesa, 85210 // 480-834-8335 // evp-az.org FOUNDED 1982 EMPLOYEES 5 MEMBERS 150 PRINCIPAL Roc Arnett, president and CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Megan Sterling, vice president SEED SPOT 2828 N. Central Ave., 7th Floor, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-456-9944 // seedspot.org FOUNDED 2012 EMPLOYEES 5 MEMBERS 134 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Courtney Klein, co-founder and CEO

TRAVEL PLANTED THE SEED

COURTNEY KLEIN CO-FOUNDER AND CEO

BY SHARI LOPATIN

22

Courtney Klein wants to change the world, through entrepreneurship.

That’s why she co-founded SEED SPOT — a business incubator and non-profit — in 2012.

“Our niche focus is working with a social entrepreneur,” she says. “We really look for the intention to be about helping the world.”

Klein’s mission to impact local and international communities started in college, at Arizona State University. Her original major was broadcast journalism.

“In junior high, I was on the school radio station,” Klein says. “I always loved speaking. I loved telling stories.”

Then, in college, Klein took a trip that changed her perspective.

“I traveled to a rural village in Mexico freshman year and I saw how the rest of the world lived,” she says. “It was the richest community I’d ever seen because they have dreams. It wasn’t a materialistic dream. They wanted what we all want: health and education and opportunity.”

When Klein returned to the U.S., she found herself diisillusioned by the commercialism and petty problems people focused on here.

“How did I not experience this before?” she wondered. “Nobody in high school told me I could make a change.”

That’s when Klein developed the idea for her first non-profit and switched her major to non-profit management.

During her senior year, Klein won

$1,000 from ASU’s Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative to launch New Global Citizens.

Her project was a high-school based program to help students understand how to take action and make change in the world. Today, it’s still going strong.

According to SEED SPOT’s website, New Global Citizens now serves youths in 14 states across the U.S. and works with grassroots partners in more than 30 countries around the world.

Klein says New Global Citizens’ success was due to the help she received from other people, including the grant from ASU. “I wanted to build the same community for other entrepreneurs,” she says.

After completing a master’s degree in non-profit leadership at ASU, Klein launched SEED SPOT. “We’ve worked with 143 entrepreneurs,” she says. “Eighty-eight percent are still in business and 93 percent are still in Arizona.”

From an autistic bakery owner who plans to hire other autistic employees, to a couple who launched eco-friendly toys for children to stimulate creative play, Klein says she could go on and on telling stories of SEED SPOT’s alumni.

But most importantly, her plans to create change are working.

“We are really building a community that acknowledges and supports entrepreneurs that are trying to build the world,” she says.

NORTHERN ARIZONA CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY 2225 N. Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, 86001 // 928-213-9234 // nacet.org FOUNDED 2001 EMPLOYEES 9 MEMBERS 28 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Annette Zinky, president and CEO CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATION 275 N. GateWay Drive, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-286-8950 // ceigateway.com FOUNDED 2012 EMPLOYEES 5 MEMBERS 16 PRINCIPAL Jeff Saville, executive director HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Tisha M. Diffie, coordinator AZ TECHCELERATOR 12425 W. Bell Road, Surprise, 85378 // 623-222-TECH // aztechcelerator.com FOUNDED 2010 EMPLOYEES NA MEMBERS 13 PRINCIPAL NA HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Julie Neal, manager BIOACCEL 2702 N. 3rd St., Suite 3001, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-385-3210 // bioaccel. org FOUNDED 2009 EMPLOYEES 8 MEMBERS 13 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN MaryAnn Guerra, CEO LAUNCHPOINT 6113 S. Kent St., Mesa, 85212 // 480-644-3562 // mesaaccelerator. com FOUNDED 2013 EMPLOYEES 2 MEMBERS 10 PRINCIPAL Shea Joachim, senior project manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee DESARROLLO PHOENIX FLIGHT PROGRAM 1260 S. Spectrum Blvd., Chandler, 85286 // 866-800-0004 // desarrollodeaz.org FOUNDED 2013 EMPLOYEES NA MEMBERS 8 PRINCIPAL David Rice, founder HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN No designee

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FASTEST GROWING, RANKED BY INC. MAGAZINE THREE-YEAR PERCENTAGE GROWTH IN REVENUE

ARIZONA COMPANIES

Top 10 PLEXUS WORLDWIDE INC. 15649 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-998-3490 // plexusworldwide.com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 16,458 percent PRINCIPAL Tarl Robinson, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN MaryAnn Luciano, vice president of ambassador education BLUESQUARE RESOLUTIONS 15950 N. 76th St., First Floor, Scottsdale, 85260 // 602-732-4405 // getbluesquare.com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 11,489 percent PRINCIPAL Sabin Burrell, cofounder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tiffany Georskey, senior financial analyst BASE COMMERCE 1380 W. Auto Drive, Tempe, 85284 // 800-848-5826 // basecommerce. com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 10,186 percent PRINCIPAL John Hughes, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Jennifer Doolittle, director of operations AMERICAN RETIREMENT ADVISORS 14861 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 101, Scottsdale, 85254 // 602-281-3898 // americanretirementadvisors. com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 7,758 percent PRINCIPAL David Schaeffer, retirement planner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Monica Chipman, planner; Sharon Colbert-Groves, planner THE JOINT 16767 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 240, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-245-5960 // thejoint. com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 5,139 percent PRINCIPAL John B. Richards, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Catherine Hall, chief marketing officer ETHOLOGY 6263 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 180, Scottsdale, 85250 // 602-840-6757 // ethology.com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 4,219 percent PRINCIPAL Jeff Pruitt, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Amy Simpson, senior vice president, operations TRAPP TECH 7360 E. Acoma Drive, Suite 2, Scottsdale, 85260 // 602-443-9145 // trapponline. com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 1,554 percent PRINCIPAL David Trapp, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Ashley Capps, creative manager RIGID INDUSTRIES 779 N. Colorado St., Gilbert, 85233 // 480-655-0100 // rigidindustries. com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 1,464 percent PRINCIPAL Jason Christiansen, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Miranda Fuller, director of marketing FLEXGROUND 11809 W. 4th St., Tempe, 85281 // 602-954-000 // flexground.com THREEYEAR GROWTH 1,322 percent PRINCIPALS Bill Stafford, Corey Hague, owners HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Sandi Walsh, general manager, FlexGround California AMERICAN GROUP 25 S. Arizona Place, Suite 300/302, Chandler, 85225 // 480-406-6102 // shipag.com THREE-YEAR GROWTH 1,156 percent PRINCIPAL Daniel P. Krivickas, Jr., president, co-founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kristina Hopkins, manager credit and collections

A REFRESHING APPROACH Usually, a call from a collection agent strikes fear in the heart of the recipient. But when Tina Hopkins calls, she wants to be your friend.

“I took a different approach to it: How can I be helpful to this person?” says Hopkins, manager of credit and collections at shipping company American Group.

Hopkins began her career working medical collections.

“What I found was that people didn’t know how to use their insurance or used it incorrectly,” she says. “I would talk to them. I would try to find out if there was anything we could do to help get this taken care of.”

Hopkins thinks men hold about half the jobs in collections, but she believes there’s a real advantage to being a woman.

“I think women have a better ability to relate to people,” she says. “People are less intimidated. As soon as a man was on the phone, the client would be defensive. I could pick up the phone and talk to them on a more personal level and actually get to a place where we can negotiate and work on the bill.”

Working collections was not part of her original career plans.

“I started in this field on accident,” she says. “I had to put out so many re-

sumes and job applications, and one of my girlfriends said to come put it in over here [at a collections agency].

I told the guy interviewing me I didn’t want the job. And he said ‘Good.

Start Monday.’”

She held that job for more than a decade.

With the changes in the medical field that came with the Affordable Care Act, Hopkins set her sights on another collections field.

“I went out and tried to be a collector for credit cards and hated it,” she says. “I found I wasn’t as good at that.”

Working for American Group, a company that ships packages that are too big for traditional carriers, turns out to have been the right choice for Hopkins.

“In this position, I’m back to doing what I like to do,” she says, “working with people, trying to help them out.

For the most part, there’s no confrontation. I can be mean if I have to be, but why?”

As much as she loves working for American Group, there is one thing she doesn’t like.

“They won’t let me work from home,” she says. “If they would, I’d be everywhere. I’d probably get a motor home and just travel across the United States. A laptop and a cellphone.

I’d be good to go.”

KRISTINA HOPKINS MANAGER OF CREDIT AND COLLECTIONS

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

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ARIZONA COMPANIES

MINORITY-OWNED, RANKED BY 2014 REVENUE

Top 10 ARROWHEAD ADVERTISING 16155 N. 83rd Ave., Suite 205, Peoria, 85382 // 623-979-3000 // arrowheadadv.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $335 million FOUNDED 2003 AZ EMPLOYEES 85 PRINCIPAL Kyle Eng, president, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Michelle Shepherd, chief financial officer NINYO & MOORE 3202 E. Harbour Drive, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-243-1600 // ninyoandmoore.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $56 million FOUNDED 1986 AZ EMPLOYEES 60 PRINCIPAL Steven D. Nowaczyk, managing principal engineer HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Michelle Fowler, principal environmental engineer HARDROCK CONCRETE PLACEMENT CO. INC. 4839 W. Brill St., Phoenix, 85043 // 602-233-3334 // hrconcrete.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $45.6 million FOUNDED 1989 AZ EMPLOYEES 300 PRINCIPAL Lee Lopez, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Cindy Kennemer, vice president LOVITT & TOUCHÉ 1050 W. Washington St., Suite 233, Tempe, 85281 // 602-956-2250 // lovitttouche.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $32 million FOUNDED 1911 AZ EMPLOYEES 183 PRINCIPAL Charles A. Touché, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

‘BREAKING THE BARRIER’

VICKIE WESSEL PRESIDENT

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

24

“One” can certainly be a lonely number — especially if it’s the 1970s, and you’re Vickie Wessel, the only woman sales rep in a sea of men attending a manufacturer’s annual meeting.

“It would be a combination of their sales reps, plus all their marketing staff and all their engineers,” says Wessel, owner and president of Spirit Electronics. “There were a couple of years where I was the only woman in attendance. They didn’t want me to participate in the social events that occurred in the evenings when they took all the guys out to dinner.”

Things got worse from there.

“We actually had one line that terminated our representation because I came to a sales meeting,” she recalls.

“They didn’t want a female there. You talk about breaking the barrier.”

It was a struggle to be respected, but she had some help along the way from the man who was her boss at the time.

“He would introduce me and tell them, ‘If you have any questions, give her a call.’ But they would always call him,” she says. “He taught me how to get the answers and said to me, ‘You call them back.’ There was a goodold-boys network, if you know what I mean. There were a lot of buyers that really didn’t want a woman calling on them. Initially it was difficult to find acceptance in that marketplace.”

Over time, she took responsibil-

ity for one branch of the company, eventually incorporating it on her own. She’s been the person in charge ever since.

Wessel’s company distributes semiconductors, capacitors, resistors, connectors — anything that gets manufactured onto a circuit board that goes into some type of electronics. That includes communications equipment, missile guidance systems and satellites. Her customers are some of the biggest government contractors, including Raytheon, Lockheed, Boeing, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.

The company has won awards for maintaining close to 100 percent ontime delivery and quality.

“We have quarterly business reviews with our customers where they go through our performance,” she says. “There are 15 or 20 people from that customer in the meeting and every one of them says, ‘I love your staff.

I love how responsive they are. You know what you’re doing.’”

Wessel attributes her success to hard work and a great staff.

“This is the legacy that I’m trying to leave with my own kids and my employees,” she says. “I just want you to do your best. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It just means you take pride in what you do and how you do it, so you can look back and say I did the best I could.”

DP ELECTRIC 6002 S. Ash Ave., Tempe, 85283 // 480-858-9070 // dpelectric.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $31.6 million FOUNDED 1990 AZ EMPLOYEES 197 PRINCIPAL Dan Puente, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Maggie Puente, treasurer SOLUGENIX CORP. 14605 N. Airport Drive, Suite 217, Scottsdale, 85260 // 602-334-4550 // solugenix. com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $29.4 million FOUNDED 2004 AZ EMPLOYEES 17 PRINCIPAL Shashi Jasthi, president, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sushil Singh, director of corporate services SPIRIT ELECTRONICS 23910 N. 19th Ave., Suite 26, Phoenix, 85085 // 480-998-1533 // spiritelectronics. com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $29.3 million FOUNDED 1979 AZ EMPLOYEES 11 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Vickie Wessel, president ARIZONA FAMILY FLORIST 2050 S. 16th St. Suite 100, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-507-4200 // azfamilyflorist.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $7 million FOUNDED 2005 AZ EMPLOYEES 50+ PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cheryl Denham, CEO AXIS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES LLC 1500 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite 110, Phoenix, 85015 // 602-242-2626 // axisemployment.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE $3 million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tran Tran, founder, CEO FOUNDED 2002 AZ EMPLOYEES 150 WEKOPA RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER 10438 N. Fort McDowell Road, Fountain Hills, 85264 // 480-789-5300 // www.wekoparesort.com 2014 GROSS REVENUE NA FOUNDED 2007 AZ EMPLOYEES 180 PRINCIPAL Alberto Parra, general manager, chief financial officer HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Huebner, senior national sales manager

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YOUR TIME

NARROW YOUR FOCUS AND FIND SUCCESS IN BUSINESS WORLD You know there is never enough time to get to everything! What the heck do I do?

Recently, I had Greg Head, chief marketing officer of tech company Infusionsoft, speak to my entrepreneurship students at the W.P. Carey School of Business. He has been enlightening my Arizona State University students for years and always shares some of the most imperative information for new entrepreneurs when he visits.

He talks about the power of focus.

Focus isn't always top of mind, and it's a true challenge to master.

As an innate problem solver, you want to say "yes" to everything you can help with or improve. However, as a business owner, you must focus all of your energy on as few things as possible to be the best at those few things.

To start, take three minutes to write down your core offering, your target market, and your competitive differentiator.

You should be able to clearly and

AZCompanies_Master.indd 25

concisely identify those three things.

Without knowing them, you couldn't possibly know where to spend your time and efforts.

If (or when) you know those things very well, then look deeper: From where does the best revenue in your business come? By "best," I don't necessarily mean the most. I mean the revenue that is the greatest return for the least effort. Focus your energies on creating more of that.

Why are you doing what you do?

What is the reason you started this business? Are you still working toward that big, audacious goal to change something? If all of the yes answers you've uttered over the years have pushed you into a direction that is not true to your vision, then recalibrate and decide what you're doing that does not move you the right way.

Why are you saying "yes" to so many things? If you are trying to grow your customer-acquisition pipeline, and as a result, you are involved in as many things as possible to reach as many

people as possible, then start measuring. What actually results in leads?

If something isn't fruitful, then stop doing it!

If you simply enjoy the things to which you say yes, then limit yourself to a certain number each month.

If you think you'll offend people, I promise you won't. A clear "no" to someone who asks for something is so much better than canceling at the last minute, dragging it out, or not being able to devote the proper attention to it.

Being mindful of how you choose to spend your time is one of the most important things you can learn.

No one else can decide what is right or "balanced" in your life. You can control how your precious energies are spent, if you just take the time to identify the right actions and actively make decisions to support that.

If you still find that you struggle with this, then I strongly recommend reading "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown. It is a quick read and is quite powerful.

BY SIDNEE PECK Sidnee Peck, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, is a well-known expert on startups who regularly works with many Arizona businesses and business incubators.

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ARIZONA COMPANIES

FOUNDATIONS, RANKED BY ASSETS

Top 10 ASU FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY 300 E. University Drive, Tempe, 85281 // 480-965-3759 // asufoundation.org FOUNDED 1955 ASSETS $940 million AZ EMPLOYEES 277 PRINCIPAL R.F. “Rick” Shangraw Jr., CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Virginia “Ginny” DeSanto, vice president of finance, chief financial officer, treasurer THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION 1111 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, 85719 // 520-621-9077 // uafoundation.org FOUNDED 1958 ASSETS $818 million AZ EMPLOYEES 89 PRINCIPAL James H. Moore Jr., president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sarah B. Smallhouse, co-chair, Arizona NOW: The campaign for the University of Arizona HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION 2415 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-381-2260 // helios.org FOUNDED 2004 ASSETS $684 million AZ EMPLOYEES 26 PRINCIPAL Paul Luna, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Barbara RyanThompson, executive vice president LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY 11010 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite D-101, Phoenix, 85028 // 602-3934300 // lincolninst.edu FOUNDED 1974 ASSETS $546 million AZ EMPLOYEES 2 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathryn J. Lincoln, chair and chief investment officer

INSPIRED BY HARDSHIPS

BELEN GONZALES PROGRAM DIRECTOR

BY GEORGANN YARA

26

Perhaps Belen Gonzalez first caught a passion for social work at age 7 while handing out bumper stickers for one of her uncle’s political campaigns. It could have started when her punishment for misbehaving was to watch movies with a social message, like “Grapes of Wrath” at age 10. Or maybe it was participating in marches with her politically active parents and learning about boycotts while in elementary school.

But when Gonzalez found herself pregnant at age 19, a high-school dropout on welfare, questions about why she was there sparked a strong and personal dedication to the field to which she has dedicated her life.

“I felt I was smart enough but I remember thinking, ‘Why weren’t the institutions that were in my life supporting me in my goals?’” recalls Gonzalez, now program director for the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

She took control. Gonzalez attended Phoenix College while studying for the GED. She earned her GED, ranking in the top 15 percent of the students who took the test with her.

“It provided me a lot of momentum for me to go further,” she says.

“Along the way, I met some incredible mentors and teachers who pushed me to dream even bigger.”

Continuing on to Arizona State University, Gonzalez earned a degree in social work. She was accepted at

the University of Chicago, where she graduated with a master’s degree in social work, with an emphasis in policy and community organizing.

In 2000, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust hired Gonzalez fresh from graduate school and she has been with the foundation ever since. Her duties include leading the trust’s Arizona Youth Opportunities Initiative, which assists foster youths as they age out of the child-welfare system; actively participating in the grant-making process; and managing the Nina Scholars Program.

“Being in this type of program really speaks to me,” Gonzalez says.

“My experiences of being on welfare and understanding the hardships of poverty really opened my eyes. Seeing our scholars and how they grow, that’s rewarding.”

Gonzalez’ father retired from the Arizona Department of Revenue and her mother owns a business that provides care to adults with traumatic brain injuries. Her oldest son is now 24. She also has two sons, ages 7 and 4, with her husband of nine years, David Gonzalez.

When asked how she feels about having pulled herself up by her bootstraps, Gonzalez adamantly denies the phrase applies to her.

“I did not pull myself up by the bootstraps,” Gonzalez says. “The community lent me a helping hand so I could achieve my goals.”

VIRGINIA G. PIPER CHARITABLE TRUST 1202 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, 85014 // 480-948-5853 // pipertrust.org FOUNDED 1999 ASSETS $542 million AZ EMPLOYEES NA PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Susan M. Pepin, president and CEO ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 405B, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-381-1400 // azfoundation.org FOUNDED 1978 ASSETS $480 million AZ EMPLOYEES 68 PRINCIPAL Steven Seleznow, president and CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Jacky Alling, chief philanthropic services officer; Megan Brownell, chief business development and brand officer NINA MASON PULLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST 220 E. Camelback Road, Suite 600B, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-955-3000 // ninapulliamtrust.org FOUNDED 1997 ASSETS $385 million AZ EMPLOYEES 7 PRINCIPAL Gene D’Adamo, president and CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Belen Gonzalez, program director FLINN FOUNDATION 1802 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-744-6800 // www.flinn.org FOUNDED 1965 ASSETS $217million AZ EMPLOYEES 20 PRINCIPAL Jack Jewett, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cathy McGonigle, executive vice president KEMPER & ETHEL MARLEY FOUNDATION 2001 E. Colter St., Phoenix, 85016 // 602-269-6081 // no website FOUNDED 1990 ASSETS $182 million AZ EMPLOYEES 10 PRINCIPAL Stephen Corrigan, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nancy Elitharp Ball, chief financial officer NAU FOUNDATION P.O. Box 4086, Flagstaff, 86011 // 928-523-2012 // nau.edu/Giving/NAU-Foundation FOUNDED 1958 ASSETS $134 million AZ EMPLOYEES 1 PRINCIPAL Hank Peck, chair HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN DeeAnn Palin, vice-chair

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Your company can be a force for good.

We’ll help you get there.

The Arizona Community Foundation is Arizona’s leading expert on philanthropy. Now, our Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy provides focused expertise to support, enhance and operate corporate philanthropy programs. We work with businesses of all sizes, designing and managing programs that advance social issues while embracing corporate values and enhancing brand identity.

Your company’s giving can be aligned with your core business expertise, support employees and their children with college tuition, or unite your staff around a shared passion.

You’re the expert when it comes to your business. Philanthropy is our business. Let us handle your philanthropy so you can focus on what you do best. www.azfoundation.org/pakiscenter (602) 381-1400

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ARIZONA COMPANIES

LARGEST EMPLOYERS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Top 10 BANNER HEALTH 1441 N. 12th St., Phoenix, 85006 // 602-747-4000 // bannerhealth. com FOUNDED 1999 EMPLOYEES 38,527 AZ PRINCIPAL Peter S. Fine, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Rebecca Kuhn, executive vice president community delivery; Kathy Bollinger, executive vice president, academic delivery WALMART STORES INC. 4721 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 85008 // 479-273-4000 // walmart. com FOUNDED 1962 EMPLOYEES 32,000 AZ PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Paula Ginnett, vice president and regional general manager KROGER CO. (FRY’S FOOD STORES) 500 S. 99th Ave., Tolleson, 85353 // 623-936-2100 // frysfood. com FOUNDED 1960 EMPLOYEES 16,856 AZ PRINCIPAL Steve McKinney, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Monica Garnes, vice president of merchandising WELLS FARGO & CO. 100 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 85003 // 800-869-3557 // wellsfargo. com FOUNDED 1852 EMPLOYEES 14,613 AZ PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pamela Conboy, lead regional president

ONE JOB, MANY ROLES

MONICA GARNES VICE PRESIDENT OF MERCHANDISING

BY GEORGANN YARA

28

If variety is the spice of life, Monica Garnes has enjoyed a zestful and palate-pleasing career with one company. The vice president of merchandising for Fry’s Food Stores credits her employer with the opportunities to experience different jobs without leaving.

Garnes entered the management-training program at Fry’s parent company, The Kroger Co., 20 years ago. As she moved up the ranks, Garnes held the positions of store manager, human resources coordinator, buyer, public relations manager, district manager and produce merchandiser.

“The unique opportunity here is that you can do a wide variety of roles,” Garnes says. “All those experiences positioned me to be ready when opportunities came about.”

But the road wasn’t without occasional bumps. Early on, Garnes found herself working alongside colleagues with 20 years of experience. Her confidence pulled her through, as did “having the work ethic to prove to that person I was a valuable team member.”

In the male-dominated field of produce buying, Garnes interacted with suppliers who weren’t used to working with women buyers, and she broke down those barriers.

“It’s about proving that I deserved to be in that role,” she says. “There were times you really had to prove [women] deserve our seat at the table.”

The youngest of three children,

Garnes’ father retired from Mars, Inc., and her mother from Bath & Body Works. She always wanted be an accountant and pursued a business management degree at the University of Rhode Island.

After graduating, she returned home and joined Kroger, where she and her parents shopped as she was growing up.

Garnes’ current position brought her to Arizona in 2013, which marked the first time she had moved away from her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, since college. When the opportunity to relocate to Phoenix and take the promotion arose, Garnes felt conflicted. She had been living 10 minutes from her parents and was nervous about leaving them.

“What’s there to think about?” her mother asked. “This is the moment you’ve prepared for your whole life.”

Garnes attributes her work ethic and success to mom and dad, hard-working people whom she cannot remember calling in sick. Neither has a college degree yet emphasized the importance of higher education.

“It was important to them that we had opportunities better than what they had,” Garnes says. “I saw them sacrificing to send three kids to Catholic schools. My dad worked swing shifts his whole life and found time to come out and support us in our extracurricular activities. It’s made me want to be the best person I can be for them.”

ALBERTSON’S - SAFEWAY 20427 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, 85027 // 623-869-6100 // albertsons. com FOUNDED 1939 EMPLOYEES 14,490 AZ PRINCIPAL Shane Dorcheus, Southwest division president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Larson, vice president, marketing and merchandise MCDONALD’S CORP. 17550 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 400, Scottsdale, 85255 // 602-293-5300 // mcdonalds.com FOUNDED 1955 EMPLOYEES 13,853 AZ PRINCIPAL Bud Lord, director of operations HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Slayton, president of McDonald’s owner/ operator association of Phoenix and northern Arizona INTEL CORP. 5000 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 85226 // 480-552-2002 // intel.com FOUNDED 1968 EMPLOYEES 11,000 AZ PRINCIPAL Doug Davis, corporate vice president, general manager, Internet of Things Group HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Shelly Esque, vice president, global marketing and communications; director, corporate affairs group; chairman, Intel Foundation HONORHEALTH 8125 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-882-4000 // honorhealth.com FOUNDED 1964 EMPLOYEES 10,500 AZ PRINCIPAL Tom Sadvary, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Rhonda Forsyth, president CIRCLE K P.O. Box 52085, Phoenix, 85072 // 602-728-8000 // circlek.com FOUNDED 1951 EMPLOYEES 10,436 AZ PRINCIPAL NA HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee AMERICAN AIRLINES 4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, 85034 // 480-693-0800 // aa.com FOUNDED 1929 EMPLOYEES 10,100 AZ PRINCIPAL W. Douglas Parker, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Elise Eberwein, executive vice president, people and communication

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LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIALISTS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Bonnie Lucas

Law Enforcement Specialists Security firm has been keeping the Valley safe for more than 20 years

By Nick Kostenko

F

or the past two decades, Bonnie Lucas has been “putting the law on your side” at her Phoenix-based security firm, Law Enforcement Specialists.

Lucas became involved in the law enforcement industry in 1994 when she learned about the ongoing demand for obtaining off-duty officers. It was difficult for companies, as departments required specific forms of insurance and police departments did not have the staffing to coordinate the police officers.

Law Enforcement Specialists has a simple philosophy that states “when there is an element of threat, only full-time police officers are trained, equipped, and empowered to respond decisively.”

“Security is rarely respected by criminally-minded individuals,” Lucas says.

“The presence of an armed, uniformed law enforcement police officer with powers to enforce the law provides the only source for peace of mind.”

Thanks to this policy, the company has established itself as one of the nation’s top security firms. LES coordinates offduty work for police officers, ranging

from construction, traffic and special events, to personal or even celebrity security. LES pulls from a database of more than 4,500 off-duty officers to find the best fit for each situation. Off duty officers have more training and more power to enforce the law compared with traditional security guards.

“Many months of the extensive law, situational, psychological and firearm training are required before a police officer earns his badge,” Lucas says. “An off-duty law enforcement police officer is trained to take action and enforce the law immediately while being in constant contact with dispatch for immediate backup, if needed.”

With such a well-established presence in the Valley of the Sun, Law Enforcement Specialists has been able to contribute to the betterment of the community through its community service programs. They have provided support to a number of organizations, including Make-A-Wish, Lion’s Club and the Westside Women’s Shelter.

MORE INFORMATION Law Enforcement Specialists P.O. Box 11656 Glendale, AZ 85318-1656 623-825-6700 or 888-572-2442 offdutypoliceofficers.com

Putting the law on your side

AR-0008400752-01

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BUSINESS SERVICES

INSURANCE AGENCIES, RANKED BY 2014 GROSS REVENUE

Friends.

Family.

Community.

LEARNING EVERY DAY Mary Contreras, LUTCF 2145 E Warner Rd, Suite 101 Tempe, AZ 85284 480-775-7788 Phone 888-992-9682 Toll Free Mary@MaryContreras.com

Hablamos Español

CAROLYN SMITH MANAGING PARTNER

BY ALISON STANTON

Congratulations to the outstanding Who’s Who in business companies.

Thank you for your commitment to your employees and your contribution to our community.

BusinessServices_Master.indd 30

Carolyn Smith “fell into” a job in the insurance industry more than three decades ago.

“This actually happens to a lot of people who work in insurance,” she says, adding that she had originally intended to use her college degree to get a job in finance or accounting.

Before joining Willis, Smith worked in the accounting department for a large company in Dallas.

When a job opened up in the company’s risk management side that allowed her to learn about corporate insurance, Smith gave it a try.

“I took the opportunity and then just grew up in the department,” Smith says.

In 1988, Smith joined Willis and relocated to northern California where she continued to work in risk management.

Now a managing partner, Smith spends her days overseeing a staff of 125 people who are part of Willis of Arizona’s operations, as well as managing a $32 million revenue base and taking responsibility for the risk solutions accounts.

“We’re in the business of providing insurance and risk management services for clients of all sizes,” she says. “And we play a strategic role in sales and services.”

Smith especially enjoys the daily diversity her role brings.

“I work with clients from all in-

dustries,” she says. “I have had so much opportunity to learn about our clients and what they do and why they do it, I often feel like a kid who is going on a field trip.”

She has had the opportunity to get to know managers of every kind of business from organizations and resorts to hospitals and retail establishments, working hard to understand their risks and concerns.

“The economy and world events impact our clients in so many different ways, as do local events and even the weather,” she says. “Although the parameters of insurance are the same, the way they are applied to each company is so different.”

Smith, who describes herself as a “very passionate runner,” says she likes to be out the door by 5 a.m. most mornings to get in a workout before heading to the office.

“If I don’t get out early, it’s hard to get it done,” she says.

She also enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and granddaughters, who she calls the light of her life.

Looking back, Smith is glad she made the switch from accounting to insurance.

“I’ve had so many opportunities to learn and grow, and no two days are exactly the same,” she says. “I’m learning something new every day.”

5/26/15 7:17 PM

BUSINESS SERVICES

INSURANCE AGENCIES, RANKED BY 2014 GROSS REVENUE

Top 10 MARSH AND MCLENNAN COS. 2325 E. Camelback Road, Suite 600, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-337-6300 // marsh.com FOUNDED 1957 AZ EMPLOYEES 225 2014 GROSS REVENUE $2.2 billion PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cheryl Vogt, president SEGAL CONSULTING 1230 W. Washington St., Suite 501, Tempe, 85281 // 602-381-4000 // segalco.com FOUNDED 1963 AZ EMPLOYEES 38 2014 GROSS REVENUE $2.1 billion PRINCIPAL John J. Coyle, senior vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee POMEROY & ASSOCIATES 3134 N. Seventh St., Phoenix , 85014 // 602-265-8900 // pomeroygroup. com FOUNDED 1975 AZ EMPLOYEES 21 2014 GROSS REVENUE $437.3 million PRINCIPAL Thomas Pomeroy, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Dora Mercea, office manager LEAVITT GROUP 919 N. 1st. Street, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-264-0566 // leavitt.com FOUNDED 1952 AZ EMPLOYEES 148 2014 GROSS REVENUE $227.8 million PRINCIPAL Greg Gates, executive vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Charlene Powers, vice president

AAA ARIZONA 2375 E. Camelback Road, Suite 500, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-650-2700 // az.aaa.com/ insurance FOUNDED 1927 AZ EMPLOYEES 650 2014 GROSS REVENUE $130.1 million PRINCIPAL Mike Tully, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Mary Beth Reisinger, chief administrative officer THE MAHONEY GROUP 1835 S. Extension Road, Mesa , 85210 // 480-730-4920 // mahoneygroup.com FOUNDED 1915 AZ EMPLOYEES 168 2014 GROSS REVENUE $45.1 million PRINCIPAL Glen Nelson, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sandra Albrecht, chief operating officer WILLIS OF ARIZONA 16220 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 600, Scottsdale, 85254 // 602-787-6000 // willis. com FOUNDED 1962 AZ EMPLOYEES 133 2014 GROSS REVENUE $32.7 million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Carolyn Smith, managing partner LOVITT & TOUCHÉ INC. 1050 W. Washington St., Suite 233, Tempe, 85281 // 602-956-2250 // lovitt-touche.com FOUNDED 1911 AZ EMPLOYEES 200 2014 GROSS REVENUE $28.5 million PRINCIPAL Charles Touché, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN No designee

“I work with clients from all industries.

I have had so much opportunity to learn about our clients and what they do and why they do it, I often feel like a kid who is going on a field trip.”

CAROLYN SMITH WILLIS OF ARIZONA

THE ARIZONA GROUP 3325 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert, 85234 // 480-892-8755 // arizonagroup.com FOUNDED 1993 AZ EMPLOYEES NA 2014 GROSS REVENUE $5.8 million PRINCIPAL Bud Bonner, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Darlene Owen, director of employee benefits LEBARON & CARROLL 1350 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, 85204 // 480-834-9315 // lebaronandcarroll.com FOUNDED 1959 AZ EMPLOYEES NA 2014 GROSS REVENUE $5 million PRINCIPAL Daniel Skinner, managing member HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Joann Mannino, managing director of operations

Congratulations Who’s Who Honorees!

On behalf of Willis of Arizona, we share our heartfelt congratulations to all of the 2015 Republic Media Who’s Who in Business’ honorees.

We are humbled to be in such good company.

Willis of Arizona is a global risk management adviser and insurance brokerage firm. Willis is the oldest broker measured by calendar years, and the youngest in terms of innovation, use of technology and commitment to the future of our industry and our clients.

Willis of Arizona, 130 team members to serve you.

Every day.

Contact us at 602-787-6000. willis.com Carolyn Smith – Managing Partner 2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 31

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BUSINESS SERVICES

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Top 10 LANETERRALEVER 725 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85007 // 602-258-5263 // laneterralever. com FOUNDED 1962 AZ EMPLOYEES 120 PRINCIPAL Beau Lane, CEO; Chris Johnson, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Isabelle Jazo, senior vice president of brand strategy; Kim Johnson, controller MCMURRY/TMG 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, 85014 // 602-395-5850 // mcmurrytmg.com FOUNDED 1984 as McMurry, 2012 as McMURRY/ TMG AZ EMPLOYEES 95 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Beth Tomkiw, chief client officer; Kim Caviness, chief content officer RIESTER 802 N. Third Ave. , Phoenix, 85003 // 602-462-2200 // riester.com FOUNDED 1989 AZ EMPLOYEES 87 PRINCIPAL Tim Riester, partner and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Mirja Riester, partner and chief strategic officer ARROWHEAD ADVERTISING 16155 N. 83rd Ave., Suite 205, Peoria, 85282 // 623-979-3000 // arrowheadadv.com FOUNDED 2003 AZ EMPLOYEES 85 PRINCIPAL Kyle Eng, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Shepherd, chief financial officer LAVIDGE 2777 E. Camelback Road, Suite 300, Phoenix, 85016 // 480-998-2600 // lavidge.com FOUNDED 1982 AZ EMPLOYEES 79 PRINCIPAL William R. Lavidge, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Alicia Wadas, chief operating officer; Sandra Torre, chief financial officer

SACRIFICE + FUN = SUCCESS MICHELLE SHEPHERD CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

BY SHARI LOPATIN

32

When the Recession hit in 2008, Michelle Shepherd remembers that everyone at Arrowhead Advertising took a 10 percent pay cut.

Their CEO, Kyle Eng, didn’t get paid at all.

Because of that move, Shepherd — the company’s chief financial officer — says no one lost their job, and Arrowhead pulled through. That experience taught her a very important lesson.

“Being close to your employees is probably more important than anything,” she says.

Today, Arrowhead has 85 employees and Shepherd has been the company’s CFO for nine years. And she still sticks close to that philosophy.

“I might be the CFO, but I am an unusual CFO,” she says. “Nobody is beneath anybody … I take time to talk to people, make sure they’re happy.”

Shepherd first started in accounting at an auto dealership when she was 16 and living in Michigan. A high school class introduced her to the field.

“Oh my God, I love accounting,” Shepherd says. “I just loved the business side of seeing how it all worked.”

Ironically, it was her role at auto dealerships that brought Shepherd to Arrowhead. More than nine years

ago, Arrowhead served as the marketing agency for the dealership where Shepherd worked. She’d always admired the ads and wondered how they were made. That’s when she met Eng. “(Eng) needed a CFO and I needed a change,” she says.

And so Shepherd’s career with Arrowhead began. When she first started, Arrowhead had only 10 employees. She helped the company grow from the ground up, acting more as a partner than as an employee. Today, she views Arrowhead as her own.

“I think everybody should do that for where they work,” Shepherd says, adding it’s important for people to take pride in what they do.

She wants her team at Arrowhead to work hard and produce great quality products, but she also wants them to have fun. Arrowhead sports a pingpong table and a pool table, and Shepherd thinks of her colleagues like family. In fact, she says the people are her favorite aspect of the job.

“I love people,” Shepherd says, her voice brightening. “We want people to keep coming to work and have fun.”

MARTZ PARSONS 7077 E. Marilyn Blvd., Bldg. 5, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-998-3154 // martzparsons.com FOUNDED 2013 AZ EMPLOYEES 52 PRINCIPAL Bob Parsons, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Marianne Curran, CEO CRAMER-KRASSELT 1850 N. Central Ave., 18th Floor, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-417-0600 // c-k.com FOUNDED 1981 AZ EMPLOYEES 49 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kristin Bloomquist, executive vice president, general manager, Phoenix SITEWIRE 740 S. Mill Ave., Ste. 210, Tempe, 85281 // 480-731-4884 // sitewire.com FOUNDED 1999 AZ EMPLOYEES 48 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Margie Traylor, CEO OFF MADISON AVENUE 5555 E. Van Buren St., Suite 215, Phoenix, 85008 // 480-505-4500 // offmadisonave.com FOUNDED 1998 AZ EMPLOYEES 40 PRINCIPAL David Anderson, Mike Horne, Roger Hurnie, managing partners HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lorraine Murrietta, vice president and chief financial officer; Carol Kilmas, vice president, director, public relations, social media and content marketing ZION & ZION 432 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, 85281 // 480-751-1007 // zionandzion.com FOUNDED 2003 AZ EMPLOYEES 32 PRINCIPAL Aric Zion, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN DuGué Zion, chief operating officer

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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CONVENTION/MEETING SITES, RANKED BY SQUARE FEET

BUSINESS SERVICES

Top 10 PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER & VENUES 100 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-262-6225 // phoenixconventioncenter.com FOUNDED 1969 MEETING/EXHIBIT SPACE 870,690 PRINCIPAL John Chan, director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathy Wenger, deputy director of business services JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix, 85054 // 480-293-5000 // jwdesertridge.com FOUNDED 2002 MEETING/ EXHIBIT SPACE 240,000 PRINCIPAL Steve Hart, general manager and Marriott area vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Yoko Hodges, market revenue management leader THE WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-624-1000 // kierlandresort.com FOUNDED 2002 MEETING/ EXHIBIT SPACE 200,000 PRINCIPAL J. Bruce Lange, managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Liz Franzese, director of sales and marketing UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 85305 // 623-433-7100 // universityofphoenixstadium.com FOUNDED 2006 MEETING/EXHIBIT SPACE 200,000 PRINCIPAL Peter C. Sullivan, general manager HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Melissa Wasson, assistant general manager THE PHOENICIAN 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-941-8200 // thephoenician. com FOUNDED 1988 MEETING/EXHIBIT SPACE 160,000 PRINCIPAL Mark Vinciguerra, managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Katie Hirose, director of revenue management FAIRMONT PRINCESS SCOTTSDALE 7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-585-4848 // scottsdaleprincess.com FOUNDED 1987 MEETING/ EXHIBIT SPACE 150,000 PRINCIPAL Jack Miller, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pam Gilbert, director of sales and marketing ARIZONA GRAND RESORT & SPA 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, 85044 // 602-438-9000 // arizonagrandresort.com FOUNDED 2006 MEETING/ EXHIBIT SPACE 117,000 PRINCIPAL Paul Gray, managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kerry Faltenberg, director of catering and conference service US AIRWAYS CENTER 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-379-2000 // usairwayscenter.com FOUNDED 1992 MEETING/EXHIBIT SPACE 101,800 PRINCIPAL Ralph Marchetta, general manager, sports & entertainment services HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tanya Wheeless, senior vice president, communications & public affairs; DeeAnn Palin, senior vice president, operations and strategy ARIZONA BILTMORE, A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, 85016 // 602-955-6600 // arizonabiltmore.com FOUNDED 1929 MEETING/EXHIBIT SPACE 100,000 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sheila Foley, general manager SCOTTSDALE RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER 7700 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-991-9000 // thescottsdaleresort.com FOUNDED 1976 MEETING/EXHIBIT SPACE 80,000 PRINCIPAL Ken McKenzie, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Willow Jodar, director of human resources

IN LOVE WITH THE LIFE Sheila Foley has spent her career working in hotels — and has a lot of interesting tales to tell.

“In my previous hotel in Houston, during the Final Four (basketball championship), there was a big benefactor for a university who was staying with us,” Foley says.

“His team won. Liquor laws being what they are, everything shuts down at 2 a.m. and no more liquor is served unless it’s a private party or function. That gentleman pulled $40,000 from his pocket and said, ‘I want to buy every single bottle of liquor, beer or wine that you have on this property and put it in that room over there.’”

Foley, now general manager at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, hasn’t had too many instances of people pulling huge wads of cash from their pockets, but she rarely has a day she would call routine or boring.

“I start every morning with a bit of a walk through,” she says. “Then at 8:30 all of our department heads meet and we lay out what’s going to happen for the day. We review financials from the day before, arrivals, departures — all the basics of running a resort. After that’s over, everyone goes back to their re-

spective departments. Then, it’s full throttle for the rest of the day.”

Foley fell in love with the hotel business right out of college.

“I worked with hotels planning different meetings while I was still in school,” she says. “I had planned on going back and doing law school, but once I got into (hotels), I never thought about law school again. I just love everything about it. There’s something new going on every day.

There are no two days alike, there are no two moments alike in a resort.”

Foley, who joined the Biltmore in July 2014, is particularly impressed by the resort’s history, dating back to the late 1920s.

“It’s an iconic resort,” she says.

“There’s almost nowhere I go in the city that, if someone knows I work for the Biltmore, they don’t have a story or a family memory or some big event that occurred here. When you walk on the property, you can feel all that good juju, all those good memories.”

The resort recently completed a $25 million renovation, but kept an eye on its history.

“It feels sort of Hollywood glamour,” Foley says. “You just expect Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe to step out from behind the next turn.”

SHEILA FOLEY GENERAL MANAGER

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 33

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BUSINESS SERVICES

EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRMS, RANKED BY PLACEMENTS

Top 10 GOVIG & ASSCIATES, INC. 4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 2800, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-9415627 // govig.com FOUNDED 1978 RECRUITERS 35 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 517 PRINCIPAL Todd Govig, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Jan Govig, president DHR INTERNATIONAL, INC. 11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 3076, Phoenix, 85028 // 602-9927810 // dhrinternational.com FOUNDED 1994 RECRUITERS 3 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 262 PRINCIPAL David Bruno, vice chairman, managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Paula Bruno, senior researcher STEWART, COOPER & COON, INC. 4809 E. Thistle Landing Drive, Suite 100, Phoenix, 85044 // 602-385-3000 // stewartcoopercoon.com FOUNDED 1997 RECRUITERS 6 EXECUTIVELEVEL PLACEMENTS 184 PRINCIPAL Fred E. Coon, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Settle, senior vice president of client services and administration; Kristine Barney, senior vice president, executive evaluation

EXECUTIVE MATCHMAKER

COLLEEN NEESE VICE PRESIDENT, PARTNER

BY JOYCE HADLEY COPELAND

34

While Colleen Neese’s efforts may not lead to “true love” in the romantic sense, her ability to match the right executive to a strategic post in a leading company is a game-changer both for corporate clients and elite recruits.

Currently vice president and partner at TowerHunter, Inc., a firm specializing in the health care and financial sectors, Neese entered the field as a research associate just a year after graduating from Arizona State University.

“Most search consultants join our industry much later in their careers,” Neese says. “I grew up in the search industry, so I have a strong background in researching companies and recruiting senior executives.”

Under the tutelage of Terry Hindmarch, Neese rose through the ranks — from recruiter to research manager to management consultant to vice president and partner of the firm Hindmarch co-founded with Scott Smith. Smith also played important role, mentoring Neese in the financial services industry.

Each executive search is a painstaking process, beginning with a thorough survey of the hiring company, which includes building an organization chart to identify who does what within the firm. Promising candidates are culled from industry directories, LinkedIn profiles and networking leads.

When a candidate is needed for a

leadership role in an emerging field, “We really have to dig in and learn,” Neese says.

A company’s location can also present a challenge. “For a firm based in Jackson, Miss., you don’t call New York City,” Neese says. “Sometimes, you look at the colleges candidates graduated from. Perhaps they have a desire to return.”

When Neese had the opportunity to recruit a chief information officer for the Phoenix Suns, she successfully convinced the executive to move from San Diego to Phoenix during the summer.

“I’d never worked in the sports or entertainment industries,” Neese says.

To fill the position, she spoke with almost every CIO in the sports industry. Her husband, an avid sports fan, helped her stay abreast of which team was playing when, so she could time her contacts around key games.

“My job is to fill positions that are part of the business, so knowing sports isn’t a prerequisite to placing those executives.” Neese says. “But the last thing I wanted to do was reach out to a senior executive when they were in the middle of a playoff game.”

When she’s not working, Neese focuses on family — her husband of 11 years and two sons, ages 6 and 7.

“During the summer we spend a lot of time at the pool,” she says. “Other times, you can find us at the park or out on bike rides together. We’ve even begun hiking as a family.”

T3 SEARCH, INC. 1840 E. Morten Ave., Suite 238, Phoenix, 85020 // 602-508-8629 // t3search.com FOUNDED 1997 RECRUITERS 1 EXECUTIVELEVEL PLACEMENTS 65 PRINCIPAL Todd J. Phillips, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee DUFFY GROUP 4727 E Union Hills Drive, Suite 200, Phoenix, 85050 // 602-861-5840 // duffygroup.com FOUNDED 1991 RECRUITERS 12 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 56 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathleen Duffy Ybarra, president CIZEK ASSOCIATES, INC. 2415 E. Camelback Road, Suite 700, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-5531066 // cizekassociates.com FOUNDED 1992 RECRUITERS 2 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 37 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Marti Cizek, president TOWERHUNTER, INC. 4550 E. Bell Road, Building 4, Suite 142, Phoenix, 85032 // 602-652-8600 // towerhunter.com FOUNDED 2002 RECRUITERS 6 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 22 PRINCIPAL Terry Hindmarch, Scott Smith, managing partners HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Colleen Neese, vice president, partner JOB BROKERS, INC. 1440 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, 85282 // 480-374-7100 // jobbrokersinc. com FOUNDED 2002 RECRUITERS 12 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 17 PRINCIPAL Max Hansen, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Chrissi Atchley, strategic account manager INTERNATIONAL SEARCH CONSULTANTS 7650 S. McClintock Drive, Suite 103-158, Tempe, 85284 // 888-866-7276 // iscjobs.com FOUNDED 1999 RECRUITERS 5 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 17 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Ann E. Zaslow-Rethaber, president VANDERZEE & ASSOCIATES, INC. 8149 N. 87th Place, Suite 210, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-563-8150 // vanderzee.net FOUNDED 2002 RECRUITERS 3 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PLACEMENTS 17 PRINCIPAL Siebe Vanderzee, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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YOUR MONEY

IT’S TIME TO CLEAR OUT FINANCIAL CLUTTER Brokerage-account records, paystubs, bank-account statements, credit reports and other documents can multiply like mushrooms in drawers and file cabinets if not occasionally trimmed back. Computerization and online records have helped in some ways, but they make things more complex and riskier in other respects.

Take time to clear out your financial clutter; you’ll be glad you did.

One of the first questions people ask is: How long should income-tax returns and supporting documents be retained from prior years? The basic answer is to keep returns and all receipts and statements for at least the past three years. But things get muddled because the Internal Revenue Service can go back six years if the agency thinks you substantially under-reported income and indefinitely if it suspects fraud. Meanwhile, you don’t want to discard important records pertaining to stocks, real estate or other assets that you continue to hold.

“We tell people to keep records indefinitely on assets that you still own,” said David Baldwin, a certified public accountant in Phoenix. “When you sell, keep the records for another three years.”

You can retrieve missing tax and financial records easily and often for free by going online. For past bank, credit-card and brokerage statements, check the website of the company that holds the account.

You don’t need to keep hard copies of all receipts and statements. The annual summary for your brokerage, credit-card or bank accounts likely will show transactions throughout the year. Once you have the yearly statement, you can toss — or, rather, shred — all those monthly or quarterly updates.

The Internal Revenue Service retains a lot of tax-related material, which can be accessed through irs.gov, using the “get transcript online” service. You can retrieve various types of information.

For example, you can obtain “tax-return transcripts” or summaries for recent years showing most line items of your return with accompanying forms and schedules, as originally filed. “Tax-account transcripts” show other information, including adjustments made after a return was filed.

“Wage and income transcripts” are records of your W-2s, 1099s and 1098s.

For photocopies of actual past-year

BY RUSS WILES THINKSTOCK

returns, complete Form 4506 and mail it to the IRS. If you hired a professional return preparer, they also might have prior-year copies.

Banks and credit-card firms let you pay bills online and sign up for alerts that track transactions, signal low-account balances and more. These electronic tools can eliminate a lot of paper and allow you to run your affairs more efficiently. But online accounts also require you to keep track of a lot of user names and passwords, and you still need hard copies of certain financial documents.

Adam Levin, New York-based chairman of both credit.com and Identity Theft 911, said it’s wise to transfer financial records you want to keep longterm to a flash drive, for storage in a secure location like a home safe. He doesn’t recommend keeping sensitive files on personal computers because “your computer invariably will be hacked at some point.”

Storing sensitive documents on smartphones is even worse, he said, because these devices are frequently lost or stolen.

When dealing with financial websites in general, it’s important to get into smart password habits. “Passwords really do need to be long, strong, not easily decipherable and not shared among sites,” Levin said.

Americans now can receive a free credit report once a year through annualcreditreport.com. In reality, this means you can get three reports — one each from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, the three main credit-reporting agencies.

Credit reports can be viewed entirely online. If you prefer to print one to read at leisure, the documents should be shredded when you’re finished checking them over, Levin said. Credit reports are full of Social Security numbers, loan details and other sensitive information.

Speaking of user names and passwords, secrecy is important but so is access. You might consider compiling backup lists of account details that a spouse or relatives or friends can access in a pinch.

Otherwise, if you died suddenly or lost the ability to manage your affairs, your online accounts could become inaccessible. One suggestion: Give a list of your user names to one trusted relative or friend and a separate list of passwords to someone else, with instructions to compare notes if the need arises.

Just be aware that the user agreements for various websites might prohibit someone else from accessing your files, even with your permission, so it pays to read the fine print first.

TAKING A FINANCIAL INVENTORY ›› It's smart to make a list of financial records every now and then, including digital information such as user names, passwords, contact information and recent statements. ›› This makes sense not just from an organizational standpoint but in terms of measuring your net worth and financial picture over time. ›› Plan ahead for what types of accounts or other contact information you might need to grab in a pinch, including information for doctors, insurance contacts and veterinarians. It can take time to distill your life to a list of essentials, but that's part of the exercise.

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 35

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BUSINESS SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, RANKED BY 2014 PLACEMENTS

Top 10 ALLSTAFF SERVICES 5080 N. 40th St., Suite 103, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-277-3381 // allstaffaz. com AZ RECRUITERS 11 AZ EMPLOYEES 19 JOB PLACEMENTS 4,600 PRINCIPAL Paul Smith, owner and president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cheryle Harrell, vice president AEROTEK 2625 S. Plaza Drive, Suite 301, Tempe, 85282 // 602-567-1980 // aerotek. com AZ RECRUITERS 40 AZ EMPLOYEES 70 JOB PLACEMENTS 4,584 PRINCIPAL Luke Zauhar, director of branch operations HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Tammy Doughty, customer support supervisor TRUPATH 1440 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, 85282 // 480-374-7100 // trupathsearch.com AZ RECRUITERS 8 AZ EMPLOYEES 18 JOB PLACEMENTS 1,800 PRINCIPAL Max Hansen, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Chrissi Atchley, strategic account manager

REINVENTING COMPANIES

LAURA PIEL GROUP PRESIDENT

BY GEORGANN YARA

36

Many business owners might relish a predictable grasp on their field, leaving the unsteady learning years a distant memory.

But the usual journey isn’t what drives Renaissance Personnel Group President Laura Piel.

And when it comes to the running the full-service staffing agency, that’s a benefit.

“Every two or three years, the market needs shift dramatically,” says Piel, who launched Renaissance in 1994. “There are always new industries and you are constantly learning about them. There’s always a bit of a learning curve, which is what I like about it.”

Piel worked for a staffing firm for 10 years before starting her own company. She enjoyed that job but had ideas about how to craft a business model that would better serve clients on both sides of the job search. One was to offer temporary and contract staffing along with direct hire placements, an uncommon strategy at the time.

“I was motivated,” she says. “I wanted to design the way a firm worked a little differently.”

Piel broke out on her own, designing services tailored to meet clients’ needs instead of following a cookie-cutter mold.

“I’ve learned the most from clients and (job) candidates,” she says.

“The people we serve teach me about business and professional

standards every day.”

Born in Ontario, Canada, Piel was in high school when her minister father and social worker mother moved with their three children to upstate New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree in urban studies from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., and went on to graduate from Grand Canyon University with an MBA in leadership in 2010.

In 1980, Piel worked on marketing the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

She came to Arizona when a former boss on that project hired her as a banquet manager at a Scottsdale hotel. After having her first child, Piel wanted a career better suited for parenthood. She was recruited by the staffing firm and loved it from day one. The rest is history.

Piel met David, her husband of 34 years, while in high school.

They have two children, the older of which works for Renaissance. So does David, who runs the operations side of the company. Fergus, their Corgi, is the official greeter.

Part of Renaissance’s longevity and success comes from not compromising its standards when it comes to matching good employees with employers.

“In most situations, they come to us when it’s really important,” she says. “We really help people change their lives, and companies change their companies, by giving them the best resources possible.”

ACCLIVITY HEALTHCARE 8800 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale, 85250 // 480-5511311 // acclivityhealthcare.com AZ RECRUITERS 12 AZ EMPLOYEES 25 JOB PLACEMENTS 1,125 PRINCIPAL Ted French, founder and president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cheri French, chief financial officer GOVIG & ASSOCIATES INC. 4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 2800, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480941-5627 // govig.com AZ RECRUITERS 35 AZ EMPLOYEES 68 JOB PLACEMENTS 517 PRINCIPAL Todd Govig, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Jan Govig, president AZ TECH FINDERS, INC 6930 E. Chauncey Lane, Suite 250, Phoenix, 85054 // 480-3429900 // aztechfinders.com AZ RECRUITERS 13 AZ EMPLOYEES 14 JOB PLACEMENTS 225 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sharon Bondurant, founder and CEO DESERT DENTAL STAFFING 4423 N. 24th St., Suite 560, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-840-4703 // desertdentalstaffing.com AZ RECRUITERS 3 AZ EMPLOYEES 4 JOB PLACEMENTS 203 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Gina Saunders, president SOUTHWEST SEARCH, INC. 4500 S. Lakeshore Drive, Suite 332, Tempe, 85282 // 480-838-0333 // azjobs.com AZ RECRUITERS AZ EMPLOYEES 7 JOB PLACEMENTS 145 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Marilyn McDannel, president RENAISSANCE PERSONNEL GROUP, INC. 8390 E. Via de Ventura, Suite F-200, Scottsdale, 85258 // 602-263-5100 // renaissancepersonnel. com AZ RECRUITERS 7 AZ EMPLOYEES 9 JOB PLACEMENTS 121 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Laura Piel, group president RECRUITING CONNECTION 2048 N. 44th St., Suite 220, Phoenix, 85008 // 602-954-8886 // recruiting-connection.com AZ RECRUITERS 2 AZ EMPLOYEES 2 JOB PLACEMENTS 63 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Elizabeth Brizel, president

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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YOUR WEEKEND

SCENIC DRIVE: DRY CREEK ROAD The backcountry west of Sedona is a land of contrasts, a place where salmonand cream-colored cliffs reach into azure skies and remnants of ancient Indian villages stand near luxurious modern resorts. A relatively short, partly paved loop just off State Route 89A provides access to the area.

THINGS TO NOTE: Coffee Pot Restaurant: Start your drive with a hearty omelet (choose from 101 kinds) at this venerable eatery. If you're wondering how the restaurant got its name, just look out back. The imposing rock formation to the north really does look like an old-fashioned percolator.

Details: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. 2050 W. State Route 89A. 928-282-6626, www.coffeepotsedona.com.

Devil's Bridge: Despite its ominous name, Devil's Bridge is a lovely place. The short hike to the rugged sandstone arch is fairly easy, gaining 400 feet of elevation in a little less than a mile.

Bear right at a trail junction about three-quarters of a mile from the trailhead to reach the top of the bridge, or go left for a look from underneath.

Forest Road 152 (aka Vultee Arch Road) leads northeast off Dry Creek Road about 1.3 miles to the trailhead. This stretch of road is bumpy and uncomfortable for low-slung cars.

Details: 928-203-2900, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.

Enchantment Resort: Enchantment was a splurge before its recent $45 million makeover,

and now it's a must-see splurge. The sprawling resort, tucked away in Boynton Canyon, is a destination on its own. There are pools, the award-winning Mii amo spa and hiking trails galore. Don't miss the patio at View 180 for afternoon cocktails and appetizers.

Details: 525 Boynton Canyon Road. 928-2822900, www.enchantmentresort.com.

Don't miss: Step back in time at the Sinaguan villages. You can drive directly to Honanki, but you have to call ahead to visit Palatki. A Red Rock Pass ($5 per day) is required at both sites.

You can buy one at Palatki, but not at Honanki.

Details: Honanki, 928-203-2900; Palatki, 928282-3854; www.fs.usda.gov/coconino for both.

TOTAL MILES: About 270 miles round trip.

From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north to Exit 298, then follow State Route 179 into Sedona.

From the junction of SR 179 and SR 89A, go west on 89A about 2 miles to the Coffee Pot Restaurant. Continue 1 more mile west, then turn north on Dry Creek Road. Look for Forest Road 152 (the turnoff to Devil's Bridge Trail) about 2 miles north of 89A. Continue north

DUFFY GROUP, INC.

on Dry Creek Road about a mile to Boynton Canyon Road. Turn left and go about a mile and a half to Boynton Pass Road. The Enchantment Resort is to the right; the drive continues left about 4 miles to FR 525. After visiting Palatki and Honanki ruins (to the right, about 2 miles and 4.5 miles, respectively), take FR 525 south about 6 miles back to 89A.

JOANNE SIGRIST

Devil's Bridge is Sedona's largest sandstone arch.

THE REPUBLIC | AZ CENTRAL.COM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Duffy Group, Inc. offers innovative and effective business model

By Alison Stanton

T

wenty-four years ago, Kathleen Duffy left her job at an executive search firm and started Duffy Group, Inc. Since then, the business has grown from running out of a spare room in Duffy’s home to an international company that has a team of recruiters who work remotely across the country.

One of the keys to Duffy Group’s success is a unique and innovative business model that provides a welcome alternative to the traditional fee-based model often used by executive search firms.

“In the ‘new economy’ we are finding companies looking for a recruiting resource that is scalable and cost effective. Our model does both,” Duffy said, adding that her company’s approach results in significant savings over executive search firms.

Duffy Group’s business model also provides CEOs and company leaders with exclusive access to market data on their industry. “Hiring leaders may not be aware of the competitive landscape; for example, what candidates are earning, the company’s perception in the marketplace, and the availability of local talent,” Duffy said.

“Our model can be used to generate pools of talent too. When the time comes to fill important positions, clients can do so quickly and more cost effectively.”

Kathleen Duffy Ybarra

MORE INFORMATION Duffy Group, Inc. 4727 E. Union Hills Drive, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85050 602-861-5840 duffygroup.com

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 37

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LEGAL & FINANCE

MID-SIZE ACCOUNTING, RANKED BY NUMBER OF CPAS

Top 10 REDW LLC 5353 N. 16th St., Suite 200, Phoenix, 85016, // 602-730-3600 // redw.com FOUNDED 2011 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 26 AZ EMPLOYEES 58 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Sandy Abalos, principal in charge of Phoenix office; Corrine Wilson, principal WALLACE, PLESE + DREHER LLP 3933 S. McClintock Drive, Suite 500, Tempe, 85282 // 480345-0500 // wpd-cpa.com FOUNDED 1996 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 26 AZ EMPLOYEES 35 PRINCIPAL Scott T. Wallace, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Flynn, senior tax manager MOSS ADAMS LLP 8800 E. Raintree Drive, Suite 210, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-444-3424 // mossadams.com FOUNDED 2002 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 25 AZ EMPLOYEES 42 PRINCIPAL Mark Weber, partner in charge HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lupita Martinez, senior manager

LIFE, WORK ... AND DOGS

MICHELLE FLYNN SENIOR TAX MANAGER

BY GEORGANN YARA

38

Michelle Flynn earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting, she has 15 years experience in the accounting field and is licensed in California as well as Arizona.

But the senior tax manager at accounting firm Wallace Plese + Dreher picked up a valuable lesson from her two collies and an unconventional hobby: dog obedience competitions.

“When you’re training dogs, you realize they pick up on your subtle body language and mannerisms,” Flynn says. “Sometimes, you can relate that back to people. They learn from consistency, and I’ve learned it’s important to be consistent with our kids and people you work with.”

The Pullman, Wash., native also learned at a young age the importance of higher education. She grew up in the small-town home of Washington State University, Flynn’s alma mater. Flynn’s father, now a professor at North Dakota State University, went back to school for his doctorate when she was 5.

“My childhood consisted mostly of him being in school,” she says.

“I saw the payoff, what education could provide his family, how valuable education is.”

While many high school seniors embrace freedom and unpredictability, Flynn valued stability, which had a big influence on her choice of major and career.

“I wasn’t going to be one of those people who changed their major

five times,” says Flynn, laughing. “I was looking for something stable, where I could provide for myself and my family.”

Flynn was working for a large regional firm in California when her husband, Roger Flynn, finished graduate school and took a position with Intel. They moved to Arizona in 2008, and Flynn joined Wallace Plese + Dreher.

She credits mentors with helping her succeed professionally and personally, ranging from how to manage client loads and navigate the demands of the job to motherhood and raising a family.

Surrounded by supportive male colleagues, Flynn never found being a woman a hindrance in the male-dominated field and has seen a lot of improvement in the industry, with more women becoming partners.

Married for 12 years, Flynn and her husband have three children, ages 8, 5 and 2. She recalls a mentor in California who showed her that she didn’t have to choose between a successful career and a terrific family life. Having both was possible.

“Seeing her, I knew I could do that — be career committed and balance family life at the same time,” says Flynn, who aims to be the same kind of professional mentor to other young women. “We have staff trying to balance home and career, and we are very supportive of that as a firm. We let them know they can have it all.”

TULL, FORSBERG & OLSON PLLC 5225 N. Central Ave., Suite 220, Phoenix, 85012, // 602-277-5447 // tfocpa.com FOUNDED 1950 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 25 AZ EMPLOYEES 38 PRINCIPAL John Tull, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jill Robinson, senior CPA BDO USA LLP 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 360, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-956-3400 // bdo.com FOUNDED 2005 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 24 AZ EMPLOYEES 52 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Susan Wolak, managing partner SCHMIDT WESTERGARD & COMPANY, PLLC 77 W. University Drive, Mesa, 85201 // 480-8346030 // sw-cpa.com FOUNDED 1968 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 22 AZ EMPLOYEES 40 PRINCIPAL James A. Schmidt, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kelly M. White, senior manager LOHMAN COMPANY, PLLC 1630 S. Stapley Drive, Suite 108, Mesa, 85204 // 480-355-1100 // lohmancompany.com FOUNDED 2000 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 14 AZ EMPLOYEES 23 PRINCIPAL Jay A. Lohman, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Cati Piorkowski, partner HUNTER HAGAN & CO. LTD. 4110 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 200, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-9460751 // hunterhagan.com FOUNDED 1985 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 12 AZ EMPLOYEES 20 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Darlene D. Hagan, shareholder SARVAS, COLEMAN, EDGELL & TOBIN P.C. 5050 N. 40th St., Suite 310, Phoenix, 85018, // 602241-1200 // scetcpa.com FOUNDED 1986 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 10 AZ EMPLOYEES 18 PRINCIPAL Terry B. Sarvas, shareholder HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Debi A. Tobin, shareholder FESTER & CHAPMAN PC 4001 N. 3rd St., Suite 275, Phoenix, 85012 // 602-364-3077 // info@ cpc.com FOUNDED 1964 NO. OF LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 10 AZ EMPLOYEES 17 PRINCIPAL Kevin Camberg, audit and accounting team director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Olivia Brasher and Rachel Locke, partners

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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YOUR VACATION

10 ESSENTIALS FOR A HIKE AT THE CANYON Each year, roughly 4.8 million people visit Grand Canyon, marveling at a landscape that has made the national park a global attraction.

Many arrive thinking that a stroll along the rim will satisfy their needs, only to be seduced into venturing down the Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail.

The problem is that not all of them are prepared for the rigor of Grand Canyon hiking.

Here is what every hiker should carry, even if the plan is just for an hour on the trail.

SNACKS Bring high-calorie foods — anything from granola bars to pretzels to peanut-butter sandwiches. Bring twice as much as you think you'll eat. You'll burn through calories the way politicians burn though campaign promises.

WATER Plan to drink about a liter of water for every hour you're on the trail. Drink often but wisely. It's as unhealthy to drink too much water as to drink too little.

FIRST-AID KIT Carry adhesive bandages, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads and similar items to treat blisters and minor wounds.

SPRAY BOTTLE Misting isn't just for restaurant patios. A few spritzes of water can quickly cool you, if not put a damper on the scent of excess sweat.

SLIGHTLY DAMP BACKUP SHIRT On a hot day, wrap the shirt around a bottle of frozen water and slip it into a plastic bag. Hours later, when you've hit that "It's so hot, I can't go on" level, remove the now-damp shirt and slip it on.

Twirl a few times to show it off to envious hikers.

SUNSCREEN Many people forget this important item because, you know, it's not like the sun shines all day. Wait a minute ...

HAT Unless you're hiking before sunrise, this should be on your head, not in your pack.

WALKING STICK This will help you feel more stable and ease stress.

Indian Garden?" if Siri is your daughter and a capable reader of maps.

HEADLAMP You may intend to be back in time for happy hour at El Tovar, but you never know.

A sprained ankle, dehydration or overestimating your ability can cause you to be out after sundown. With this light source to lead your party out of darkness, you will be hailed as a hero on someone's Facebook page.

MICHAEL SCHENNUM

Hikers make their way down the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park.

BY SCOTT CRAVEN

MAP That means an old-fashioned paper map, which does not require batteries or cellphone coverage. You should only say, "Siri, how far to

WALLACE PLESE + DREHER

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Wallace Plese + Dreher (WP+D) Certified Public Accounting, Estate and Trust Services

By Alison Stanton

W

allace Plese + Dreher (WP+D) provides a wide variety of estate and trust services, including annual gifting strategies, estate and gift tax planning, family foundations, family limited partnerships, guardianship and conservatorship, judicial court accountings, personal net worth statements, trust accountings, trust formations, legacy planning, charitable gifting, and tax savings strategies.

WP+D’S KEY TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE: William G. “Jerry” Miles, CPA, CFP, Estate and Trust Practice Leader Anthony J. Plese, CPA, Founder and Partner Michelle L. Flynn, CPA, Senior Tax Manager Lora L. Van Sickle, CPA, Tax Manager Jane W. James, CPA, Senior Tax Staff Accountant

From Left to Right: Jane W. James, Lora L. Van Sickle, William G. Miles, Anthony J. Plese and Michelle L. Flynn

MORE INFORMATION Wallace, Plese + Dreher Chandler Corporate Center 500 N. Juniper Drive, Suite 275 Chandler, AZ 85226 480-345-0500 wpd-cpa.com

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 39

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LEGAL & FINANCE

LARGE ACCOUNTING FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF CPAS

Top 10 DELOITTE 2901 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85012

// 602-234-5100 // deloitte.com FOUNDED 1961 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 109 AZ EMPLOYEES 313 PRINCIPAL Jonas McCormick, managing principal HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sheryl Hildebrand, enterprise risk services practice and marketplace practice leader EY 2 N. Central Ave., Suite 2300, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-322-3000 // ey.com FOUNDED 1958 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 103 AZ EMPLOYEES 246 PRINCIPAL Ronald Butler, Arizona managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Debbi Fitzgerald, partner CLIFTON LARSON ALLEN LLP 20 E. Thomas Road, Suite 2300 , Phoenix, 85012 // 602-266-2248 // claconnect.com FOUNDED 1982 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 2 NO. OF CPAS 68 AZ EMPLOYEES 165 PRINCIPAL Richard H. Goldenson, managing principal HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Anita F. Baker, managing principal of employee benefit plans

BLAZED PATH TO PARTNER

DEBBI FITZGERALD PARTNER

BY GEORGANN YARA

40

When Ernst & Whinney hired Debbi Fitzgerald, she had just graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Seven years would pass before she interacted with a partner who was a woman.

After 26 years with the firm that now goes by EY, Fitzgerald has earned the title and responsibilities that, in the accounting industry, female employees rarely held.

But the partner of advisory services was never discouraged by lack of women at the highest levels. As she rose within the company, Fitzgerald kept her eye on the ranks directly above hers.

“There were always a fair amount of females above me,” says Fitzgerald, who entered EY as a staff auditor. “By the time I made senior manager [the level below partner] I did see more female partners.”

The opportunities to move up in the public accounting sector appealed to Fitzgerald, as did the diverse challenges and experiences.

She pursued the partner path from day one, closely observing what her supervisors did and learning from them.

“There were a lot of technical skills involved but a lot of it was people skills and relationships,” Fitzgerald says.

A 28-year accounting veteran, Fitzgerald has spent all but two of those with EY. She admits her longevity with a single firm places her in

another distinctive category.

“The general opinion in the business world is that you need to have seven or eight different jobs to advance,” she says. “There are benefits to being with a company for a long time. I’ve given a lot to the firm and the firm has given me a lot. I’ve been here for a long time and I’m proud of that.”

Born in Baltimore, Fitzgerald moved often because of her father’s job in broadcasting. She is one of four girls born to her father and mother, a teacher and librarian. Fitzgerald is also a twin, which sparked her individuality.

“People would say, ‘Oh you’re a twin,’ and we’d get that attention,” says Fitzgerald, who remains close to her twin sister, Michele Hric, also in finance. “I think we wanted our own identity.”

Fitzgerald and her husband of 25 years, Mark Fitzgerald, have two sons in college and a daughter who just completed her senior year in high school.

Years ago, Hric’s daughter was diagnosed with leukemia while in middle school. She recovered, but seeing what the family endured proved pivotal in Fitzgerald’s life.

“That made me recognize how important family, friends and doing things you want to do are,” she says.

“That opened my eyes to appreciate so many things. That there’s a lot more to life.”

HENRY & HORNE, LLP 2055 E. Warner Road, Suite 101, Tempe, 85284 // 480-839-4900 // hhcpa.com FOUNDED 1957 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 3 NO. OF CPAS 68 AZ EMPLOYEES 130 PRINCIPAL Chuck Goodmiller, Chuck Inderieden, co-managing partners HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Christine Brueser, partner, director of audit and accounting KPMG LLP 60 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 85281 // 480-459-3500 // kpmg.com FOUNDED 1967 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 2 NO. OF CPAS 60 AZ EMPLOYEES 200 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lisa Daniels, office managing partner MCGLADREY LLP 501 N. 44th St., Phoenix, 85008

// 602-636-6000 // mcgladrey.com FOUNDED

1926 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 57 AZ EMPLOYEES 138 PRINCIPAL Bryan Zall, office managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Carrie Pavano, assurance leader PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS 1850 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-364-8000 // pwc.com PRINCIPAL Richard Kalenka, Phoenix managing partner FOUNDED 1952 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 55 AZ EMPLOYEES 185 HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Monique Connor, partner EIDE BAILLY LLP 1850 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-264-5844 // eidebailly.com FOUNDED 1917 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 45 AZ EMPLOYEES 72 PRINCIPAL Andy Spillum, partner in charge HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN LeAnn Rudolph, audit partner and department head CBIZ MHM LLC 3101 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85012

// 602-264-6835 // cbiz.com FOUNDED 1977 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 36 AZ EMPLOYEES 87 PRINCIPAL Carlos E. Wagner, executive managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Zandra L. O’Keefe, managing director tax division GRANT THORNTON 2398 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-474-3400 // grantthornton. com FOUNDED 2004 NO. OF AZ LOCATIONS 1 NO. OF CPAS 29 AZ EMPLOYEES 63 PRINCIPAL Ralph Nefdt, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Stella M. Shanovich, audit partner; Donna Witherwax, tax partner

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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CREDIT UNIONS, RANKED BY ASSETS

LEGAL & FINANCE

Top 10 DESERT SCHOOLS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 148 N. 48th St., Phoenix, 85034 // 602-433-7000 // desertschools.org ASSETS $3.8 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 1175 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Susan C. Frank, president and CEO ARIZONA STATE CREDIT UNION 2355 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, 85027 // 602452-4800 // azstcu.org ASSETS $1.7 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 428 PRINCIPAL David E. Doss, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Deborah Pearson, senior vice president, strategy and brand ARIZONA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 333 N. 44th St., Phoenix, 85008 // 602-683-1000 // arizonafederal.org ASSETS $1.3 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 455 PRINCIPAL Ronald L. Westad, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Amy Hysell, senior vice president and chief information officer VANTAGE WEST CREDIT UNION 2480 N. Arcadia Ave., Tucson, 85712 // 520-298-7882 // vwestcu. org ASSETS $1.4 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 454 PRINCIPAL Robert D. Ramirez, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Brenda Gordon, vice president, legal counsel TRUWEST CREDIT UNION 1667 N. Priest Drive, Tempe, 85281 // 480-441-5900 // truwest. org ASSETS $853 million AZ EMPLOYEES 210 PRINCIPAL Daniel F. Desmond, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Karen Bejarano, vice president of Arizona branch operations HUGHES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION P.O. Box 11900 , Tucson, 85734 // 520-794-8341 // hughesfcu.org ASSETS $774 million AZ EMPLOYEES 180 PRINCIPAL Robert J. Swick, president and general manager HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kellie Terhune Neely, vice president, marketing CREDIT UNION WEST 5811 W. Talavi Blvd., Glendale, 85306 // 602-631-3200 // cuwest. org ASSETS $552 million AZ EMPLOYEES 186 PRINCIPAL Robert W. MacGregor, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Karen Roch, executive vice president PIMA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 6850 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, 85704 // 520-887-5010 // pimafederal.org ASSETS $450 million AZ EMPLOYEES 155 PRINCIPAL Nathanael Tarwasokono, president and CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Cindy Campano, chief lending officer ARIZONA CENTRAL CREDIT UNION 2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 300, Phoenix, 85004 // 602264-6421 // azcentralcu.org ASSETS $440 million AZ EMPLOYEES 196 PRINCIPAL Todd Pearson, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Janet Moodie, vice president and chief operating officer FIRST CREDIT UNION 25 S. Arizona Place, Chandler, 85225 // 480-831-2645 // firstcu. net ASSETS $398 million AZ EMPLOYEES 139 PRINCIPAL Jay E. Curtis, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Lori Gallegos, chief operations officer

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE Much of Janet Moodie’s job requires finding solutions. But the vice president and chief operating officer of Arizona Central Credit Union developed those problem-solving skills long before rising to her current position.

More than 20 years ago, Moodie was newly divorced and a single mother to a first-grader and a 2-year-old. Instead of throwing in the towel on her career or her family, she worked to achieve a balance that would allow both to thrive.

Working long days, Moodie needed a reliable and constructive after-school program. She inquired with the YMCA and, after getting other parents involved, got a program started at their elementary school.

“In life, you have to work, give back to the community and be creative,” says Moodie, who credits her employer with giving her and her colleagues a supportive environment. “Arizona Central has always supported their employees with finding that healthy life-to-work balance.”

Moodie’s children are now 27 and 23.

“I have great kids,” she says. “‘We’ve been through a lot together.’”

A native of Birmingham, Mich., a Detroit suburb, Moodie was working in Texas when a friend announced she was moving back to Arizona, her home state. Craving a change, Moodie took her friend up on her offer to be roommates and moved to the Valley in 1983.

She got a job with the Corporate Credit Union of Arizona, where she

worked for 12 years serving other credit unions. Then she heard of an opportunity with Arizona Central. In 1995, she joined the team. This year, Moodie celebrates 20 years with the organization.

After high school, Moodie pursued a degree in business administration at Michigan State University and was one semester shy of graduating before she took to the workforce. While she has spent her entire career in a male-dominated industry, Moodie has never felt being a women or lacking a college degree has been an obstacle.

“I remember when women weren’t seated at the table,” she says. “But the credit union movement is about democracy and that all members are treated equally regardless of the dollars they deposit into their accounts.

That foundation crosses over into the operations of the organization.

Anyone who puts forth the effort can be successful.”

Moodie’s volunteer work involves Ryan House, a nonprofit that provides care for children with life-threatening conditions while addressing the emotional and social needs of their families. She works a lot with single mothers and is grateful that her career also gives her the opportunity to give back.

“My job does that every day because the credit union mission is built on the foundation of helping people,” she says. “And making their lives better really means something to me.

That’s the reason I stay.”

JANET MOODIE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

BY GEORGANN YARA

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LEGAL & FINANCE

INVESTMENT ADVISORY FIRMS, RANKED BY ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

Top 10 SAGEPOINT FINANCIAL INC. 2800 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-744-3000 // sagepointfinancial.com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $38 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 200 FOUNDED 1970 PRINCIPAL Jeff Auld, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Erica McGinnis, president and CEO, AIG Advisor Group MADISON SCOTTSDALE 8777 N. Gainey Center Drive, Suite 220, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-596-3338 // madisonscottsdale. com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $5.7 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 9 FOUNDED 1993 PRINCIPAL Robert E. Fletcher, managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Anjanette Fowler, managing director and portfolio manager FIRST FINANCIAL EQUITY CORP. 7373 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite D-120, Scottsdale, 85253 // 480-951-0079 // ffec.com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $2.3 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 93 FOUNDED 1985 PRINCIPAL George Fischer, president and sole director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Melissa A. Strouse, chief compliance officer MILLER RUSSELL ASSOCIATES 3200 E. Camelback Road, Suite 300, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-468-1232 // miller-russell. com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $2.25 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 41 FOUNDED 1991 PRINCIPAL Mark Feldman, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Christina Burroughs, managing partner; Maureen Rzeppa, managing parnter and chief administrative officer

A RANCHING LEGACY

ANJANETTE FOWLER MANAGING DIRECTOR AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER

BY SHARI LOPATIN

42

Anjanette Fowler developed her work ethic as a child on her family’s ranch in the White Mountains.

Although the ranch wasn’t her primary residence, Fowler spent a lot of time driving tractors and irrigating fields, often accompanying her grandparents. She remembers the Depression-era couple as “two of the most hard-working people I know.”

Today, those humble roots are apparent in Fowler’s work as managing director and portfolio manager for Madison Scottsdale, where she’s built her career over the past 20 years. “(My beginning) keeps me humble,” Fowler says. “Life has its twists and turns and I have been fortunate to have a strong work ethic and succeed.”

Fowler was first introduced to finance in high school. She worked for her father, who owned a consumer credit and finance business, yet she never considered the field as a potential career until college.

In fact, Fowler originally planned to work in computer information systems, but after once spending all night in the computer lab coding, she had an epiphany.

“Is this what I want my life to look like?” Fowler asked herself at sunrise. The answer was no.

Fowler had taken a college

elective course in finance and discovered she enjoyed the field’s dynamic nature. In 1987, she graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Right out of college, Fowler worked in the investment department of an insurance group.

Through the connections she developed there, she found the opportunity with Madison Scottsdale. At the time, Madison was brand new, open for a just 1 1/2 years with only a handful of clients. Since the Scottsdale division’s specialty was managing investments for insurance companies, Fowler’s experience made the perfect fit.

She helped build the firm from its small beginnings to its current success, with assets under management now totaling $5.7 billion, according to company representatives. Of her 20 years with Madison Scottsdale, Fowler has been a principle for at least 15.

Despite her accomplishments, Fowler remains grounded and doesn’t allow her success to interfere with what’s most important in life, which she describes as “people and our experiences with people.”

And as for that ranch in the White Mountains? Fowler still visits with her family about once a year. Those roots are still intact.

ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC. 14648 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 175, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-624-2330 // rwbaird.com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $2.2 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 45 FOUNDED 2002 PRINCIPAL Mark A. Peterson, director, Arizona market HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Sharon Zeidler, senior investment consultant and managing director; Leah Hoffman, managing director and financial advisor TCI WEALTH ADVISORS INC. 6929 E Greenway Parkway, Suite 150, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-991-0401 // tciwealth.com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $1.7 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 31 FOUNDED 1990 PRINCIPAL Michael Grosso, partner and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Trisa Summers, partner and CEO; Catherine Nichols, president and partner AXA ADVISORS SOUTHWEST 14851 N. Scottsdale Road Suite 103, Scottsdale, 85254 // (480) 444-3700 // http://www. axaadvisorssouthwest.com/ ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $1.6 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 135 FOUNDED 1967 PRINCIPAL Dillan Micus, executive vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Karen Most, branch control manager TFO PHOENIX, INC. 2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, Suite 1400, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-466-2611 // tfophoenix. com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $1.3 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 24 FOUNDED 2011 PRINCIPAL Scott Horn, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Laura Jansen, Kim Llumquinga, Jacquie Weflen, Brittany Pasek, senior wealth advisers STOKER OSTLER WEALTH ADVISORS INC. 4900 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 2600, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-8908088 // stokerostler.com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $1 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 18 FOUNDED 1997 PRINCIPAL Mike Bolar, managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Michelle Decker, managing director; April Ward, managing director L. ROY PAPP & ASSOCIATES 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 227B, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-956-0980 // roypapp. com ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT $810 million AZ EMPLOYEES 17 FOUNDED 1978 PRINCIPAL Harry Papp, partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Rosellen Papp, partner and research director

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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5/26/15 5:09 PM

STOCKBROKERS, RANKED BY ARIZONA EMPLOYEES

LEGAL & FINANCE

Top 10 EDWARD JONES 8640 S. River Parkway, Tempe, 85284 // 314-515-2000 // edwardjones.com AZ EMPLOYEES 1,363 PRINCIPAL Dave Long, principal, operations HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Katie Woodward, principal, financial adviser training—Tempe MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY 14850 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 600, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-922-7800 // morganstanleybranch.com/ scottsdale/ AZ EMPLOYEES 350 PRINCIPAL Robert Gaines, executive director, complex manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Laura Ladrigan Cobb, executive director, financial advisor WELLS FARGO ADVISORS 8777 N. Gainey Center Drive, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-4254873 // wellsfargoadvisors.com AZ EMPLOYEES 250 PRINCIPAL David Kistner, Arizona market manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES PHOENIX 2555 E. Camelback Road, Suite 600, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-957-5100 // financialservicesinc.ubs. com/branch/phoenixux/ AZ EMPLOYEES 158 PRINCIPAL James Van Steenhuyse, executive director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Susan Bailey, senior vice president, wealth management UNITED PLANNERS 7333 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 120, Scottsdale, 85258 // 800-9668737 // UnitedPlanners.com AZ EMPLOYEES 98 PRINCIPAL David Shindel, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Sheila Cuffari-Agasi, vice president, partner development FIRST FINANCIAL EQUITY CORP. 7373 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite D-120, Scottsdale, 85253 // 480-951-0079 // ffec.com AZ EMPLOYEES 93 PRINCIPAL George Fischer, president and sole director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Melissa A. Strouse, chief compliance officer FIDELITY INVESTMENTS 15445 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85254, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-483-2490 // fidelity.com AZ EMPLOYEES 81 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jolene Ignarski, vice president, senior branch office manager RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT 2398 E. Camelback Road, Suite 700, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-381-5300 // rbcwm-usa.com AZ EMPLOYEES 80 PRINCIPAL Tim Rannow, senior managing director and complex director HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kathleen Lipscomb, vice president and assistant complex director ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC. 14648 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 175 , Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-624-2330 // rwbaird.com AZ EMPLOYEES 45 PRINCIPAL Mark A. Peterson, director Arizona market HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sharon Zeidler, senior investment consultant and managing director; Leah Hoffman, managing director and financial advisor LAWSON FINANCIAL CORP. 3352 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-381-8588 // lawsonfinancial.com AZ EMPLOYEES 38 PRINCIPAL Robert Lawson, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pamela D. Lawson, owner

TOUTING INDEPENDENCE Laura Ladrigan Cobb has been on her own since she was 17. That’s why today, at 64, she’s a strong believer in financial independence.

“It is important not to rely on other people,” Ladrigan Cobb says.

As executive director and financial adviser for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Ladrigan Cobb has made a mission of teaching her family — and clients — the lessons she’s learned through experience. She secured her own retirement so her family won’t have to worry about her. She set up college funds for her grandkids and she conducts a family meeting every year to make sure everyone is on par with their financial goals.

“I’m trying to help my clients and family understand what money can do and how we can help others,” she says.

Money formed the cornerstone of Ladrigan Cobb’s independence.

Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ladrigan Cobb grew up with an electrical engineer father and a homemaker mother.

Her family left for Kentucky when she was 17 to accompany her father to a new job, but Ladrigan Cobb chose to stay behind. That summer, she got an apartment, rode the bus and went to work for a stockbrokerage firm as a secretary. She worked for three other firms before moving to Arizona in 1971.

“I came out here on my 21st birthday,” Ladrigan Cobb says. “It was dif-

ferent. It was hot and dry and I didn’t see any grass.”

The state’s economy was booming and Ladrigan Cobb landed a job right away. Morgan Stanley recruited her in 1973. She started out in a secretarial role, but soon saw opportunity for advancement.

“I was working 12 hours a day supervising 20 women,” she says. “I wanted the opportunity and my manager at the time gave it to me.”

In 1982, Ladrigan Cobb earned her stockbroker’s license. For the next four years, her branch manager let her practice on his clients. In 1986, she started her own business as a stockbroker for Morgan Stanley, seeing success right away.

“I put my heart and soul in it and within the first four years, I made the first achievement level,” she says.

Today, Ladrigan Cobb is “among the firm’s leading financial advisers,” according to Morgan Stanley’s website.

“Her assets under management surpass $210 million as of June 30, 2014.”

She was also a founding member of Morgan Stanley’s Women’s Business Exchange and takes pride in helping her clients reach their financial goals.

“Take care of yourself financially and become financially independent,” she says. “I have been blessed in my life, even during times it didn’t seem so.”

LAURA LADRIGAN COBB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL ADVISER

BY SHARI LOPATIN

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 43

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5/26/15 9:17 PM

LEGAL & FINANCE

MID-SIZE LAW FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS

Top 10 GUST ROSENFELD PLC 1 E. Washington St., Suite 1600, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-257-7422 // gustlaw.com FOUNDED 1921 ATTORNEYS 54 EMPLOYEES 115 PRINCIPALS Tom Chauncey II, Richard B. Hood, Scott A. Malm, Christopher M. McNichol, Robert D. Haws, Christina M. Noyes, members HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Christina M. Noyes, member OSBORN MALEDON PA 2929 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85012 // 602-640-9000 // omlaw.com FOUNDED 1995 ATTORNEYS 50 EMPLOYEES 98 PRINCIPAL Scott Rogers, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Maureen Beyers, Lynne Adams, Mary O’Grady, partner DAVIS MILES MCGUIRE GARDNER PLLC 80 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 401, Tempe, 85281 // 480-733-6800 // davismiles.com FOUNDED 2002 ATTORNEYS 49 EMPLOYEES 111 PRINCIPAL Pernell W. McGuire, managing partner and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jacqueline McAferty, chief operating officer TIFFANY & BOSCO PA 2525 E. Camelback Road, 7th Floor, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-255-6000 // tblaw.com FOUNDED 1967 ATTORNEYS 47 EMPLOYEES 160 PRINCIPAL Michael E. Tiffany, attorney and shareholder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Alisa J. Gray, shareholder

HELPING IN HARD TIMES

CHRISTINA HAMILTON SHAREHOLDER/ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

44

Teachers can have a profound influence on a young person — like the one who had some sage words of advice for a young Christina Hamilton.

“In high school, one of my English teachers said he thought I was very argumentative and should think about law school,” she says.

She went to college to study public relations and got similar advice.

“My speech and debate professors really encouraged me to look into law school,” she says.

Not surprisingly, Hamilton went to law school, and was recruited by a law firm to go into family law. Now a member/partner at The Cavanagh Law Firm, Hamilton wasn’t so sure it was the right field for her.

“I said I wasn’t really interested in family law,” she says. “But they said, ‘Just try it. We’ve got lots of different areas. If you start there and you find something else you like better, we’ll just move you over.’ And, true to their word, they let me try lots of different things. And every time I tried something else I came back to family law.

It just really fit my personality. Two or three years later I became exclusively a family law lawyer.”

Family law primarily concerns divorces, premarital agreements and custody work — an arena not conducive to happiness.

“The whole idea of divorce is sad,” Hamilton says, “The whole idea of people fighting over their children is sad. But there are lots of positive experiences that happen in the course of working with people very closely, getting to know their emotional sides and knowing what’s important to them, being concerned about the welfare of children.”

Hamilton thinks being a woman has helped her in that role.

“They say that in criminal law the court sees bad people at their best, but in divorce law the court sees good people at their worst,” she says. “That’s a fair comment because people are just hurt. It’s an emotional situation. I think a male client will feel more secure in letting his emotions show with a woman than a man.”

Instead of focusing on all the potential sadness, Hamilton would rather put a brighter spin on it.

“I look at it like I’m helping somebody get through a very difficult time in their life,” she says, “making that journey a little easier for them and getting them to a place at the end of a journey where they’re—I don’t want to say happy because nobody’s happy in all this — but they’re at peace and they’re ready to go on with their lives.”

POLSINELLI PC One East Washington Street, Suite 1200, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-650-2000 // polsinelli.com FOUNDED 2002 ATTORNEYS 47 EMPLOYEES 98 PRINCIPAL Edward Novak, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Karen Dickinson, shareholder KUTAK ROCK LLP 8601 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 300, Scottsdale, 85253 // 480-429-5000 // kutakrock.com FOUNDED 1965 ATTORNEYS 46 EMPLOYEES 82 PRINCIPAL Patrick A. Ray, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Emily K. Smith, partner BURCH & CRACCHIOLO PA 702 E. Osborn Road, Suite 200, Phoenix, 85014 // 602-274-7611 // bcattorneys.com FOUNDED 1970 ATTORNEYS 45 EMPLOYEES 98 PRINCIPAL Ed Bull, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Clare Abel, shareholder THE CAVANAGH LAW FIRM 1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 2400, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-322-4000 // cavanaghlaw.com FOUNDED 1999 ATTORNEYS 42 EMPLOYEES 92 PRINCIPAL Kerry M. Griggs, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Christina Hamilton, shareholder/board of directors SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS 1 E. Washington St., Suite 2700, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-528-4000 // squirepattonboggs.com FOUNDED 1979 ATTORNEYS 42 EMPLOYEES 31 PRINCIPAL Lew Clark, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sara Regan, partner BRYAN CAVE LLP 2 N. Central Ave., Suite 2200, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-364-7000 // bryancave.com FOUNDED 1987 ATTORNEYS 40 EMPLOYEES 81 PRINCIPAL Jay A. Zwieg, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tia Cottey, partner

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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5/26/15 8:54 PM

BURCH & CRACCHIOLO

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

(Front Row – Left to Right): Laura Meyer, Clare Abel, Sarah N. O’Keefe and Melissa Iyer Julian (Back Row – Left to Right): Susie Ingold, Ann Marie Stevens, Susan Dana-Kobey, Tonya MacBeth, Wendi Sorensen and Amy Howland (not pictured) Martha C. Patrick

Bringing a Woman’s Perspective to Business

By Alison Stanton

A

s an attorney at Burch & Cracchiolo, Clare Abel understands the importance of women holding top positions in a company.

securities litigation, business and partnership disputes, and real estate disputes.

Wendi Sorensen has been certified by the Numerous studies have shown that Fortune 500 State Bar of Arizona as a specialist in Personal companies that have the most women in top Injury and Wrongful Death law. Her practice positions are the ones doing best with consumers, focuses on aggravated liability and damages Abel said, and the different perspectives that matters, vehicular products liability matters and construction site matters. women bring are a key to that success.

Susan Dana-Kobey practices in all areas of Construction-related and General Liability litigation. She has served as lead counsel for construction industry clients in multimillion dollar residential and commercial Burch & Cracchiolo has a wide variety of litigation matters. knowledgeable and innovative women on Tonya MacBeth focuses her practice on staff, including: litigation.

Her practice areas include Clare Abel is a Certified Real Estate Specialist Family Law, Construction Defect Defense, who represents developers, builders and real Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and estate investors in transactions, valuation issues Commercial Litigation. and zoning and subdivision matters.

Laura Meyer’s practice concentrates on Martha C. Patrick is a Certified Tax Specialist litigation matters, including business litigation, representing clients in federal, state and local professional liability, and matters involving tax controversies. government liability.

Amy Howland represents clients in real estate Sarah N. O’Keefe joined Burch & Cracchiolo in and financial transactions, including purchase, 2013 and is focusing on business and corporate sales and leasing for commercial properties and law, commercial litigation and personal negotiation of financial transactions. injury cases.

Susie Ingold concentrates in labor and Ann Marie Stevens joined Burch & Cracchiolo employment law and litigation, including civil in 2014 after a successful career in real rights, discrimination and wrongful termination. estate. Her practice focuses on commercial Melissa Iyer Julian has represented businesses litigation, employment and labor law and real in a variety of commercial matters including estate law.

“Women look at problems differently and handle things differently,” Abel said. “If you don’t have a broader perspective, you’re missing out on things, and the market is starting to show that.”

Legal&Finance_Master.indd 45

MORE INFORMATION Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. 702 E. Osborn Road, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-274-7611 bcattorneys.com

5/26/15 6:32 PM

LEGAL & FINANCE

LARGE LAW FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS

Top 10 SNELL & WILMER 400 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-382-6000 // swlaw.com FOUNDED 1938 AZ EMPLOYEES 267 PRINCIPAL Matthew P. Feeney, chairman HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Terry Roman, partner FENNEMORE CRAIG PC 2394 E. Camelback Road, Suite 600, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-9165000 // fennemorecraig.com FOUNDED 1885 ATTORNEYS 131 AZ EMPLOYEES 308 PRINCIPAL Stephen Good, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sarah Strunk, shareholder and chair of the board of directors QUARLES & BRADY LLP 2 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-229-5200 // quarles. com FOUNDED 1970 ATTORNEYS 111 AZ EMPLOYEES 183 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Nicole Stanton, Phoenix managing partner LEWIS ROCA ROTHGERBER LLP 201 E. Washington St., Suite 1200, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-262-5311 // lrrlaw.com ATTORNEYS 95 FOUNDED 1950 AZ EMPLOYEES 134 PRINCIPAL Ken Van Winkle, Jr., managing partner HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Carla Consoli, practice group leader GALLAGHER & KENNEDY 2575 E. Camelback Road, Suite 1100, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-530-8000 // gknet.com FOUNDED 1978 ATTORNEYS 79 AZ EMPLOYEES 138 PRINCIPAL Dean C. Short II, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Julie Rystad, shareholder

A LETTER FROM THE PAST TERRY ROMAN PARTNER

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

46

Thirty-three years ago, Terry Roman, a partner at law firm Snell & Wilmer, did something unusual: She wrote a letter.

But it wasn’t just any letter. It was a letter to herself, to make sure she didn’t forget something important.

“You’re young, you know, 23 years old and going into a law firm to work,” she says, looking back. “It’s something I aspired to. I wanted to be a lawyer for many years. Emerging out there, on your first day on the job.

It’s such a time of great trepidation.

What do I wear? What do I say? What do I do? I know nothing. I remember being terrified and nervous about it, so I wrote myself a letter to memorialize in my mind what it felt like.

I didn’t want to forget what it was like to be a young kid starting out and being terrified about what the future holds.”

Despite being nervous, she had nothing to worry about.

“Everyone was really nice to me,” she says. “Everyone is kind to the intern because they totally understand that they are brand new, they’re young and they don’t have any experience.

The last thing anyone would ever want

to do is toss an intern or a brand-new lawyer out there without the support they need. And that wouldn’t be good for the client, either.”

Roman feels fortunate that she knew she wanted to be a lawyer from a young age.

“I also knew I wanted to be a business lawyer,” she says. “I had no desire to be like (TV lawyer) Perry Mason and go into court and try to do the ‘gotcha’ smoking-gun thing they show on TV. That’s been a really wise decision. I like what I do. I feel I can be really productive and positive working with our clients.”

Though the path to becoming a lawyer wasn’t always smooth.

“The course there can be all sorts of different paths,” she says. “One of the reasons I stayed the course was because of the reactions I got from people. There I was in the ’70s, saying, ‘I want to be a lawyer,’ and sometimes people would scoff at me. That galvanized me more and made me decide to do it.”

It was a lot of hard work. Roman’s glad the letter she wrote will help her remember it all.

JONES, SKELTON & HOCHULI PLC 2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 800, Phoenix, 85012 // 602-2631700 // jshfirm.com FOUNDED 1983 ATTORNEYS 78 AZ EMPLOYEES 197 PRINCIPAL William D. Holm, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Georgia Staton, partner RYLEY CARLOCK & APPLEWHITE 1 N. Central Ave., Suite 1200, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-258-7701 // rcalaw.com FOUNDED 1948 ATTORNEYS 75 AZ EMPLOYEES 47 PRINCIPAL Rodolfo Parga Jr., shareholder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sheryl Sweeney, shareholder PERKINS COIE LLP 2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 2000, Phoenix, 85012 // 602-351-8000 // perkinscoie.com FOUNDED 1960 ATTORNEYS 72 AZ EMPLOYEES 140 PRINCIPAL Shane Swindle, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Judy Weiss, partner DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC 1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 1400, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-2855000 // dickinson-wright.com FOUNDED 1968 ATTORNEYS 61 AZ EMPLOYEES 115 PRINCIPAL Gary L. Birnbaum, managing member Phoenix HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Anne L. Tiffen, member JENNINGS STROUSS & SALMON PLC 1 E. Washington St., Suite 1900, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-262-5911 // jsslaw.com FOUNDED 1942 ATTORNEYS 57 AZ EMPLOYEES 134 PRINCIPAL John C. Norling, managing attorney HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Norma Izzo Milner, member

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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Many of Arizona’s rising young innovators didn’t take the corporate road; they embraced the risks of entreprene urship, charting their own

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The Republic and azcentral.com’s firsthand the challenge eighth annual sacrifices of launching class of 35 and a venture Entrepreneurs and thrived, made courageous from the 35 and Younger decisions. ground up. in fields from Through Winners knows it and software all, they’ve followed have taken risks, endured development their passions SEE A SLIDESHOW to pet boarding. and survived OF THE

AT BUSINESS.AZCENTRAL.COM:solar power

CLASS OF 2014.

CALEB BARCLAY

Age: 27 NICK BERGER Company: Age: 30 Splicity Location: Company: Phoenix Green Project Founded: 2013 Location: Business: Tempe Software Founded: Notable: Barclay 2013 new entrepreneursadvises Business: Design and to stop spending building all their time in entrepreneur Notable: Berger’s books and advice: “Surround go out into the world. yourself with great people.”

LAUREN DE HORTA

BOB EAGAN

Age: 30 Age: 33 Company: Company: D Pet Hotels Synapse Scottsdale Studios Location: Location: Scottsdale Tempe Founded: Founded: 2012 2003 Business: Business: Luxury pet Custom hotel software development Notable: Notable: De In grade facility offers Horta’s indoor dog school, Eagan didn’t parks, spa think lemonade services proper bedrooms and had high enough for dogs to sleep he opened margins, so in. a candy stand instead.

DEACON

for breaches

AZCENTRAL.COM

ments are making breach announcefew changes in the The holiday shopping way they pay for purchases. season has been prime season “Even though consumers for hackers and data are more breaches in recent years. This year, it aware of breaches and have a low could be worse. confidence in the ability of retailers to proFrom Target to Home tect their information, Depot, retailthey are unlikely ers have been hit hard by a flood of data to significantly change their purchasing breaches over the past 12 months. Mil- behavior,” said Sarah Kahn, a tech-inlions of consumers’ dustry analyst with IBISWorld, a marcount information credit-card and ac- ket-research group. was Most are taking just AP FILE PHOTO tailers have been joltedexposed, and re- small steps, like The data of an ing behind-the-scenes into action, tak- monitoring their paying with cash and shoppers was estimated 40 million Target compromised during bank accounts more steps to guard against future breaches. closely, Kahn said.

Thanksgiving 2013 sales.

Still, cybersecurity experts say The series more data breaches there’s no doubt breaches began of high-profile data are during Thanksgiving “It’s not a question on the horizon.

2013, when a Target data breach com- been 546 data breaches in the United will happen to their of if a data breach promised the States, a 29 percent credit-card accounts organization, but increase over the when,” said Joan of an estimated 40 million Goodchild, editor people. In the year 425 breaches reported during the at CSOonline.com, a magazine on data that followed, other retailers experi- period one year earlier, according same breaches and security enced breaches, including to the Identity trends.

Neiman Mar- center Theft Resource Center. The At the same time, cus, P.F. Chang’s and forecasts that the number consumers batHome of U.S. In 2014 through Sept. Depot.

16, there had See BREACHES, Page E3

Companies including Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide are expanding with the rebound in business and leisure travel.

About the contest rules, judges. E3

JENNIFER

BOLDI

Age: 28 Company: Resnick & Louis PC Location: Scottsdale Founded: 2012

Business: Law firm Notable: Boldi is a founding partner of the 2-year-old law firm, which now has more than 40 attorneys in six states.

MARIO ESQUER

Age: 33

Company: Avadium Design Location: Scottsdale Founded: 2009 Business: Product innovation and design consulting Notable: Esquer grew up loving things move, especially that cars and jets.

He taking flyingis currently lessons.

EVAN BOXWELL

Age: 32 Company: Boxwell Southwest LLC Location: Phoenix Founded: 2008 Business: Custom homebuilder Notable: The company focuses on modern, infill projects located in historic neighborhoods.

ANDREW Age: 31

LEOR LAPID

Age: 29 Company: Dorm Room Movers Location: Scottsdale Founded: 2007 Business: Logistics Notable: In the company’s first year, Lapid took two weeks of vacation from his day job to move students in the summer heat.

FRITZ

Company: In Good Spirits Location: Phoenix Founded: New management company created in 2014 Business: Hospitality, restaurants Notable: Fritz his operation calls handshake a “oneat a time” type of business.

CHRIS CARDINAL

Age: 29 Company: Synapse Studios LLC Location: Tempe

Founded:

2003

Business: Software development Notable: Cardinal and his business partner started their business in a garage.

CHRISTINA GARZA

ERNESTO CARRIZOZA

ROB DALLAL

Age: 33

Company: Movement Marketing Location: Tucson Founded: 2012 Business: Marketing and advertising

Notable: Carrizoza is launching a with a close food truck friend and client.

JUSTIN GRAY

Age: 32 Age: 35 Company: Company: Accountingprose LeadMD Location: LLC Location: Scottsdale Phoenix Founded: Founded: 2009 2010 Business: Business: Bookkeeping, automationMarketing payroll, consulting Notable: Notable: In 2007, Gray Garza’s and his father to entrepreneurs: advice created Find an entirely your power separate bookkeeper, team – your company called Greyson CPA and attorney Organics – and stay close organic that harvests to them. produce.

Age: 31 Company: Natural Power and Energy LLC Location: Scottsdale Founded: 2008 Business: Commercial solar provider

Notable: Dallal is a second-generation Iraqi Jew who was born in London.

TIM HAKIM

NO. 100 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Age: 35 Company: Redemption Books Location: Phoenix Founded: 2010 Business: Online book sales Notable: Hakim lambs through raised while in high FFA school. The discipline that project required prepared him to run his own company.

HAYES

Age: 31 NATHAN JAEHNIG Company: JUSTIN JOHNSON Well Kept Wallet LLC Age: 31 Age: 33 MIKE JONES Location: Company: Company: Age: 30 Phoenix AZ Bounce Metro Living Pro LLC Founded: Company: 2012 Resound Location: Location: Creative Business: Phoenix Phoenix Financial Founded: coaching Founded: Location: and curriculum 2013 2008 Tempe Business: Notable: Business: Homebuilding Founded: 2009 Hayes and Party rentals his wife paid Notable: and event Business: off $52,000 In planning Marketing role models, seeking out in debt in 18 Notable: Notable: months. He Johnson Jaehnig’s Jones says looks for now teaches once played he father and individuals others to grandfather who disrupt do the same. at the formerbass guitar run a separate industries entire Theatre with Dodge and markets rental companyparty Les Stroud, with great creator of in ideas.

Arizona. the television series “Survivorman.”

A fresh Holiday season is high time crop of buyers for hackers is driving ANGELIQUE SOENARIE home sales around the Valley tered by rounds of i

Inside See the full list of 35 Entrepreneurs 35 & Younger. E2

AND THINKSTOCK

Retailers prepare

THE REPUBLIC

This could be year Arizona recovers jobs lost during recession RUSS WILES | THE REPUBLIC

NOS. 61, 63 Hotel and resort companies

AZCENTRAL.COM

hree years ago, two medical students at the University of Arizona tool to help them prepare came up with a for exams. ¶ They created images and to go along with them, developed stories creating a way of remembering loads of medical information.

It worked. ¶ Adeel Yang and Ron Robertson » What is your home left medical school visual-based study-guide» 20 key areas: to launch Picmonic, worth? a Prices for for medical and nursing A tool closer students. Yang recently school every complete his degree. look ZIPtocode returned to Pages ¶4-12, “We decided that the Pages traditional way of 13-16 ing and highlighting books studying, read17-27 and making our own flash cards was not started creating these doing it for us. So we silly pictures and stories and it worked,” Yang See ENTREPRENEUR, said.

Page E3

» The hottest neighborhoods and trends Page 3

100

REPORT | 2015

VALLEY HOME PATHS TO SUCCES VALUES S

JEFF MALKOON

Age: 27 Company: Peanut Butter Americano Location: Phoenix Founded: 2013 Business: Wholesale food products Notable: 100 of the proceedspercent the company’s from dark chocolate products goes to social and development economic programs in North and South America.

KAHLEY MCFADDEN

NIMA NOJOUMI

Age: 26 Age: 30 Company: Salon Eclectic Company: Sourcely Location: Location: Phoenix Tempe Founded: Founded: 2010 2013 Business: Business: Beauty salon Buyback and boutique and recycling of used consumer electronics.

Notable: His advice to the next generation entrepreneurs: true to yourself “Stay and do not follow the crowd.”

JASON KAYCE

Age: 29 Company: Paradise Valley Foot and Ankle Location: Phoenix Founded: 2013 Business: Podiatry practice Notable: Kayce medical volunteerwas a at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2014, helping2013 and bombing victims his first year.

GREG KERR

Age: 34 Company: Miles To Go Location: Scottsdale Founded: 2007 Business: Retail and online sales

Notable: Miles To Go sells literary-inspired items to more independent than 60 bookstores across the country.

STEPHANIE KETHCART Age: 35

Company: Kethcart Smiles Location: Phoenix Founded: 2008 Business: Dental practice Notable: Kethcart’s first job involved working for an entrepreneur.

She tagged trees and Christmas worked at motocross a racetrack.

LISA OLSON

Age: 31 JASON RADUCHA Company: Age: 30 BECKY RENNER Practical Art Location: Company: Age: 35 Phoenix Noble Bread Founded: Location: Company: 2008 Phoenix Business: Orangetheory Founded: Retail and 2012 Fitness gallery space Location: Business: Multiple Bakery Notable: locations Notable: Olson in the Valley Noble Bread once worked Founded: has grown as a 2011 from an photojournalist idea on Kickstarter Business: photographed and Fitness into a small-scale Notable: events includingsporting Sheryl that supplies bakery Sandberg, the Super Bowl. chief restaurants. top area operating officer at Facebook and of the book author “Lean In,” is one of Renner’s role models.

Tax credits let you save on your bill and do good MATT RESNIK

Age: 23

Company: SMILE Biscotti Location: Phoenix Founded: 2013 Business: Bakery Notable: Resnik, who has autism, has sold more than 50,000 biscotti over the past year.

Notable: McFadden known as is the Bling” because“Queen of she puts Swarovski crystals about everything. on just

JUSTIN ROHNER

Age: 35 JOSHUA SIMON Company: Age: 29 TABITA STANCIU Agriscaping Technologies Company: Age: 34 BENJAMIN SimonCRE Location: Location: Company: Gilbert TAYLOR Scottsdale Legends Founded: Senior Living Founded: 2014 Age: 35 2010 Business: Location: Business: Education Company: Peoria Commercial and software The Law real-estate Founded: Office of development Benjamin edible gardensto manage 2004 Taylor Notable: Business: Simon’s Notable: Health care company Though he Location: Notable: is a preferred been growing has Phoenix Stanciu born in Romania was food since developer for Dollar Founded: the age of 2010 General. and 3, moved to He works Business: learned last Rohner the U.S. with closely Law firm her family is allergic year that he retail with the national Notable: in to dirt.

Taylor chain to family spent 1990. The select represents sites. the in a transitionsix months mother arrestedArizona camp in Yugoslavia. on suspicion of two children leaving her in a car.

JACK WIGHT

Age: 23 ADEEL YANG Company: Age: 28 Buyback Boss Location: Company: Tempe Picmonic Founded: Location: 2014 Tempe Business: Founded: Buys 2011 broken iPhones old or Business: Software Notable: Notable: Tony Hsieh, Yang founded CEO of Zappos.com, Picmonic with a is Wight’s business classmate while in his role model. third year of medical school.

The No. 100 on this year’s list is the same as last year, but now it has 1,429 employees, compared with 1,336 last year.

NO. 100

i

AZCENTRAL.COM

Eight years after into recession, 2015 Arizona’s economy slid be the year it fully finally looks like it might comes out.

Hiring has picked ment rate continues up, and the unemployto ease. More workers feeling confident enough are tions for greener pastures,to quit existing posiand Arizona is on the brink of recovering all the finally jobs lost during the economic slide.

“The The numbers do better said Lee McPheters, look a whole lot better,” an economics professor att the W.P. W.P W .P.. Carey School of .P Business at Arizona State University. “They’re the best we’ve seen in quite a while.”

McPheters said it’s possible Arizona could finally recoup all of the nearly 314,000 jobs in the recession by lost the nix ix metro area, which end of 2015. The Phoeseems likely to hit has been growing faster, faster the several months. The target within the next national economy already has recouped ary job losses, while all 8.8 million recessionmore beyond that. adding another 3.4 million W Workers and job applicants mostly have the private sector to thank.

Employment growth

See REPUBLIC 100,

Page 4E

Inside W W W . A Z CE N T RA L . C O M || S U N D AY , AP R I L 19 , 2 015

SPECIAL REPORT

A list of the state’s 100 largest non-government employers. 5E

ARIZONA REPUBLIC

100 2015 2014 Company

Payroll totals for the top 100 companies and non-profits since the recession.

4E

On the front page T Temporary jobs: The emerging new reality in employment. 1A

|| 5 E

State’s biggest employers The 2015 Arizona Republic 100 ranks the state’s includes companies largest 100 employers and not-for-profit entities. by the number of people Information was obtained that work for them from the employers within the state. The research. The list also through self-reported list questionnaires, follow-up Questions about the notes the employers’ rankings for 2014 telephone calls and list? Contact john.mclean@arizonarepublic.com. and for 2005. An NL e-mails, and industry means the employer was not listed that year.

Employees Employ o ees Employees oy Category 2015 (1) Headquarters 2014 Arizona HQ city, 1 2 y phone y, Banner Health Website 38,527 2 2005 1 30,021 Walmart Stores Inc. Health care 32,000 rank Phoenix 3 3 32,438 Kroger Co. (2) Phoenix, 602-495-4000 Discount stores Bentonville, Ark. 16,856 www.bannerhealth.com 4 5 17,001 Wells Fargo & Co. Phoenix, 479-273-4000 Grocery stores 2 14,613 Cincinnati www.walmartstores.com 5 4 15,323 Albertsons (3) Tolleson T To lleson 623- 936-2100 Financial services 1 14,490 San Francisco www.frysfood.com 6 6 16,148 McDonald's Corp.

Phoenix, 800-411-4932 Grocery stores 8 Boise, Idaho 13,853 www.wellsfargo.com 7 7 12,770 Intel Corp.

Tempe, 480-894-4100 Food service 5 11,000 Oakbrook, Ill. 8 www.albertsons.com 15 11,200 HonorHealth (4) Phoenix, 800-244-6227 Semiconductors 10 10,500 Santa Clara, Calif.

9 www.mcdonalds.com 17 9,401 Circle K (5) Chandler, 480-554-8080 Health care NL 10,436 Scottsdale Scott t sdale tt 10 www.intel.com 10 8,673 American Airlines Scottsdale, 480-882-4000 Convenience stores 9 Quebec, Canada 10,100 www.honorhealth.com 11 8 10,000 Bank of America Corp.

Phoenix, 602-728-8000 Airline 33 10,000 Fort Wort 11 www.CircleK.com Worth, r h, Texas rt 8 T xas Te 10,500 JP Morgan Chase & Tempe, T Te mpe, 480-693-0800 Financial services 25 Co. 10,000 Charlotte, N.C. www.aa.com 13 13 10,500 Home Depot Inc. Phoenix, 800-944-0404 Financial services 6 New Yo 9,785 Y York www.bankofamerica.com 14 rk 12 9,785 Raytheon Co. Phoenix, 602-221-2900 Home improvement 22 9,600 Atlanta A At lanta www.chase.com 15 10 9,800 Honeywell International Orange, Calif., 714-940-3500 Missiles 12 Inc. 9,500 Waltham, Mass.

16 www.homedepot.com 22 10,000 Dignity Health Tucson, 520-794-3000 Aerospace 10 8,724 Morristown, N.J. www.raytheon.com 17 20 7,128 Bashas' Supermarkets Phoenix, 602-231-1000 Health care 7 San Francisco 8,511 www.honeywell.com 18 19 8,001 Freeport-McMoRan Freeport San Francisco, 415-438-5500 r -McMoRan Inc. rt Grocery stores 4 8,451 Chandler www.dignityhealth.org 19 18 8,450 Target Corp.

Chandler, Mining r 480-895-9350 r, 23 8,285 Phoenix 20 www.bashas.com 14 8,572 Apollo Education Group Phoenix, 602-366-8100 Retailing 3 Minneapolis 7,150 www.fcx.com 21 21 9,417 American Express Co. Minneapolis, 612-304-6073 Adult education 26 6,899 Phoenix 22 www.target.com 25 7,388 Walgreen Co. Phoenix, 480-966-5394 Financial services 13 6,625 New York www.apollo.edu 23 24 5,885 Pinnacle West Capital Phoenix, 623-492-7474 Retail drugstores 18 Corp.

Deerfield, Ill. 6,166 24 www.americanexpress.com 27 6,133 CVS Caremark Corp.

Phoenix, 847-940-2500 Electric utility 16 5,800 Phoenix www.walgreens.com 5,450 Phoenix, 602-250-1000 Pharmaceutical 15 25 Nashville, Tenn.

46 www.pinnaclewest.com FedEx Corp. services Scottsdale, 615-743-6600 17 5,799 26 26 www.caremark.com 3,165 Mayo Foundation Delivery, copy centers 45 5,727 Memphis, Te 27 Tenn.

T 29 nn.

5,600 UnitedHealthcare Memphis, 1-866-477-7529 Health care 5,600 Rochester, Rochest 28 www.fedex.com s er, st r Minn. r, 28 4,900 Salt River Project Scottsdale, 480-301-8000 Health insurance 37 5,221 Edina, Minn. www.mayoclinic.org 5,014 Phoenix, 800-985-2356 Water and power 31 29 Tempe T Te mpe 33 www.uhc.com State Farm Insurance utility Phoenix, 602-236-5900 Cos. NL 4,957 30 30 www.srpnet.com 4,300 Costco Wholesale Corp.

Financial services 27 4,623 Bloomington, Ill. 31 46 4,623 United Parcel Service Tempe, 480-293-7000 Discount stores Inc. Issaquah, Wash.

4,518 www.statefarm.com 32 37 3,165 General Dynamics Corp.

Glendale, 602-293-5007 Package delivery 69 4,500 Atlanta A At lanta www.costco.com 3,727 Atlanta, A At lanta, 888-967-5877 Defense, 43 33 Falls Church, Va. 32 www.ups.com Abrazo Health communications Scottsdale, 480-441-3033 39 4,497 34 31 www.generaldynamics.com 4,511 Boeing Co. Health care 32 4,300 Nashville, Tenn.

35 64 4,600 W.L. Gore & Associates Phoenix, 602-674-1400 Aircraft Inc. 4,250 Chicago 36 www.abrazohealth.com 41 2,500 Phoenix Children's Mesa, 480-891-3000 Manufacturing 29 Hospital Newark, Del. 4,200 www.boeing.com 37 39 3,550 Lowe's Companies Flagstaff, 800-437-8181 Health care 21 Inc. 4,150 Phoenix www.wlgore.com 38 43 3,608 Carondelet Health Phoenix, 602-546-100 Home improvement 76 Network 3,943 Mooresville, N.C. 39 16 3,476 Marriott International Mooresville, N.C. 602-564-7811 www.phoenixchildrens.com NL Health care Inc. Tucson 3,795 40 www.lowes.com 35 9,400 Southwest Airlines Tucson, Tu T cson, 520-872-3000 Hotels and resorts 53 Co. 3,754 Bethesda, Md. www.carondelet.org 41 38 3,797 Macy's Inc. Bethesda, Md. 301-380-3000 Airline 36 3,700 Dallas www.marriott.com 42 78 3,700 Amerco (U-Haul) Phoenix, 602-304-3983 Department stores 20 Cincinnati 3,560 www.southwest.com 43 36 1,999 PetSmart Inc. Tempe, 480-929-3000 Self-moving, storage 24 3,540 Reno, Nev. 44 www.macysinc.com 48 3,753 Aetna Inc. Phoenix, 800-468-4285 Pet-supplies retailer NL 3,535 Phoenix 45 www.uhaul.com 42 3,160 Amazon.com Inc. Phoenix, 623-580-6100 Health insurance 59 3,501 Hartford, Conn. www.petsmart.com 46 44 3,501 USAA Phoenix, 602-659-1100 Internet retail 41 Seattle 3,500 www.aetna.com 47 34 3,200 Grand Canyon Education Seattle, 206-266-7180 Financial services 90 Inc. 3,467 San Antonio 48 www.amazon.com 61 4,291 Northern Arizona Healthcare Phoenix, 800-531-8722 University NL ty t 3,421 Phoenix www.usaa.com 49 50 2,686 Go Daddy Group Inc. Phoenix, 602-639-7500 Health care 57 Flagstaff 3,400 www.gcu.edu f ff 3,076 Flagstaff, 928-779-3366 Internet services/ NL 50 Scottsdale Scott 49 t sdale tt www.nahealth.com Salt River Gaming Enterprises technology Scottsdale, 480-505-8800 63 (6) 3,396 51 75 3,106 www.GoDaddy.com Swift Transportation Casinos and resorts Co. NL Scottsdale 3,327 52 44 2,147 Starbucks Coffee Co. Scottsdale, 480-850-7777 Long-haul trucking 3,300 Phoenix www.talkingstickresort.com 53 74 3,200 IASIS Healthcare LLC Phoenix, 602-269-9700 Food service NL 3,295 Seattle 54 www.swifttrans.com 40 2,169 Charles Schwab & Co. Phoenix, 602-340-0455 Health care 52 Franklin, Te 3,200 www.starbucks.com 55 Tenn.

T nn.

54 3,600 Cox Communications Phoenix, 602-794-8930 Financial services NL Inc. 3,165 San Francisco www.iasishealthcare.com 56 51 2,965 CenturyLink Inc. Phoenix, 800-435-4000 Telecommunications NL 3,149 Atlanta 57 www.schwab.com 73 3,072 Sprouts Farmers Market Phoenix, 623-594-0505 Telecommunications T Te lecommunications 56 Inc. 3,125 Denver 58 www.cox.com 55 2,633 TMC HealthCare Phoenix, 800-244-1111 Grocery stores 47 Scottsdale Scott 2,976 t sdale tt www.centurylink.com 59 56 2,954 Humana Inc. Scottsdale, 480-814-8016 Health care 19 2,964 Tucson www.sprouts.com 60 58 2,905 Sonora Quest Laboratories Tucson, T Tu cson, 520-327-5461 Health care NL 2,900 Louisville, Ky. www.tmcaz.com 61 62 2,798 Starwood Hotels & Louisville, 502-580-8880 Health care 38 Resorts Tempe T Te 2,825 mpe 62 www.humana.com 63 2,630 Goodwill of Central Tempe, T Te mpe, 602-685-5000 Hotels and resorts NL Arizona 2,792 White Plains, N.Y. www.sonoraquest.com 2,616 Phoenix, 602-852-3900 Workforce training, NL Phoenix 60 www.starwoodhotels.com Hilton Worldwide retail Phoenix, 602-322-7059 28 2,788 59 www.goodwillaz.org 2,700 Kohl's Corp.

Hotels and resorts NL 2,759 McLean, Va. 2,759 Phoenix, 602-997-7777 Department stores Menomonee Falls, 57 www.hilton.com Cigna HealthCare of Menomonee Falls, Wis., AZ 71 Wis. 2,706 67 www.kohls.com 2,900 Verizon Wireless 262-703-1440 Health care NL 2,700 Philadelphia 52 2,400 Fox Restaurant Concepts Phoenix, 602-942-4462 Wireless provider LLC 2,586 New York www.cigna.com 65 3,000 Discover Financial Services Chandler, 480-763-6300 Restaurants 51 LLC Scottsdale Scott 2,500 t sdale tt www.verizonwireless.com NL 2,450 PepsiCo (Frito-Lay division) Scottsdale, 480-905-6920 Financial services 66 2,500 Riverwoods, Ill. www.foxrc.com 66 NL Asarco Inc. Phoenix, 623-643-6000 Snack-foods NL 2,430 Purchase, N.Y. www.discovercard.com 67 2,430 Avnet A Av net Inc. Casa Grande, 520-836-2363 Copper mining NL 2,400 Mexico City www.fritolay.com 72 2,400 Corrections Corp. of Tucson, 602-977-6500 Electronics distributor NL America Phoenix 2,350 www.asarco.com 70 2,255 Yuma Regional Medical Phoenix, 480-643-2000 Prison operations 61 Center 2,300 Nashville, Te www.avnet.com T Tenn.

71 nn.

2,300 The Vanguard Group Florence, 520-868-9095 Health care 55 2,282 Yuma www.correctionscorp.com 87 2,291 O'Reilly Automotive Yuma, 928-336-2000 Financial services 73 Valley Forge, Pa. 2,231 www.yumaregional.com 1,615 Scottsdale, 610-669-1000 Retail auto parts 58 Springfield, Mo. 84 www.vanguard.com QwikTrip Springfield, Mo. 78 2,150 NL 1,740 www.oreillyauto.com ABM Industries 417-862-2674 ext. 8398 Convenience stores 60 Tulsa, Okla.

2,139 76 1,185 Afni Inc. Tempe, T Te mpe, 480-446-6300 Janitorial services 2,089 New Yo www.qwiktrip.com York Y rk 96 2,008 Discount Tire Tempe, T Te mpe, 480-968-8300 Business services NL 2,020 Bloomington, Ill. www.abm.com 80 1,481 UNS Energy Tucson, 520-647-5000 Retail tires, service NL Scottsdale 2,012 www.afni.com 79 1,946 Gila River Gaming Enterprises Scottsdale, 480-606-6000 Electric utility NL (7) 2,000 Tucson www.discounttire.com 82 1,970 Shamrock Foods Co. Tucson, 520-571-4000 Casino, resorts 79 1,977 Chandler www.uns.com 69 1,903 Rural/Metro Corp.

Chandler, Dairy products r 800-946-4452 r, 64 1,942 Phoenix www.wingilariver.com www.wingilariver.

2,303 r com r.

Phoenix, 602-477-6400 Emergency services NL Scottsdale www.shamrockfoods.com Scottsdale, 800-421-5718 62 www.ruralmetro.com 50

63 64 65 66 67 68 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83

RUSS WILES THE REPUBLIC

i

NO. 29 State Farm The insurer, which is committed to expanding its Arizona presence, added more than 650 employees in 2014.

The nature of work has been changing — partly as a result of a sluggish economic recovery but evolving expectationsalso because of for employment, especially among younger adults.

Millions of Americans no longer labor in 9-to-5 jobs for a single employer.

Many are independent contractors or freelancers, some work for temporary staffing agencies and others hold one or more part-time jobs.

Whatever the case, people who don’t have a full-time, permanent position with a single employer face somewhat different financial-planning considerations compared with do. Health insurance, those who retirement plans, taxes, budgeting some of the key topics.and saving are workers might need Independent NO. 57 to take greater responsibility for these Sprouts Farmers Health insurance areas.

Market ous example. The is the obviAffordable Care Act has extended subsidized ized coverage to millions of people who don’t get it through the workplace. Instead, people can buy it through governmentsupervised marketplaces or exchanges.

The act might even contribute to the rise of independent workers by weakening the link between affordable health insurance and employment. Many small cially those with companies, espeunder workers, might attempt 50 full-time to keep their head counts down (Businesses with more than 50 workers face penalties if they don’t provide coverage).

Meanwhile, many tempted to work forworkers might be that their insurance themselves now is portable and not dependent on a specific job.

Life insurance is coverage for which another type of NOS. 75, 79 independent workers should be thinking.

O’Reilly The same holds for disability insurance, which would Automotive, be nice to have if you suffer an injury or face a medical condition Discount Tire that makes it difficult to work.

These auto-parts But disability is a service companies that’s easy to overlooktype of coverage were big gainers. when there’s no human-resources department to remind you. “So many self-employed people don’t have ance,” said Catherinedisability insurScrivano, a financial planner at Casco Financial Group in Phoenix.

The Council for ness offers a quick Disability Aware(www.whatsmypdq.oonline calculator assess the likelihood rg) that can help disability absence. you might face a Another key difference pendent workers involves for inderetirement planning. Employees jobs often have access in permanent to a 401(k)-style plan lan and, possibly, possibly a traditional pension. But independent workers might

The law firm of Gallagher & Kennedy is well represented by our accomplished women professionals, both in service to our clients and as volunteers in the community.

See WILES, Page 2E

AZCENTRAL.COM

People are starting to get serious about year-end tax planning, including the money-saving forded by some of opportunities afArizona’s unusual tax credits.

Tax credits directly MEGAN CASSIDY bill, dollar for dollar. lower your taxTHE door openings visible more valuable than That makes them REPUBLIC i AZCENTRAL.COM be secured with the from the street to reduce the taxable deductions, which material everal months ago, ture has been unoccupied if the structaxes are calculated. income on which Several for more than woman oman Kate Gallego Phoenix Council- 90 0 days. The 90-day Arizona’s credits do provision is also new, city’ss vacant properties was touring the replacing the restrictions that don’t come with a few previous deadline new of 180 y the appearance of and was shocked days. The measures make them suit-by some of the homes. were the result of an The he uninhabited properties were abandoned-buildings task force that GalE5 practically ractically indistinguishable lego spearheaded. from their neighbors.

A growing number Property roperty owners and around the country of municipalities are weighing the nix ix had begun outfitting banks in Phoe- idea of securing sheets heets of polycarbonate, windows with carbonate as an empty homes with polyalternative to plywood a thin, nearly boarding, indestructible ndestructible plastic which many say reads appearance ppearance of glass. that mirrors the vacancy sign like to prospective squattersa And last month,, and drug dealers. among mong the first in the the city became Detroit, Los Angeles and Chicago govcarbonate arbonate windows U.S. to make poly- ernments are considering a matter of municisimilar meapal law. sures, and many banks have begun using Phoenix hoenix now requires all window and See PLASTIC, Page 8E

Phoen hoenix ix uses tough plastic

to help fight blight

See CREDITS, Page

An abandoned house in Phoenix is outfitted with a window made of polycarbonate.

MICHAEL SCHENNUM/ THE REPUBLIC

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARIZONA ECONOMY

Gallagher & Kennedy

was recently named a 2015 Who’s Who Top Business

by The Arizona Republic

ARIZONA REPUBLIC 100: An annual look at the state’s largest employers and how their workforces change year to year.

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Janey Henze Cook

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Germaine Chappelle

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Commercial Finance, Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights

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COVERAGE BY THE LOCAL EXPERTS. Our

Plus, look for these special reports to keep you up to date:

Insurance, Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Dana Stagg Belknap

The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com keep track of the trends shaping Arizona’s economy. team of reporters brings you the real-world story and the voices of Arizonans trying to build their futures.

They include Ken Alltucker on health, Robert Anglen on consumer protection, Sue Doerfler on retail and innovation, Ronald J. Hansen on economic trends, Laurie Merrill on business and consumer trends, Ryan Randazzo on energy and technology, Catherine Reagor on real estate and Russ Wiles on influential companies.

Look for news from these reporters and many others every day.

Kim Allen

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Tax Commercial Litigation, Public Bidding & Procurement

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Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights, Commercial Litigation

Wealth Management, Tax Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights, Commercial Litigation

VALLEY HOME VALUES: A twice-yearly report on changes in home-sale prices in metro Phoenix.

35 ENTREPRENEURS 35 AND YOUNGER: Meet the annual class of up-and-coming business owners who are putting their innovations to work.

ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT: A monthly update of key data, the second Sunday of every month.

CONSUMER PROTECTION: Scammers and safety issues could cost you. Look for coverage every Wednesday.

Lawyers. When Results Matter.

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Legal&Finance_Master.indd 47

5/26/15 6:33 PM

LEGAL & FINANCE

LARGE BANKS, RANKED BY ARIZONA DEPOSITS

Top 10 WELLS FARGO 100 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 85003 // 800-869-3557 // wellsfargo.com AZ DEPOSITS $25.6 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 14,704 FOUNDED 1852 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pamela Conboy, lead regional president JP MORGAN CHASE 201 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-221-4724 // chase.com AZ DEPOSITS $25 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 9,700 FOUNDED 1799 PRINCIPAL Curtis Reed, market manager for Arizona and Nevada HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Samantha Simonetti Sturgeon, market manager, Chase consumer banking; Noreen Bishop, Chase business banking BANK OF AMERICA 201 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 85004 // 800-432-1000 // bankofamerica.com AZ DEPOSITS $17.7 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 10,500 FOUNDED 1904 PRINCIPAL Benito C. Almanza, Arizona president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Eleanor Millwood, senior vice president Arizona area executive

A HELPING HAND

PARIS DAVIS RETAIL BANKING DIVISION MANAGER, VICE PRESIDENT

BY GEORGANN YARA

48

It’s not often that a temporary post-high school job becomes a professional calling.

However, it did for Paris Davis, vice president and northwest Arizona retail banking division manager for Washington Federal. She remains with the company she joined as a customer service representative in Salem, Ore., 31 years ago.

“I couldn’t decide what I wanted to study in college,” says Davis, who was hired right after graduating from high school in 1984. “It was supposed to be the job I had until I knew what I wanted to do.”

The youngest employee at the branch, Davis quickly settled in. Previous retail work gave her cash-handling experience, but Davis embraced every facet of the field. She enjoyed helping people and the job gave her ample opportunity.

In less than a year, Davis couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

“It’s like putting on a really comfortable pair of shoes,” she says.

“They’re beautiful. They fit great.

I’m sold!”

During her first 17 years in Oregon, Davis rose through the ranks, eventually moving into operations. Her willingness to absorb new skills and an ability to get along with everyone were pluses. Davis also liked the organization and its corporate climate.

In 2001, Davis moved to Arizona with her husband of 18 years, Layne Davis, a fellow native Oregonian. He

had been to Arizona before and craved a warmer environment. In 1994, Washington Federal moved into the Arizona market, so Davis knew there were opportunities for her here.

Her superiors were supportive and granted Davis’ request to relocate.

“It’s those types of things that make it easy to be here for 31 years,” she says. “I bleed green (Washington Federal’s color scheme).”

Davis, who has two brothers, is the daughter of parents who worked for a major trucking company. Through her mother’s position as a regional manager, Davis saw employees transferred and companies shut down. She didn’t want to be in that situation.

“I wanted something that had more staying power,” she says. “Washington Federal has been in business for 94 years. I like that, and I like knowing that I’ll be here for the 100th anniversary.”

Davis remains confident of this, even after undergoing thyroid cancer surgery early this year. Doctors are positive she will experience a full recovery, and so is she.

And the banking professional who made a career of helping colleagues and customers is seeing that kindness and generosity come full circle.

“So many people have reached out to me,” Davis says. “Some just call to see if there’s anything they can help me with. I knew I had a lot of great friends, but going through something like this brings it to a whole new level.”

NATIONAL BANK OF ARIZONA 6001 N. 24th St., Phoenix, 85016 // 602-235-6000 // nbarizona. com AZ DEPOSITS $4 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 900 FOUNDED 1984 PRINCIPAL Keith Maio, president, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Deborah Bateman, vice chairman BBVA COMPASS 2850 E. Camelback Road, Suite 140, Phoenix, 85016 // 205-297-3000 // bbvacompass.com AZ DEPOSITS $3.8 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 850 FOUNDED 1964 PRINCIPAL Jeff Talpas, west region executive HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lori Campbell, district retail executive ALLIANCE BANK OF ARIZONA 1 E. Washington St., Suite 1400, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-386-5500 // alliancebankofarizona.com AZ DEPOSITS $3 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 250 FOUNDED 2003 PRINCIPAL James Lundy, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sherri Slayton, executive vice president BMO HARRIS BANK 1 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85012 // 602-241-6565 // bmoharris. com AZ DEPOSITS $2.5 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 475 FOUNDED 1882 PRINCIPALS Steve Zandpour, BMO Harris Bank president; Matt Miller, BMO Private Bank HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Lisa George, senior vice president, Arizona retail manager U.S. BANK 101 N. First Ave., Suite 1600, Phoenix, 85003 // 602-257-5351 // usbank.com AZ DEPOSITS $1.5 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 739 FOUNDED 1989 PRINCIPAL Brian Schwallie, Arizona market president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Mary Martuscelli, president, wealth management WASHINGTON FEDERAL 2196 E. Camelback Road. Suite 100, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-416-2767 // washingtonfederal.com AZ DEPOSITS $1.3 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 250 FOUNDED 1917 PRINCIPAL Mike Brown, Arizona regional president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Paris Davis, retail banking division manager, vice president MIDFIRST BANK 3030 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-801-5000 // midfirst.com AZ DEPOSITS $1.1 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 345 FOUNDED 1982 PRINCIPAL Jeffrey Lowe, Arizona market president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Virginia Nelson, executive vice president

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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YOUR LIFE

IT’S BLENDING, NOT BALANCING MAKE SURE TO INDULGE IN ALL 8 SLICES OF THE PIE I work so hard, I feel like I don’t get enough time with my kids or to myself. I like to work, but I’m starting to feel burned out.

How can I find a better balance of what’s important to me?

Here’s the thing: balance doesn’t work. Even a seesaw is never in balance.

You constantly have to adjust based on what your responsibilities are. It’s about blending, not balance. That’s why you have to be sure you blend the things that matter to you in life effectively.

There are eight areas which blended create an extraordinary life. I like to imagine them as eight slices of a delicious pie. They don’t have to be even!

Sometimes you just want a sliver of pie; sometimes you want to indulge. And yet whichever way you blend them together, these eight elements make one whole, hearty, healthy life.

The eight areas you want to consider for a well-blended life are your physi-

cal environment, your personal growth and self care, your partner, your family and friends, your health, your work and career, your goals, and (of course) your fun and recreation! Balancing all of these things is elusive, even impossible.

Blending is the key to feeling balanced.

It sounds like you’ve already identified where you’re focusing more attention than you’d like by working so much, and what you want more of: time with your kids and to yourself. So many of us want that!

Take the time to check in on all eight slices of your pie. In addition to your family and friends and all the fun you’d like to be having, have you been blending all the elements that contribute to an extraordinary life?

What you measure helps you know what to prioritize. It helps you to be in control of what matters most to you and how you include it in your life at any given moment. Could part of your burnout be related to not blending your personal goals alongside your career goals? Have you sliced out time to energize and strengthen your body, mind and spir-

it? Do you have effective boundaries in place that protect your slices of pie?

I promise, I’m not trying to add more to your plate. It’s not about making huge life changes all at once—that’s not how you blend! The best chefs sift slowly, constantly adjusting their ingredients and flavors, even after a pie is out of the oven.

All you have to do is take 10 minutes each day to start blending in the elements you want more of in your life. Try 10 minutes of yoga with your kids every morning before school, or 10 minutes of meditation or journaling on your lunch break. Whatever you crave more of in your life, you can carve out a little slice for it.

Think about it: things in balance stand still. In life, we are constantly moving. Start blending the things that matter to you, and you’ll find you can have everything in life that you want!

BY RENIE CAVALLARI

Renie Cavallari is a coach, author, speaker, international marketing and leadership expert, and founder of Aspire, a training and strategic consulting organization.

She can be reached at renie@aspiremarketing.com.

Northern Trust is honored to be named a 2015 REPUBLIC MEDIA WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS. We are proud of Northern Trust’s Highest-Ranking Women in Arizona. They are part of a talented and dedicated team who put client service first, always.

Maria Moreno

Senior Vice President

Robin Randall

Senior Fiduciary Officer

Valerie Trottier

Senior Vice President

PHOENIX 602.468.1650 • SCOTTSDALE 480.365.6700 • TUCSON 520.529.2021 Wealth & Investment Management | Trust & Estate Services | Private Banking | Family Office Services

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LEGAL & FINANCE

MID-SIZE BANKS, RANKED BY ARIZONA DEPOSITS

Top 10 AMTRUST BANK, A DIVISION OF NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANK 6900 E. Camelback Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-970-6500 // amtrust.com AZ DEPOSITS $1 billion AZ EMPLOYEES 93 FOUNDED 1999 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Doreen Rast, senior vice president regional executive BANK OF THE WEST 7225 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, 85704 // 520-877-4800 // bankofthewest.com AZ DEPOSITS $999 million AZ EMPLOYEES 130 FOUNDED 1874 PRINCIPAL Kevin Gillette, director and market manager for Arizona HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Lori Lundberg, vice president, Arizona regional customer service manager BANK OF ARIZONA 16767 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 200, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-459-2821 // bankofarizona.com AZ DEPOSITS $713 million AZ EMPLOYEES 115 FOUNDED 2005 PRINCIPAL Dave Ralston, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Vickie Larsen, market executive private bank; Christine Nowaczyk, senior vice president senior vice president corporate banking team lead; Stacy Sanner, senior vice president treasury services

A ‘BULLDOG’ WITH HEELS

DESIRAE OUTCALT VICE PRESIDENT, CLIENT RELATIONS OFFICER

BY GEORGANN YARA

50

The relationship between women and shoes is no secret. However, Desirae Outcalt, vice president and client relations officer for The Biltmore Bank of Arizona, knows proper footwear can be more than fashionable.

It’s a lesson the 5-foot-10-inch banking veteran learned in the male-dominated industry.

“When wearing high heels that put me at eye level or taller than males, they tend not to talk down to me or try to intimidate me,” Outcalt says.

But what propelled Outcalt to heights no one expected from her while growing up in Tacoma, Wash., has more to do with her work ethic, unwavering strength and confidence.

That combination is likely why she doesn’t recall facing many professional challenges, whether from the job or from those who might think lacking a college degree means she is less capable.

“If I’ve ever gotten that feeling, it doesn’t last long,” Outcalt says. “Because once you work with me you realize, ‘She knows what she’s doing.’”

Growing up with her brother, Outcalt’s father wasn’t part of her life. Their mother was addicted to drugs.

“I was always told I would end up like her,” Outcalt recalls. “I vowed never to have that happen.”

She met her husband, Brad Outcalt, when they were 14. They became engaged when Brad got a

job that brought them to Phoenix 16 years ago, and married less than a week later.

A credit union hired Outcalt as a part-time teller. Over the next six years, she worked her way up until she was managing the largest branch. In 2006, she was told she had hit the ceiling. The credit union’s chief operating officer, a woman who didn’t have a college degree, provided inspiration, and the move to Biltmore provided opportunity.

Working at a smaller organization gave Outcalt the chance to grow and “learn so many aspects of banking,” she says.

In her personal life, Outcalt made weddings a hobby. With the exception of photography, she has tackled every wedding-related task from making dresses to catering, and is in the process of launching a business that makes bridal bouquets from antique broaches.

A role model for her nieces and nephews, Outcalt also enjoys mentoring and coaching colleagues, many of whom reach out for advice after they no longer work with her.

Hard work, determination and not letting others define her worth all raised Outcalt to where she is today.

“As long as I carry myself with respect and dignity and am confident with what I have to say, obstacles are easy to overcome,” she says. “I’m a bulldog. I don’t let stuff bother me and I go after it.”

THE NORTHERN TRUST CO. 2398 E. Camelback Road, Suite 400, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-468-1650 // northerntrust.com AZ DEPOSITS $696 million AZ EMPLOYEES 160 FOUNDED 1889 PRINCIPAL Tony Bolazina, Arizona president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Valerie Trottier, senior vice president, Southwest Region managing director of foundation and advisory services; Robin Randall, senior vice president of personal trust services in Tucson; Maria Moreno, senior vice president, managing director, Phoenix MERIDIAN BANK 16435 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 300, Scottsdale, 85254 // 602-636-5000 // meridianbank.com AZ DEPOSITS $584 million AZ EMPLOYEES 83 FOUNDED 1978 PRINCIPAL Larry J. West, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Deborah Wahl, senior vice president, human resources director MUTUAL OF OMAHA BANK 9200 E. Pima Center Parkway, Suite 260, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-458-2000 // mutualofomahabank.com AZ DEPOSITS $565 million AZ EMPLOYEES 339 FOUNDED 2008 PRINCIPAL Kevin Halloran, state president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Grace Duval, senior vice president ARIZONA BUSINESS BANK 2600 N. Central Ave., Suite 2000, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-240-2700 // azbizbank.com AZ DEPOSITS $504 million AZ EMPLOYEES 86 FOUNDED 2001 PRINCIPAL Toby Day, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cathy Valenzuela, president, Arizona Business Bank – East Valley BILTMORE BANK OF ARIZONA 5055 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 85018 // 602-992-5055 // biltmorebankaz.com AZ DEPOSITS $485 million AZ EMPLOYEES 26 FOUNDED 2003 PRINCIPAL Rich Endicott, President HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Desirae Outcalt, vice president, client relations officer ARIZONA BANK & TRUST 2036 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-381-2090 //arizbank.com AZ DEPOSITS $383 million AZ EMPLOYEES 70 FOUNDED 2003 PRINCIPAL Paul F. Muscenti, chairman HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nancy Tengler, senior vice president, Wealth Advisory Services market manager COMERICA BANK – ARIZONA 1 N. Central Ave., Suite 1000, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-417-1100 // comerica.com AZ DEPOSITS $363 million AZ EMPLOYEES 140 FOUNDED 2001 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Annette G. Musa, Arizona market president and regional market president - wealth management

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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HARDWARE SELLERS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

MANUFACTURING &TECHNOLOGY

Top 10 AVNET INC. 2211 S. 47th St., Phoenix, 85034 // 480-643-2000 // avnet.com FOUNDED 1921 AZ EMPLOYEES 2,400 PRINCIPAL Rick Hamada, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN MaryAnn Miller, senior vice president /chief human resources officer and corporate communications INSIGHT ENTERPRISES INC. 6820 S. Harl Ave., Tempe, 85283 // 800-467-4448 // insight.com FOUNDED 1988 AZ EMPLOYEES 1,400 PRINCIPAL Ken Lamneck, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Glynis Bryan, chief financial officer DATA DOCTORS 1400 E. Southern Ave. Suite 1020, Tempe, 85282 // 480-921-2444 // datadoctors.com FOUNDED 1988 AZ EMPLOYEES 246 PRINCIPAL Ken Colburn, founder and president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Melinda Butterfield, director of finance SENTINEL TECHNOLOGIES INC. 1241 W. Warner Road, Suite 112, Tempe, 85284 // 480-820-7141 // sentinel.com FOUNDED 1988 AZ EMPLOYEES 37 PRINCIPAL Brad Faubion, general manager, Phoenix HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cassondra Taylor, senior project manager MACMEDIA INC. 15525 N. 83rd Ave., Suite 108, Peoria, 85382 // 623-850-8000 // macmediainc.com FOUNDED 1999 AZ EMPLOYEES 26 PRINCIPAL Louis Georges, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Micki Noojin, accountant ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES 730 N. 52nd St., Suite 100, Phoenix, 85008 // 602-4268600 // etechservices.com FOUNDED 1998 AZ EMPLOYEES 25 PRINCIPAL James Siragusa, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jennifer Terry, CPA, controller ALL COVERED 5225 S. 39th St., Phoenix, 85040 // 602-437-0035 // allcovered.com FOUNDED 1997 AZ EMPLOYEES 25 PRINCIPAL Michael Sampson, managing director HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Christina Reyes, customer-service manager HYPERION WORKS 4450 S. Rural Road, Suite C100, Tempe, 85282 // 602-445-9832 // hyperionworks.com FOUNDED 2011 AZ EMPLOYEES 13 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Crystal Zampino-Coons, creative director/co-founder CLH INTERNATIONAL 1337 E. University Drive, Tempe, 85281 // 480-829-1350 // clh. com FOUNDED 1985 AZ EMPLOYEES 11 PRINCIPAL Andy Huang, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cyndi Huang, chief financial officer THE APPLE XCHANGE 1821 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, 85282 // 602-492-7575 // theapplexchange.com FOUNDED 2009 AZ EMPLOYEES 5 PRINCIPAL Alan Chook, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Susan Chook, co-owner, marketing manager

NEW GRAD TO BOSS Two months after landing her first post-college job as assistant to the director of finance at Data Doctors, Melinda Butterfield took over her boss’s job.

The year was 2004 and Butterfield had just earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting. She applied for the job at Data Doctors to get her feet wet. Two months in, however, the director of finance quit and Butterfield took over.

“I’d just graduated from ASU,” Butterfield says. “I was nervous and a little scared.”

Ten years later, at age 33, Butterfield is still Data Doctors’ director of finance. And she’s still going strong.

“My biggest lesson (from this experience) is not to be reluctant to change,” she says.

Butterfield’s interest in finance dates back to high school, when she took her first accounting class. She knew immediately it was her calling.

“I am very organized and I like how accounting has all its checks and balances,” she says, adding that she’s always been innately particular.

“My mother gave me a chocolate (birthday) cake when I was a kid, and I was meticulous to not get a crumb on me,” she recalls.

So when Butterfield found accounting, it felt like a perfect match.

Life as the director of finance hasn’t been all roses and rainbows, though. Butterfield says the workload can be stressful, but she’s learned how to deal with it.

“I put everything else on hold and take it one day at a time,” she says.

“I find it easier to look outside of the box and find new ways to do things when I do that.”

Butterfield describes herself as a stern leader who is scrupulous about staying on task — a trait that helps Data Doctors remain efficient. She admits that early in her career, she was afraid to speak out. But now she thinks differently and wants to pass along this message to other young women and girls.

“You just have to speak your mind,” she says. “You can’t be afraid to submit your ideas. It helps you grow, and become less vulnerable and less intimidated.”

After more than 10 years at Data Doctors, Butterfield has found her comfort zone. The job meshes well with her personal life and, above all, the people at the company keep her there and happy.

“I love the people I work with,” she says. “I love what I do.”

MELINDA BUTTERFIELD DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

BY SHARI LOPATIN

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 51

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MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY

SOFTWARE FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Top 10 MCKESSON SPECIALTY HEALTH AND MCKESSON PATIENT RELATIONSHIP SOLUTIONS, COMPANIES OF MCKESSON CORP. 4343 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 150, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-663-4000 // mckesson. com; mckessonspecialityhealth.com FOUNDED 1833 EMPLOYEES 1,200+ PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Heather Morel, vice president and general manager, health informatics | reimbursement, access and safety services, McKesson Specialty Health INFUSIONSOFT INC. 1260 S. Spectrum Blvd., Chandler, 85286 // 866-800-0004 // infusionsoft.com FOUNDED 2001 EMPLOYEES 602 PRINCIPAL Clate Mask, CEO, co-founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Elizabeth Pitt, chief customer officer JDA SOFTWARE GROUP INC. 14400 N. 87th St., Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-308-3000 // jda.com FOUNDED 1985 EMPLOYEES 466 PRINCIPAL Baljit S. Dall, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Jean Yatska, group vice president of product management; Veena Nyak, group vice president, product development

ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN

VEENA NAYAK GROUP VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

BY SHARI LOPATIN

52

Veena Nayak loves learning, a handy trait for software developers. “(Learning) just opens up the world to you,” Nayak says. “That curiosity and that passion for learning helps me in my job.”

That job is no small feat. Nayak is the group vice president for product development at JDA Software, a company that provides retail and supply chain planning software to companies around the world. As a whole, the company offers everything from cloud services to performance engineering to solution development.

Nayak received two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Mumbai: physics, in 1990, and science and computer technology, in 1993. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2000 with a master’s degree in business administration.

Her story, however, started more than three decades ago in Mumbai, India. Nayak was born and raised there, growing up in a middle class family. She is the youngest of three siblings, with an older brother and sister. Her father was an accountant with his own business. Her mother was a homemaker. “[My parents] emphasized education,” Nayak says, adding that they encouraged her to do whatever she wanted for a profession. “I think that’s the framework of what I’ve become today.”

Nayak chose software development because the industry was booming in India 25 years ago.

“It was fun to be able to build something and see it work,” she says.

“I’ve always been very analytical and I’m a problem-solver.”

Nayak married her husband while working in Mumbai. They moved to the United States in January 1995, when he got a job in Green Bay, Wis. Yet they quickly discovered that Green Bay was very small.

“We were new to the country and Phoenix sounded just as good as Green Bay,” Nayak says.

They both applied to jobs in Phoenix and landed positions at the same company, TRG, and moved at the end of 1995. “[Phoenix] was different,” Nayak says. “Mumbai is really like Manhattan. We loved being in Phoenix.

The heat was definitely interesting because it’s not something we were accustomed to.”

Nayak remained with TRG for another year before the company was acquired and she found herself looking for new work. Friends told Nayak about JDA. She applied for a software development position and got the job.

Today, she has been with JDA for 18 years, where she worked her way up through management to her current role, and where she continues striving to learn more.

ICM DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS 4320 E. Cotton Center Blvd., Suite 106, Phoenix, 85040 // 602-678-1978 // icmdocs.com FOUNDED 1988 EMPLOYEES 155 PRINCIPAL Phil Harrington, CEO, founder HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Linda Matson, director of human resources; Kristin Macedo, director of sales; Paula Escoto, director of finance MCMURRY/TMG 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, 85014 // 602-395-5850 // mcmurrytmg.com FOUNDED 1984 as McMurry, 2012 as McMURRY/ TMG EMPLOYEES 95 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Beth Tomkiw, chief client officer ENGHOUSE INTERACTIVE, A DIVISION OF ENGHOUSE SYSTEMS LTD 2095 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Phoenix, 85027 // 800-788-9733 // enghouseinteractive.com FOUNDED 1985 EMPLOYEES 70 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Anga Brady, director of global finance APPOINTMENT-PLUS 15300 N. 90th St., Suite 100, Scottsdale, 85260 // 800-988-0061 // appointment-plus.com FOUNDED 2001 EMPLOYEES 65 PRINCIPAL Bob La Loggia, CEO, founder HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Sara Circosta, director of sales; Melissa Weatherly, director of finance COMPUTER GUIDANCE CORP. 15035 N. 75th St., Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-444-7000 // computerguidance.com FOUNDED 1981 EMPLOYEES 55 PRINCIPAL Mike Bihlmeier, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Victoria Satran, vice president of marketing 360 CLOUD SOLUTIONS 14350 N. 87th St., Suite 165, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480 295-3420 // 360cloudsolutions.com FOUNDED 2007 EMPLOYEES 37 PRINCIPAL Tom Lewis, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Erin Compton, chief operating officer, operations manager GATE 6 23460 N. 19th Ave., Suite 110, Phoenix, 85027

// 623-572-7725 // gate6.com FOUNDED 1996

EMPLOYEES 35 PRINCIPAL Manish Mamnani, CEO, founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Rebecca Heft, director of digital strategy

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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IT SUPPLIERS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

MANUFACTURING &TECHNOLOGY

Top 10 AVNET INC. 2211 S. 47th St., Phoenix, 85034 // 480-643-2000 // avnet.com FOUNDED 1921 EMPLOYEES 2,400 PRINCIPAL Rick Hamada, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN MaryAnn Miller, senior vice president / chief human resources officer and corporate communications INSIGHT ENTERPRISES INC. 6820 S. Harl Ave., Tempe, 85283 // 800-467-4448 // insight.com FOUNDED 1988 EMPLOYEES 1,400 PRINCIPAL Ken Lamneck, president and CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Glynis Bryan, chief financial officer ONENECK IT SOLUTIONS 5301 N. Pima Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 85250 // 480-315-3000 // oneneck.com FOUNDED 1993 EMPLOYEES 235 PRINCIPAL Phil La Forge, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Teresa Snyder, vice president of marketing KONICA MINOLTA 4415 E. Cotton Center Blvd., Phoenix, 85040 // 602-244-9944 // kmbs. konicaminolta.us FOUNDED 1873 EMPLOYEES 200 PRINCIPAL John Stringer, market vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lisa Matesky, market administration manager UNICON 1760 E. Pecos Road, Suite 432, Gilbert, 85295 // 480-558-2400 // unicon.net FOUNDED 1993 EMPLOYEES 118 PRINCIPAL John Blakley, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Patience Breinholt, vice president of human resources IT1 SOURCE 4110 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 300, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-777-5995 // it1.com FOUNDED 2003 EMPLOYEES 74 PRINCIPAL Bryan Clifton and Guy Steinbrink, co-founders HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lauren Young, director of operations SOLÜ TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS 9380 E. Bahia Drive, Suite A202, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-9489322 // solutechnology.com FOUNDED 2001 EMPLOYEES 51 PRINCIPAL John O’Brien, vice president, Western region HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Donna Johnson, senior recruiter SENTINEL TECHNOLOGIES INC. 1241 W. Warner Road, Suite 112, Tempe, 85284 // 480-820-7141 // sentinel.com FOUNDED 1988 EMPLOYEES 37 PRINCIPAL Brad Faubion, general manager, Phoenix HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cassondra Taylor, senior project manager ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES 730 N. 52nd St., Suite 100, Phoenix, 85008 // 602-4268600 // etechservices.com FOUNDED 1998 EMPLOYEES 25 PRINCIPAL James Siragusa, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jennifer Terry, CPA, controller PHOENIX SYNERGY, LLC 2432 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 1022, Phoenix, 85029 // 602-2160960 // phoenixsynergy.com FOUNDED 2000 EMPLOYEES 10 PRINCIPAL JamesIsdahl, founder, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

LINKING PEOPLE, IDEAS If Teresa Snyder could summarize why she loves marketing in one phrase, it would be this: “telling the story.”

Snyder calls herself a social person, a promoter, someone who loves connecting people with a message. It comes natural to her.

That’s probably why, for the past two years, OneNeck IT Solutions has increased its clientele by 13 percent, according to company officials. Snyder became OneNeck’s vice president of marketing three years ago and has been telling the company’s story ever since.

Snyder started with OneNeck in 2002, when she came on board as a marketing manager. At the time, OneNeck was a small company, an aspect that drew Snyder, who had worked for smaller firms in the past.

“I liked working for smaller companies because you got to wear so many different hats and do so many different things,” Snyder says.

However, Snyder’s knack for marketing began in childhood. Her mother owned a business called Arrangements, which organized events and weddings. Snyder sometimes helped.

“It was kind of fun,” Snyder says. “I think that’s where I got my taste for [marketing and promoting].”

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Snyder started college at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Drawn to public relations, she transferred to Northern Arizona University because it had one of the best PR programs in the country. In 1994, she earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations with an emphasis in marketing. She continued her education at the University of Phoenix, receiving a master’s degree in organizational management. “[Marketing] is part of my personality,” Snyder says. “I don’t think anyone I went to school with is surprised I went into marketing.”

Today, Snyder enjoys telling OneNeck’s story. She says the company offers a diverse portfolio of services: it has a cloud, owns nine data centers and sells IT hardware. The company can even run a client’s IT department.

“We can be that one neck for all your IT solutions,” Snyder says.

Telling that story hasn’t come without challenges, however. Last year, Snyder says, five companies merged into the OneNeck brand. It was her job to unite everything under one message. She accomplished that by working to brand OneNeck as a hybrid IT solution.

“What I love about us now is that we are a huge Fortune 1000 company,” she says.

And as for the future?

“Our biggest goal is, obviously, growth,” she says. Thus, the story continues.

TERESA SNYDER VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING

BY SHARI LOPATIN

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 53

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MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY

ALTERNATIVE-ENERGY COMPANIES, RANKED BY NUMBER OF ARIZONA EMPLOYEES

Top 10 SOLARCITY 1725 W. Williams Drive, Building E, Suite 60, Phoenix, 85027 // 888-765-2489 // solarcity.com FOUNDED 2006 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar EMPLOYEES 750 PRINCIPAL Eric Wittenberg, regional vice president, Arizona HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Aparna Mohla, regional sales manager FIRST SOLAR INC. 350 W. Washington St., Suite 600, Tempe, 85281 // 602-414-9300 // firstsolar. com FOUNDED 1999 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar EMPLOYEES 350 PRINCIPAL Jim Hughes, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Maja Wessels, executive vice president of public affairs HARMON SOLAR 945 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, 85027 // 623-879-0010 // harmonsolar. com FOUNDED 1975 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar EMPLOYEES 85 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Julie King, CEO SUN VALLEY SOLAR SOLUTIONS 3235 N. Arizona Ave., Suite D7, Chandler, 85225 // 480-361-6041 // svssolutions.com FOUNDED 2006 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar EMPLOYEES 75 PRINCIPAL Russ Patzer, Joe Messner, co-owners HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Michelle Burnett, vice president of sales, residential

VP ASPIRED TO JOIN TEAM

MICHELLE BURNETT VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, RESIDENTIAL

BY GEORGANN YARA

54

Everything about Michelle Burnett’s 10-year career as an independent consultant was perfect, except for the independent part.

While many would relish the opportunity to succeed as their own boss, Burnett yearned to be part of something bigger.

“I missed being part of a team,” she says, which eventually led to her current position as vice president of residential sales at Sun Valley Solar Solutions.

Burnett spent several years in the homebuilding industry before landing at Sun Valley in 2012.

“Here, I felt I could make a difference,” she says.

Burnett attended community colleges but longed to be in the workforce since her first retail job in high school. She talks about mentors, most of them former bosses, like a former superior at a large residential developer who encouraged her to be fearless and take the next step.

“They changed me for life,” Burnett says. “They taught me about service and work ethic.”

Burnett’s consulting company focused on leadership and management training, skills she learned in the construction industry. “I didn’t get a formal degree,” she says. “But I received a lot of education.”

Burnett has three sons. Bobby, her husband of eight years, works with her as a sales representative. She hired him two years ago.

“For years, I’d come home and brag about how much I love my company,” Burnett recalls. “He always said, ‘You should hire me.’ I knew he would be good but I wasn’t sure it would be a good move. But it was and he’s one of our best.”

Born in Colorado, Burnett was 4 when she and her two older brothers moved with their parents to Arizona.

Growing up in Tempe and Gilbert, her brothers played Pop Warner football and she was a cheerleader. Her father, an engineer for Motorola, was a coach. Her mother, also a Motorola engineer, made her cheerleading uniforms.

But the family’s Norman Rockwell-esque life changed three years later when Burnett’s father left.

“We were this all-American family,” Burnett recalls. “Then, I saw my mom work full time, get her master’s degree and raise us three kids.”

Her mother, who died five years ago, earned her master’s degree in counseling and went on to work with high-risk children, opening a center aimed at helping teens who had dreams of going to college.

Her mother’s strength, drive and dedication are among the reasons she is the most influential person in Burnett’s life.

“She was amazing,” Burnett says. “I learned about work ethic and compassion, about life’s lessons and not being a victim. And inspiring people. I got that from her.”

SOLAR TOPPS LLC 102 S. 28th St., Phoenix, 85034

// 480-940-1201 // solartopps.com FOUNDED 2009 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar photovoltaic EMPLOYEES 67 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Joan Uppal, CEO

AMERICAN SOLAR AND ROOFING 1475 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 410, Scottsdale, 85257 // 480-994-1440 // americanpv.com FOUNDED 2001 ENERGY SPECIALTY residential solar EMPLOYEES 65 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Joy Seitz, CEO and chief operating officer SCHLETTER INC. 2201 N. Forbes Blvd., Tucson, 85745 // 520-289-8700 // schletter.us FOUNDED 2007 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar EMPLOYEES 45 PRINCIPAL Dennis Brice, president, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Angela Kliever, vice president of marketing and communications SKY RENEWABLE ENERGY 5815 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Suite 203, Phoenix, 85015 // 602-595-4178 // skyrenewableenergy.com FOUNDED 2001 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar and compressed heat and power EMPLOYEES 34 PRINCIPAL Scott Young, vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kay Young, president TPI COMPOSITES 8501 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85253 // 480-305-8910 // tpicomposites.com FOUNDED 1968 ENERGY SPECIALTY wind turbine blades EMPLOYEES 18 PRINCIPAL Steven C. Lockard, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Cross, vice president talent and culture SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS & PRODUCTS, INC. 2716 N. Ogden Road, Suite 105, Mesa, 85215 // 480-510-2170 // solarelectricfreedom. com FOUNDED 2002 ENERGY SPECIALTY solar EMPLOYEES NA PRINCIPAL Keith Rowley, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

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YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND ON GRADS? It's a rite of passage — each year millions of kids and young adults (and some older ones) will graduate.

With high school or college diplomas in sight, parents, other relatives and friends must decide on gifts. What to buy and how much to spend? Here are some tips and suggestions.

ARE GIFTS EXPECTED?

Providing a graduation gift is a personal decision, with no pat answers.

Your gift partly reflects how well you know the student, his or her academic achievements and your own financial situation. In some cases, a gift might not be expected. If you're going to attend the ceremony or a graduation party, plan on bringing a gift, suggests the Emily Post Institute. But if you receive a graduation announcement only, there's no such obligation.

WHICH PRESENTS ARE BEST?

Gift suggestions are all over the place, including bedding and small coffee/food appliances for dorm rooms,

battery chargers for smartphones/ tablets and shaving/makeup kits. In a National Retail Federation survey, 12 percent of givers intended to buy clothing/apparel and 9 percent specified electronic items. But a lot more people planned to give cash (57 percent), gift cards (31 percent) or regular cards (38 percent). Some people give multiple gifts and/or cards.

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

You also must decide how much to spend. Again, there's no set recommendation. In a survey of more than 1,000 people by retailmenot,respondents on average said gifts worth about $111 were appropriate for high-school graduates, $243 for someone earning a bachelor's degree and $256 for the recipient of a graduate degree. Spending expectations were lower in the National Retail Federation survey, which included many more responses, about 6,500.

ABOUT $52 PER RECIPIENT

According to the National Retail

Federation survey, the average giver planned to spend $52 per recipient (or $98 total, because givers buy presents for 1.9 graduates on average).

Those figures are roughly where they were when the retail group started its annual survey in 2007, though the average ebbed as low as $45 per recipient in 2009, when the economy was in a recession. Men spend a bit more than women — about $55 per recipient vs. $50.

THINKSTOCK

BY RUSS WILES

GIFT PROTOCOL

Plan to present the gift either on the date of graduation or very close to that day, suggests the Emily Post Institute.

You either should mail the present or drop it off in person, the group adds.

AR-0008397212-01

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EDUCATION

CHARTER SCHOOLS, RANKED BY ENROLLMENT

Top 10 GREAT HEARTS ACADEMIES 3102 N. 56th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-438-7045 // greatheartsaz. org FOUNDED 2002 AZ EMPLOYEES 749 ENROLLMENT 9,300 AZ CAMPUSES 19 PRINCIPAL Erik Twist, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Katie Cobb, senior vice president of advancement IMAGINE SCHOOLS 1843 West 16th Ave., Apache Junction, 85220 // 480-355-0502 // imagineschools. com FOUNDED 2004 AZ EMPLOYEES 700 ENROLLMENT 9,000 AZ CAMPUSES 13 PRINCIPAL Monte Lange, executive vice president HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Heidi Lindsay, Sherry Ruttinger regional directors BASIS CHARTER SCHOOLS 7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite B100, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-2892088 // basisschools.org; basised.com FOUNDED 1998 AZ EMPLOYEES 875 ENROLLMENT 8,600 AZ CAMPUSES 12 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Olga Block, co-founder LEGACY TRADITIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS 3201 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler, 85286 // 480-270-5438 // legacytraditional.org FOUNDED 2007 AZ EMPLOYEES 650 ENROLLMENT 8,200 AZ CAMPUSES 9 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Paula Jensen, superintendent

ONE MISSION: COLLEGE

OLGA BLOCK CO-FOUNDER

BY SHARI LOPATIN

56

Olga Block believes “nothing is for free, and if you want to succeed, you have to work very hard.”

She would know. Two years after moving to the United States from Prague, Block co-founded BASIS Charter Schools on this very philosophy with her husband, Michael Block, a now-retired University of Arizona professor.

In 2014, the Oganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ranked BASIS students’ test scores above some of the highest-ranked school systems in the world. For reading, math and science, BASIS students even scored higher than those in Shanghai, China, which Block says has the best education system in the world.

“Our mission is to prepare students for college,” Block says. “We believe everyone can succeed. This is a school for anybody who works really hard.”

Before coming to the U.S., Block taught economics at Charles University in Prague. In 1991, she took an opportunity to attend Cornell University for a year, where she learned about higher education in the U.S. When she returned to Prague, she introduced many new concepts to her country’s educational system, including the idea of electives.

After she married Michael and

moved to the U.S., Block’s experiences with her daughter’s education in Tucson’s public schools inspired her to start her own. She liked that the teachers treated her daughter kindly and taught her to be open, but Block was concerned about the school’s academic standards, especially in math.

“I thought I could do much better with students academically, while still keeping the spirit of the American public school,” Block says.

Block and her husband founded BASIS in 1998. Over the past 17 years, the charter school has grown to include 18 schools nationwide, with 12 in Arizona and one in Washington D.C. And Block believes her schools’ expectations are increasing academic standards throughout Arizona.

“I really believe that in order to prevent students from leaving to (attend) BASIS, schools are trying to change their academic programs” to align with the BASIS standards, she says. “The major feature we are pushing through our culture is to really make students believe that knowledge matters.”

She is passionate about that goal.

When asked what she does for fun, Block merely says skiing and running BASIS with her husband.

“At this point, it’s kind of a family business,” she says.

EDKEY, INC. (A.K.A. SEQUOIA SCHOOLS) 1460 S. Horne, Mesa, 85204 // 480-461-3200 // edkey.org FOUNDED 1996 AZ EMPLOYEES 724 ENROLLMENT 5,514 AZ CAMPUSES 17 PRINCIPAL Doug Pike, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tamara Becker, assistant superintendent PRIMAVERA ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL 2471 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 85225 // 480456-6678 // gothighschool.com, gotmiddleschool.com FOUNDED 2001 AZ EMPLOYEES 258 ENROLLMENT 5,500 AZ CAMPUSES online + blended learning facility PRINCIPAL Damian Creamer, CEO and founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Maveonian “Mori” Creamer, superintendent/chief operating officer AMERICAN CHARTER SCHOOLS FOUNDATION 7878 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 85020 // 602-943-4456 // acsfoundation.org ENROLLMENT 4092 AZ CAMPUSES 10 PRINCIPAL Theodore C. Frederick, director, president, and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Gina Conflitti, treasurer EDUPRIZE SCHOOLS 580 W. Melody Ave., Gilbert, 85233 // 480-813-9537 // eduprizeschools.net FOUNDED 1995 AZ EMPLOYEES 400 ENROLLMENT 3,860 AZ CAMPUSES 2 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Lynn Robershotte, co-founder, superintendent BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHARTER SCHOOLS 320 E. Warner Rd., Gilbert //480-632-0722 // benjaminfranklincharterschool.com FOUNDED 1995 AZ EMPLOYEES 200 ENROLLMENT 2,800 AZ CAMPUSES 4 PRINCIPAL Eddie Farnsworth, executive director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Dr. Rebekah Baker, director of curriculum and instruction ARIZONA CONNECTIONS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL 335 E. Germann Road, Suite 140, Gilbert, 85297 // 480-782-5842 // connectionsacademy.com/ arizona-school FOUNDED 2003 AZ EMPLOYEES 63 ENROLLMENT 2,100 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kerri Wright, principal

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS, RANKED BY ENROLLMENT

EDUCATION

Top 10 NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 16401 N. 43rd Ave., Phoenix, 85053 // 602-978-5134 // ncsaz.org FOUNDED 1980 AZ EMPLOYEES 143 ENROLLMENT 1,461 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL Geoff Brown, superintendent HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Dawna Underwood, elementary principal; Samantha Maszton, middle school principal BROPHY COLLEGE PREPARATORY 4701 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85012 // 602-264-5291 // brophyprep.org FOUNDED 1928 AZ EMPLOYEES 142 ENROLLMENT 1,275 AZ CAMPUSES 3 PRINCIPAL Father Edward A. Reese, S.J., president HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Adria Renke, vice president; Carol Ford, chief financial officer XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY 4710 N. Fifth St., Phoenix, 85012 // 602-277-3772 // xcp.org FOUNDED 1943 AZ EMPLOYEES 155 ENROLLMENT 1,197 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Sister Joan Fitzgerald, principal NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY 9701 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-634-8200 // notredamepreparatory.org FOUNDED 2002 AZ EMPLOYEES 102 ENROLLMENT 860 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL James Gmelich, principal HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Tanya Bartlett, assistant principal; Yolanda Mendoza, director of campus ministry SCOTTSDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 14400 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, 85032 // 602-992-5100 // scarizona.org FOUNDED 1968 AZ EMPLOYEES 78 ENROLLMENT 783 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL Chet Crane, superintendent HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sheri Moy, elementary principal JOY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 21000 N. 75th Ave., Glendale, 85308 // 623-561-2000 // joyschool.org FOUNDED 1984 AZ EMPLOYEES 90 ENROLLMENT 780 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL Scott Brown, executive director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Kim Youngs, intervention/curriculum director; Debbie Clark, principal elementary to middle school PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 3901 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley, 85253 // 602-955-8200 // pcds.org FOUNDED 1961 AZ EMPLOYEES 133 ENROLLMENT 740 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL Andrew Rodin, headmaster HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Roz Abero, assistant head of school for external affairs SETON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY 1150 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, 85224 // 480-963-1900 // setoncatholic.org FOUNDED 1954 AZ EMPLOYEES 70 ENROLLMENT 580 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Patricia Collins, principal RANCHO SOLANO PREPARATORY SCHOOL 9180 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-646-8200 // ranchosolano.com FOUNDED 1954 AZ EMPLOYEES 130 ENROLLMENT 550 AZ CAMPUSES 2 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Dr. Audrey Menard, head of school; Julie Grindey, dean of students ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL 2525 N. Third St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-251-2500 // smknights.org FOUNDED 1917 AZ EMPLOYEES 69 ENROLLMENT 520 AZ CAMPUSES 1 PRINCIPAL The Rev. Robert Bolding, president-rector HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Suzanne Fessler, principal; Melissa Seward Block, managing director

A LEGACY OF SERVICE Brophy College Preparatory’s Adria Renke is an education professional today because her father taught her about living and giving.

Renke’s father was a banker in the small factory town south of Detroit where she grew up. Though raised in poverty, he had the opportunity and tenacity to graduate from the University of Detroit. The university is a Jesuit institution, as is Brophy, where Renke is vice president.

“He told my brother, sister and I that education was the key component that raised him from poverty,” says Renke, who completed her teaching degree at the University of Michigan. “My family told me he was a great friend to small businessmen, having faith in them, lending through the bank. At his wake — when I was 11 — many groups came to honor him. He was only 48 when he died, and those who knew him said he was a servant to all.”

This Jesuitical commitment to service was celebrated by St. Ignatius Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Jesuits, who said, “Go and set the world on fire.”

Renke didn’t realize the importance of this tradition, or its embodiment in her father, until she moved to Phoenix at age 20. Her first apartment was near St. Francis Xavier Church, and she joined the Jesuit-administered parish.

“When I started attending and heard the homilies, I kept thinking that I had heard this before: ‘open to growth,’ ‘set the world on fire,’ ‘fully

alive.’ I realized it was a legacy from my dad and embraced it,” Renke says, now mother of three married children, who have blessed her with six grandchildren.

At Brophy, she lives these principles daily, working directly with the school’s Jesuit president, Father Edward Reese. Together, they have expanded the school’s facilities by 60 percent, tripled the financial aid budget and opened Loyola Academy for underserved sixth-, seventhand eighth-grade boys, whose education is free.

Active in the community, Renke volunteered through the Junior League of Phoenix when Rosson House Museum was renovated and when the Arizona Science Center was established. She also volunteered as a member of the Arizona State Mathematics Textbook Adoption Committee.

She sees such service as an important part of the school’s principles. As a member of the order who recently died is remembered for saying, “If we are sending your son off into the world comfortable with what he sees, we have failed him.”

For Renke, Brophy not only educates, it transforms.

At graduation a few years ago, the salutatorian said: “By the time you discover who you aspire to be, Brophy’s already made you into someone better.”

Parents say, “I gave you a little boy, and you gave me back a man.”

ADRIA RENKE VICE PRESIDENT

BY DAVID M. BROWN

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 57

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Welcoming Rita Hartung Cheng

16th President of Northern n Arizona A University As president of Northern Arizona A University, Rita Cheng values alu ues engagement and believess that t hard work, perseverance and ad adaptability daptability vate tes others bring success. She motivates mm mitment through her steadfast commitment ntss of all to achievement for students ea ans a backgrounds, and that means a. brighter future for Arizona.

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COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, RANKED BY ENROLLMENT

EDUCATION

Top 10 ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY 1151 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, 85287 // 480-965-9011 // asu. edu FOUNDED 1885 AZ EMPLOYEES 12,410 ENROLLMENT 83,301 including Thunderbird School of Global Management PRINCIPAL Michael Crow, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Christine Wilkinson, senior vice president, secretary of the university and president of the ASU alumni association GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85017 // 602-589-2300 // gcu.edu FOUNDED 1949 AZ EMPLOYEES 3,400 ENROLLMENT 66,000 PRINCIPAL Brian Mueller, president, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sarah Boeder, executive vice president of operations UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA P.O. Box 210066, Tucson, 85721 // 520-621-2211 // arizona. edu FOUNDED 1885 AZ EMPLOYEES 12,291 ENROLLMENT 40,621 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Ann Weaver Hart, president NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, 86011 // 928-523-9011 // nau.edu FOUNDED 1899 AZ EMPLOYEES 4,682 ENROLLMENT 27,715 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Rita Cheng, president UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX 1625 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Tempe, 85282 // 866-766-0766 // phoenix. edu FOUNDED 1976 AZ EMPLOYEES 6,980 employees in the state of Arizona ENROLLMENT 19,000 students in the state of Arizona PRINCIPAL Tim Slottow, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Meredith Curley, interim provost; Ruth Veloria, executive dean, University of Phoenix School of Business MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY 19555 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, 85308 // 623-572-3353 // midwestern. edu FOUNDED 1900 (in Illinois); Glendale Campus, 1995 AZ EMPLOYEES 661 ENROLLMENT 3,158 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathleen H. Goeppinger, president, CEO PIMA MEDICAL INSTITUTE multiple locations // 800-477-7462 // pmi.edu FOUNDED 1972 AZ EMPLOYEES 296 ENROLLMENT 2,558 PRINCIPAL Fred Freedman, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Liby Lentz, vice president human resources WESTERN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 1601 West Fountainhead Parkway, Tempe, 85282 // 602-943-2311 // west.edu FOUNDED 1978 AZ EMPLOYEES 100 ENROLLMENT 2,042 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tracy Lorenz, president A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES 5850 E. Still Circle , Mesa, 85206 // 480-219-6000 // atsu.edu FOUNDED 1892 AZ EMPLOYEES full time, 376, part time, 562: total, 938 ENROLLMENT 1,635 PRINCIPAL Craig Phelps, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kay Kalousek, dean of School of Osteopathic Medicine DEVRY UNIVERSITY 2149 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, 85021 // 602-749-7301 // devry.com FOUNDED 1931 AZ EMPLOYEES 155 ENROLLMENT 1,318 PRINCIPAL Anthony Spano, interim Phoenix metro president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

A SUN DEVIL STAR Teacher, administrator, athletic director, community leader: Dr. Christine K. Wilkinson stars on all these fields for ASU. As senior vice president and Secretary at Arizona State University, Wilkinson is responsible for regents relations, commencement, convocation, the university’s special guests, advisory councils to President Michael Crow and representing the university in the community.

And as CEO and president of the ASU Alumni Association, she provides leadership, direction and oversight for the association and the 358,000 reachable alumni worldwide. An alum herself, Wilkinson received her doctorate from ASU. A tenured faculty member in the Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Wilkinson served as interim athletic director three times and as vice president of student affairs for 13 years.

And while she is not teaching now, she says, “I have always enjoyed teaching and providing guidance for students as they prepare further for their careers.”

Wilkinson also serves on a number of boards, including Valley of the Sun United Way, the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

For her efforts, she has earned many awards, including the uni-

versity’s Award of Merit; the Alumni Achievement Award; the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s Crystal Apple Award, for excellence in teaching; and Valley Leadership’s Woman of the Year.

Wilkinson’s parents taught her the importance of community service. Her mom, Margaret, was a banker and very community centered.

Wilkinson’s dad is William (Bill) Kajikawa, the university’s legendary former coach. Her husband, Don Wilkinson, retired from the Tempe Union High School District, where he served as district athletic director. They have three great-nieces, Addison, 8; Sienna, 6; and Kiera, 3, all “delightful, full of energy and curious,” she says.

But Wilkinson’s “most special moment” was presenting her father with an honorary degree from ASU. “Kaji” coached baseball, basketball and football at ASU; the football practice field on the Tempe campus is named for him. He also served with the famed 442nd Regiment Combat Team, the all-Japanese-American regiment of the U.S. Army in World War II — the most decorated unit for size and length of service in the history of American warfare.

“We all hope to make a difference,” Wilkinson says. “In my case, it happens to be through education. Along the way, you also hopefully develop and guide staff and colleagues in reaching institutional as well as personal goals.”

CHRISTINE WILKINSON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY OF THE UNIVERSITY AND PRESIDENT OF ASU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

BY DAVID M. BROWN

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 59

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EDUCATION

COMMUNITY COLLEGES, RANKED BY ENROLLMENT

Top 10 RIO SALADO COLLEGE 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, 85281 // 480-517-8000 // riosalado.edu FOUNDED 1978 AZ EMPLOYEES 521 ENROLLMENT 59,000 PRINCIPAL Chris Bustamante, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Dr. Jennifer McGrath, vice president of academic affairs PIMA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 4905 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, 85709-1010 // 520-2064500 // pima.edu FOUNDED 1969 AZ EMPLOYEES 1359 ENROLLMENT 52,197 PRINCIPAL Lee Lambert, chancellor HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lorraine Morales, president, community campus MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, 85202 // 480-461-7000 // mesacc. edu FOUNDED 1965 AZ EMPLOYEES 714 ENROLLMENT 39,300 PRINCIPAL Shouan Pan, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sonya D. Pearson, vice president of student affairs GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, 85302 // 623-845-3000 // gccaz.edu FOUNDED 1965 AZ EMPLOYEES 581 ENROLLMENT 31,666 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Irene Kovala, president

WORKING TO AID LEARNING

MARY LOU MOSLEY VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

BY DAVID M. BROWN

60

Mary Lou Mosley guides young college students today thanks to an uncle who was a university professor.

“He encouraged and mentored me,” says Mosley, vice president of academic affairs at Paradise Valley Community College. “He helped me develop a career path that followed my interests and talents.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Colorado Boulder, Mosley earned her master’s degree in library media from the University of Colorado at Denver. Arizona State University awarded her doctorate in educational technology.

At PVCC, Mosley administers academic programs and academic personnel matters. In addition, she fosters the design, development and evaluation of innovative strategies, programs and partnerships in support of student learning, success, retention and completion. She also teaches two courses: History of Western Civilization and Internet/Web Development.

“I enjoy teaching,” she says. “It keeps me in touch with students and with what the college asks faculty to do.”

For Mosley, community college gives students from all backgrounds and experiences an affordable opportunity to begin or return to education.

“The focus at community colleges is on teaching, learning and student success rather than on research like many universities,” she says. “And the

quality of the education for the undergraduate meets and may exceed the quality of university education.”

In addition, she notes that students who transfer from a community college to a university often do better than students who start at the university.

Mosley has won two Innovator of the Year team awards, for a distance learning program and a first-year experience program.

“They give me pride because they were based on collaboration across departments and disciplines,” she says. “And both projects made a difference for students in terms of access and success.

“My goal is to solve problems and open doors so faculty and students can be successful,” she adds. “I ask myself all the time, ‘How can we improve learning? What have we learned that can make us better at all levels?’”

Outside PVCC, Mosley has volunteered with her therapy dog at a longterm care facility and at Maricopa Medical Center’s pediatric ward.

At the former, she was gratified she had helped others, even for the short while she and her dog visited. Similarly, she cherished watching the change in sick children and their families during their visits to the medical center.

“We helped them forget some of the pain or scary moments they were experiencing,” she says.

CHANDLER-GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler, 85225 // 480-7327000 // cgc.edu FOUNDED 1992 AZ EMPLOYEES 325 ENROLLMENT 19,297 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Linda Lujan, president ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale, 85392 // 623935-8000 // estrellamountain.edu FOUNDED 1992 AZ EMPLOYEES 250 ENROLLMENT 14,507 PRINCIPAL Ernest Lara, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Susan Tavakoli, vice president of administrative services; Patricia Cardenes-Adame, vice president, student affairs PHOENIX COLLEGE 1202 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85013 // 602-285-7800 // phoenixcollege. edu FOUNDED 1920 AZ EMPLOYEES 397 ENROLLMENT 12,107 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Anna Solley, president GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE108 N. 40th St., Phoenix, 85034 // 602-286-8000 // gatewaycc.edu FOUNDED 1968 AZ EMPLOYEES 350 ENROLLMENT 11,000 PRINCIPAL Steven Gonzales, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Joni Grover, vice president of student affairs; Maria Wise, vice president of academic affairs SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale, 85256 // 480423-6000 // scottsdalecc.edu FOUNDED 1970 AZ EMPLOYEES 409 ENROLLMENT 10,000 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jan Gehler, president PARADISE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 85032 // 602-7876500 // paradisevalley.edu FOUNDED 1987 AZ EMPLOYEES 225 ENROLLMENT 10,000 PRINCIPAL Paul Dale, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Mary Lou Mosley, vice president of academic affairs

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CONGRATULATIONS The Maricopa Community Colleges are Proud to Recognize the Designated 2015 Who’s Who in Business COLLEGE

PRESIDENT

HIGHEST RANKING WOMAN

Rio Salado College

Dr. Chris Bustamante

Dr. Jennifer McGrath

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Dr. Linda Lujan

Dr. Linda Lujan

Estrella Mountain Community College

Dr. Ernest Lara

Susan Tavakoli Patricia Cardenes-Adame

GateWay Community College

Dr. Steven Gonzalas

Dr. Joni Grover Dr. Maria Wise

Glendale Community College

Dr. Irene Kovala

Dr. Irene Kovala

Mesa Community College

Dr. Shouan Pan

Dr. Sonya D. Pearson

Paradise Valley Community College

Dr. Paul Dale

Dr. Mary Lou Mosley

Phoenix College

Dr. Anna Solley

Dr. Anna Solley

Scottsdale Community College

Dr. Jan Gehler

Dr. Jan Gehler

South Mountain Community College

Dr. Shari L. Olson

Dr. Shari L. Olson Dr. Janet Ortega

maricopa.edu Chandler-Gilbert | Estrella Mountain | GateWay | Glendale | Mesa | Paradise Valley | Phoenix | Rio Salado Scottsdale | South Mountain | Maricopa Corporate College | Maricopa Skill Center | SouthWest Skill Center The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

“Dr. McGrath is clearly committed to Rio Salado’s vision, ‘We reinvent the learning experience to change lives.’ Her work at the college and with our community partners has led to innovative educational programs that give us the means to serve a greater number of students in a more effective way.”

– Chris Bustamante, Ed.D., President, Rio Salado College RioSaladoOnline.com 480-384-9969

DR. MCGRATH

Dr. Jennifer McGrath serves as Vice-President of Academic Affairs for Rio Salado College; one of ten Maricopa Community Colleges and one of the largest online public community colleges in the nation. Founded in 1978, Rio Salado serves nearly 59,000 students with 100+ degree and certificate programs, 600+ online classes, and dual enrollment, military, incarcerated and adult basic education programs.

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HEALTH CARE

HEALTH INSURERS, RANKED BY 2013 ARIZONA PREMIUMS

Top 10 BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA (INCLUDES BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ARIZONA ADVANTAGE) 2444 W. Las Palmaritas Drive, Phoenix, 85021 // 602-864-4100 // azblue. com FOUNDED 1939 2013 PREMIUMS $1.8 billion PRINCIPAL Richard L. Boals, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sandy Gibson, executive vice president UNITEDHEALTHCARE (INCLUDES PACIFICARE OF ARIZONA AND GOLDEN RULE INSURANCE CO.) 1 E. Washington St., Suite 1700, Phoenix, 85004 // 800-985-2356 // uhc.com FOUNDED 1995 2013 PREMIUMS $1.4 billion PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Beth Soberg, CEO HEALTH NET OF ARIZONA INC. 1230 W. Washington St., Suite 40, Tempe, 85281 // 602794-1400 // healthnet.com FOUNDED 1981 2013 PREMIUMS $719 million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Rose Megian, president and CEO

A ‘PREDESTINED’ CAREER

STEPHANIE GORMAN REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR MEDICAL, LIFE, DISABILITY, AND CLIENT INFORMATICS

BY ALISON STANTON

Stephanie Gorman was halfway through her freshman year at the University of Connecticut when she attended a seminar on how math majors could put their educations to good use.

What she learned that day would inspire her to pursue a career in health insurance, which is still going strong almost three decades later.

“One of the subjects they talked about during the seminar was actuarial science,” Gorman recalls. “Once I heard the presenters speak about it I was hooked, and I changed my major from math to actuarial science.

The decision predestined me to the insurance industry, and during my sophomore and junior years I got to do several internships, including one at Cigna.”

After graduating from college, Cigna Healthcare hired Gorman. Twenty-six years later, she is still with the company, currently serving as regional vice president of underwriting for medical, life, disability and client informatics.

One of Gorman’s favorite things about her work is the diversity.

“No day looks like the other; that’s what keeps it fun and interesting,” she says, adding that over the years she has enjoyed a dozen roles within the company, including president and general manager of Cigna Healthcare of Arizona.

Gorman currently spends a lot of time on the road and in the air, trav-

eling to seven different hubs, including Philadelphia, Kansas City, Kan., Denver and Irvine, Calif.

“I spend a lot of time with my sales partners and market partners to develop market strategies with them,” she says. “I love coaching and developing my team and having the chance to be a mentor. I was always grateful to be on the receiving end of that throughout my career, so I’m happy to give back.”

On the healthcare side of her work, Gorman spends time doing underwriting for the Western region. She also is responsible for underwriting for some regions for life and disability, and she works on client reporting across the country.

“It’s easy to think that these three pieces are all different,” she says. “But the fun thing I’ve learned is how all three of them can come together.”

A self-described “football junkie,” Gorman says the gridiron consumes much of her year.

“I love NFL and college football and I’m a huge Arizona Cardinals fan,” she says. “They are a great organization and a wonderful partner in the community.”

As someone who grew up in New England, Gorman thoroughly enjoyed bringing her dad to Arizona to watch the Patriots win this year’s Super Bowl.

“That was one of the happiest father/daughter moments of my life,” she says.

CIGNA HEALTHCARE 25500 N. Norterra Drive, Building B, Phoenix, 85085 // 623-277-1000 // cigna.com FOUNDED 1972 2013 PREMIUMS $527 million PRINCIPAL Edward Kim, president and general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Stephanie Gorman, regional vice president of underwriting for medical, life, disability and client informatics HUMANA INC. 2231 E. Camelback Road, Suite 400, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-760-1700 // humana. com FOUNDED 1961 2013 PREMIUMS $290 million PRINCIPAL Charles Ritz, west region vice president, humana’s employer group segment HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Victoria Coley, market vice president, humana’s employer group segment CAREMORE HEALTH PLAN OF ARIZONA INC. 750 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix, 85022 // 602-866-1220 // caremore.com FOUNDED 2010 2013 PREMIUMS $206 million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Rebecca Lindy, general manager, Maricopa County AETNA INC. 4645 E. Cotton Center Blvd., Phoenix, 85020 // 800-225-3375 // aetna.com FOUNDED 1985 2013 PREMIUMS $146 million PRINCIPAL Thomas Dameron, president, mountain states HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee SCAN HEALTH PLAN 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, 85282 // 855-901-7226 // scanhealthplan.com FOUNDED 2007 2013 PREMIUMS $117million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Wendy Karsten, general manager, SCAN health plan Arizona PHOENIX HEALTH PLANS INC. 602-8243700 // phoenixhealthplan.com FOUNDED NA 2013 PREMIUMS $69.3 million PRINCIPAL No designee HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee WELLCARE OF ARIZONA Tampa, FL // 866-7654390 // www.wellcare.com FOUNDED NA 2013 PREMIUMS $39 million PRINCIPAL No designee HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

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Ins inn

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HEALTH CARE

DENTAL INSURERS, RANKED BY 2013 PREMIUMS

Top 8 DELTA DENTAL OF ARIZONA 5656 W. Talavi Blvd., Glendale, 85306 // 602-938-3131 // deltadentalaz. com FOUNDED 1972 2013 PREMIUMS $50.7 million PRINCIPAL Allan Allford, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sandi Perez, vice president of communications and community benefit; Corki Larsen, vice president of sales and marketing CIGNA DENTAL HEALTH PLAN OF ARIZONA 25500 N. Norterra Drive, Building B, Phoenix, 85085 // 623-277-1000 // cigna.com FOUNDED 1972 2013 PREMIUMS $14.3 million PRINCIPAL Edward Kim, president and general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Stephanie Gorman, regional vice president of underwriting for medical, life, disability and client informatics HUMANA DENTAL INSURANCE 2231 E. Camelback Road, Suite 400, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-7601700 // humanadental.com FOUNDED NA 2013 PREMIUMS $12.1 million PRINCIPAL Charles Ritz, west region vp of sales, employer group HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Victoria Coley, Arizona vp of sales, employer group

EXEC LOVES TO BE BUSY

SANDY GIBSON EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

BY ALISON STANTON

To say that Sandy Gibson’s days are extremely busy is an understatement.

Gibson, who is executive vice president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and has been with the company for 26 years, says a typical day starts with meetings with her senior team to develop strategies and products to bring to the marketplace in 2016. After reviewing the company’s financial performance, Gibson spends time evaluating her mid-level managerial team, thinking about ways to develop them into senior-level talent.

At lunchtime, Gibson might meet with the company vice president to discuss news that impacts the industry. Then she’s off to an afternoon filled with board meetings with members of the finance committees and, perhaps, an event to honor an employee of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix.

Gibson finishes her day catching up on emails.

Her workdays may be full, but she wouldn’t trade them for the world.

“I love the intellectual stimulation that comes with the insurance business and enjoy spending time predicting the future, and what products our customers will find interesting,” she says.

Looking back, Gibson says she initially dreamed of becoming a math teacher. When she didn’t get

a job shortly after graduating from college, she looked at other options.

“I heard that being an actuary was a low stress position, so I answered an ad because I was a strong match for math,” she says, adding that this led to a 10-year career as an actuary. “I really enjoyed the partnership and brainstorming with folks to resolve real-life challenges that affect people.”

Three or four times a year, Gibson has the opportunity to speak at events, like broker forums, and was pleasantly surprised to learn how much she enjoys doing presentations.

“I used to get really nervous about it,” she says. “But I pushed myself and found that I really enjoy these opportunities. I think doing something that made me nervous really helped me grow.”

In her spare time, Gibson enjoys hitting the links with her husband.

“I’m a golfer, but I’m not a good golfer,” she says, laughing.

Gibson also enjoys reading whatever she can get her hands on, and often can be found with her eBook reader in hand.

Yet, no matter how full her schedule may get, she remains truly grateful for a career that offers so much diversity.

“Twenty-six years zooms by when you are doing a lot of interesting things,” she says.

EMPLOYERS DENTAL SERVICES INC. 3430 E. Sunrise Drive , Tucson, 85718 // 602-248-8912 // mydentalplan.net FOUNDED 1974 2013 PREMIUMS $10.8 million PRINCIPAL Elizabeth Stambaugh, director of operations HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Elizabeth Stambaugh, director of operations UNITED CONCORDIA DENTAL 2198 E. Camelback Road, Suite 260, Phoenix , 85016 // 602-667-2209 // unitedconcordia.com FOUNDED 1971 2013 PREMIUMS $9.9 million PRINCIPAL Barbara Crawford, national director, business development HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Barbara Crawford, national director, business development TOTAL DENTAL ADMINISTRATORS HEALTH PLAN INC. 2111 E. Highland Ave., Suite 250, Phoenix, 85016 // 602 266-1995 // unknown website FOUNDED NA 2013 PREMIUMS $7.5 million PRINCIPAL No designee HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee UNITED DENTAL CARE OF ARIZONA INC. 1702 East Highland Ave., Suite 110, Phoenix, 85016 // 800-443-2995 // unknown website, FOUNDED NA 2013 PREMIUMS $5.1 million PRINCIPAL No designee HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA 2444 W. Las Palmaritas Drive, Phoenix, 85021 // 602-8644400 // azblue.com FOUNDED 1939 2013 PREMIUMS $3.3 million PRINCIPAL Richard L. Boals, president, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sandy Gibson, executive vice president

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HONORING THE WOMEN OF TODAY,

INSPIRING INSPIR RING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW Blue Cros Cross ss Blue Shield of Arizona is proud to recognize our own Sandy G Gibson Gibson, executive vice president, for being honored among Ar Arizona’s rizona Top Women in Business for 2015.

Sandy’s ooutstanding outsta leadership over the past 27 years is evident byy her passion for serving the local community, and her dedicationn to strengthening s the healthcare industry as a whole.

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We appla applaud aud Sa Sandy and all of the other honorees for being role models too the next n generation of female leaders to come.

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 65

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HEALTH CARE

HOSPITALS, RANKED BY LICENSED BEDS

Top 10 BANNER – UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER PHOENIX 1111 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85006 // 602-839-2000 // bannerhealth.com FOUNDED 1911 EMPLOYEES 3,795 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 773 PRINCIPAL Steve Narang, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Rachel Behrendt, chief nursing officer DIGNITY HEALTH ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85013 // 602-406-3000 // stjosephs-phx. org FOUNDED 1895 EMPLOYEES 5,000 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 608 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Patty White, president and CEO BANNER THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CENTER 5555 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, 85306 // 602-865-5555 // bannerhealth.com/thunderbird FOUNDED 1983 EMPLOYEES 2,800 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 561 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Deb Krmpotic, CEO BANNER DESERT MEDICAL CENTER 1400 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, 85202 // 480-412-3000 // bannerhealth.com/desert FOUNDED 1973 EMPLOYEES 3543 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 549 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sheri Dahlstrom, interim CEO

CEO’S JOB: ‘HERDING CATS’

DEBBIE FLORES CEO

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

Debbie Flores took many steps on her path to becoming the chief executive officer of Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center. An important step came when she was at a crossroads.

“In my first career field, I was a human resource professional in banking and retail, and I eventually ended up in the health-care field,” Flores says. “Along the way I was given responsibilities for things that were more operational. I had a boss who pulled me aside and suggested that I make a decision whether I wanted to be a human resources executive or an operations executive. I was at a fork in the road, and made the decision to take a stab at becoming a hospital operations executive. I went off on my merry way and never looked back.”

That path brought her to Banner hospitals about nine years ago, where she worked her way up to the position of CEO — one of several female CEOs within Banner Health.

“I think it’s new that there are a lot of women CEOs, and a bit unique to Banner Health,” she says. “I’ve been in the field for 35 years. For most of my career, the CEO position has been filled by a man. I think we’ve seen that change in the last five to eight years.”

Her experience serves her well in that role.

“The piece that helped me the most is the fact that I started in human resources,” she says. “You spend a lot of time talking to employees, listening to the issues that they have, trying to be a referee, a navigator, a facilitator.”

Those skills are important because, as Flores points out, hospitals are unique in that there is no direct customer-to-service relationship.

They don’t sell a product to a consumer. They provide care to patients and a third party pays for it. Add to that mix the independent practitioners, such as doctors, who come to the hospital to take care of their patients. Managing these relationships is key.

“A big part of my role is physician relationships,” Flores says. “We have physicians who are independent, who have their own corporations, their own practices, their own clinics. When their patients need hospital care, that independent physician comes into our hospital and takes care of them.”

When all of those elements are put together, it can present a pretty complicated situation.

“It’s a bit like herding cats,” Flores says.

MARICOPA INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEM 2601 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 85008 // 602-344-5011 // mihs.org FOUNDED 1871 EMPLOYEES 4,000+ LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 515 PRINCIPAL Steve Purves, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sherry Stotler, chief nursing officer BANNER BOSWELL MEDICAL CENTER 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City, 85351 // 623-8324000 // bannerhealth.com/boswell FOUNDED 1970 EMPLOYEES 1,900 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 501 PRINCIPAL David Cheney, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kathryn Perkins, MD, chief medical officer HONORHEALTH SCOTTSDALE SHEA MEDICAL CENTER 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-323-3000 // honorhealth.com FOUNDED 1984 EMPLOYEES 2,403 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 432 PRINCIPAL Tom Sadvary, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Rhonda Forsyth, president BANNER BAYWOOD MEDICAL CENTER 6644 E. Baywood Ave., Mesa, 85206 // 480-321-2000 // bannerhealth.com/baywood FOUNDED 1984 EMPLOYEES 1,684 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 388 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Laura Robertson, CEO PHOENIX CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-9331000 // phoenixchildrens.org FOUNDED 1983 EMPLOYEES 4,191 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 385 PRINCIPAL Robert Meyer, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Betsy Kuzas, executive vice president, chief operating officer BANNER DEL E. WEBB MEDICAL CENTER 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, 85375 // 623-5244000 // bannerhealth.com/webb FOUNDED 1988 EMPLOYEES 1,400 LICENSED BEDS IN AZ 375 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Debbie Flores, CEO

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YOUR LEADERSHIP

BEING MINDFUL HELPS LEADERSHIP IMPROVED FOCUS CAN LEAD TO BETTER SLEEP, ENERGY, PERFORMANCE Have you ever forgotten someone's name shortly after being introduced?

Have you ever been in a meeting and heard someone ask a question that had already been answered? And if you are like me, have you driven to work or some other location without remembering the journey?

These are all examples of "mindlessness," automatic activities fueled by mind wandering, which happens about 50 percent of the workday. If left unchecked, mindlessness can negatively affect our interpersonal relationships, performance and health.

"Mindfulness," on the other hand, has the opposite impacts. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned expert on the topic, defined mindfulness as "the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment." Mindfulness represents our ability to be aware and attentive to what is happening around us.

The benefits of being mindful include increased confidence, better sleep, more energy and improved physical and mental well-being.

Mindfulness also reduces blood pressure, reactions to chronic pain, and negative thoughts and feelings. It helps us remain calm in the face of adversity or stress, and it improves performance in competitive golf events. All told, mindfulness has the potential to better our lives. It also can make you a better leader at work and home.

Companies, such as Google, General Mills and McKinsey & Company, seem to agree with this, as they all are investing in company-sponsored training programs to help employees become more mindful. So, how does mindfulness work in the office?

Mindfulness results in a greater ability to focus your attention on people and events in real time. This, in turn, increases your ability to truly listen to others and be empathetic to their concerns. One end result is a greater ability to influence others, the cornerstone of effective leadership. Mindfulness also leads to decisions that are free from bias, not overly emotional and not based on knee-jerk reactions.

Mindfulness further promotes a more intentional or purposeful way of living and managing. It is a key component of success. For ex-

THINKSTOCK

ample, Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, intentionally uses mindfulness techniques to help players perform to their best abilities. Carroll wants his players to quiet their minds and exclusively focus on what is happening at a given moment. Mindfulness is essential to mental balance.

To improve your level of mindfulness, try these easy techniques: Practice focusing your attention.

A simple way to do this is to pick an object and then spend five minutes or so putting your full attention on it. I like to use something like a rock or pen. First, hold the object and pay attention to its texture and the feeling it has in your hands. Note the edges and curves. Next, shift your focus to the object's color and smell, trying to notice all the different colors that may exist. The key to this activity is to maintain your focus for a period of time and to ignore any distracting thoughts that enter your mind. Just note those thoughts and then return your focus to the object at hand.

Practice meditating. Many different types of meditations are available.

I like to use meditations in which you focus on your breath. Another option is walking meditations. They are both easy to learn and can be done almost

anywhere. I encourage you to start by reading about these techniques or finding a CD or app that provides simple instructions.

Practice setting daily intentions that benefit you or others. As I mentioned in last month's column, intentions specify the how, where and when of what you want to accomplish.

Here is my intention for practicing mindfulness: "I intend to stop multitasking during all meetings, and I will turn off my cell phone after 7 p.m."

Note when your mind wanders.

Pay attention to the frequency of your mind wandering. Make a point of noticing its occurrence, and then gently refocus your attention to whatever you are doing. Ultimately, mindfulness requires effort because our brains work in ways that detract from staying focused.

Everybody benefits from mindfulness. Remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi: "The future depends on what we do in the present."

BY ANGELO KINICKI

Angelo Kinicki is a management professor and the Weatherup/Overby Chair in Leadership at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. His research focuses on leadership, organizational culture, mindfulness, and employee response to organizational change. He does international consulting work with major companies through his firm, Kinicki and Associates Inc. 2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 67

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HEALTH CARE

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES, RANKED BY LIVING UNITS

Top 10 GLENCROFT SENIOR LIVING 8611 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, 85302 // 623-939-9475 // glencroft.com FOUNDED 1971 AZ EMPLOYEES 425 LIVING UNITS 797 PRINCIPAL John Wenzlau, president and ceo HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Susan Hornbostel, chief operating officer BEATITUDES CAMPUS 1610 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, 85021 // 602-995-2611 // beatitudescampus.org FOUNDED 1965 AZ EMPLOYEES 400+ LIVING UNITS 680 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Just, president and CEO FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE TEMPE 2645 E. Southern Ave, Tempe, 85282 // 480-831-5000 // friendshipvillageaz.com FOUNDED 1980 AZ EMPLOYEES 490 LIVING UNITS 664 PRINCIPAL Cole Marvin, executive director HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Ellen Cavanaugh, secretary, board of directors FELLOWSHIP SQUARE-TUCSON 8111 E. Broadway Road, Tucson, 85710 // 520-886-5537 // fellowshipsquaretucson.org FOUNDED 2000 AZ EMPLOYEES NA LIVING UNITS 611 PRINCIPAL George Ortega, executive director HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Jerri Ann Hooper, director of sales and marketing; Winona Williams, director of dining services

SERVING WHILE LEADING

LEAH SHALER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BY ALISON STANTON

While she was growing up, Leah Shaler was often told that she had a natural aptitude for math.

After graduating from high school, Shaler figured she would put that inherent skill to use and become an accountant. When she got a job at a bank, it didn’t take long to realize it was not the career for her.

“I absolutely hated working there,” Shaler says. “The thought of spending my life moving numbers around made me want to stab my eyes out.”

Knowing she had to rethink her entire career plan, Shaler remembered her mom’s advice, and set out to find a job she liked.

“She raised me to make my own decisions and be a leader and not a follower,” Shaler says.

Shaler took a job as a receptionist at a chiropractic clinic, and over time became the office manager. From the first day, she knew she had found her calling.

“Karma was good to me,” she says.

“It put me in the right place at the right time. I quickly realized that helping people was my passion. I don’t think I’ve ever looked back.”

Now, as executive director of Immanuel Campus of Care, a managed long-term care facility, Shaler gets to help others on a daily basis.

Although she jokes that her job involves doing a wide variety of

“other duties as assigned,” including facilitating plenty of meetings, mediating staff and resident disputes, writing grants and doing all kinds of managerial work, Shaler says she especially loves the time she spends with residents.

“I help residents in the dining room,” Shaler says. “But my favorite thing is when I get to play with them and serve them dinner and just sit around and talk with them and hang out. This doesn’t happen as often as I like, but I always look forward to doing it whenever I can.”

Shaler was surprised to learn how social she is, and how much she truly enjoys being around the residents and working with her staff.

When she is not chatting with residents about their day or keeping tabs on the myriad managerial tasks, she enjoys playing video games and reading mystery and science fiction books.

“I love playing Candy Crush,” she says. “My husband laughs and calls it ‘Candy Crack’ but I always tell him ‘Hey, I could be doing much worse.’”

Shaler has never regretted going into healthcare instead of accounting.

“I want to do something that matters, and to do all I can to serve the underserved,” she says. “My job here allows me to do that every day.”

IMMANUEL CAMPUS OF CARE 11301 N. 99th Ave., Peoria, 85345 // 623-748-1669 // watermarkcommunities.com FOUNDED 1978 AZ EMPLOYEES 241 LIVING UNITS 503 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Leah Shaler, executive director FELLOWSHIP SQUARE ~ HISTORIC MESA 35 W. Brown Road, Mesa, 85201 // 480-834-0600 // azfs.org FOUNDED 2004 AZ EMPLOYEES 120 LIVING UNITS 475 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kristie Larsen, executive director ROYAL OAKS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 10015 W. Royal Oaks Road, Sun City , 85351 // 623933-2807 // royaloaks.com FOUNDED 1983 AZ EMPLOYEES 325 LIVING UNITS 437 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kendra Eberhart, CEO THE FOUNTAINS AT LA CHOLLA 2001 W. Rudasill Road, Tucson, 85704 // 520-797-2001 // watermarkcommunities.com FOUNDED 1987 AZ EMPLOYEES 160 LIVING UNITS 416 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Fran Donnellan, executive director GRANDVIEW TERRACE 14515 W. Granite Valley Drive, Sun City West, 85375 // 623-975-8000 // sunhealthseniorliving.org FOUNDED 1997 AZ EMPLOYEES 278 LIVING UNITS 406 PRINCIPAL Ronald D. Guziak, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sharon Grambow, chief operating officer THUNDERBIRD SENIOR LIVING 5401 W. Dailey St., Glendale, 85306 // 602-938-0414 // thunderbirdsenior.com FOUNDED 1986 AZ EMPLOYEES 80 LIVING UNITS 328 PRINCIPAL Peter Richardson, executive director HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Linda Wiley, community life director; Alison McCool, sales and marketing director

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YOUR PHILANTHROPY

CHARITY CHECKLIST It’s important to give back … but how can you ensure donations are getting to those in need?

The Federal Trade Commission suggests you take precautions to make sure your donation benefits the people and organizations you want to help. Here are some of the agency’s suggestions: ›› Ask for detailed information about the charity, including name, address and telephone number. ›› Get the exact name of the organization and do some research. Searching the name of the organization online — especially with the word “complaint(s)” or “scam”— is one way to learn about its reputation. ›› Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. ›› Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state by contacting the National Association of State Charity Officials. ›› Check if the charity is trustworthy by contacting the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar. ›› Ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser. If so, ask: The name of the charity they represent.

The percentage of your donation that will go to the charity.

How much will go to the actual cause to which you’re donating.

How much will go to the fundraiser.

›› Keep a record of your donations. ›› Visit apps.irs.gov/app/eos/. This Internal Revenue Service webpage will identify which organizations are eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. ›› For security and tax purposes, it’s best to pay by check — made payable to the charity — or by credit card. Never donate cash.

›› Refuses to provide detailed information about its identity, mission, costs, and how the donation will be used. ›› Won't provide proof that a contribution is tax deductible. ›› Uses a name that closely resembles that of a better-known, reputable organization. ›› Thanks you for a pledge you don’t remember making.

›› Never wire money to someone claiming to be a charity. Once you send it, you can’t get it back.

›› Uses high-pressure tactics like trying to get you to donate immediately.

›› Do not provide your credit or check card number, bank account number or any personal information until you’ve thoroughly researched the charity. ›› Be wary of charities that spring up too suddenly in response to current events and natural disasters. Even if they are legitimate, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get the donations to the affected area or people. ›› If a donation request comes from a group claiming to help your local community (for example, local police or firefighters), ask the local agency if they have heard of the group and are getting financial support.

ROYAL OAKS

SIGNS OF A CHARITY SCAM The Federal Trade Commission advises to avoid any charity or fundraiser that:

›› Asks for donations in cash or asks you to wire money. ›› Offers to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect the donation immediately. ›› Guarantees sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. By law, you never have to give a donation to be eligible to win a sweepstakes.

Source: Federal Trade Commission; ftc. gov/charityfraud

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Helping Seniors Have It All

By Vicki Ullery

A

s she walks around campus, Kendra Eberhart, CEO of Royal Oaks Retirement Community, stops to greet residents and then simultaneously reaches out to an employee to ask how their weekend was. Caring for seniors and the employees who serve them at the upscale, Sun City community is second nature to Kendra, who has been at Royal Oaks for nearly 30 years of the 32 years the campus has been in existence, making seniors’ lives more fruitful.

“When I see our active residents volunteering at the Friendship House, our new memory care building, watch them play water

volleyball in our pool in the fitness center, attend one of their Learning Tree lectures, or just visit with them on the patio, I am always in awe of the talents and background they bring here to enrich the lives of their fellow residents and our staff. And I’m proud to be a part of helping older adults be all they can be!”

Kendra Eberhart

MORE INFORMATION Royal Oaks Retirement Community 10015 W. Royal Oak Road Sun City, AZ 85351 623-815-4132 royaloaks.com

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 69

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Here’s to great times.

Times two.

RETAIL & LEISURE

CASINOS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

A FORCE FOR CHANGE Check out our two award-winning casinos and enjoy: • The Valley’s hottest gaming action, including exclusives on the newest slot machines • The Arena at Talking Stick Resort — Arizona’s largest poker room and home of the Arizona State Poker Championship • Our 1,000-seat Bingo hall at Casino Arizona

CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD

• The best payouts, like our $845,006 jackpot won by Angelica M. of Phoenix

BY GREMLYN BRADLEYWADDELL

101 & McKellips casinoarizona.com 480.850.7777 101 & Indian Bend talkingstickresort.com Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

70

PAMELA JOHNSON

Pamela Johnson is one of those individuals who’s always looking to improve things.

As chairperson of the board of directors for Gila River Gaming Enterprises, which owns and operates Lone Butte Casino, Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino, and Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Johnson consistently works to better the Gila River Indian Community, home to members of the Pima (Akimel O’odham) and Maricopa (PeePosh) tribes.

She’s not only tasked with guiding the board, CEO and executive staff in carrying out the Chandler-based organization’s planning processes and business strategy, she also ensures proper financial controls are in place and promotes the good things the casinos bring to the community. That part’s easy.

“The casinos’ revenue is a major income source,” says Johnson, whose lineage is from the Pima and Papago (Tohono O’odham) tribes. “Because of it, we’ve been able to build houses and public services, like hospitals, fire stations, dialysis centers and infrastructure. Now, most everyone on the reservation has the comforts of life.”

Johnson’s drive to improve community members’ lives isn’t anything new. As community manager, she was instrumental in getting a shelter built for domestic-violence victims.

The project had stalled for years, she recalls. She did her research and secured funding with the help of a

committee of tribal members.

“Although I left my position before the shelter opened, it did open six months later,” she says. “I feel blessed that I was part of that.”

Johnson grew up in Tucson, but she and her brother spent summers on the San Xavier Indian Reservation with their grandparents, who didn’t have electricity or plumbing. What they did have was a peaceful environment free from urban annoyances, something she appreciated, even as a youngster.

“We made the best of both worlds,” Johnson says. “I think, for those reasons, my brother and I became stronger people.”

After graduating from high school, Johnson became a vault cashier in a bank, where she worked for a decade.

A subsequent career move took her to a mining company.

Then Lone Butte Casino opened in 1994. Hired as cage and vault supervisor, Johnson held a variety of positions and, eventually, became finance director. Then she left her job to attend Arizona State University.

Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies with a minor in business, and went on to earn a graduate degree in public administration from the University of Washington. She may not be finished.

“I have an uncle who says, ‘Pam, when are you going to go after that Ph.D.?’” she says. “I’ll have to think about that. But my motto is, ‘You’re never too old to learn.’”

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RETAIL & LEISURE

CASINOS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Top 10 “The casinos’ revenue is a major income source. Because of it, we’ve been able to build houses and public services, like hospitals, fire stations, dialysis centers and infrastructure. Now, most everyone on the reservation has the comforts of life.”

LONE BUTTE CASINO 1077 S. Kyrene Road, Chandler, 85226 // 800-WIN-GILA // wingilariver.com AZ EMPLOYEES 860 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Pamela Johnson, chairperson of the board

TALKING STICK RESORT 9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, 85271 // 480-850-7777 // talkingstickresort.com AZ EMPLOYEES 1,889 PRINCIPAL Dennis Leong, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Patricia Tate, senior vice president CASINO DEL SOL RESORT 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, 85757 // 855-SOL-STAY // casinodelsolresort. com AZ EMPLOYEES 1,472 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kimberly Van Amburg, CEO WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL & CASINO 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, 85226 // 800-WIN-GILA // wingilariver.com AZ EMPLOYEES 1,448 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pamela Johnson, chairperson of the board CASINO ARIZONA 524 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale, 85256 // 480-850-7777 // casinoarizona.com AZ EMPLOYEES 1,342 PRINCIPAL Denis Leong, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Patricia Tate, senior vice president and chairperson of the board

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO 15406 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa, 85139 // 480-802-5000 // harrahsakchin.com AZ EMPLOYEES 777 PRINCIPAL Robert Livingston, general manager HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Beth Amoroso, director of human resources

PAMELA JOHNSON WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL AND CASINO, VEE QUIVA CASINO, LONE BUTTE CASINO

DESERT DIAMOND CASINO & ENTERTAINMENT - TUCSON 7350 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson, 85756 // 866-DDC-WINS // ddcaz.com AZ EMPLOYEES 622 PRINCIPAL Andrew G. Asselin, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Elizabeth “Libby” Francisco, chief operating officer

CLIFF CASTLE CASINO HOTEL 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, 86322 // 800-381-7568 // cliffcastlecasinohotel.com AZ EMPLOYEES 400 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Mary Ketterling, general manager

DESERT DIAMOND CASINO & ENTERTAINMENT – SAHUARITA 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, 85629 // 866-DDC-WINS // ddcaz.com AZ EMPLOYEES 560 PRINCIPAL Andrew G. Asselin, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Elizabeth “Libby” Francisco, chief operating officer

VEE QUIVA CASINO 6443 N. Komatke Lane, Laveen, 85339 // 800-WIN-GILA // wingilariver.com AZ EMPLOYEES 1,024 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Pamela Johnson, chairperson of the board

SUNNY DAYS FOR HOUSING IN REGION

85087

17 74

85085

85263

85083

85387 85310

303

85306

85022 85254

85302

10

85020

85035

85253

85043

202 85008 85034

85203 85213 85281

85283 85339 85048

85323 85045

85326

85205

85201 85210

85042

4 TO 7.9%

85207

85257

85284

85206

85204

85282

85041 85338

85215

85251

85040

-0.1 PERCET OR LESS 0 TO 3.9%

87

85250 85018

85006 85009

85258

85028

85013 85012 85014

85031

85268 85259

85016

85007 85003

85392

85021

85015

85033

85019

85301

85037

85051

17

85305 85303

85260

51

85029

85017

85340

85053 85023

85304 85345

85307

101 85032

85381

85363

85255

85054

85308

101 85351

85335

85395

85050

85382 85378

60

85379

85355

85388

85374

85024 85027

85375

85353

8 TO 11.9%

85262

85266

85331

85383

85361

Home prices climbed by 9 percent or more in 50 Phoenix-area ZIP codes in 2014. Several central Phoenix neighborhoods saw doubledigit increases, signaling that more people 85396 want to live closer to job and entertainment hubs. Home values have rebounded to pre-boom and crash levels in more than twothirds of all metro Phoenix neighborhoods.

Here’s a look at how different ZIP codes fared with price increases last year.

85086

85087 85373

85390

60 85202 85233

101

85234 85296

85224

85044

85208 85209

85225

85295

85212

202 85226 10

87 85248

85286 85249

85297 85298

+12% OR MORE INSUFFICIENT DATA *Median prices for resales in Maricopa County from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2014.

DATA FROM INFORMATION MARKET ANALYSIS BY CATHERINE REAGOR AND RONALD J. HANSEN/THE REPUBLIC; GRAPHIC BY COURTNEY KAN/THE REPUBLIC

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RETAIL & LEISURE

ARIZONA CLOTHING BOUTIQUES, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Top 10 ECO-CHIC CONSIGNMENTS, INC. dba My Sister’s Closet, My Sister’s Attic and Well Suited 4025 N. 44th St., Phoenix, 85018 // 602-9529616 // mysisterscloset.com; mysistersattic. com; shopwellsuited.com FOUNDED 1991 AZ EMPLOYEES 210 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Ann Siner, CEO and founder BUFFALO EXCHANGE 2001 E. Speedway, Tucson, 85717 // 520-622-2711 // buffaloexchange.com FOUNDED 1974 AZ EMPLOYEES 142 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kerstin Block, founder and president DIVAZ BOUTIQUE/GRAND CENTRAL CLOTHING 922 E. University Blvd., Tuscon, 85719 // 520-884-7263 // divazboutique.com FOUNDED 2002 AZ EMPLOYEES 37 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kristie Moore, owner and founder BRAND X T-SHIRTS 414 S. Mill Ave., Suite 120, Tempe, 85281 // 480-200-2833 // brandxtshirts. com FOUNDED 2006 AZ EMPLOYEES 19 PRINCIPAL Charles Goffnet, CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Alyssa Shirley, director of special projects

A FULL-CIRCLE SUCCESS

JENNIFER MUMFORDHODGE OWNER AND BUYER

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

72

Few people go from patronizing a store as a child to owning the store when they become an adult, but that’s what happened with Jennifer Mumford-Hodge.

“I grew up in Phoenix and went to school in Scottsdale,” Hodge says.

“For my birthday or Christmas my mom would take me to HUB and let me pick out something. I would pick out a fabulous coat or a great pair of jeans. It’s an amazing full-circle story of a person who started when they were a teenager shopping at a store and now owning the store.”

Hodge is the owner of HUB Clothing, a central-Phoenix contemporary clothing store that carries a wide range of high-end, premium denim for men and women.

“I’ve been interested in fashion since I was a little girl,” she says. “I wasn’t one of those people who grew up knowing I wanted to be a fashion designer, but I had an entrepreneurial spirit. It was very important to me to have a business or be a part in growing it.”

Her fashion education included a lot of “hands on” experience.

“During college I had a summer internship at a fashion public-relations firm in New York City,” she says. “I had a wonderful time. Then I moved to Los Angeles and started working in

the wholesale side of the fashion business, selling clothing to boutiques. Essentially I was on the other side of the business that I’m in today.”

One of those clients started her on the road to owning her own store.

“I was selling to Tom Simon, who started HUB in 1991 on Mill Avenue in Tempe,” Hodge says. “He moved from Mill to Scottsdale Fashion Square where it stayed for more than 20 years. He was looking for someone to come in and help so he could retire.

The door just kind of opened for me to walk in where I became his partner and then majority owner shortly thereafter. That’s been almost a decade now.”

Hodge thinks it’s important to make it clear that going into fashion retailing requires more than thinking, “I like clothes. I’m going to open a store.”

“There’s so much more to it,” she says. “It’s hard work. There’s a lot of schlepping, of dirty work, of things that go on on a daily basis that are really tough, really hard work.”

Yet it’s hard work that can pay off.

“Fashion is something that helps people feel better about themselves,” she says. “That’s the most important part of what I do, helping people take that next step and finding more confidence in the way they look.”

FRANCES 10 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85013 // 602-279-5467 // francesvintage.com FOUNDED 2006 AZ EMPLOYEES 10 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Georganne Bryant, owner KISS ME KATE 5039 N. 44th St., Phoenix, 85018 // 602-840-6173 // kissmekateaz.com FOUNDED 1980 AZ EMPLOYEES 6 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Shannon Fox, owner CHA-CHA CHIC 20823 N. Cave Creek Road, Suite 104, Phoenix, 85024 // 623-363-9377 // cha-chachic.com FOUNDED 2009 AZ EMPLOYEES 5 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Cathy Garcia, president RITZY RAGS AND SHOES 8787 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-596-0533 // ritzyragsandshoes.com FOUNDED 1988 AZ EMPLOYEES 5 PRINCIPAL Craig Marsh, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cherise Barter, sales associate HUB CLOTHING 5213 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85012 // 602-277-4822 // hubclothing.com FOUNDED 1991 AZ EMPLOYEES 4 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jennifer Mumford-Hodge, owner and buyer CLOTHES MINDED 4810 E. Ray Road, Suite 13, Phoenix, 85044 // 480-940-9200 // clothesmindedaz.com FOUNDED 2013 AZ EMPLOYEES 4 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kim Kendall, owner, operator B’GAUZE 10415 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85283 // 480-609-2812 // bgauze.com FOUNDED 1982 AZ EMPLOYEES 4 PRINCIPAL Roger Miller, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pat Levesque, manager

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GROCERY STORES, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

RETAIL & LEISURE

Top 10 WALMART STORES INC. 4127 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 85008 // 602-273-8000 // walmart. com FOUNDED 1962 AZ EMPLOYEES 32,438 PRINCIPAL AND AZ HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Paula Ginnett, vice president and regional general manager FRY’S FOOD STORES 500 S. 99th Ave., Tolleson, 85353 // 623-936-2100 // frysfood.com FOUNDED 1960 AZ EMPLOYEES 17,000 AZ PRINCIPAL Steve McKinney, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Monica Garnes, vice president of merchandizing ALBERTSON’S-SAFEWAY 20427 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, 85027 // 623-869-6100 // albertsons.com, safeway.com FOUNDED 2015 AZ EMPLOYEES 14,490 AZ PRINCIPAL Shane Dorcheus, Southwest division president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Larson, vice president of marketing and merchandising BASHAS’ FAMILY OF STORES 22402 S. Basha Road, Chandler, 85248 // 480-895-9350 // bashas. com FOUNDED 1932 AZ EMPLOYEES 8,511 PRINCIPAL Edward Basha III, chairman of the board HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Elva G. Vivas, director of finance and planning; Denise R. Brownell, director of loss prevention TARGET CORP. 8550 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, 85284 // 480-533-2223 // target.com FOUNDED 1962 AZ EMPLOYEES 8,285 AZ PRINCIPAL Kobie Zimmerman, group director of stores HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Susan Bradshaw, director of collections COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP. 4649 Morena Blvd., San Diego, 92117 // 858-812-1400 // costco. com FOUNDED 1976 AZ EMPLOYEES 4,416 AZ PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jill Whittaker, region operations manager SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET 5455 E. High St., Suite 111, Phoenix, 85054 // 480-814-8016 // sprouts.com FOUNDED 2002 AZ EMPLOYEES 3,100 PRINCIPAL Doug Sanders, president, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nancy LaMons, chief human resources officer WHOLE FOODS MARKET 7111 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, 85054 // 818-501-8484 // wholefoodsmarket.com FOUNDED 1980 AZ EMPLOYEES 1,200 AZ PRINCIPAL Bill Cano, executive coordinator of operations for Arizona HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Stacy McLean, store team leader, Whole Foods Market Paradise Valley WINCO FOODS P.O. Box 5756, Boise, Idaho, 83705

// 208-377-0110 // wincofoods.com FOUNDED

1967 AZ EMPLOYEES 960 AZ PRINCIPAL Rudy Morfin, Southwest division president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Gisel Villeda, director of human resources SMART & FINAL 8485 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117 // 702-255-2338 // smartandfinal.com FOUNDED 1990 AZ EMPLOYEES 160 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Laurie Lombardo, district manager

GROWING SALES, PEOPLE Growing up in Arkansas, Paula Ginnett did what a lot folks are expected to do: She got a job with Walmart Stores, Inc., the retail powerhouse that hails from the state.

“It was going to be the job to get me through college,” she says, noting that this year marks her 25th anniversary with the company. “And I can’t really remember not having Walmart in my life, as a shopper.”

Ginnett started as cashier and ascended through the ranks while earning her political science degree.

She entered the company’s management program, and became an assistant manager and co-manager in a few markets in and out of the state before heading back to the corporate office. From there, she was off to the Northwest as a district manager before heading back to Arkansas. She worked in merchandising before being named vice president of store planning for the real estate division.

“That’s one of the cool things about Walmart,” she says. “There’s really every job you can imagine throughout the organization, so you really have the opportunity to move around.”

Today, she’s the Phoenix-based vice president and regional general manger for Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, charged with aligning the company’s local operations. In that role, Ginnett ensures the 164 stores she oversees are run well, engages

the 50,000 Walmart associates within those stores and sees that the stores’ customers are served properly. Her day-to-day routine differs, but she spends a lot of time in many different Walmart stores, always focused on improvement.

“I think I learn something every day,” she says. “I like to say you have to be a student of the business.

The thing about retail is that it’s ever-changing and evolving. There is no Step 1. There may be some guidelines and parameters, but the environmental factors — like shopping patterns — are constantly evolving,” Ginnett is thrilled about a new Walmart Supercenter opening in the Valley near Chandler Fashion Center, which will also offer a grocery pickup service the company has successfully piloted in five other cities.

“We’re going to have the rollout of the grocery pickup at a few stores in Chandler, Mesa and Scottsdale, but the goal is to expand this service within the market,” Ginnett says.

If there’s one thing Ginnett loves most about her career, it would probably be the sense of pride she gets from enabling others and helping them grow, while creating a high-performing team of associates and a work environment in which all can thrive.

“I think growing the business means growing your people,” she says.

PAULA GINNETT VICE PRESIDENT AND REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER

BY GREMLYN BRADLEYWADDELL

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RETAIL & LEISURE

CATERING, RANKED BY 2014 GROSS REVENUE

Top 10 M CULINARY CONCEPTS 20645 N. 28th St., Phoenix, 85050 // 602-200-5757 // mculinary.com FOUNDED 1997 AZ EMPLOYEES 140 full-time / 600 on-call REVENUE $11.25 million PRINCIPALS Brandon Maxwell, Michael DeMaria, CEO; chief culinary officer HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kristine Ruzylo, director of finance and administration SANTA BARBARA CATERING 1090 W. Fifth St., Tempe, 85281 // 480-921-3150 // santabarbaracatering.com FOUNDED 1992 AZ EMPLOYEES 160 REVENUE $6.9 million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pat Christofolo, president ATLASTA CATERING AND EVENT CONCEPTS 10021 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, 85021 // 602-2428185 // atlastacatering.com FOUNDED 1979 AZ EMPLOYEES 125 REVENUE $6.2 million PRINCIPAL Steve Short, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kristine Short, chief financial officer

QUALITY TIMES TWO

JENNIFER RUSSO OWNER

BY JOYCE HADLEY COPELAND

74

Jennifer Russo might still be cooking in someone else’s kitchen if she hadn’t injured her knee.

“I had to have a couple little surgeries, but it was too hard for me to go back to line cooking, so I started doing catering,” she says.

Seventeen years later, Jennifer’s Catering is going strong, with an impressive client list that includes a host of business leaders, professional athletes and former Arizona governors Jan Brewer and Janet Napolitano. When people who attended her catered functions complained that they missed her food between events, Russo took the next logical step and opened her own restaurant.

It was a smart move. The MARKET by Jennifer’s RESTAURANT + BAR, which debuted in January 2014 in Arcadia’s Gaslight Square, not only expanded her market, but extended the catering brand by offering a new service at a lower price point. Curbside Catering includes food, beverages, decorations and even cutlery ready for customers to pick up at the restaurant. The additional exposure and easy-access service has already doubled catering revenue.

The MARKET by Jennifer’s began with breakfast and lunch, but early on Russo realized the concept was too casual for the tony neighborhood.

“We made the switch to lunch and dinner, with brunch on the weekend, and people loved the concept,” she says. “It took a little time, but

it’s just made the turn and become pretty popular.”

A graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Jennifer attributes her business savvy to the time she spent working with world-class chefs, including Vincent Guerithault at Vincent on Camelback, Chef Anton Brunbauer at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Viking Cruises, and Mark Tarbell at Tarbell’s.

“All of them had very different management styles,” Russo says, adding that Tarbell had the biggest influence on her own style with his knowledge and love of wine.

“All of our wines and beers are boutique styles,” says Russo, who regularly travels to San Francisco, Napa Valley and New York to learn about food and wine. “We love people to take a chance when we recommend wines on our list. We say, ‘If you enjoy that well-known wine, please try this.’ The great thing is, they like us and they come back.”

When she’s not busy running two businesses, Jennifer loves spending time with her 6-year-old son and cooking for family and friends.

Whether feeding family, clients at catering events or first-time diners, Russo’s philosophy is to combine high quality with welcoming comfort.

“Come in your yoga pants or your evening gown,” she says with a laugh.

“We don’t care. We just want to give you the best experience.”

NIBBLERS CATERING 225 N. 32nd Place, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-266-8100 // nibblerscatering.com FOUNDED 1985 AZ EMPLOYEES 31 REVENUE $3.91 million PRINCIPALS Brandon Maxwell, Michael DeMaria, CEO; chief culinary officer HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cynthia Sharkey, general manager FABULOUS FOOD FINE CATERING AND EVENTS 120 S. 26th St., Phoenix, 85034 // 602-267-1818 // fabulousfood.net FOUNDED 1996 AZ EMPLOYEES 50 REVENUE $3.8 million PRINCIPAL Alan “Skip” Hause, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Chantal Hause, vice president ARIZONA CATERING 1716 W. Main St., Mesa, 85201 // 480-898-8848 // arizonacatering.com FOUNDED 1986 AZ EMPLOYEES 28 REVENUE $3.7 million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Talia Katz, senior partner/owner JENNIFER’S CATERING AND THE MARKET BY JENNIFER’S RESTAURANT + BAR 3603 E. Indian School, Suite A, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-579-5327 // jenniferscatering.com; themarketbyjennifers.com FOUNDED 1997 AZ EMPLOYEES 25 REVENUE $2.1 million PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jennifer Russo, owner SPOONZ CAFÉ 101 N. First Avenue, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-252-0570 // spoonzcafe.com FOUNDED 1996 AZ EMPLOYEES 14 REVENUE $2.1 million PRINCIPALS Denise and Garry Bismore, owners HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Denise Bismore, co-owner DAD’S CATERING SERVICE 739 E. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, 85020 // 602-861-1379 // dadscatering. com FOUNDED 1976 AZ EMPLOYEES 9 full-time, 75 part-time REVENUE $1.75 million PRINCIPAL Timothy Ferman, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Linda K. Ek, vice president, majority owner AVANTI RESTAURANT AND CATERERS OF DISTINCTION 2728 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-956-0900 // avanti-az.com FOUNDED 1974 AZ EMPLOYEES 17 REVENUE $1.1 million PRINCIPAL Angelo Livi, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Ellen Michie, general manager

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FLORISTS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

RETAIL & LEISURE

Top 10 PHOENIX FLOWER SHOPS 5733 E. Thomas Road, Suite 4, Scottsdale, 85251 // 602-840-1200 // phoenixflowershops.com FOUNDED 1960 EMPLOYEES 64 PRINCIPAL Ken Young, owner and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Shelly Wilson, director of administrative services CACTUS FLOWER FLORISTS, THE STUDIO AT CACTUS FLOWER 10822 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-483-9200 // cactusflower. com; cactusflowerevents.com FOUNDED 1972 EMPLOYEES 60 PRINCIPAL Eric Luoma, president, vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kristina Dyrr, vice president ARIZONA FLORIST 2050 S. 16th St., Suite 100, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-507-4200 // azfamilyflorist. com FOUNDED 2005 EMPLOYEES 50 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cheryl Denham, CEO WHITE HOUSE DESIGN STUDIO 4001 N. 24th St., Phoenix, 85016 // 602-957-0186 // whitehouseflowers.com FOUNDED 1995 EMPLOYEES 35 PRINCIPAL Dennis Thompson, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Jennifer Ellis, event coordinator; Erica Baca, event coordinator CAMELBACK FLOWERSHOP 4108 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-840-4646 // camelbackflowershop.com FOUNDED 2003 EMPLOYEES 12 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Teresa Wilson, owner ARIZONA FLOWER SHOP 1812 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85006 // 602-258-8307 // azflowershop.com FOUNDED 1948 EMPLOYEES 12 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Katherine Sheehan, owner WATSON FLOWERS 2525 W. Main St., Mesa, 85201 // 480-967-8797 // watsonsflowers.com FOUNDED 1927 EMPLOYEES 8 PRINCIPAL Nathan Johnson, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Susan Miskin, design manager ROADRUNNER FLORIST INC. 2007-A W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, 85015 // 602-246-1271 // roadrunnerflorist.com FOUNDED 1979 EMPLOYEES 6 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Pamela E. Smith, owner COMMUNITY FLORIST 550 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85003 // 602-266-6648 // communityfloristaz.net FOUNDED 1996 EMPLOYEES 5 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Shelli Walker, owner NORTH SCOTTSDALE FLORAL 8776 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 105, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-9918180 // northscottsdalefloral.net FOUNDED 1994 EMPLOYEES 5 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Marg Rodger, owner

STOPPING TO SMELL ROSES When it came to finding her true calling, Katherine Sheehan took the scenic path.

The daughter of a florist, Sheehan had worked in her mother’s shop.

However as a child, she wanted to be a nurse. But getting weak at the sight of blood threw a wrench into that plan.

Sheehan’s ambitions then led her into the corporate world where she worked as an agent for a major independent insurance agency in her native Minnesota. The company handled accounts for large cities and organizations, including the Minnesota Vikings.

It wasn’t until she achieved success in the hustle and bustle of corporate America that Sheehan, owner of Arizona Flower Shop, got the wakeup call that led her to the warmth of the desert and, ultimately, her destiny.

Growing up, Sheehan vacationed in Arizona with her family. In 1990, she moved to Phoenix, where her sister owns a flower shop.

“I thought, ‘If I was going to work this many hours, I might as well work for myself,’” Sheehan says.

When Sheehan opened her first flower shop, she put in long hours as a one-woman operation.

“I’d take the orders, make the arrangements and do the deliveries. Remember those big brick cell phones?

I’d have that with me. Oh, it was fun

back then,” Sheehan recalls, laughing.

Eventually, she sold that shop and pursued other ventures. She was running a gift basket business when a florist colleague hinted that she wanted to sell her business. One day, she gave Sheehan an offer she didn’t refuse.

“She said, ‘If you don’t buy my flower shop, I’m closing it,’” Sheehan says.

Sheehan bought it, combined it with her gift basket business and took the helm in 1999, becoming the third owner of Arizona Flower Shop, which opened in 1948. Business thrived, and in 2003 Sheehan moved her shop to its current location on McDowell Road in Phoenix.

Working hard every day, day in and day out, is what Sheehan says has been her key to success.

“You have to work hard 24/7.

There’s no letdown,” she says. “But if you love what you do, is it really work?”

Sheehan is passionate about her work and embraces the opportunity to have a positive impact on lives of friends and strangers.

“When people call to say they love what we’ve done, that’s nice to hear,” she says. “There are so many articles about what a difference having flowers in an office makes and how uplifting flowers can be in the right places. Studies have proven this is true.

It’s wonderful.”

KATHERINE SHEEHAN OWNER

BY GEORGANN YARA

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HOTELS AND RESORTS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF ROOMS

Top 10 SHERATON PHOENIX DOWNTOWN HOTEL 340 N. Third St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-262-2500 // sheratonphoenixdowntown.com FOUNDED 2008 ROOMS 1,000 AZ EMPLOYEES 350 PRINCIPAL Mike Ehmann, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cindy Radamaker, area director of human resources JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix, 85054 // 480-293-5000 // jwdesertridgeresort.com FOUNDED 2002 ROOMS 950 AZ EMPLOYEES 1,000 PRINCIPAL Steve Hart, general manager and Marriott area vice president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Yoko Hodges, market revenue management leader ARIZONA GRAND RESORT & SPA 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, 85044 // 602-438-9000 // arizonagrandresort.com FOUNDED 2006 ROOMS 744 AZ EMPLOYEES 600 PRINCIPAL Paul Gray, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kerry Feltenberg, director of catering and conference service ARIZONA BILTMORE 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, 85016 // 602-955-6600 // arizonabiltmore.com FOUNDED 1929 ROOMS 740 AZ EMPLOYEES 940 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sheila Foley, general manager

A MARRIOTT TRAVELER

YOKO HODGES MARKET REVENUE MANAGEMENT LEADER

BY GREMLYN BRADLEYWADDELL

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An Arizona resident for less than a year, Georgia transplant Yoko Hodges is still getting to know her new home state.

But when it comes to her career as market revenue management leader for JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, she knows the lay of the land well. She’s worked in that sector of the industry for roughly 15 years and calls revenue management her “true passion” because it not only touches a property’s financial outcomes but also affects the experiences of guests and associates.

“My job’s also fast-paced, and I love that aspect of it,” she says.

Hodges’ department is charged with setting the property’s sales strategy and pricing, and ensuring that “we have the right business at the right time,” she says. That’s a task that typically has her looking ahead a year or more and working with a wide variety of potential clientele.

“I’m a people person, and that’s a critical part of what I do,” says Hodges, who also oversees revenue management operations for the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Marana and the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson.

Originally from Tokyo, Hodges first got a taste of American life in high school, when she joined a student exchange program that gave her the opportunity to go to school

for six months in Los Angeles and a year in Portland, Ore. After attending college in Japan, Marriott International, Inc., was looking for bilingual employees. Although Hodges had never considered working in the hospitality industry, she applied for job and landed a front-desk position at one of the firm’s hotels in Atlanta, where she stayed for nearly 19 years.

She was hooked.

“I fell in love with the industry and the culture Marriott brings,” she says.

After moving into revenue management, other positions gave her the chance to work with a number of Marriott brands, such as Renaissance Hotels, Ritz-Carlton and the Autograph Collection, some of which were also in Florida and Louisiana.

Nearly a year ago, she moved with her husband, Barron, to the Valley for her current job. Their daughter, who had been attending college in Georgia, also decided to call Arizona home and has transferred to the University of Arizona.

“My husband and I enjoy exploring the state,” she says, adding that a recent goal was to finally visit the Grand Canyon.

In the meantime, she continues to thrive in her fast-paced setting, where practices and approaches continue to evolve rapidly.

“You can’t ever think that you know it all,” she says. “You have to remain a student of the business.”

THE WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-624-1000 // kierlandresort.com FOUNDED 2002 ROOMS 732 AZ EMPLOYEES 850 PRINCIPAL J. Bruce Lange, managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Liz Franzese, director of sales and marketing HYATT REGENCY PHOENIX 122 N. Second St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-252-1234 // phoenix.hyatt. com FOUNDED 1976 ROOMS 693 AZ EMPLOYEES 320 PRINCIPAL Thomas Delaney, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Danyell Schastny, director of sales and marketing FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-585-4848 // scottsdaleprincess.com FOUNDED 1987 ROOMS 648 AZ EMPLOYEES 1,005 PRINCIPAL Jack Miller, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Pam Gilbert, director of sales and marketing; Rosemary Taylor, regional director of human resources THE PHOENICIAN AND THE CANYON SUITES AT THE PHOENICIAN 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-941-8200 // thephoenician. com, canyonsuites.com FOUNDED 1988, 2007 ROOMS 643 AZ EMPLOYEES 800 PRINCIPAL Mark Vinciguerra, managing director HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Katie Hirose, director of revenue management POINTE HILTON TAPATIO CLIFFS RESORT 11111 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 85020 // 602-866-7500 // tapatiocliffshilton.com FOUNDED 1982 ROOMS 584 AZ EMPLOYEES 470 PRINCIPAL Ron Simon, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Rose Walz, director of human resources JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS RESORT & SPA 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., Tucson, 85745 // 520-792-3500 // jwmarriottstarrpass.com FOUNDED 2005 ROOMS 575 AZ EMPLOYEES 626 PRINCIPAL Russell Bond, general manager HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Jennifer Horstman, director of human resources; Meredith Nicklas, director of finance

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PROFESSIONAL SPORTS AND EVENTS, RANKED BY 2014 ATTENDANCE

RETAIL & LEISURE

Top 10 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-462-6500 // dbacks.com 2014 ATTENDEES 2.07 million FOUNDED 1998 EMPLOYEES 373 PRINCIPAL Derrick Hall, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Nona Lee, senior vice president and general counsel; Marian Rhodes, senior vice president, chief human resources and diversity officer CACTUS LEAGUE 120 N. Center St., Mesa, 85201 // 480827-4700 // cactusleague.com 2014 ATTENDEES 1.69 million FOUNDED 1947 EMPLOYEES NA PRINCIPAL Mark Coronado, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Bridget Binsbacher, vice president of business affairs PHOENIX SUNS 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-379-2000 // suns.com 2014 ATTENDEES 700,000 FOUNDED 1968 EMPLOYEES 300 PRINCIPAL Robert Sarver, managing partner HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Maria Baier, senior vice president communications and public affairs; Melissa Goldenberg, general counsel ARIZONA COYOTES 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, 85305 // 623-772-3200 // arizonacoyotes.com 2014 ATTENDEES 578,825 FOUNDED 1996 EMPLOYEES 125 PRINCIPAL Andrew Barroway, majority owner, chairman and governor HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Elizabeth Kaplan, executive director, Arizona Coyotes Foundation WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN/THE THUNDERBIRDS 7226 N. 16th St., Suite100, Phoenix, 85020 // 602-870-0163 // wmphoenixopen.com 2014 ATTENDEES 564,368 FOUNDED 1932 EMPLOYEES 12 PRINCIPAL John Bridger, executive director HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN No designee ARIZONA CARDINALS 8701 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe, 85284 // 602-379-0101 // azcardinals.com 2014 ATTENDEES 495,835 FOUNDED 1898 EMPLOYEES 180 PRINCIPAL William V. Bidwill, owner HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Lisa Manning, vice president, marketing PHOENIX MERCURY 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-379-2000 // phoenixmercury.com 2014 ATTENDEES 162,464 FOUNDED 1996 EMPLOYEES NA PRINCIPAL Robert Sarver, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Ann Meyers Drysdale, vice president PF CHANG’S ROCK N ROLL MARATHON 9477 Waples St., Suite 150, San Diego, 92121 // 800-311-1255 // RunRocknRoll.com/Arizona 2014 ATTENDEES 100,000 FOUNDED 1998 EMPLOYEES NA PRINCIPAL Paul Walsh, chairman HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee THE PROFIT ON CNBC 500, PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (spring race) 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale, 85353 // 623-772-2000 // phoenixraceway.com 2014 ATTENDEES 85,000-100,000 FOUNDED 1964 EMPLOYEES 30 PRINCIPAL Bryan Sperber, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Marie Isabell, senior director of business operations QUICKEN LOANS 500, PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (fall race) 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale, 85353 // 623-772-2000 // phoenixraceway.com 2014 ATTENDEES 85,000-100,000 FOUNDED 1964 EMPLOYEES 30 PRINCIPAL Bryan Sperber, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Marie Isabell, senior director of business operations

MAKING A DIFFERENCE You know that feeling you get when you help someone? Liz Kaplan of the Arizona Coyotes Foundation experiences that on a regular basis.

As executive director of the Foundation, the charitable arm of the NHL franchise, Kaplan’s directive is to raise money largely through the fan base and from fundraisers, special events, individual giving programs and a 50-50 raffle at each Coyotes game. The monies raised are distributed as grants to non-profit organizations that meet the foundation’s mission, which is focused on education, healthcare, fitness and sports, and the arts.

“Last year, we gave away almost half a million dollars to almost 75 organizations,” she says.

Organizations that don’t get a grant can still come to a game and sell 50-50 raffle tickets and make several thousand dollars in a night.

“I think the wonderful thing about our Foundation is how much we make a difference in Arizona,” she says.

Kaplan also loves that her position, as part of the Coyotes’ executive team, allows her to work with passionate, hockey-loving people “from age 2 to 90,” and mentor other women interested in the sports industry.

“I can be a role model who says, ‘Work really hard, do the right thing and learn from others,’” she says.

Kaplan, who grew up in Phoenix, thinks her appreciation of philanthropy started in childhood; her moth-

er was a social worker. But her love of working with people also started early, probably in a youth group where she learned how to plan events and raise money.

Later, while studying at the University of Arizona, she juggled academics with being a resident assistant, a job that offered free board for two years, and the chance to plan events and be involved in campus activities.

Prior to joining the Coyotes, Kaplan worked for several other organizations, including a few non-profits. One of those was the American Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter, a group for which she has much admiration. Kaplan was on the job just nine months when 9/11 hit.

She recalls that being an amazing time, but also a very emotional time that took a toll on the staff. Still, it was a good learning experience, as it drove home the importance of having good communications within an organization.

When she’s not working at a Coyotes game, volunteering in the community or serving as a board member and events committee chair for Scottsdale Leadership, Kaplan might be tackling a new recipe. She calls cooking her “stress reliever,” although she’s quick to note she’s not a baker but more of a “meat-and-potatoes kind of person.” Of course, she may also be hanging out with friends or her two nephews.

“I’m a pretty good aunt,” she says.

LIZ KAPLAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARIZONA COYOTES FOUNDATION

BY GREMLYN BRADLEYWADDELL

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ARIZONA RESTAURANT GROUPS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Top 10 FOX RESTAURANT CONCEPTS LLC 4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite B100, Phoenix, 85018 // 480-905-6920 // foxrc.com FOUNDED 1998 EMPLOYEES 2,576 PRINCIPAL Sam Fox, founder HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Leezie Kim, vice president and general counsel OREGANO’S PIZZA BISTRO 5141N. 40th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, 85018 // 480-829-0898 // oreganos.com FOUNDED 1993 EMPLOYEES 1,300 PRINCIPAL Mark S. Russell, founder and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lisa Mazzocchi, controller MACAYO RESTAURANTS LLC 1480 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite 130, Phoenix, 85014 // 602-264-1831 // macayo.com FOUNDED 1946 EMPLOYEES 1,050 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Sharisse Johnson, owner and CEO PITA JUNGLE FRANCHISING CORP. 7373 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite B125, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-969-2427 // pitajungle.com FOUNDED 1994 EMPLOYEES 850 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nelly Kohsok, co-owner; Sue McGinley, controller

DIVERSITY SPICES CEO’S LIFE

SHARISSE JOHNSON OWNER AND CEO

BY SHARI LOPATIN

78

If Macayo Restaurants owner and CEO Sharisse Johnson had to pick her favorite Mexican food, it would be salsa.

“It’s so diverse,” Johnson says.

“It’s fresh, it’s flavorful, it’s sweet, it’s hot.… I could just live on salsa.”

Salsa could be a metaphor for how Johnson’s life turned out: diverse. As the daughter of Macayo’s founders Woody and Victoria Johnson, it might seem a given that Sharisse would take over the family business, but that wasn’t her plan.

“I never knew I’d be in the food business,” Johnson says. Originally, she imagined a career in international finance.

Johnson caught the travel bug in high school. An Arizona native, she attended Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix before transferring to Chaparral High School in Scottsdale.

The academic structure at Xavier put Johnson so far ahead in her coursework at Chaparral that she finished high school early.

“I graduated from high school at 16, kind of by accident,” she says, laughing.

Not ready to start college, Johnson enrolled at TASIS, The American School in Switzerland, a high school with a post-graduate program.

“I loved finding out there was a world outside of America,” she says.

Stuck on travel, Johnson lived all

over the world, from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Dijon, France. Yes, that’s where Dijon mustard comes from, Johnson admits, but she wasn’t interested in food yet.

She graduated from Mills College in Oakland, Calif., with a bachelor’s degree in economics, then received a master’s degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

In 1984, while living in New York and working for Cigna, Johnson got a call from her older brother.

“He said I needed to come home,” Johnson recalls. “So I did. I came home and I ended up taking over the catering department (of Macayo’s).”

Thus began Johnson’s journey to her present position. While running the catering department, Johnson joined her brother in various marketing responsibilities. She loved it and soon took over the marketing department. Then, about seven years ago, she became the company’s owner and CEO. Above all, Johnson strives to meet the standards set by her father when he founded the company in 1946. At the same time, the diversity of her own life now flavors the company, too.

“It’s balancing the old and the new, and having a lot of respect for my father’s emphasis on quality,” she says.

FX4 LLC – ARBY’S RESTAURANTS 225 E. Germann Road, Suite 150, Gilbert, 85297 // 480-990-7144 // azarbys.com FOUNDED 2000 EMPLOYEES 850 PRINCIPAL Charles Harmon, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Linda Harmon, co-owner WILDFLOWER BREAD COMPANY 7755 E. Gray Road , Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-9519453 // wildflowerbread.com FOUNDED 1996 EMPLOYEES 600 PRINCIPAL Louis Basile, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cheryl Campbell, chief financial officer UPWARD PROJECTS 5210 N. Central Ave., Suite101, Phoenix, 85012 // 602-246-7555 // upwardprojects.com FOUNDED 2001 EMPLOYEES 460 PRINCIPALS Craig and Kris DeMarco, Lauren and Wyatt Bailey, owners HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Kris DeMarco and Lauren Bailey, owners KONA GRILL INC. 7150 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-922-8100 // konagrill.com FOUNDED 1998 EMPLOYEES 391 PRINCIPAL Berke Bakay, president and CEO HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Christi Hing, chief financial officer TILTED KILT PUB & EATERY 664 W. Warner Road, Tempe, 85284 // 480-456-5458 // tiltedkilt.com FOUNDED 2003 EMPLOYEES 370 PRINCIPAL Ron Lynch, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Torie Lynch, vice president of marketing GRIMALDI’S COAL BRICK OVEN PIZZERIA 15005 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-947-7100 // grimaldispizzeria.com FOUNDED 2003 EMPLOYEES 323 PRINCIPAL Joe Ciolli, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Diane Neville, director of human resources

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REAL ESTATE

ARCHITECTURE FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF REGISTERED ARCHITECTS IN ARIZONA

Top 10 SMITHGROUP JJR 455 N. Third St., Suite 250, Phoenix, 85004 // 602-265-2200 // smithgroupjjr. com FOUNDED 1853 AZ ARCHITECTS 34 AZ EMPLOYEES 129 PRINCIPAL Mike Medici, managing partner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Martha de Plazaola Abbott, Anne Bisbarrow, Carrie Perrone, Katheryn Stachler, Sonja Bochart, Stephanie Hertzberg, principals ORCUTT | WINSLOW ARCHITECTURE LLC 3003 N. Central Ave., 16th Floor, Phoenix, 85012 // 602-2571764 // owp.com FOUNDED 1971 AZ ARCHITECTS 28 AZ EMPLOYEES 72 PRINCIPAL William Sheely, Neil Terry, Vispi Karanjia, Erik Clinite, Carl Nelson, managing partners HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Kristine Mower, associate partner, director of business development and marketing; Marie Java, associate partner, architect DWL ARCHITECTS + PLANNERS, INC. 2333 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-264-9731 // dwlarchitects.com FOUNDED 1949 AZ ARCHITECTS 23 AZ EMPLOYEES 50 PRINCIPAL Steve Rao, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sandra M. Kukla, executive vice president

‘MY WAY OF HELPING’

MELISSA FARLING MANAGING PRINCIPAL

BY GEORGANN YARA

80

As the first girl to finish four years of woodshop at her high school in Old Tappan, N.J., Melissa Farling knew she was destined to be an architect.

Farling’s maternal grandfather loved architecture and when her woodshop teacher suggested it as a career, it made perfect sense.

“Something just clicked,” says Farling, who is managing principal and vice president at HDR Architecture Inc.’s Phoenix office. “I loved everything about it.”

Since then, Farling has embraced her career as a mission to improve people’s attitudes, spirits and even mental health, particularly when it comes to health care, justice and civic projects.

Farling was a junior at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture, when she was assigned to combine two passions in a single project. Research on inmate behavior in prisons fascinated her. In a quest to examine how architecture influences daily life, Farling focused on this concept through prison design, which became her thesis.

Further intrigued, Farling’s journey led her to University of Arizona, where she pursued her master of architecture degree, a stable launch pad for her young career.

Farling worked for an impressive list of Valley firms before joining HDR in 2014. Large-scale projects

included the Mariposa Land Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz., and the Arizona Center for Law and Society in Phoenix. She also served as one of the principal investigators on a National Institute of Corrections study that examined the impact that having a view of nature made on officer stress in a jail intake area.

Born in Tarrytown, N.Y., to a real estate broker father and social worker mother, Farling moved with her parents and brother to New Jersey at age 7. She met Brian, her husband of 21 years who is also an architect, while both were in graduate school. They have one daughter, who is 12.

Farling also co-owned an architectural bookstore that closed in 2001, after being forced out by the landlord. It was one of the most difficult challenges she faced, yet she was touched by the outpouring of community support.

“It was truly incredible,” she says.

The post-occupancy evaluation of a state hospital project she did while at a previous firm reminded Farling how rewarding her job is and the difference it makes on countless lives.

“The response we got from patients, staff and nurses about the impact was overwhelming,” she says.

“I love to work with people, understanding their needs and seeing it all come to fruition. This is my way of helping people.”

DLR GROUP INC. 6225 N. 24th St., Suite 250, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-381-8580 // dlrgroup. com FOUNDED 1912 AZ ARCHITECTS 15 AZ EMPLOYEES 61 PRINCIPAL Charles Dalluge, chief operating officer HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sue Gray, principal DEVENNEY GROUP LTD. 201 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 85013 // 602-943-8950 // devenneygroup. com FOUNDED 1962 AZ ARCHITECTS 14 AZ EMPLOYEES 47 PRINCIPAL Stephen Stack, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Julie Barkenbush, CEO CCBG ARCHITECTS INC. 102 E. Buchanan St., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-258-2211 // ccbg-arch. com FOUNDED 1958 AZ ARCHITECTS 13 AZ EMPLOYEES 18 PRINCIPAL Brian Cassidy, principal HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Cassie Lemon, director of studio WESTLAKE, REED, LESKOSKY LTD 1 E. Camelback Road, Suite 690, Phoenix, 85012 // 602-212-0451 // wrldesign.com FOUNDED 1997 AZ ARCHITECTS 12 AZ EMPLOYEES 25 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Rebecca C. Olson, principal, director of studio ARCHITEKTON 464 S. Farmer Ave., Suite 101, Tempe, 85281 // 480-894-4637 // architekton. com FOUNDED 1989 AZ ARCHITECTS 11 AZ EMPLOYEES 25 PRINCIPAL Joseph M. Salvatore, Douglas R. Brown, John F. Kane, Gregory M. Lambright, partners HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Rachel G. Rasmussen, AIA HKS INC. 821 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-462-0966 // hksinc.com FOUNDED 2006 AZ ARCHITECTS 10 AZ EMPLOYEES 19 PRINCIPAL Mo Stein, principal, director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Irene Clark, vice president HDR ARCHITECTURE INC. 3200 E. Camelback Road, Suite 250, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-522-7700 // hdrinc.com FOUNDED 1930 AZ ARCHITECTS 7 AZ EMPLOYEES 35 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Melissa Farling, managing principal

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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, RANKED BY 2014 ARIZONA BILLINGS

REAL ESTATE

Top 10 HUNT CONSTRUCTION GROUP, AN AECOM COMPANY 426 N. 44th St., Suite 410, Phoenix, 85008 // 602-225-9500 // huntconstructiongroup. com FOUNDED 1944 AZ BILLINGS $931 million PRINCIPAL Robert F. Hart, executive vice president and regional manager HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Cindy New, vice president and corporate controller ADOLFSON & PETERSON CONSTRUCTION 5002 S. Ash Ave., Tempe, 85282 // 480-345-8700 // a-p. com FOUNDED 1991 AZ BILLINGS $756 million PRINCIPAL Jeff Keck, regional vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lana Harris, director of business development MCCARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES, INC. 6224 N. 24th St., Suite 200, Phoenix, 85016 // 480-449-4700 // mccarthy.com FOUNDED 1864 AZ BILLINGS $522 million PRINCIPAL Bo Calbert, president of Southwest region HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Kristine Newman, controller for Southwest region KITCHELL 1707 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix, 85016 // 602-264-4411 // kitchell.com FOUNDED 1950 AZ BILLINGS $430 million PRINCIPAL Jim Swanson, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nancy Kelley, assistant controller SUNDT CONSTRUCTION INC. 2620 S. 55th St., Tempe, 85282 // 480-293-3000 // sundt.com FOUNDED 1890 AZ BILLINGS $247.6 million PRINCIPAL David S. Crawford, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Michelle Ashmore, corporate secretary HAYDON BUILDING CORP 4640 E. Cotton Gin Loop, Phoenix, 85040 // 602-296-1496 // haydonbc.com FOUNDED 1991 AZ BILLINGS $230 million PRINCIPAL Gary Haydon, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee OKLAND CONSTRUCTION CO. INC. 1700 N. McClintock Drive, Tempe, 85281 // 480-990-3330 // okland.com FOUNDED 1918 AZ BILLINGS $186 million PRINCIPAL Bill Okland, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Marcella Gilbert, project manager HOLDER CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC 2325 E. Camelback Road, Suite 520, Phoenix, 85016 // 602224-5050 // holderconstruction.com FOUNDED 1960 AZ BILLINGS $106 million PRINCIPAL Bill Healdey, senior vice president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN No designee THE WEITZ COMPANY 2111 E. Highland Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-225-0225 // weitz.com FOUNDED 1855 AZ BILLINGS $76 million PRINCIPAL Mike Bontrager, executive vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Beth Rogers, accounting manager D.L. WITHERS CONSTRUCTION L.C. 3220 E. Harbour Drive, Phoenix, 85034 // 602-438-9500 // dlwithers.com FOUNDED 1981 AZ BILLINGS $200 million PRINCIPAL Dan Withers, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Char Paynter, director of administration

HUNTING FOR ‘TREASURE’ While it might not seem that the path toward a career in business development at a construction company would include chemistry, biology and tennis, those are some of the steps Lana Harris took.

“I was going to go to medical school and went to school on a full tennis scholarship,” says Harris, director of business development for Adolfson & Peterson Construction. “I traveled, played tennis and had a full load. I have a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. I’m not sure how I ended up in construction.”

But, looking back, Harris sees that the seed was planted when she was a little girl.

“My father was a contractor and had several businesses and construction companies,” Harris says. “I spent a lot of time as a child on my dad’s job site. He was probably a little surprised when I got into it because it wasn’t the plan. But sometimes plans change. Now, it’s something very natural for me.”

Even so, it wasn’t a direct line from college to building contractor.

“I used to work for a real estate investment firm and developer in Texas,” Harris says. “Then I worked for a subcontractor here locally. All of my clients were general contractors and that’s how I got to know Adolfson &

Peterson Construction and I started working for them.”

Locally, Adolfson & Peterson is in several markets: education, including K-12; community college and higher education; retail office; industrial; multi-family and senior living; and medical office buildings. Harris’s job involves managing these client relationships, but she’s also out finding new relationships — and she never knows where an opportunity might arise.

“It’s like finding treasure,” Harris says. “You might be driving down the street and see a sign. You might read something in the paper. You might have lunch with a client. There’s really no one way to find opportunities.”

Although construction is a male-dominated industry, there are quite a few women in the industry in a position similar to hers, but Harris doesn’t believe a person’s gender should matter.

“It’s important to provide value, to have a strong work ethic and to bring enthusiasm to what you do,” she says.

“And, male or female, if you can do those things, at the end of the day, that’s what your boss is looking for, what a company is looking for. If you can add value and be a strong leader and have enthusiasm, I don’t think whether you’re male or female really makes a difference.”

LANA HARRIS DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

2015 // WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS

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REAL ESTATE

HOMEBUILDERS, RANKED BY 2014 ARIZONA SALES CLOSED

Top 10 PULTE GROUP INC. 16767 N. Perimeter Drive, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-391-6000 // pultegroup. com AZ HOME SALES 1,114 PRINCIPAL Scott Wright, Arizona division president HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Michelle Gregorec, vice president of finance; Rebecca Lundberg, vice president of sales, Arizona division MERITAGE HOMES CORP. 8800 E. Raintree Drive, Suite 300, Phoenix, 85260 // 480-515-8100 // meritagehomes.com AZ HOME SALES 924 PRINCIPAL Steve Hilton, chairman and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Hilla Sferruzza, chief accounting officer, senior vice president and corporate controller TAYLOR MORRISON 4900 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 2000, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-840-8100 // taylormorrison.com AZ HOME SALES 872 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sheryl Palmer, president/CEO D.R. HORTON INC. 20410 N. 19th Ave., Suite 100, Phoenix, 85027 // 480-483-0006 // drhorton.com AZ HOME SALES 721 PRINCIPAL Tom Davis, division president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Holly R. James, vice president of land acquisition and development

MANY WAYS TO BE GREEN

HILLA SFERRUZZA CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CORPORATE CONTROLLER

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

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It’s hard to get into a conversation with Hilla Sferruzza, chief accounting officer, senior vice president and corporate controller with Meritage Homes Corp., without getting an explanation about her first name.

“It’s Hilla,” she says, “pronounced like ‘Sheila’ but without the ‘s.’ It’s a Hebrew name.”

The Hebrew word “hilah” means halo, which has a surprising connection to her.

“I was born in Israel under a full moon that had a big halo around it,” she explains. “(My parents) tried to translate ‘hilah’ letter for letter in Hebrew. What resulted is not the right pronunciation in English,” she says with a laugh.

She also laughs when she talks about her passion: math.

“I love math,” she says. “I really, really, really, love numbers. I’m constantly running mathematical equations in my head, even things that have nothing to do with work. I would be sad if that wasn’t a part of my everyday life.”

Luckily, numbers do play an important part in her life. As her company’s chief accounting officer she is responsible for the company’s financial records, internal control structure and external audits. As corporate controller, she’s responsible for the day-to-day accounting as well as the strategic accounting functions for the corporate entity.

But Sferruzza learned that she also needed to work for a company where she understood the product as well as the numbers.

“Right out of college I worked for a public accounting firm auditing different companies,” she says. “I realized very early on in my career that I’m a tactile person. I had hightech companies that did satellites and I didn’t really understand it. I had a couple of homebuilder clients and some hospitality clients and I loved them. I first moved into hospitality and then I moved back into real estate.”

One of the reasons she’s passionate about working for Meritage is the company’s commitment to the environment.

“We became very heavily involved in the energy efficiency movement and are now recognized as a leader in energy-efficient homes,” she says.

“We benefit from our concern for the environment.”

They are proud of being “green,” which she says has a couple of different definitions.

“One is green because you’re saving money,” she explains. “Two is green because you’re saving the environment, but it’s also green living so our houses are healthier homes.

We redesigned the entire makeup of our homes to make them energy efficient. It’s good for the environment but it’s also good for us.”

FULTON HOMES CORP. 9140 S. Kyrene Road, Tempe, 85284 // 480-753-6789 // fultonhomes. com AZ HOME SALES 697 PRINCIPAL Ira Fulton, chairman of the board HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathy Barnes, president of corporate strategy, financial underwriting liaison SHEA HOMES 8800 N. Gainery Center Drive, Suite 350, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-348-6000 // sheahomes.com AZ HOME SALES 489 PRINCIPAL Don Murphy, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN No designee LENNAR CORPORATION 1725 W. Greentree Drive #114, Tempe, 85284 // 480-777-4600 // lennar.com AZ HOME SALES 449 PRINCIPAL Alan M. Jones, division president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN No designee K. HOVNANIAN HOMES 20830 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 250, Phoenix, 85050 // 877-546-8669 // khov. com AZ HOME SALES 413 PRINCIPAL Lou Smith, group president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee MARACAY HOMES 15279 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 300, Scottsdale, 85254 // 480-970-6000 // maracayhomes.com AZ HOME SALES 394 PRINCIPAL Andy Warren, president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Andrea Goudge, vice president and controller RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES 16427 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale, 85254 // 602-956-4100 // richmondamerican.com AZ HOME SALES 379 PRINCIPAL David Viger, division president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

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Congratulations

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to join Republic Media in honoring our agents as part of the 2015 Who’s Who in Business Top Women in Real Estate.

Lisa Wadey

Lisa Lucky

Monica Monson

Sandra Baldwin

The REALTORS who sell luxury homes fastest, and for the most money, couldn’t be more obvious.

Never before has one company reached such heights.

Perhaps it’s the locally owned heritage since 1947.

Or the impressive, civic minded men and women who make it what it is today.

Or the iconic, blue signs that have become status symbols for front yards across Arizona. Not just because they will soon mean sold, but because these signs now mean something else.

Class. Profit. Promise.

Without questions, the sign of the times.

480.287.5200 | RussLyon.com

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REAL ESTATE

WOMEN AGENTS, RANKED BY TOTAL TRANSACTION VOLUME

Top 10 BETH JO ZEITZER, R.O.I. PROPERTIES 2001 E. Campbell Ave., Suite 202, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-319-1326 // roiproperties.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $70 million DEBORAH BEARDSLEY, SILVERLEAF REALTY 20789 N. Pima Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-502-6902 // silverleaf.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $61 million CARIN NGUYEN, REALAZTATE 1650 N. Dysart Road, Suite 5, Goodyear, 85395 // 623-223-1663 // soldbycarin.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $57.9 million LISA WADEY, RUSS LYON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 17207 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 120, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-229-3455 // lisawadey.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $53.4 million MONICA MONSON, RUSS LYON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 20909 N. 90th St., Suite 209, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-250-0848 // scottsdalerealestates.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $53 million

SIGNS OF SUCCESS

SANDRA BALDWIN RUSS LYON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

BY GREMLYN BRADLEYWADDELL

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With more than a billion dollars in Phoenix-area home sales and her likeness on the sale sign in front of many an exclusive address, Sandra Baldwin has become the face of luxury residential real estate in the Valley, even if people don’t always realize why they recognize her.

“It’s interesting to walk into the grocery store and someone will say, ‘I know you, don’t I?’ ” she says.

In the business for more than 32 years, Baldwin’s success as a top-selling Realtor has come as a surprise to no one more than Baldwin herself. The daughter of a land developer in the southeast Valley, the Arizona native grew up in a bungalow on Center Street in downtown Mesa.

Baldwin ran the family farm in the Lehi area at age 19, after both parents died. Later, she landed her first job at Arizona State University, putting her English Literature degree to use teaching creative writing. Only when her children were in their late teens did she think about a career in real estate.

“I thought, ‘What can I do where I can make a living and have to have a nine-to-five job,’” she recalls. “Little did I know it was nine-to-midnight!”

Hired by a small brokerage firm, Baldwin set her sights on the luxury market, favoring the no-hassle nature of cash transactions and con-

ventional loans over FHA or VA loans.

This was, however, during the early 1980s, and the market was slow.

Baldwin ended up having time on her hands. She’s thankful for that, because it gave her the opportunity to learn the industry and, more specifically, the local luxury market.

Today, Baldwin’s small team at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty includes her daughter, Kitch Baldwin, her son, Clay Baldwin, and her daughter-in-law, Heidi Baldwin.

Three decades later, she’s as enthusiastic as ever about what she does for a living and realizes it’s a privilege.

“As a Realtor, you help people — even wealthy people — with one of their biggest investments,” she says.

And just what kind of dwelling does Baldwin come home to at the end of a long day? Right now, it’s a newly built 3,200-square-foot home with a view of Camelback Mountain and a location that puts her anywhere she wants to go within about 15 minutes.

Her past residences have included a 1929 Spanish Revival, a patio home at the Biltmore, a ranch-style home in Mesa, where she raised her children, and her parents’ home. She owned the latter, which now houses a law firm, until she was about 22.

“I’m a bad testimony to real estate,” she says. “I’ve only lived in five houses in my life.”

SANDRA BALDWIN, RUSS LYON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 7135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 360, Scottsdale, 85251 // 480-287-5300 // sandrabaldwin.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $52.9 million LISA LUCKY, RUSS LYON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite J-3, Scottsdale, 85255 // 602-320-8415 // lisalucky.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $46.2 million KRISTY RYAN, RE/MAX FINE PROPERTIES 21000 N. Pima Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-688-2429 // kristyryan.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $42.1 million CAROL ROYSE, KELLER WILLIAMS EAST VALLEY 2077 E. Warner Road, Suite 110, Tempe, 85284 // 480-797-2724 // carolroyseteam.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $40.3 million AMY JONES, RE/MAX INFINITY 2450 S. Arizona Ave., Suite 1, Chandler, 85286 // 480-250-3857 // amysellsaz.com 2014 TRANSACTION VOLUME $39.5 million

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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COMMERCIAL SERVICES, RANKED BY NUMBER OF LICENSED AGENTS

REAL ESTATE

Top 10 CBRE 2415 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-735-5555 // cbre.com/phoenix FOUNDED 1952 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 239 PRINCIPAL Craig Henig, senior managing director and Arizona market leader HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Afton Trail, managing director, investor services DTZ (merged with Cassidy Turley) 2375 E. Camelback Road, Suite 300, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-954-9000 // dtz.com FOUNDED 2003 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 91 PRINCIPAL Bryon Carney, managing principal HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Christine Veldhuizen, vice president of operations; designated broker; Alison Melnychenko, vice president of marketing NAI HORIZON 2944 N. 44th St., Suite 200, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-955-4000 // naihorizon. com FOUNDED 1989 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 49 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Terry Martin-Denning, CEO LEE & ASSOCIATES 3200 E. Camelback Road, Suite 100, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-956-7777 // leearizona. com FOUNDED 1991 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 44 PRINCIPAL Fred Darche, managing principal HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD OF ARIZONA, INC. 2555 E. Camelback Road, Suite 300, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-253-7900 // cushwake.com FOUNDED 1987 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 38 PRINCIPAL Jerry Noble, senior director, market leader HIGHEST-RANKING WOMEN Jackie Orcutt, director, market leader — investor services; Stephanie Sandro, director of operations JLL 3131 E. Camelback Road, Suite 400, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-282-6300 // jll.com/phoenix FOUNDED 1997 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 37 PRINCIPAL Dennis Desmond, senior managing director and Arizona market leader HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Vicki Robinson, vice president; Christine Cunningham, designated broker MARCUS & MILLICHAP 2398 E. Camelback Road, Suite 550, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-6876700 // marcusmillichap.com FOUNDED 1971 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 33 PRINCIPAL Don Morrow, regional manager for Phoenix and Tucson HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Tatyana Meulemans, real estate agent CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD | PICOR 1100 N. Wilmot Road, Suite 200, Tucson, 85712 // 520-748-7100 // picor.com; blog.picor.com FOUNDED 1985 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 31 PRINCIPAL Michael S. Hammond, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Barbi Reuter, chief operating officer R.O.I. PROPERTIES 2001 E. Campbell Ave., Suite 202, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-319-1326 // roiproperties.com FOUNDED 2003 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 22 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Beth Jo Zeitzer, owner and designated broker LINCOLN PROPERTY COMPANY 3131 E. Camelback Road, Suite 318, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-912-8888 // lpcphx.com FOUNDED 2001 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 12 PRINCIPAL David R. Krumwiede, executive vice president HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Alisa M. Timm, director of management services

A HALL OF FAME MENTOR Vicki Robinson will be forever grateful to Roger Staubach; the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback helped kick off her real estate career.

When the vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle moved to the Valley from Atlanta in 2000, she landed a job with The Staubach Company, a real estate services firm Staubach owned. At the time, the company had only six brokers and Robinson found a job working for one of them, John Pierson, who hired her to do business development.

Robinson worked in that role for three years until, one day, she met Staubach. He encouraged her to transition into brokerage.

“We need more females in brokerage,” Staubach told Robinson.

“We need the female perspective.”

At first, she had some hesitations, Robinson recalls.

But Staubach insisted, and introduced Robinson to two of his company’s top female brokers. The women mentored Robinson and introduced her to their networks.

Three years into her tenure with The Staubach Company, Robinson became a real estate broker, a career she loves to this day.

“I will be forever grateful,” she says.

In 2008, JLL bought out The Staubach Company and Robinson remained with the firm. She became JLL’s vice president and has been

with the company for 14 years now, managing a portfolio of 1,300 leases for two major clients.

“Real estate can really have an impact on your client’s bottom line,” Robinson says. “For me, that’s the thing that motivates me and keeps me going, the positive reinforcement and feedback I get from my clients.”

So do the relationships she has developed through her job. Growing up, interactions with people were important.

“Because my father was in the Air Force, there was always a great deal of respect for other people,” she says.

Robinson laughs as she recounts growing up in countries all over the world, learning her ABCs during kindergarten in Okinawa, Japan. She’s also lived in Germany, Saudi Arabia, California, Mississippi and Georgia. “(There was) always a sense of adventure,” she says. “We just made the best of wherever we were stationed.”

Regardless of where Robinson lived, that sense of camaraderie from the Air Force lingered. And today, Robinson carries it into her work in real estate.

“Your colleagues and your clients have to know they can trust you,” she says.

Just like, once upon a time, Robinson trusted a man named Staubach, who forever changed her life.

VICKI ROBINSON VICE PRESIDENT

BY SHARI LOPATIN

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REAL ESTATE

RESIDENTIAL FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF LICENSED AGENTS

TRAINING FUTURE AGENTS

KC CYGA

MANAGING BROKER

BY JOYCE HADLEY COPELAND

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KC Cyga didn’t plan on a career in real estate. She was working as a national trainer for Exxon Oil & Gas in Colorado when her family relocated to Southern California and she began casting around for a new job.

“My friends told me, ‘You’re good with people. Why don’t you get into real estate?’” Cyga remembers. She took their advice and discovered she was a natural.

“It kind of just took off,” she says.

Cyga sold more than 800 homes and was managing a company when her husband transferred to Phoenix eight years later. She worked for several respected Phoenix real estate companies, then as an independent agent, before settling in as managing broker of Realty ONE Group’s Scottsdale office five years ago.

“This is my forever home,” Cyga says of the privately held company with more than 50 offices around the country. Each office has a managing broker who, like Cyga, hires, trains, mentors and coaches the company’s next generation of agents.

Every Realty ONE Group agent must complete the company’s seven-week intensive training program. For four hours every Friday, Cyga gives them the knowledge they need to excel.

“We walk them through everything from A to Z,” Cyga says. “Purchase contracts, listing contracts, what all the addendums mean, how

to prospect, how to do a business plan, how to handle objections.”

In addition, Cyga is the go-to person when agents need support.

“I don’t look at myself as the boss,” she says. “I look at myself as a strong link within my team.”

Known for her effervescent personality, Cyga has become legendary for sealing interactions with a hug.

“I hug everybody,” she says with a laugh. “If I interview someone, I give them a hug and say, ‘I wish you a lot of success in whatever you decide to do.’”

Cyga has a 24-hour job, with Realtors calling and texting at all hours.

“I support my agents,” she says.

“I’m an agent’s broker, I guess you could say.”

Yet she’s learned not to stress.

Her secret?

“I take it a day at time,” Cyga says.

“I take a spa bubble bath every night before I go to bed. That relaxes me and helps me sleep.”

And Cyga has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Recently elected president of the West Maricopa Association of Realtors, she plans to continue shaping Phoenix real estate, an agent at a time, for years to come.

“I love what I do,” she says, “This is not a business that says, ‘Okay you’re too old, you’re done,’ so as long as my mind is sharp and I’m healthy, I’m going to keep working.”

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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RESIDENTIAL FIRMS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF LICENSED AGENTS

REAL ESTATE

Top 10 HOMESMART 3131 E. Camelback Road, Suite 125, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-230-7600 // homesmartarizona.com FOUNDED 2000 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 5,175 PRINCIPAL Matt Widdows, founder and chairman HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Ashley Bowers, chief operating officer REALTYONE GROUP, INC. 11211 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 200 , Phoenix, 85028 // 602-953-4043 // realtyonegroup.com, youwinatone.com FOUNDED 2005 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 1,960 PRINCIPAL Pat Kelly, vice president of operations HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN KC Cyga, managing broker, Scottsdale office WEST USA REALTY 16807 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, 85032 // 602-942-4200 // westusa.com FOUNDED 1986 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 1,658 PRINCIPAL Clay Fouts, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Deborah Quain, administrative officer COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE 10446 N. 74th St., Suite 101, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-481-8400 // azmoves.com FOUNDED 1992 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 1,428 PRINCIPAL Greg Hollman, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Martha Appel, vice president and designated broker

DPR REALTY 8341 E. Gelding Drive, Scottsdale, 85260 // 480-994-0800 // dprrealty.com FOUNDED 2001 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 1,287 PRINCIPAL Dale Milton, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Heather Binder, managing broker

“I hug everybody. If I interview someone, I give them a hug and say, ‘I wish you a lot of success in whatever you decide to do.’”

RUSS LYON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL 17207 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 120, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-502-3500 // russlyon.com FOUNDED 1947 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 944 PRINCIPAL D. Deems Dickinson, president and designated broker HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Connie Swenson, vice president, relocation services

KC CYGA

REALTY EXECUTIVES 7600 N. 16th Street, #100, Phoenix, 85020 // 602-957-0444 // realtyexecutivesphoenix.com FOUNDED 1965 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 735 PRINCIPAL Jeff Murtaugh, president & ceo, director and co-owner, director and co-owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Lauren Ellington, Realtor KELLER WILLIAMS SONORAN LIVING 4621 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 160, Phoenix, 85048 // 480759-4300 // kwfoothills.com FOUNDED 1999 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 300 PRINCIPAL Barry Kramer, operating principal, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Bonny Holland, top producing Realtorleading luxury experts group

R.O.I. PROPERTIES

REALTYONE GROUP, INC.

RE/MAX FINE PROPERTIES 21000 N. Pima Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 85255 // 480-355-1007 // fineprop.com FOUNDED 1997 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 145 PRINCIPAL Delbert M. Rounds, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kaci Guldalian, operations manager CAMBRIDGE PROPERTIES 14602 N Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, 85032 // 602-493-5100 // cambridgeproperties.com FOUNDED 1996 AZ LICENSED AGENTS 61 PRINCIPAL Keith Mishkin, designated broker, owner HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN No designee

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

R.O.I. Properties Providing customized solutions through a strategic approach

By Nick Kostenko

B

eth Jo Zeitzer, President and Designated Broker at R.O.I. Properties, took a unique path in starting her own real estate brokerage firm. Her career has always been grounded in real estate. Initially, she practiced law as an attorney in private practice, and then was Corporate Counsel for the national homebuilder, Del Webb. She enjoyed the deal-making side so much, she decided to focus on brokerage, and formed R.O.I. Properties in 2003.

Her experience spans the full life cycle of real estate assets, including valuation, site selection, acquisition, due diligence, management, lease-up and sale, for commercial and residential real estate.

Beth Jo and her seasoned team take a “client-centric” approach, through proactive, strategic and customized solutions. This approach enables Beth Jo and her team to deliver exceptional customer service to investors and business owners seeking

office, industrial, retail, multi-family and single-family residential assets. Additionally, R.O.I. is helping business owners capitalize upon the sale of single tenant properties to investors, through “Net Lease Sales and Sale Leasebacks”. The typical seller is a franchisee, small business owner or school.

Whether she is helping clients buy, sell or operate/manage a property, Beth Jo wants her clients to say that “R.O.I. added value, through a proactive, customized and strategic approach.”

Beth Jo Zeitzer

MORE INFORMATION

R.O.I. Properties 2001 E. Campbell Avenue, Suite 202 Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-319-1326 bjz@roiproperties.com roiproperties.com

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REAL ESTATE

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPERS, RANKED BY 2014 ARIZONA HOLDINGS IN SQUARE FEET

Top 10 VESTAR 2425 E. Camelback Road, Suite 750, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-8660900 // vestar.com FOUNDED 1977 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 23 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES retail LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge Marketplace PRINCIPAL Rick Kuhle, chairman, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Pam Bentle, treasurer MARK-TAYLOR INC. 6623 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85258 // 480-991-9111 // mark-taylor.com FOUNDED 1985 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 17 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES Multi-family LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS San Travesia, San Sonoma, San Privada PRINCIPAL Jeff Mark, Scott Taylor, chairman, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Doreen Gannon, vice president development operations LINCOLN PROPERTY COMPANY 3131 E. Camelback Road, Suite 318, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-912-8888 // lpcphx.com FOUNDED 2001 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 7 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES office, industrial, warehouse, business park LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS ADOA, ADEQ, Broadway 101, AZ Game & Fish, 10 Chandler PRINCIPAL David R. Krumwiede, executive vice president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Alisa M. Timm, director of management services RED DEVELOPMENT CO. 1 E. Washington St., Suite 300, Phoenix, 85004 // 480-947-7772 // reddevelopment.com FOUNDED 1995 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 6.6 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES retail, shopping centers, mixed-use LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS CityScape Phoenix, The Shops at Town & Country PRINCIPAL Mike Ebert, managing partner HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Roxanne Southwell, executive vice president of operations, human resources and information technology

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

MOLLY RYAN CARSON

VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

BY CHRISTOPHER GEOFFREY MCPHERSON

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When Molly Ryan Carson began working 15 years ago at Ryan Companies U.S., Inc., the company founded by her great-grandfather, she carried a burden perhaps heavier than many of her co-workers.

“I’m a fourth-generation Ryan,” says the vice president of development. “My father was the CEO, now my uncle is the CEO and president.”

Her father made it clear it was not a given that she would work for him. “He said, ‘Look, there are no favors. If you’d like to apply for a job at Ryan, I can offer you an opportunity to interview. If all goes well, you’re likely to get an entry-level position, that’s all you are offered.’”

She applied and got a job as a laborer, a summer job she worked all through college.

“I said, ‘OK I’m going to put my head down and I’m going to learn,’” Carson says. “As you can imagine there are great benefits and great burdens of having the last name of the company you’re working with.”

It didn’t take long for her to realize she’d made the right choice. “I came home after a month, and said, ‘All that talk about culture and how special a place it is to work and that people really care and feel a part of family: It’s all true.’”

Aside from sharing the same last name, there was another issue.

“There are benefits to being a woman in business and burdens to being a woman,” she says. “Whining isn’t going to help, so put your big-girl pants on and figure out a way to work through that.”

Now, all these years later, she’s seen a lot of changes.

“Yes, it has changed,” she says. “I see a lot more female project managers, female laborers. Certainly we have wonderful female real estate brokers. Are there some days that you feel you’re right back before the bra-burning days? Yes. But I feel gender more and more is being taken off the table.”

Yet while progress is being made, not everything has changed.

“Whether it’s a glass ceiling or in front of peers outside of the company, real estate’s a tough game,” she says. “There are a lot of egos and confidence. There are very serious and costly decisions made each day. You get a little of that old-boy network from the younger guys who aren’t used to seeing a gal out there. I try to focus on the business and being an employee rather than being a woman.”

PLAZA COMPANIES 9401 W. Thunderbird Road, Suite 200, Peoria, 85381

// 623-972-1184 // theplazaco.com FOUNDED 1982 2014 HOLDINGS

IN SQ. FT 3 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES medical office, biotech, senior living LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS SkySong the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, Vi at Grayhawk PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Sharon Harper, president, CEO and chairman of the board HINES 2375 E. Camelback Road, Suite 150, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-3854000 // hines.com FOUNDED 1997 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 3 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES office, multi-family, mixed-use LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS 24th at Camelback I & II, Renaissance Square One & Two, PRINCIPAL Chris Anderson, managing director, regional partner HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Carol Kleinberg, general property manager RYAN COMPANIES U.S., INC. 3900 E. Camelback Road, Suite 100, Phoenix, 85018 // 602-322-6100 // ryancompanies.com FOUNDED 1994 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 2.5 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES office, industrial, medical office, retail, hospitality LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS GoDaddy Global Technology Center, Amkor Technology corporate headquarters PRINCIPAL Rick Collins, president/SouthWest HIGHESTRANKING WOMEN Molly Ryan Carson, vice president of development; Anna Riley, regional director of management KITCHELL 1707 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix, 85016 // 602-264-4411 // kitchell.com FOUNDED 1950 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 1.5 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES retail, office, multifamily, industrial LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS San Dorado (Oro Valley), Mountain Ranch Marketplace (Goodyear) PRINCIPAL Jim Swanson, CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nancy Kelley, assistant controller TRAMMELL CROW COMPANY 2231 E. Camelback Road, Suite 102, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-222-4000 // trammellcrow.com/phoenix FOUNDED 1948 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT 1.45 million DEVELOPMENT TYPES office, industrial, and retail LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS MAX at Kierland, American Express Campus Phase I & II PRINCIPAL Donald “Jim” Mahoney, senior managing director HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Catherine Thuringer, principal ALLIANCE RESIDENTIAL CO. 2415 E. Camelback Road, Suite 600, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-788-2800 // allresco.com // FOUNDED NA 2014 HOLDINGS IN SQ. FT. 653,904 DEVELOPMENT TYPES Apartments LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS Vaseo, Broadstone Element PRINCIPAL Robert Hutt, senior managing director for the Southwest 2014 HIGHESTRANKING WOMAN Keri Conyers, vice president of operations for Southwest

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2015

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