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Michael Jones named Delta Dental of Arizona CEO

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Delta Dental of Arizona has appointed Michael Jones as president and chief executive offi cer, effective October 2021.

He will also serve as the president of the charitable Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, which provides funding, education and dental supplies to those in need across the state.

As president and CEO, Jones will work closely with the board of directors and Delta Dental’s executive leadership team to create and leverage partnerships that strengthen the organization’s ability to meet current and evolving market demands while remaining true to its mission of improving lives by promoting optimal oral health.

“Michael is a senior executive with more than 25 years of developing effective strategies; leveraging technology; and building engaged, high-performance teams,” said Dr. Richard Higgs, chair of the board of directors for Delta Dental of Arizona. “We are confi dent that his collaborative approach, coupled with his track record of working proactively to drive operational excellence and increase market share, will continue to help us innovate and position Delta Dental for further success.”

Prior to joining Delta Dental, Jones served as managing director and Mid-

(Left) As president and CEO, Michael Jones will work closely with the board of directors and Delta Dental’s executive leadership team to create and leverage partnerships that strengthen the organization’s ability to meet current and evolving market demands. (Right) Allan Allford, who has served as president and CEO of Delta Dental since 2010, revealed in February his plans for retirement by year’s end. (Photos courtesy of Delta Dental)

west region health care provider lead for Accenture, a global professional services company providing strategy, consulting, digital and technology solutions. Since 2016, Jones specialized in identifying strategic solutions for various health care organizations and led business development activities to grow the consultancy while managing executive-level client relationships.

Jones also founded professional consulting fi rm M. Jones & Associates LLC in 2005, which he ran as managing partner until 2016, focusing on delivering strategic business and technology solutions to organizations across the country. He brings a wealth of experience from his various C-suite roles at companies like BeTheMatch and CIGNA Behavioral Health. Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University and a master’s in business administration degree from the University of Texas, where he was a Consortium Fellowship Recipient.

“I am exhilarated to be joining Delta Dental of Arizona given its competitive market position and outstanding reputation for delivering quality customer service,” Jones said.

“I look forward to building on this reputation as I collaborate with the board, our management team and employees, and our provider partners to improve the oral health of even more Arizonans.”

Jones replaces Allan Allford, who has served as president and CEO of Delta Dental since 2010 and announced in February his plans for retirement by year’s end.

“The impact Allan has had on driving positive outcomes and improving the oral health of Arizona residents is immeasurable,” Higgs said.

“He is a straight shooter, brings a lot of humility, and has a collaborative leadership style that really propelled the organization forward over the last 11 years. We are grateful for his leadership and anticipate further success for Delta Dental as Allan passes the torch to his successor, Michael.”

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Call Steve Today to Set Up Interview! 480-298-3688 Avana selected as fastest-growing company

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Inc. magazine revealed that Avana Companies, a family of lending and asset management platforms, has made it to its annual Inc. 5000 list out of 7 million companies.

The list represents a look at the most successful companies within the United States’ independent small businesses.

Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia and other well-known names gained their fi rst national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“We are honored to be adjudged as one of the fastest-growing companies in the 2021 Inc. 5000 list,” Avana CEO Sundip Patel said.

“In the current economic environment where the businesses are facing many challenges, we’re appreciative of our thousands of loyal customers and businesses. We’re also immensely proud of our global team, stakeholders and partners, who have been the foundation of our continued growth and improvement.”

Avana’s ranking on the Inc. 5000 list is evidence of the growth rate of its portfolio. The staff and management will celebrate the win by a day of service at the St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Avana Companies collaborates with a diverse group of skilled professionals to foster its mission to build and preserve communities through commercial real estate and small and medium enterprise lending opportunities.

For nearly 20 years, Avana has promoted local ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) investment opportunities by contributing to the social good and educating potential investors about alternative investments that have a social and environmental impact.

Through Avana’s family of companies, it provides capital to grow and create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and fi nance diverse renewable energy projects through its portfolio of lending and investment products.

LendThrive, Avana’s newest lending service, provides up to $150,000 fi xed rate small-business loans in 24 hours to support entrepreneurs across the United States. It is available through a platform with rate reduction rewards.

Since 2002, Avana Capital has enabled small and medium-sized American businesses in niche industries to grow and thrive through customized commercial real estate loans.

Extensia Financial is Avana’s most seasoned credit union service organization and, since 1998, has helped credit unions diversify their lending portfolios through the origination, underwriting, participation, and servicing of commercial real estate loans.

Avana Fund creates customized commercial debt portfolios of small-business and renewable energy loans for institutional investors across the globe.

“The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies compiled,” said Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we’ve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership and the help of a whole lot of people.”

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from Oct. 19 to Oct. 20.

The Glendale tar