Inside Tucson Business, July 16, 2021

Nonprofit Perspective Advancing sustainability

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Volume 29• Number 15

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Laser Focus TECH TALK

Tracking asteroids, real-estate tech, and new degrees Page 5 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

UA GROUNDBREAKING $85M Science Lab

Page 6

Defense technology company Applied Energetics relocates headquarters to UA Tech Park Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business / Page 8

ON THE MENU

SUMMER SURVIVAL Seasonal specials at El Charro

Page 9 BOOK OF LISTS

THIS YEAR’S NUMBERS Defense Contractors

Page 15

PEOPLE IN ACTION

REAL ESTATE

New promotions, hires and awards Page 3

Catalina Foothills Mansion Listed for $6.5M Page 4 1

Chamber Chatter Engaging in the Political Process

Page 2 May 7, 2021

Volume 29• Number 10

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INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 16, 2021

Inside Tucson Business is published 26 times per year (once every other week on Fridays) plus the Book of Lists in January.

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NONPROFITPERSPECTIVE

BY MICHAEL PEEL

SPECIAL TO INSIDE TUCSON BUSINESS

WEEKLY TOP

BY LISA LOVALLO

LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA

Local business opportunities to build Skills to master as a business leader s a leader in your 5. Stress management. back better and advance sustainability business, you’re Eliminating stress is crucial if

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here has been a significant focus since January on advancing a sustainable clean energy economy in the U.S. by the new Biden administration, which provides many opportunities for the Arizona local business community to advocate for a clean energy economy that can benefit businesses, municipalities, and residents. For local businesses, the benefits can include significant cost savings along with opportunities to differentiate and strengthen business plans and models for a more resilient economy.

At Local First Arizona, our focus is on the business community making strides to combat the climate crisis.

Impacts related to climate change are evident across regions and in many sectors important to society – such as human health, agriculture and food security, water supply, transportation, energy, ecosystems, and others – and are expected to become increasingly disruptive in the coming decades.

Businesses play a key role in the mitigation of global warming, through decisions to invest in researching and implementing new energy technologies and energy efficiency measures. Our sustainability programs focus on partnerships and rewarding those businesses doing well in meeting sustainability goals with expanded markets and resources.

There are currently many opportunities for advocacy related to the new administration’s Build Back Better plan. One of the most significant features of the

plan is grant and incentive programs for state and local government to build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers by 2030. These efforts include strong labor, training and installation standards along with utilizing the vast tools of federal procurement to electrify the federal fleet, and labor and affordable housing investments.

One of the major advocacy areas related to the plan is decarbonizing electric power, including reforming, extending, and expanding clean energy tax credits to accelerate clean electricity deployment. This area includes extending deadlines through at least 2030; expanding eligibility to standalone storage; and making credits direct pay and refundable, as well as expanding the State Energy Program.

Another important advocacy area related to the plan is electrifying transportation, including providing incentives for vehicle electrification designed to lower barriers to adoption, accelerate stock turnover and increase equitable access to clean vehicles. This area includes extending existing EV purchase tax credits; public charging infrastructure grants and extension of alternative fueling tax credit; point of sale rebates; and extra incentives for accessibility and equity. This area also includes existing mass transit services, while investing in further expansion and electrification such as long-term funding for transit programs with prioritization of low-income

and pollution-burdened communities.

One of the recommendations across all economic sectors and especially relevant to local businesses is establishing a national green bank or technology deployment administration to provide targeted public investment in, and accelerate the deployment of, emerging low-carbon technologies in sectors across the economy.

Local First Arizona is committed to telling the stories of people and businesses across the state in the clean energy space, whether it is a doctor who has seen the effects of asthma firsthand, or a contractor who knows what solar panels will mean for their customers’ bottom line. To participate by telling us your story, use the contact information below to send your quote about clean energy and a headshot for use on our social media channels or in press outreach. You can also call to share your story so we can craft a quote on your behalf, or send a short one-minute video to use on our social media channels and in our digital advertising.

Your voice makes a difference in helping address climate change. Local First Arizona is here to help support and amplify your concerns.

To get involved, contact Michael Peel at mike@localfirstaz.com or call (520) 975-0145. Michael Peel is the statewide sustainability director for Local First Arizona. He can be contacted at mike@localfirstaz. com. Learn more about Local First Arizona at www.localfirstaz.com.

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always learning. Each year it seems there are new ways to promote your brand, manage your time, increase your bottom line – the list goes on. Check out the ideas below to learn some of the most important skills, and share them with your employees too!

1. Personal branding.

Build up your online presence and thought leadership by being more active online.

Contribute content relevant to your industry on social media and connect with associates on LinkedIn. You want people to view you as an expert in your industry and the go-to person for products and services. You can even write guest columns for your local business and community publications on topics, positioning you as a subject matter expert.

2. Authenticity. Gaining trust and building relationships with your customers stems from being authentic.

Build on this skill by making an effort to connect with your customers and give them a glimpse into your life as a business owner. Consider offering a behind-the-scenes look at your life and business on social media.

3. Persuasive writing.

Being able to write compelling and persuasive content for your website, sales copy and email marketing will make a huge impact on whether or not your customer is enticed to read further or purchase your services.

4. Social media marketing.

Study up on the latest social media marketing trends. Consider setting aside a separate budget to dedicate to social media marketing this year, such as Facebook ads, to see how it can impact your sales.

you want to remain a healthy and productive leader. Consider practicing deep breathing, meditation or creating a habit to walk around the neighborhood – hey, this also gives you a chance to connect with your neighbors and be visible!

6. Speed-reading. In a world with so much content at our fingertips, reading and retaining information quickly is an important skill to have.

Practice this skill by reading for one hour each day and summarizing the content you’ve read afterwards.

7. Public speaking. Sign up for a communications course that will help you overcome your fears and learn how to capture an audience with storytelling. This talent allows you to be a subject matter expert at industry conferences and other local business seminars.

8. Cultural awareness.

Look into training classes that cover how to foster and work in an increasingly diverse global economy. This would be a great skill to share with your employees as well.

9. Something fun. After hours, get your mind off work with a crash course on something that interests you such as photography, gardening or learning how to play a musical instrument.

10. Fore! There are many golf clinics and leagues around Tucson, which helps you hone your skills for work-related tournaments.

Lisa Lovallo is the Southern Arizona market vice president for Cox Communications, leading a team of 250+ Southern Arizona Cox employees. Prior to joining the Cox Southern Arizona team, Lisa ran a family business based in Tucson and is a graduate of the University of Arizona. Reach her at lisa.lovallo@cox.com.

INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

PEOPLEINACTION

Mara Aspinall

JULY 16, 2021

EMAIL YOUR PEOPLE IN ACTION DETAILS TO JEFF@TUCSONLOCALMEDIA.COM

Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has appointed Mara Aspinall to their board of directors. Aspinall is managing director and co-founder of BlueStone Venture Partners, a venture fund that invests in life sciences technology companies throughout the Southwest. She also serves as CEO of Health Catalysts Group, a consulting firm “dedicated to the growth of health information technology and diagnostics firms.”

She also previously served as president and CEO of Ventana Medical Systems (now Roche Tissue Diagnostics). C-Path is a Tucson-based nonprofit, public-private partnership with the Food and Drug Administration to “accelerate the pace and reduce the costs of medical product development.”

“I believe C-Path’s leading-edge approach to medical product development creates profound contributions that impact patients’ lives,” Aspinall said. “Their development of actionable solutions through an innovative, collaborative approach in the sharing of data and expertise is a major driver of change. I look forward to working with the Board to create value, drive consensus and generate the confidence necessary to support the adoption of solutions by sponsors and regulators.”

Photo by Lindsay Thomas

Former Ballet Tucson student becomes Associate Artistic Director

Lee Lambert

Christopher Whelchel Fred Pearce

At their recent annual board meeting, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona elected Pima Community College chancellor Lee Lambert as their 2021/2022 Campaign Chair. Lambert previously served as a member of the local United Way’s board of directors. In addition to Lambert, the Board also elected Michelle Trindade (regional vice president of GEICO) as Vice-Chair, Steven Mankee (owner of MBN Consulting Services) as treasurer, and Matthew Thrower (a project executive at DPR Construction) as secretary.

United Way is an international network of nonprofit fundraising groups supporting their respective communities.

Christopher Whelchel has been appointed as Universal Avionics’ Chief Financial Officer. Whelchel joins UA with more than 16 years of experience in the aerospace industry, with experience managing working capital, financial planning and analysis, and building efficient teams. Whelchel joins UA from SolAero Technologies, a private equity backed company in Albuquerque, where he was vice president of finance. Prior to that, Whelchel was the controller for Bendix King, a subsidiary of Honeywell. Chris is a graduate of Arizona State University with a BS in accounting and an MBA from National American University.

Golder Ranch Fire District division chief Fred Pearce has been promoted to the position of deputy chief, after working in the fire service for nearly 20 years. Pearce served as division chief for two years where he was assigned to special projects. In his new role, Pearce will oversee fire and emergency services.

“Whether it’s an operational matrix, a grant writing project, or a synthesis of common themes after meetings, his ability to bring both people together and goals into focus is what we need for this position. Fred does a masterful job bringing order to the chaos,” said Golder Ranch Fire chief Randy Karrer.

Grant Cesarek Golder Ranch Fire District division chief Grant Cesarek has also been promoted to the position of deputy chief, after working in the fire service for 22 years. In his new role, Cesarek will oversee health and life safety services. He received his degree in Public Safety Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University in 2015.

“Grant’s depth of administrative experience and strong political acumen is exactly what we need in this position. As we grow and need to decentralize decision-making and empower those in charge of their respective divisions, Grant will be a great resource for those under his supervision.” said Karrer.

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Tucson Ballet has announced Margaret Mullin as their new associate artistic director ahead of the company’s 36th season. Mullin is originally from Tucson, and trained at Ballet Arts (the official school of Ballet Tucson), before relocating to Seattle. Mullin worked as a soloist dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet for 13 seasons, and won a Princess Grace Dance Fellowship Award for her “talent as a dancer and her potential to impact the artform.” Mullin also won the 2018 CityArtist Award from the City of Seattle Office of Arts and Culture.

She performed in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris before retiring from professional dance in 2020.

“After such a long and beautiful history with Ballet Tucson, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to become a part of the organization’s future in this way,” Mullin said. “For decades, our Founding Artistic Director Mary Beth Cabana has helped and inspired me to achieve my career dreams as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Now as I step into my new career as associate artistic director, I am honored to get to work alongside her and learn from her as we work to continue the long legacy of excellence that our community has come to expect from Ballet Tucson.”

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INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 16, 2021

REALESTATE &CONSTRUCTION

EMAIL YOUR REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS TO JEFF@TUCSONLOCALMEDIA.COM

Catalina Foothills Mansion Listed for $6.5M the Hills Episcopal Church, Arizona History Museum, Broadway Village Shopping he Tucson real estate Center and multiple Catalina Foothills locations. market is staying If sold at the current strong, and prices asking price, the Grace Manare only going up. Arizona sion would beat the previous ranks fourth for the largest increase in rent and overall highest residential real estate sale in the Catalina Foothills housing prices in that nation. On the extreme — and in more than a decade by luxurious — end of the scale: nearly double.

Eleven Arches, also known as the Grace Mansion in the SALES Catalina Foothills, recently went on the market for $6.5 REM Investment Group, million.

LLC purchased Grant Road The 15,000-square-foot Place, a 20,057-square-foot, estate sits on four acres, and multi-tenant office comincludes a main home, deplex located at 5625-5687 tached guest quarter casitas, E. Grant Road in Tucson. a gym, art studio, one of the The property was purchased largest residential pools in from the Shenitzer Family Arizona and more. Although Trust U/T/A, the Pepper the property is four acres, Trust U/T/A, and WV, LLC more than two acres are not for $2,696,764. Richard built out.

M. Kleiner, MBA, Princi“The architectural quality pal, and Office Specialist and gracious scale of the with Cushman & Wakefield property is captured from | PICOR, represented both the moment you arrive at parties in this transaction. the privately gated drive,” Dr. Christopher Chin, said Thalia Kyriakis, broker DDS purchased an 11,476 associate for Russ Lyon So- square foot office contheby’s International Realty. do located at Oracle-Ina “A private retreat is found Professional Plaza, 7520 N. on the first level within the Oracle Road #200, Tucson. master bedroom wing. The The property was purchased master bedroom wing offers from REDUS One, LLC for generous amounts of living $1,910,000. Aaron LaPrise, spaces including a media Principal with Cushman room, personal office, his/ & Wakefield | PICOR, her bathrooms and closets, represented the seller in this and a private serene terrace.” transaction. Zdravko Manov The property was built in with Arizona Healthcare 1937 and designed by Josias Realty, LLC represented the Joesler, the Swiss architect buyer. behind other Tucson propSimple Real Estate erties like the St. Philip’s in Solutions, LLC purchased

Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

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$480,000. Rob Tomlinson, Principal and Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented both parties in this transaction.

Equilibrium Villas, LLC purchased a 10,650-squarefoot apartment complex located at 3414-3426 E. Kleindale Road in Tucson.

Kleindale Apartments, a 22unit multifamily property Photo by Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty was purchased from JCIL, LLC for $1,100,000. Allan were purchased from Swan Mendelsberg, Principal, and Geronimo Triplex, a Industrial, LLC and Kazolt, Conrad Martinez, Multi4,620-square-foot mulfamily Specialists with CushLLC for $245,000. Paul ti-family property located Hooker, Industrial Specialist man & Wakefield | PICOR, at 2511 & 2515 N. Geroniwith Cushman & Wakefield represented both parties in mo Ave. in Tucson. The this transaction. | PICOR, represented the 6-unit apartment complex Marlin Investments, LLC seller. Felix Gafner with was purchased from ECM purchased 2.17 acres of RealtyFelix.com, LLC, Real Estate Investments, L.L.C. for $530,000. Allan represented the buyer in this vacant industrial land located in Butterfield Business Mendelsberg, Principal, and transaction.

Center, 4525 S. Coach Erin Dawn Lanza Living Conrad Martinez, Multifamily Specialists with Cush- Trust; Thomas Nick Lanza, Dr. in Tucson. Lot 36 was man & Wakefield | PICOR, Jr. Living Trust purchased a purchased from Butterfield Tucson Limited Partnership, 4,140-square-foot multirepresented both parties in LLP for $331,247. Robert family complex located at this transaction.

C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Vida Holdings, LLC pur- 1125 N. Seventh Ave. in Principal, and Industrial Tucson. Sunstone Apartchased 1,750 square feet of office space from the Estate ments, a 12-unit facility, was Specialist with Cushman purchased from BRinc Sun- & Wakefield | PICOR, of George Michael Miles. stone, LLC for $1,160,000. represented the seller in this The single-tenant office building, located at 15601 N. Allan Mendelsberg, Princi- transaction. Gordon Wagner with NAI Horizon, Tucson, Oracle Road in Tucson, was pal, and Conrad Martinez, Multifamily Specialists with represented the buyer. purchased for $249,000.

Cushman & Wakefield | Molly Mary Gilbert, Office PICOR, represented both Specialist with Cushman & LEASES parties in this transaction.

Wakefield | PICOR, repreParis Nail Lounge 1929 E. Grant, LLC sented both parties in this (Tenant), has leased 1,158 purchased 3,093 square transaction. square feet at 845 E. feet of retail space from Luis A. Felix & Alba University Drive, Suite CampGrant, LLC. The Elena Gutierrez purchased #155, from West Main Gate established, single-tenant 7.80 acres of industrial restaurant property, located Center, LLC (Landlord). land located at 4652 & Cameron Casey of Oxford at 1929 E. Grant Road in 4653 E. Eco Industrial Realty Advisors representPlace in Tucson. Lots 1 & 11 Tucson, was purchased for

ed the Tenant and Bourn Advisory Service represented the Landlord in this transaction.

CADC, LLC leased 2,584 square feet of retail space from LLJ Holdings, LLLP, located in Broadway Midtown Courtyard Plaza, 2530-2538 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson. Molly Mary Gilbert and Ryan McGregor, with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

Star Bible Fellowship leased 1,920 square feet of space at Broadbent Business Center, 2015 N. Forbes Blvd., Suite 110 in Tucson, from Forbes Tucson LLC. Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Principal and Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, handled this transaction.

HPS Incorporated (DBA: The UPS Store) leased 1,400 square feet of retail space located at 7966 N. Oracle Road in Tucson, from Roseville Tucson, LLC. Rob Tomlinson, Principal, and Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the tenant in this transaction. Jesse Peron with CBRE, Tucson, represented the landlord.

Eden Home Health of Sierra Vista, LLC leased 875 square feet of office space from DHS Property Investments, LLP, located in The Smart Building, Continued on P11

INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 16, 2021

TECH TALK

Tracking asteroids, real-estate tech, and new degrees Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

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ith a major research university right in our backyard, a strong military presence and innovative companies throughout the metro region, there’s often a plethora of interesting science, medical and technology news to be found in Southern Arizona. Here’s a breakdown of the most interesting recent developments.

history, both geologically and biologically. The mission will use infrared sensors to detect asteroids and comets that have been warmed up by the sun.

Searching for asteroids by sensing their heat emission allows astronomers to not only detect their location and speed, but also to compute their size.

“The fact that NASA tasked Dr. Mainzer and her group with the scientific leadership of this mission is a direct testament to her incredible leadership and expertise, as well as our university’s strong foundation in infrared astronomy,” said UA President Robert C. Robbins. “With NEO Surveyor, we are embarking on a project that transcends basic research and directly tackles one of humankind’s grand challenges: keeping our planet safe from devastating asteroid impacts.”

listing service. The company estimates their flat fee for all home sales puts an average of $10,000 back in the pocket of the seller. Homie currently provides real estate listing services in conjunction with its affiliated insurance and loan businesses in the greater Tucson area including Casas Adobes, Catalina Foothills, Oro Valley, Marana, Tucson Estates, Green Valley, Vail and more.

Promoting Health. The University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman Attack Asteroids. FurCollege of Public Health thering their partnership has announced a new unwith NASA, the University dergraduate degree option of Arizona has been selected in Wellness and Health to lead a mission to “find, Promotion Practice, which track and characterize” will be offered in-person asteroids and comets that and online starting aumay pose a threat to Earth. tumn 2021. According to UA Professor of Lunar UA, the bachelor’s degree and Planetary Science Amy allows students to specialMainzer will lead the Nearize in one of three tracks: Earth Object Surveyor mishealth and wellness, health sion, which uses an infrared education, and aging and space telescope to identify population health. In each High-tech Housing potentially hazardous asteroids and comets that come Listings. A real-estate tech- track, students will learn to conduct health needs and nology company recently within 30 million miles announced the launch of its resource assessments, and of Earth’s orbit. Asteroids to plan health promotion brokerage services in Tucand comets in this range services and interventions son.

The company Homie, are classified as near-earth to promote behavior change which has served the greater objects, or NEOs. NASA and healthier lifestyles. has previously identified an Phoenix Metro area since According to the World estimated 90% of all NEOs 2018, does not charge the Health Organization, high standard percentage-based larger than 1,000 meters. commission to sell a home. blood pressure, obesity and This new mission aims to identify 90% of NEOs larg- Instead, they charge sellers physical inactivity all rank er than 140 meters within a a $3,000 flat fee, regardless among the top five leading global risk factors for death. decade. There are currently of the home’s sale price, And in the United States, to market and sell a home. more than 25,000 nearfrom 2000 to 2018 obesity Earth asteroids and comets In addition to selling the prevalence increased from home, the flat fee also gets identified. These types of 30.5% to 42.4%. During users photography, sigcelestial bodies are widely the same time, the prevnage, lockboxes, and their considered to have had home listed on the multiple alence of severe obesity major impacts on Earth’s

increased from 4.7% to 9.2%.

“This is a great degree for students who want to help others develop healthy lifestyles and experience overall wellness,” said Velia Leybas Nuño, UA assistant professor and program director for the new degree.

“Students who earn this degree can work in health care, health departments and elder care. They can become a community health worker, a health educator or a health coach. This field is predicted to grow significantly over the next 10 years, making the need for trained public health professionals essential.” ITB

NASA is working with the University of Arizona to detect and catalogue asteroids that may pose a threat to Earth. Courtesy illustration.

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INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 16, 2021

UA Breaks Ground on $85M Science Lab Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

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he University of Arizona is strengthening its focus on engineering, space science and optics with a new Applied Research Building just off Speedway Boulevard. Construction on the three-story, $85 million building broke ground on Tuesday, June 29, and the university expects the building to open for occupants by spring 2023.

The 89,000-squarefoot facility will be devoted to advancing research, and will contain a number of unique scientific tools.

These include a thermal vacuum chamber used to simulate space environments, an anechoic chamber designed to absorb reflections and electromagnetic waves for antenna testing, a high bay lab for high altitude balloons, and a dynamic testing lab for large objects.

The ARB is located at the southeast corner of Helen Street and Highland Avenue, next to the university’s Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Building, serving as a confluence for advanced manufacturing and technology.

“When you think about advanced materials, you may think about advanced manufacturing and advanced manufacturing methods like 3D printing.

However, advanced materials are also key to almost

An illustration of the Applied Research Building, which will contain a thermal vacuum chamber used to simulate space environments, an anechoic chamber designed to absorb reflections and electromagnetic waves for antenna testing, and a high bay lab for high altitude balloons. Architectural mockup courtesy of UA.

all of our advanced energy technologies,” said Betsy Cantwell, UA’s senior vice president for research and innovation. “They are created in the laboratory, but this building will allow us to translate those scientific developments and advanced materials into products that can be built in the real world and turned into companies.”

As with many scientific developments at UA, administration highlighted the building’s role in the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” which involves the ongoing automation of manufacturing processes, smart technologies, and the internet.

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is all about the world increasing our interconnectivity, and I can’t emphasize that enough,” said UA president Robert C. Robbins.

“I think of the juxtaposi-

tion of this building right along Speedway. This is the merging that makes science and engineering work with business and law and medicine and pharmacy and nursing.”

Research in the ARB will include work on CubeSats (or nanosatellites) that reduce the cost of access to space; additional space for UA’s Imaging Technology Laboratory with advanced sensors for astronomy, satellite imagery and laboratory chemical analysis; 3D printing of aerospace parts; and stratospheric balloons potentially for observation, military sensor testing, and preparation for balloons on other planets.

“From the College of Engineering’s perspective, the timing of this building is ideal,” said College of Engineering dean David Hahn. “As we compete

with other top universities for talent, like faculty talent and student talent, it’s this type of facility that will allow us to improve those efforts and in fact beat out other universities for the very students and the very best faculty.”

The ARB was built with the university’s strategic plan in mind, which includes five “pillars” of focus. Specifically, the ARB is dedicated to research programs related to the “Grand Challenges” pillar, which deals with pressing issues for humanity like space access, artificial intelligence, health care technology and the environment.

“These are areas that drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution. And that revolution and change in how the world builds things, delivers them out into the real world, and recognizes economic impact is a core

to the principles of the university going forward,” Cantwell said. “We will not build new buildings at the university without some version of innovation space somewhere in that building.”

The strategic plan’s four other pillars are the Wildcat journey, Arizona Global, institutional excellence, and the benefits of Arizona.

“Beyond attracting and reinforcing our industry partners with companies including Honeywell, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, research conducted in the ARB will translate into major societal impacts, from the development of wearables and noninvasive imaging for better health care outcomes to the construction of advanced sensors for modern autonomy, robotics and AI applications,” Cantwell said.

In total, the ARB will connect faculty across four colleges and eight departments: the College of Engineering (which includes the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering); the College of Science (which includes the Department of Astronomy and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory); the College of Optical

Sciences; and the College of Medicine.

The building was made possible through nearly $30 million in annual funding from the State of Arizona’s Technology and Research Initiative Fund, which increased the state’s sales tax via Prop 301 to promote university research, development and technology.

“There are less than 20 universities in this nation who have $1 billion in research expenditures. We’re creeping up on $800 million… and we believe in the coming decade we will be one of those universities,” Robbins said. “That’s a tremendous asset, not only to the students, faculty and staff, but to the region of Southern Arizona. You can track economic development directly to the amount of research expenditure a university has.”

The building will be constructed on what is now a parking lot, being designed and constructed by the McCarthy and SmithGroup construction firms. The building’s construction will also involve realignment of the popular Highland Underpass, which students and faculty use to cross beneath Speedway.

“We have no idea what the next emerging world challenge will be, but buildings like this and this infrastructure will help us be prepared for whatever the future brings,” Robbins said. ITB

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JULY 16, 2021

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JULY 16, 2021

Defense tech company Applied Energetics relocates HQ to UA Tech Park Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

T

he University of Arizona’s Tech Park on Rita Road south of Tucson houses dozens of startup companies, but the resources it offers are a draw for well-established companies, too. Tucson-based defense technology company Applied Energetics recently relocated their headquarters to the Tech Park, where they will further develop their lasers.

“It was such an ideal location, being in the tech park and around a lot of different innovators. But the space itself was also a draw,” said Applied Energetics CEO Greg Quarles.

“It’s one of those spaces that you’re not going to come across often in the Tucson area, with office space, lab space and clean room space. We couldn’t pass up on it.”

Coming up on their 20th anniversary, Applied Energetics made the move in anticipation of their future growth and for greater research opportunities. The company’s core development, Laser Guided Energy, works with ultra-short pulse lasers that can be used in “multiple counter-threat defense applications” (described by the company’s former CEO as a “controllable death ray”). Whereas other directed energy weapons

like high energy lasers and high-power microwaves are not owned by a single company, Applied Energetics owns all technologies affiliated with Laser Guided Energy.

“As we look at the way things are evolving around the world, you have threats where there are multiple munitions and missiles launched simultaneously. You have threats with swarms of UAVs that can attack simultaneously. So it takes a very strong, layered defense. Right now, that comprises [continuous wave] lasers, microwaves and radio frequency.

And we firmly believe that ultra-short pulse is the next layer of that defense,” Quarles said. “We’re showing very clearly to the directed energy community that ultra-short pulse technology can engage, damage, deter or destroy the threat in a microsecond, and be locked onto another threat in less than a second.”

For their relocation, Applied Energetics looked to consolidate their two previous locations under one roof. They originally planned to expand by the end of 2021, but a recently emptied space at the Tech Park was a perfect fit. The 13,000-square-foot facility was previously occupied by an optics company that had made major improvements to the location.

“Applied Energetics fit

Applied Energetics’ new headquarters at the UA Tech Park features a 4,800-square-foot Class 1000 cleanroom, office space, room for research and development and high-level manufacturing. Photo by Phantom Aerial Solutions.

the bill, it was the right timing, and they moved in within 75 days after our first introduction, which is almost unheard of, especially with a sophisticated space,” said Carol Stewart, associate vice president for Tech Parks Arizona.

“Greg Quarles is that type of leader. When he sees something that works, he’s not afraid to jump in and make the commitment…

I’m really pleased a Tucson company was able to find what they needed within their backyard.”

The new location features a 4,800-square-foot Class 1000 cleanroom, office space, room for research and development and high-level manufacturing.

“For us, it’s the expanded capabilities. From a visibility perspective, having our customers come in and see what we’re doing

in this phenomenal space.

Plus, the ability to have all of our compliance needs met, with safety and security,” Quarles said. “We know several of the key occupants out there. They work in similar defense, intelligence, research and development activities, so to us, that spoke volumes of their ability to come in and work in an environment that is both collaborative and meet compliance requirements for federal research.”

Applied Energetics joins other defense and technology companies in the Tech Park such as Raytheon Missile Systems and NP Photonics.

Aside from the resources and space, a major benefit of the tech park are the opportunities for tenants to collaborate. Stewart explains these collaborations can occur naturally

through companies occupying the same facility, but also through organized meetings set up by administration. Although many business and technology activities resorted to working from home during the pandemic, as companies return to in-person work, Quarles says they are open to meet and collaborate with their fellow tech park tenants.

“We look for businesses that are really excited to be part of the Tech Park community and want to be connected to the UA,” Stewart said. “We’re more than a business park, there’s a really special creative environment and energy that innovators like at the tech park, where they can work side-by-side with a small tech company or alongside something like Raytheon or IBM.” The tech park also

provides opportunities for tenants to connect with researchers and scientists in the university, which can be especially valuable to defense contractors due to the university’s deep roots in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and optical sciences.

“We’re ideally located for defense contractors because of the type of space we have available,” Stewart said. “We can accommodate that security element, if you need a clean room, a laser room, we have the knowhow to build all of those out. Every tenant that we work with has very specific requirements.”

In total, the Tech Park at Rita Road campus stretches more than 1,200 acres, with 2 million square feet of space for high-tech offices and laboratories. In total, Applied Energetics holds 26 patents and 11 additional Government Sensitive Patent Applications.

“We continue to work on our mission to be the first source the federal government comes to for ultra-short pulse lasers. Even during the pandemic, and now, we continue to work with those customers and expand our capabilities,” Quarles said. “We have a world-class facility now, and have consolidated all our operations under one roof, and that was really what our goal was.” ITB

INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 16, 2021

ON THE MENU

“Our summer menu is kind of like a summer survival guide, providing extra value at the time of year when we’re all hurting the most and giving our guests a reason to come out to dinner on the hottest of days and nights,” said Ray Flores, president of Flores Concepts. Courtesy photo.

El Charro’s summer shrimp specials offer a jumbo bargain Matt Russell

Special to Inside Tucson Business

A

ccording to her great, great nephew, Monica Flinn likely spent the first summer at her new El Charro Café making pots of stew and tortillas to feed local construction workers. That was 99 years ago, and summer survival continues to be the hallmark of the season at each of El Charro’s Tucson locations.

“Tia Monica was a fierce and feisty frontier woman, someone who could probably chew tobacco, spit in a spittoon and come back and make your meal,” said Ray Flores, Flinn’s great, great nephew and president of Flores

Concepts which owns and operates El Charro Café.

“But at the end of the day she was all about service, to her family, extended family and community.”

It’s in that spirit that El Charro reveals its summer menu that Flores says is a symbol of survival.

“Our summer menu is kind of like a summer survival guide, providing extra value at the time of year when we’re all hurting the most and giving our guests a reason to come out to dinner on the hottest of days and nights,” said Flores.

Taking center stage on this year’s summer menu is shrimp, sourced from sustainable farms and served in three dishes that showcase the restaurant’s

creativity with camarones.

The Shrimp Poblano Enchilada Elegante features grilled shrimp, peppers, and bacon in twice-rolled corn tortillas, baked in a poblano crema with queso Oaxaca, avocado salsa, and marinated pink onion. Flores notes that this is “meatier and thicker” than the restaurant’s standard enchilada.

Those grilled shrimp and peppers also anchor the Fajita Lettuce Cups, with queso cotija, chipotle crema, avocado salsa and a margarita lime vinaigrette.

This dish has reportedly been popular with guests who’ve adopted low-carb and keto nutritional lifestyles.

Third in the summer menu lineup is the Mojo de

Ajo Shrimp Tamal, a handmade corn tamal topped with grilled garlic chimichurri shrimp, tomatillo sauce and queso Oaxaca.

Flores prefers his tamales with toppers, and he suggests the shrimp and sauce on this dish is an epicurean expression of awesome.

With each of these dishes priced under $10, this menu, which runs through Aug. 15, makes surviving the summer a little easier.

Flores has also introduced four signature summer margaritas, for less than $6 each, which include mango and jalapeno, coconut and pineapple, watermelon and mint, and tamarind and citrus varieties.

When asked which of these cocktails would appeal most to Tia Monica, Flores replied honestly.

“Probably none of them,” he said. “She was a woman who preferred to drink martinis out of teacups.”

Summer is also being celebrated at Flores’ other local restaurants, Charro Steak & Del Rey and Charro Vida, with upgraded happy hours.

“Coming out of the pandemic and moving into the summer, we really wanted to have a strong happy hour, so all of our stores have focused on greater and bigger offerings.”

I’ll drink to that.

“The fact that we’ve made it through 99 summers, or even one summer at all, is a testament to a restaurant’s grit,” said Flores. “Tucson has its own challenges every summer that we as businesses endure, and we

9

know that being all in it together is what helps us get through.”

Togetherness. Family.

Service. Guiding principles forged nearly a century ago by a woman who stood out among her contemporaries. Flores’ team appears to feed their community with the same affection that Flinn fed hers – minus the spittoon, of course – and in the brutal months of summer, that’s something from which we can all benefit. ITB Contact Matt Russell, whose day job is CEO of Russell Public Communications, at mrussell@ russellpublic.com. Russell is also the publisher of OnTheMenuLive.com as well as the host of the Friday Weekend Watch segment on the “Buckmaster Show on KVOI 1030 AM.

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JULY 16, 2021

AZ goes EV: Rate of electric car ownership relatively high in Arizona ber among states. When ownership is measured per 1,000 residents, Arior a mostly red state, zona inches up a notch to Arizona has a lot of sixth place, with just over blue-state company four electric vehicles per 1,000 people. when it comes to states That rate put Arizona ranked by electric vehicle just behind Oregon and ownership, according to Colorado and just ahead recent government data. of Nevada and Vermont.

Arizona had 28,770 California was in the lead registered electric vehicles as of June, according by far, with 425,300 registered electric vehicles, to the U.S. Department or one for every 10.7 of Energy’s Alternative residents.

Fuels Data Center, the Arizona EV enthusiasts seventh-highest num-

Brooke Newman Cronkite News

F

welcomed the ranking, which they said they have seen reflected in steady increases in group membership, but said the state can do better.

“Arizona is growing by leaps and bounds in major areas, but still struggling out there in the hinterlands,” said Jerry Asher, vice president of the Tucson Electric Vehicle Association.

He and others said the biggest challenge in Arizona, as in much of

News and features for Tucson and Southern Arizona’s business and legal communities Chamber Chatter Tucson’s momentum to spur success in 2021

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Mayor wants Uhlich to return as replacement PEOPLE Page 4 IN ACTION

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Financial trio donates to Gospel Rescue Mission

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Real estate appraisers, brokers , and mortgage lenders

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Page 15 Meritage Homes Developing Multiple Communities in Vail Chicano Por La Causa charter schools bring students across the finish line Page 10

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the country, is the lack of readily available charging stations for electric vehicles.

Currently, there are 385 public fast-charging plugs and 1,448 nonfast-charging plugs in the state, said Diane Brown, executive director with the Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. And many of those “are not available 24 hours a day, often making EV charging less convenient to the public,” she said.

And in order for the state to hit 10% EV ownership by 2030, one scenario outlined

by Arizona PIRG, the number of charging stations would need to grow significantly.

“According to the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, to support a future in which 10% of Arizona’s vehicles are EVs – a conservative target for 2030 – Arizona will need more than 1,098 fast-charging plugs and 14,888 Level 2 plugs,” Brown said.

This will require local, state and federal policies to make “EV charging accessible, affordable, and easy,” she said.

But advocates said there are several things working in their favor. Jim Stack,

president of the Phoenix Electric Auto Association, said many of the current plug-ins charging stations are at stores and libraries, places “where you would stop anyway.”

“We have a good charging infrastructure and it keeps getting better,” Stack said.

One way Asher said Arizona could be more EV-friendly would be to add charging stations at hotels, RV parks and shopping centers. In Tucson, he said, the Culinary Dropout and Jersey Mike’s restaurants have already begun offering free electric vehicle charging to customers, Asher said.

While they push for more charging infrastructure, advocates said improving technology and lower vehicle expenses are on their side, helping to sway more Arizonans to purchase an electric vehicle in recent years.

“The batteries are getting better and lower in cost as well as longer-lasting,” Stack said.

He said an EV uses about 50 cents of electricity to cover the same number of miles a gas-burning car gets from a gallon of gas – currently selling for $3.12 a gallon in Arizo-

na, according to AAA. In addition, the state is offering incentives to electric vehicle buyers.

“In AZ we get reduced registration on electric vehicles,” Stack said. “It’s about $15 a year compared to $300-$700 a year for gas and diesel cars.”

Electric vehicle owners also “get 24/7 access to HOV lanes, even with one person,” he said.

And utilities like Tucson Electric Power offer rebates and incentives for home charging stations, according to a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Stack also noted that Arizona is now home to three eclectic vehicle manufacturers: Lucid, which makes cars in Casa Grande, Nikola, which will make trucks in Phoenix and Coolidge, and Electra Meccanica, which plans to build the threewheeled SOLO commuter in Mesa.

“We get clear skies. No oil changes, no muffler work, no transmission, faster acceleration. No smog or smog tests,” Stack said. “It’s priceless.” ITB For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.

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Financial Literacy: What You Need to Know about Credit Scores Andrea Elias

Special to Inside Tucson Business

A

simple three-digit number known as your credit score can make a big difference in your financial life. If you’re thinking of financing a vehicle, applying for a line of credit or buying a home, you’re going to want to make sure your credit score is where it needs to be in order to qualify and get the best terms possible.

How is a credit score calculated?

A credit score takes into consideration the types of accounts you have open

credit score and missing payments or making late payments, can significantly affect your score. Set up automatic bill pay to help you stay on track. Be sure to contact creditors if you feel you’re going to be late and try to work out some What’s a good credit options to avoid any marks score? on your credit report.

Try to keep your credit Credit scores range from 300 to 850 with the aver- usage low as credit utilization makes up 30% of age score falling between your credit score. The total 600 to 750. If you’re of your available balances aiming for good, you’re going to want a score that’s across all accounts is then divided by your total credit at least 700 or higher. limit giving you your credit utilization ratio. The How do I get a good general rule is to aim for credit score? a 30% or less utilization ratio.

Payment history makes Making multiple payup about 35% of your such as loans and credit cards, how much credit you use of your available credit, how often you apply for credit and how long your accounts have been opened.

ments to multiple creditors can be overwhelming which can affect your ability to make payments.

If this is the case, debt consolidation could be a good option for relief. Applying for a loan or credit card with a low-interest rate to help pay off debt and consolidate to just one payment can also help you pay off your debt faster, helping boost your credit score. ITB

JULY 16, 2021

11

REALESTATE & CONSTRUCTION Continued from P4

1661 N. Swan Road, Suite 208 in Tucson. Thomas J. Nieman, Principal, and Ryan McGregor, Office Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction. Karen Farrell with Venture West Real Estate Services, LLC, represented the tenant.

Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC leased 2,226 Visit HughesFCU.org to learn square feet of office space more on how Hughes can help. located at Plaza Palomino located at 2910 N. Swan Andrea Elias is the Pantano Road. Andrew Sternberg, branch manager at Hughes Federal Credit Union, where she has served Phil Skillings and Ben the Southern Arizona community Craney with NAI Horizon represented the landlord for over 15 years.

and Rick Kleiner with PICOR represented the tenant in this transaction.

Amerita, Inc. leased 2,365 square feet of office space located at Orange Grove Medical Plaza located at 1925 W. Orange Grove. Andrew Sternberg and Phil Skillings with NAI Horizon represented the landlord and Tim Healy with CBRE Tucson represented the tenant in this transaction Cold Blooded Exotics, LLC. leased 980 square feet of retail space at Embassy Plaza located at 3924 W. Ina. Ben Craney, Jayme Fabe and Sam Nalli with NAI Horizon handled this transaction. ITB

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JULY 16, 2021

Aid to renters, landlords available as CDC extends eviction moratorium through the end of July Christina Duran

Inside Tucson Business

W

hile the CDC last month put COVID-related evictions on hold until July 31, a local program aimed at preventing evictions has more than $20 million available to aid both renters and landlords.

The Tucson Pima Eviction Prevention Program, a collaboration between the City of Tucson, Pima County, Community Investment Corporation and local nonprofits, provides rental and utility assistance for tenants facing eviction due to COVID-19-related reasons.

The program still has more than $20 million in rental assistance available of the $34 million in federal eviction prevention funding for the City of Tucson and Pima County.

Community Investment Corporation Director Danny Knee expects more funding from the American Rescue Plan.

The program has until Sept. 30 to expend about 65% of those relief funds, but there’s pressure to distribute money before the end of the eviction moratorium under which many tenants have maintained their homes. Program officials expect a wave of eviction proceedings will be filed mid-summer.

The CDC said last week’s extension of the moratorium through the end of July “is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium.”

Knee said it’s challenging

to distribute the money because there are so many people to serve but he doesn’t have the staff to process all the applications.

“How do you go hire and train as many people as would be needed to process all that and then when that’s over, then let them go?” said Knee. “Nonprofits, most of us are relatively small places, where we’re not set up for that. We’re not set up like Amazon to deal with Christmas rush or something like that and this work, it can’t just be anybody. It’s not unskilled type of work that people are doing.”

Knee said the program is distributing about $1 million in funding every week, earning praise from the Arizona Multihousing Association, which said in its June newsletter that the program is “on track to be the most efficient and expedient program in the state.”

This was compared to Arizona’s Department of Economic Security’s program, which had dispersed $7.8 million in rental and utility assistance out of $289 million to 1,519 applicants in Coronavirus Relief Funds as of Monday, June 28. But AMA President Courtney LeVinus says the entire process has been beset by delays.

“The delay in deploying eviction relief funds continues to frustrate residents and property owners,” LeVinus said via email.

“Congress allocated these funds months ago, yet this continues to be an issue.

Property owners in some cases are owed 15 months of rent, sometimes $15,000 to $20,000. Meanwhile millions of dollars in relief money is not being deployed to people in need.”

According to LeVinus, Arizona has received nearly $1 billion in relief money through various levels of government over the past 16 month, but has deployed less than 15 cents of every dollar received.

From November 2020, a waitlist began to grow, with around 4,000 applications waiting in the queue in March when they began processing them, said Knee. He speculates around 2,400 were legitimate, as some of those applications may have been duplicated because of a change in eligibility requirements and because the program encourages cooperation between tenant and landlord, where either a tenant or landlord can apply.

With around 500 to 600 applications coming in every week, the process takes roughly four weeks to get through the waitlist, said Knee.

Those at or below 50% of area median income who may be eligible for unemployment or who have been unemployed for a longer period have priority in the list. With the city and county, CIC also created a scoring system to take into consideration how long someone has been on the waitlist.

“What we were finding early on is that if you didn’t do that, the people who

didn’t have a higher priority score, they would never have gotten served, because people are always coming in,” said Knee.

Once they are off the waitlist, tenants and landlords must provide the required documents, like pay stubs, leases and proof of the rent in arrears, to prove eligibility and ensure a legitimate landlord/ tenant relationship. With 65 case managers across 10 agencies, the process takes another two to three weeks.

Knee said income verification is making the process take closer to three weeks.

“If somebody were to get on the waiting list right now on average, it would probably take them about two months to get served, which is obviously really problematic with the moratorium coming up,” said Knee.

“We’re very stressed about what’s going on.”

Last month, the Department of Treasury updated their guidelines for emergency rental assistance to allow the use of readily available information or “proxies” to verify the income eligibility of renters.

In order to expedite a process bogged down by red tape, the city and county followed CIC’s suggestion to use the Neighborhood Vulnerability Map Index, a map created from a 2020 study identifying vulnerable areas in Tucson and Pima County based on five factors: percentage of non-white residents; level of education; renting versus owning housing; income level; and the number of children living in poverty.

Applicants would submit their address and self-attest to living in one of those vulnerable areas.

Knee said about half of the applications submitted in recent weeks have gone through that process, meaning “no gathering of pay stubs, no calculation errors, no back and forth.”

With those improvements, Knee hopes to increase the amount of funds paid to $1.5 million a week in the next couple of weeks and get closer to $2 million a week.

“The money is not going to run out,” said Knee.

“I know that’s one of the concerns. That is not the concern right now. There’s American Rescue Plan money that is going to fall behind this. So, if people can be patient, the money will be there. There are landlords that have been out over a year, have not gotten a payment for over a year, and so it’s very difficult to ask them to be patient.”

LeVinus said the request for more patience is unreasonable.

“During the pandemic, we did not require grocery stores to give away free food and home goods. We didn’t enforce a ‘fuel cost moratorium’ requiring gas stations to provide free gas. Only property owners have been asked to make this unbelievable sacrifice—a 16-month moratorium that has been ruled unconstitutional by multiple federal judges,” Le Vinus said via email. “Collectively, Arizona property owners–including mom and pop rental owners–have lost millions of dollars in rental

income while still paying their own mortgages, property taxes, payroll, maintenance costs and other bills.”

LeVinus said she didn’t expect the end of the eviction moratorium will cause a spike in evictions. Instead, she expects them to increase incrementally.

“We have seen predictions of an ‘eviction tsunami’ based on bad data and unreasonable projections,” said LeVinus. “We do believe there will be an incremental increase in evictions.

That’s inevitable, given that evictions have slowed to a near standstill over the past 16 months. At some point, people will have to pay the rent they owe or there will be some consequence.”

AMA continues to advise landlords and property owners to continue what they have been doing for 16 months: “Keep working with rental residents who make an effort to work with them,” according to LeVinus.

“This type of collaboration requires renters to make an honest effort to communicate, seek assistance and work with their property manager,” said LeVinus. “Unfortunately, we have seen many renters fail to participate, including applying for assistance.” ITB The Tucson Pima Eviction Prevention Program provides landlords and property managers with up to 12 months in back rent and three months advance pay for tenants who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Those in need of assistance should visit tucsonpimaep.com.

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JULY 16, 2021

MSBA Call for Nominations Cultivating the Southern Arizona Entrepreneurial Spirit The Minority and Small Business Alliance will present awards to outstanding small and/or minority-owned businesses that have demonstrated success as business owners and commitment to the Southern Arizona community.

Award Nomination Categories: CONSTRUCTION FIRM OF THE YEAR EXPORTER OF THE YEAR MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR RETAILER OF THE YEAR SERVICE FIRM OF THE YEAR SUPPLIER/DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR TECHNOLOGY FIRM OF THE YEAR BUSINESS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR Please note: nominations will be accepted from all sources, including self- nominations by business owners wishing to be considered for any of the awards.

All nominations must be submitted using the attached AWARD NOMINATION FORM. Forms can also be found on the Minority & Small Business Alliance website at www.msbasa.org. All completed nomination packages must be submitted before the deadline of August 13, 2021.

All nominations should contain the information requested for each category. Remember that judging will be based solely on the information submitted, so please take the time to provide details and to fully answer all questions.

Award Criteria:

Eligible businesses must: • Be U.S. citizen-owned and have, • Been in business for at least three (3) years, and • Be a for-profit enterprise.

Other considerations: Committee judges take into consideration many different aspects of a business owner’s story. Business performance, growth and economic impact are very important, but the challenges and adversities a nominee has overcome on the road to success are considered as well. The nominee’s demonstrated commitment to community involvement is of great importance also. Details are important, so please take the time to provide specific examples and reply to all questions contained in the nomination package. Judges are as equally interested in the story behind the successful business, as they are in the fact that the business is successful.

For further information or assistance contact: Jo Anne Arvizu – Chair of the Nomination Committee at (520) 954-0249

Submit by Mail, FAX or Email to: Minority and Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona Attention: Nomination Committee PO Box 22801 Tucson, AZ 85734 (520) 441-2797 (fax) msbasarizona@gmail.com Attention: Nomination Committee

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INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 16, 2021

Marana remembers longtime chamber president Ed Stolmaker Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

I

n his goodbye message to the Marana Chamber of Commerce in 2018, president and CEO Ed Stolmaker explained that he planned to maintain a presence in the community he’d spent more than a decade growing. Not only did these plans come true in the following years, but Stolmaker’s influence seems to endure through the individuals and town he worked with.

Originally born in Boston, Stolmaker worked for many years in New Jersey before coming to Marana in 1999. Though his work ethic benefitted the Marana Chamber of Commerce, of equal importance was his focus on networking for the local business community.

“Everything he did he gave 110%. Nothing was ever short-changed. If he was going to do something, he’d do it the right way. It was never a question,” said his daughter Dori Stolmaker. “As an older adult, I can look back and see all the sacrifices he made for all of us kids to be the amazing people we are today. He taught us humility, to take pride in your work, to be kind to other people.

Everything that he is, we were taught.”

Marana mayor Ed Honea estimates that when Stolmaker first joined the Marana Chamber, it had some 300 members. But

when he left 15 years later, the Chamber had 550 members—thanks to his focus on networking and supporting local business.

“He was a tremendous personal friend. You’re colleagues with some people, and others you get along with personally,” Honea said. “Ed was one of the most likeable people I ever met, and I don’t think I’ve seen or talked to anybody that didn’t like him. I can even talk to people that don’t like me, and they’ll tell me they like him.”

Stolmaker’s work with the Chamber included organizing quarterly luncheons, guest speakers and even devoting time for every Chamber member to introduce themselves at functions allowing for more collaboration between local business owners.

“Even if he didn’t agree, he’d be very professional as to why he didn’t agree and explaining things in detail that others could understand,” Honea said.

“There were even times during State of the Town where I’d want to do something and he’d disagree, and 90% of the time he was right, doggone it.”

Stolmaker passed away due to cancer on June 22 at 75 years old. As health issues grew later in his life, he passed the role of Chamber president onto Audra Winters, who says he made the transition very easy, even staying on

for extra time to ensure the Chamber was left in a good position.

“He was able to walk me through a lot of the process and introduce me to a lot of people, because I came from another state and really didn’t know a lot of people around Tucson,” Winters said. “He created this culture here at the Chamber that was more like a family and everyone wanted to get to know each other and support each other. Taking that over was such an honor.”

This work led to Stolmaker earning a Branding Iron award from the Town of Marana, awarded to those who’ve left a mark on the community.

“Whenever someone came to him with a project, he made it seem very effortless. He took it in and made sure it went with the mission of the Chamber, and connected with the right people to make it happen. It was a seamless process,” Winters said.

“He was a true gentleman.

He treated everyone the same and genuinely cared about your story or business. He wanted to know the person first, and then got to know the business to see how the Chamber and business could work together.”

During his tenure, the Marana Chamber was voted the best chamber of commerce in the Tucson area multiple times.

Stolmaker also served on the Marana Health Center

Board of Directors and served as president of the Sanctuary Cove Board of Directors.

“Individuals within the town have learned a lot from him, just as far as being understanding of other people’s situation from a business standpoint. Not to be so definite in a yesor-no sense, and to work with people as best as you can, to make it work for everybody,” Dori said. “He really was accommodating, and if anything, his legacy is: ‘How do we make it work for everybody?’”

As news of his passing broke, many members and businesses of the community issued fond memories and condolences. To his family, this outpouring of support was to be expected.

“I was not surprised. I knew that was how much he impacted the community, and I knew that was what he meant to so many people,” Dori said. “But I was surprised by how many people reached out that I didn’t know. I knew he was loved by so many, but I didn’t realize his reach outside of the Marana community.”

Dori even recalls a time she went to a client’s house, and was recognized by her last name. The client said he met Stolmaker years ago, and in just a brief meeting, he changed the client’s life.

“This is the influence he had on people. That gentleman is so grateful

“The friendships I have formed in my time with the chamber will remain as close as ever. I will continue supporting Marana businesses and the chamber in every way I can. This is a strong organization that will accomplish many great things in the years to come. It was my honor to serve all of you, and I look forward to watching the chamber grow and thrive,” Ed Stolmaker wrote in his goodbye announcement from the Marana Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy photo.

to this day to have the opportunity to meet my dad,” Dori said. “So there are so many groups, people from different walks of life, even groups outside Arizona, he impacted. I take a lot of strength in knowing that’s who he was.”

After he retired from the Marana Chamber in 2018, Stolmaker balanced his time between his kids and grandkids, and golf. In commemoration of Stolmaker and his love of golf, the Marana Chamber is renaming their annual golf tournament. The Marana Chamber Golf Tournament is now the Marana

Chamber of Commerce Ed Stolmaker Golf Tournament, and is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 27, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Golf Course.

“I really just want to thank everybody for everything they said about him. It’s so comforting to know that my father was such an inspiration for so many. That gives so much comfort in his death, and I think that is speaking for my entire family,” Dori said. “I really don’t think he knew how much of himself he passed on to other people when they met him.” ITB

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JULY 16, 2021

Defense Contractors Rank Business 2021 Address 2020

Phone Company Email Website

1

CAID Industries, Inc. 2275 E. Ganley Rd. Tucson, AZ 85706

(520) 294-3126 sales@caid.com caid.com

2

AMERICAN TURBO SYSTEMS 4210 N. Sullinger Avenue Tucson, AZ 85705

3

Total $ Amt. of Active Contracts for 2020

Total No of Products / Services Contracts in 2020

Parent Company Headquarters

Top Local Executives

Year Establ.

Locally

Chicago, IL

Rob Assenmacher

1947

Manufacturing and MRO product support facility for gas turbine engines Tucson, AZ & power generation systems used in Commercial and Defense applications.

John Gouveia MARTIN URIAS TERRY AHEARN

1992

11,000,000

22

Metal fabrication

(520) 888-1100 sales@atstucson.com www.atstucson.com

5,000,000

N/A

Darling Geomatics 9040 S Rita Rd, Ste 2350 Tucson, AZ 85747

(520) 298-2725 marydarling@darlingltd.com www.darlingltd.com

1,207,000

24

3D Scanning, 3D Modeling, UAV (Drone) Surveying, Mapping,Thermal Imaging, Videos and Still Photos; LiDAR, BIM, Revit, Industrial Surveying, Metrology

U of A Tech Park 9040 S. Rita Road, Ste 2350 Tucson, AZ 85747

Mary E Darling Richard D Darling

1996

4

Tucson Embedded Systems, Inc. 5620 N. Kolb Rd., Ste. 160 Tucson, AZ 85750

(520) 575-7283 business@tucsonembedded.com tucsonembedded.com

1,000,000

15

Mission and safety critical electronic systems design, engineering, testing, certification and final product assembly

Tucson

Dennis Kenman Antonio Procopio

1997

5

Kirsh Manufacturing, Inc. 801 E. 46th St. Tucson, AZ 85713

(520) 792-4122 kirsh@kirshmanufacturing.com www.kirshmanufacturing.com

150,000

2

Precision machined parts

Tucson

Tim Kirsh

1998

6

Southwest Metrology and Quality Services, Inc. 1550 W. Wetmore #250 Tucson, AZ 85705

(520) 275-8186 calibrate@swmetlab.com www.swmetlab.com

25,000

N/A

ISO Accredited Calibration of Precision Test Equipment

N/A

Dan Beard

1995

7

Arizona Capacitors, Inc. 1100 S. Plumer Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 573-0221 sales@arizonacapacitors.com arizonacapacitors.com

0

N/A

Capacitors, electronic filters

Electro Technik Industries Clearwater, FL

Cindy Hilton Bob Grady Larry Liese

1962

Raytheon Missiles & Defense 1151 E. Hermans Rd. Tucson, AZ 85706

(520) 794-3000 rmdpr@rtx.com http://raytheonmissilesanddefense.com/

0

Unconfirmed

Waltham, MA

Wesley D Kremer

1951

Ranked by the total dollar amount of active contracts awarded 2020 Ranked information is provided by business representatives at no charge and is ranked alphabetically in case of ties. Other businesses were contacted but either declined or did not respond by deadline. There is no charge to be included in Inside Tucson Business listings.

N/A=not provided WND=would not disclose NL=not listed last year NR=listed last year but ranking criteria not provided

Make sure your company list is updated!

If you’ve been included previously, watch for an email prompting you to update your information.

If your company has never been included in Book of Lists, add your information online at https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/bol/.

If you have any questions, please call 520-797-4384.

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JULY 16, 2021

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