Arizona Originals

Our guest this week is Tom Van Dyke. He lives with his wife, Mary, on their ranch in the foothills of Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek, Arizona. He is the author of "A Cowboy Christmas: An American Tale" which received high praise from Elmore Leonard, Michael Blake, Don Collier, Marshall Trimble, Ken Rotcop, and so many others. Tom created and wrote the American Bicentennial television public service announcements,  "Stand Up and Be Counted", featuring John Denver, the most widely viewed national and international PSAs in the history of television. His creative expression of writing and film production is shared with his creation of fine art. Tom's sculptures, paintings and photography have been exhibited or are in the permanent collections of the NY Museum of Modern Art, the Carnegie Art Institute, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Henry Ford Museum, the Cranbrook Academy of Art and the Butler Institute of American Art. Tom shares his story and his thoughts on art, creativity, the West, and his love for the great American cowboy.

Our guest this week is Tom Smith, President of Wrap Technologies in Tempe, Arizona. A graduate from both the University of Arizona (B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) and Northern Arizona University (Masters of Business Administration), Tom co-founded TASER International (now Axon Enterprise, Inc.) in 1993, and served as President of TASER until October 2006. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of TASER from October 2006 until he retired to pursue entrepreneurial activities in February 2012. Tom shares his thoughts on a variety of subjects, including making the transition from a science-based college degree to a career focused on sales, lessons learned in the hiring process, and how losing a bet in college led to an experience that still influences him today.

Our guest this week is George Weisz, the President of Weisz Ventures and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Scottsdale Community Bank. A man of many interests and talents, George is a co-owner of two minor league baseball teams (proud affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks) and a partner in Majerle’s Sports Grill with former Phoenix Suns All-Star Dan Majerle. George is also a partner in a start-up technology firm dealing with superconductivity, and he has had interests in the film industry, bio-tech, and other ventures. George’s public service includes serving as a respected Member of the Arizona House of Representatives (during which George was named one of the ten most effective legislators in the state), Deputy Chief of Staff to one Governor and Senior Advisor to a second Governor, Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Phoenix, and Special Agent investigating organized crime and corruption for four Attorneys General. George also served on an award-winning team of investigative reporters from across the nation probing one of the most heinous murders of our time.  In our conversation, we discuss George's passion for public service, the important lessons he learned from his father, his love for baseball, and so much more.

Our guest this week is Phil Boas, the editor of the editorial pages of The Arizona Republic. Before that, he was editor of The Republic’s Sunday Viewpoints section and editor of its Community editorial pages. He joined The Republic in 1999. Before that, he was metro editor at The East Valley Tribune and a reporter at the Los Angeles Daily News. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is married with four children. He and his family live in Gilbert. Phil's story keeps coming back to his love for Arizona, the lessons he learned from his father at the dinner table, and a deep rooted sense of community. You won't want to miss this!

Our guest this week is Chris Ronzio, the founder and CEO of Trainual, a leading SaaS company that helps fast-growing businesses automate their onboarding and training by documenting every process, policy, and procedure in one simple, searchable, teachable system. After helping hundreds of entrepreneurs create scalable systems and processes with his consulting firm that he started in 2013, called Organize Chaos, Chris developed a passion for helping business leaders find the time to do more of what they love by providing a way to document and delegate what they do.

Rachel Mertensmeyer has long been captivated by understanding the consumer mindset and making people’s lives better with product innovation. She has a decade of marketing management experience in Fortune 100 companies including Unilever and Avon in New York and BBDO and WPP in Shanghai. Rachel’s first professional opportunity supported her entrepreneurial nature as she was tasked with the ground floor development of sales distribution in Eastern Asia for an American wine company. In 2016, while living in New York City, Rachel  experienced medical bill mayhem personally. This experience spurred her to apply her consumer product innovation background to create a better medical payments solution for patients. This is how RexPay was born in 2018. As a leader, Rachel places great focus on creating a holistic, respectful and cooperative work environment for her team. On a more personal note, Rachel places a high value on physical health and wellbeing for herself and for those around her. In her free time, she can be found teaching yoga, trail running in the deserts of Arizona, or making time for her friends and family.

Our guest this week is Jamie Baxter, the co-founder and CEO of Qwick. He began learning computer programming in the second grade, and by the time he was 16, he started his first company. With the sale of two companies he started under his belt, along with 18 years in major roles with Willis Towers Watson, Jamie has begun his latest entrepreneurial venture here in Arizona. Qwick connects food & beverage professionals who want on-demand work with businesses who need them. And in our conversation, Jamie discusses not only the origins of the business, but also his approach to leadership, team building, and thoughts about the future of work and the gig economy.

Our guest this week is Rick Smith - the founder of Axon, the company formerly known as TASER International.  We have a broad ranging conversation where Rick shares his thoughts about everything from being a reluctant Harvard student to the differences between being a founder and a CEO to his new book, The End of Killing.  

Our guest this week is Karen Rasmussen - the CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance - a non-profit   public-private-partnership dedicated to bringing technology to the trucking industry in an effort to increase efficiency, compliance, and safety.   With a career in transportation safety spanning more than 40 years, Karen has been a key player in all aspects of commercial vehicle operations, and has been part of that community here in Arizona since 2001 when she served as the President and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association.  She became CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance in 2012 and has been there ever since.

This week our guest is Dr. Jeff Johnston who serves as the Chief Medical Examiner for the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner; a position he has held since 2013. He oversees the Office which provides all statutory forensic medical death investigations for the 4th-most populous and fastest growing county in the the United States. Dr. Johnston holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Virginia and a Medical Doctorate from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He trained in Anatomic Pathology at the University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, home of the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Research Facility. He has subspecialty training in Forensic Pathology from the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office and is Board Certified by the American Board of Pathology in both Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology. He has performing Medical Examiner work for the public since 2002.

Our guest this week is Brig. Gen. Todd D. Canterbury - the Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. A true "Arizona Original", General Canterbury spent many of his formative years at Luke AFB where his fatheralso served as the commander. General Canterbury entered the Air Force in May 1993 after graduating from Arizona State University ROTC in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology.  General Canterbury’s assignments have been a mix of operational and training assignments. As an operational F-15E and MC-12 pilot he has logged over 650 combat hours and has participated in operations Northern Watch and Enduring Freedom. He has served as a weapons school Instructor, Thunderbird demonstration pilot, fighter squadron Commander, and wing Commander. He is a graduate of the National War College and a Command Pilot with more than 4,100 hours in the F-35A, F-15E, F-16 and MC-12W aircraft.

This week our guest is Brian Steele, CEO and Executive Director of City Help - also known as the Phoenix Dream Center - a nonprofit organization serving several populations we’ll discuss in the show, including victims of human trafficking.  Brian has been with the Dream Center since its start in 2007 and oversees campuses across the state which house 800 people every night.  We appreciate Brian’s willingness to share his story - both the highs and lows. Additionally, Brian provides some incredible insights into building organizations and employing quality control measures to both help serve the community and grow the organization more effectively.

Our guest this week is Tom Espinoza, President and CEO of Raza Development Fund (RDF). Tom has over 45 years of experience that span the breadth of the public, private sector, and nonprofit spectrum.  In 1998, he co-founded RDF; and is responsible for the overall strategy, performance, and management of the fund, which has grown into the largest Latino CDFI in the country. Prior to founding RDF, Tom worked at UnidosUS (formally the National Council of La Raza), where he led the Office of Technical Assistance and Constituency Support.  Additionally, he was the President & Chief Executive Officer of Chicanos Por La Causa where he provided capacity development during its early years, established funding strategies for various social, real estate community development projects, and advocated for the Latino community. In our conversation, Tom shares his story and provides insights on how to build a quality team, how to balance activism and development, maintaining a healthy tension within an organization, thinking big, and everything in-between.

This week our guest is Steve Sossaman, who describes himself as the Major Domo at Sossaman Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona.   This year marks the 100th anniversary of Sossaman Farms, and Steve does an amazing job telling the story of the farm and explains how he approaches farming, family, and life.   So, if you’re curious about gluten, innovation in agriculture, millennials in the workplace and marketplace, or incorporating variety and diversity into your work and life, you’ll want to listen to my conversation with Steve.   Check out the Arizona Originals website for show notes and so much more.   To reach us, email at contact@azoriginals.net

This week our guest is Jason Beck, the founder and owner of TYR Tactical located in Peoria, Arizona.  TYR Tactical provides tactical gear to law enforcement and military all over the world and has seen consistent growth under Jason’s leadership.     In our conversation, he provides a very frank description of his life growing up in an abusive home and discusses the individuals and experiences which have helped to shape him into who he is today.  We cover his youth, his time in the US Marine Corps, his decade of work with the Gracie family at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and then into his current vocation which mixes his love of design and his passion for innovation and combative techniques.

This week we're joined by Ellen Pallestrant, South African-born writer and artist and filmmaker. She was educated in South Africa and Britain and immigrated with her family to the USA in 1987. Palestrant has been a writer, artist, creativity expert, game inventor, hydroponic farmer, special education teacher, television scriptwriter (adult documentary and children's animation), film producer, college instructor (English, Humanities, Creative Writing) and co-publisher of a college press. Ellen discusses creativity, perfectionism, balancing the practical with the possible, and the importance of taking action and moving forward. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Conversations about Creativity Ellen's Books and DVDs

This week our guest is Brian Mohr. He was a founding member of Jobing.com and later became director of talent strategy & acquisition for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Pei Wei Asian Diner restaurants until he joined forces with co-founder, Max Hansen, to create the first purpose-based leadership search firm, Y Scouts, in March of 2012. In the summer of 2018, Brian joined the Arizona Chapter of Conscious Capitalism as its first President and still found time to co-author a book (Hiring on Purpose), do his own podcast (Built on Purpose), and spend time with family, friends, and regular visits to Orange Theory! Brian provides insights on a wide range of topics from curiosity, to connecting with people, to developing a long-term focus and stakeholder mindset. There is something in this episode for everyone!

This week our guest is Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., a native of Coffeyville, Kansas.  Today he serves as the Senior Pastor of the First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix, Arizona and has served there since July 1, 1977. Dr. Stewart served as the first General Chairperson for ARIZONANS FOR A MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. STATE HOLIDAY which contributed significantly to the legislative passage of Arizona’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on September 21, 1989.  Dr. Stewart also organized and led VICTORY TOGETHER, INC., a broad-based coalition that campaigned for a Martin Luther King, Jr./Civil Rights Day in Arizona which was won by a historic vote of the people in the general election on November 3, 1992. In our conversation, Dr. Stewart shares the moments in his life which led him from Kansas to Arizona and in his role as a leader in civil rights efforts here and beyond Arizona’s border.  We discuss everything from knowing when to say “no”, the attributes of servant leadership, overcoming personal challenges to pursue your calling, and much more.

This week is our final episode of Season 3 - thanks for being part of this fantastic community!  Stay tuned for Season 4 which should launch in early 2019!   In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp.  If you haven’t already listened to that episode, I encourage you to do so. David was kind enough to share his thoughts on a variety of topics in short, topical episodes which we share intermittently.  This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of navigating our passions with a focus on how self-awareness plays into the equation.

In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp.  If you haven’t already listened to that episode, I encourage you to do so. David was kind enough to share his thoughts on a variety of topics in short, topical episodes which we share intermittently.  This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of preventing organizational paralysis, including how success can paralyze an organization.

In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp.  If you haven’t already listened to that episode, I encourage you to do so. This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of empowering and engaging employees.  We touch on several issues including accountability, transparency, delegation, and tolerance for failure. Also check out David's discussion about Demystifying Millennials from last season.

This week our guest is Mark Jacobs, the dean of Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University.  He came to ASU in the fall of 2003 from Swarthmore College, where he had held an endowed chair in biology and had been both chair of the Biology Department and associate provost of the College. He received his B.A. magna cum laude from Harvard in biology and earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University in biological sciences. During his tenure at Barrett Honors College, Dean Jacobs has overseen tremendous growth, and during our conversation, he shares his story, the influences in his life, and his approach to leading and learning which influence the way he approaches his job and the students and culture at Barrett. You will also want to be sure you have listened to our episode with  Ambassador Barbara Barrett! SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST 1491

This week our guest is Greg Peterson, founder of the Urban Farm in Phoenix.  His mission is inspire people to embrace their own greenness,which he does daily by living what he speaks. He received his master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning (MUEP) in December 2006 from Arizona State University. His academic training has been augmented by 34 years of real world self-study, ownership of multiple businesses and a rich background in entrepreneurship, computer training, software development and management. Our conversation covers everything from nurturing curiosity, finding passion, building community, engaging in lifelong learning, and creating a long-lasting impact in our communities.  Greg's story engages and his enthusiasm inspires. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Urban Farm Podcast Ocean Robbins John Lee Dumas Scott Murray GrowPHX Diet For A New America Ishmael

This week our guest is Jonathan Keyser - the founder of Keyser…a commercial real estate firm in Scottsdale, AZ.  Jonathan’s enthusiasm is unmistakable and you’ll benefit from hearing how this son of missionaries was driven to pursue success, but more importantly, how his views of success and wealth have evolved.   Jonathan discusses topics ranging from his views on: Developing a long-term, sustainable and successful business thru helping others, Developing resilience and patience, Identifying what gets in the way of living out our values, Pursuing intentional imbalance in your life. And he also provides some insights into mindset and offers some great tools including the 30-day Positivity Challengeand the Everything Is A Gift Challenge. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Disruptive Mindset The Way of Mastery Please follow the Arizona Originals podcast on these social media platforms: Instagram, Twitterand Facebook.  And thanks to Beth Lewallen at Italicized Consulting for all her help getting our social media up and running…and be sure to follow her on Twitter!   

This week our guest is Sharon Orlopp - formerly the SVP of Human Resources and Global Chief Diversity Officer for WalMart.  Today, she is an author and continues her work as a leader in human resources for Core Scientific and Orangetheory Fitness.  We cover a range of issues from mentoring, to the role of diversity in innovation, to proactive goal setting, to the lessons she learned from her parents and how her experiences as a child set her on a path to leadership within one of the largest retailers in the world. She recently released "Standing Up After Saigon" which she co-wrote with Thuhang Tran.  The book tells Tran's story of resilience, courage and survival as she faced polio and life in Saigon after its fall in the Vietnam War...and Sharon shares more detail about the book and how it came about in our conversation. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Standing Up After Saigon Granite Mountain Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park Blockchain Revolution The Story of Blockchain Truth Machine

This week our guest is John Jennings - formerly the CEO of Safeguard Security, CEO of CQR Technologies and founder of QuickPass.  A native Arizonan, John shares his story which took him from the early days of the security business to growing one of the larger businesses in the industry.  He also discusses some important lessons learned from Jim Collins and how some counter-intuitive strategies led to tremendous growth for his company. Additionally, John discusses the lessons learned transitioning a family business from one generation to the next, the value of making mistakes, the lessons learned from his work with Hospice of the Valley, and the difference between leadership and management.  He covers that and so much more. Please follow the Arizona Originals podcast on these social media platforms: Instagram, Twitterand Facebook.  And thanks to Beth Lewallen at Italicized Consulting for all her help getting our social media up and running...and be sure to follow her on Twitter!  SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Jim Collins James Patterson's Michael Bennett books Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp books Homeland Start-up Nation

This week our guest is Joshua Becker- bestselling author, blogger and popular speaker on the topic of minimalism.  You won’t want to miss his story and his thoughts on everything from building a platform, navigating career change, determining what your "first filter" is, dealing with online trolls and haters, to building a team around you to make you your best. He takes us on his journey from studying banking and finance, to attending seminary and becoming a minister, to a particular Saturday speaking with a neighbor who would be a catalyst for where Joshua is today.  And if you have never thought about the topic of minimalism, this conversation will not only be a solid introduction, but will also be thought provoking. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST The Hope Effect Simplify Magazine Simple Money Magazine The 80/20 Principle Journey Church The Good Place - NBC The More of Less Clutterfree with Kids The Minimalist Home    

This week our guest is Park Howell - founder of the Business of Story…and you also might know him from the ad agency he founded, Park & Co.  This conversation is packed with great stories and very practical advice about how you can tell better stories to help you grow your business and your personal platform.   SELECT LINKS FROM THE SHOW: The Business of Story Park Howell's website Save the Cat The Hero With 1,000 Faces Save the Cat Goes to the Movies Origin Story: A Big History of Everything The Business of Story podcast What My TEDx Talk Taught Me About Storytelling Park's TEDx talk

Ron Robertson is the co-founder and CEO of Picmonic, a revolutionary visual learning platform proven to help students master critical information and retain it longer. Ron grew up in Show Low, Arizona and his journey takes him from the cool pines of Arizona to the beaches of San Diego, and then back to the University of Arizona for medical school.  During his preparation for the US Medical Licensing Exam, his life took an interesting turn...and he tells that story which led to the founding of Picmonic. In our conversation, Ron covers a variety of topics of interest to students, lifetime learners, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in improving yourself.  He also makes a good case that everyone could benefit from knowing a great tattoo artist! SELECT LINKS The Hard Thing About Hard Things Moonwalking with Einstein Galvanize Phoenix Campus

Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman won a stunning upset victory at the 2000 Sydney games when she came from behind to break the American record and win the 200-meter butterfly. Recognized as a pioneer in the sport for her innovative underwater dolphin kick, she won 13 U.S. and five NCAA national titles. Hyman is recognized as one of the most inspirational athletes of our time. Her knowledge of the sport, gained from two decades of competitive swimming for two of America’s top swim coaches, coupled with her friendly and encouraging personality, have made her one of the country’s leading swim instructors. She is the former Senior Assistant Coach for the Arizona State University swimming program and offers personalized and private coaching at The Sanctuary Resort in Paradise Valley, AZ. She also hosts clinics and camps throughout the United States. As a motivational speaker, Hyman helps athletes, students, and corporations alike set and reach seemingly unattainable goals. In this episode, Misty shares her story and discusses topics ranging from facing challenges, to finding balance, to surrendering to imperfection, and how she evaluates life and success.  

Our guest is Russ Perry, the founder of Design Pickle - a subscription-based, on-demand graphic design service based in Scottsdale, AZ.  Russ recently released his new book, The Sober Entrepreneur. Russ is a 3rd generation Arizonan with roots in the historic Copper Triangle mining area.  Our conversation not only covers his personal story, but includes insights on a wide range of issues affecting your personal and professional life.  Russ also shares a powerful story about a Pepsi vending machine...you will not want to miss that story or the moral of that tale. Find us at Arizona Originals!

This week our guest is Shiva Planjery - the co-founder and CEO of Codelucida, a Tucson-based company working to improve error-correction solutions for everything from flash drives to hard disk drives. Shiva shares his story which took him from the US to South Korea to India to Canada and, ultimately, to Tucson. He not only shares insights about life and work stemming from his formative years, but how they help inform how he approaches his life as an entrepreneur. It’s another great story coming out of Tech Launch Arizona at the University of Arizona...I know you will learn from our conversation.

In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp.  If you haven’t already listened to that episode, we encourage you to do so.   David was kind enough to share his thoughts on a variety of topics in short, topical episodes which we will share intermittently over the coming months.   This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of millennials and the multi-generational workforce.  He shares some common-sense insights which demystify what many make out to be complex and potentially counterproductive.   Reach us at contact@azoriginals.net   Check out what is happening at the AZ Chamber

This week our guest is Jordan Lancaster - the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Avery Therapeutics, a Tucson-based company working to solve the problem of heart tissue regeneration. Jordan comes from a long line of cardiologists and has found himself focused on the research side of the heart…and now is leading an entrepreneurial endeavor to bring scientific innovations to make the next leap forward in cardiac care. Jordan, who cycled for the University of Arizona and rode his first El Tour de Tucson at the age of eight, discusses topics ranging from mentoring, to building a culture of teamwork, to bringing research into the entrepreneurial space. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Avery Therapeutics on LinkedIn McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship - Eller College of Management - University of Arizona Tech Launch Arizona Zach Ferres podcast Hickman's Family Farms podcast Reach us at contact@azoriginals.net Check out what is happening at the AZ Chamber 

This week our guest is Mac Perlich - the president and publisher of ON Media Publications. Mac shares what I believe are two of the best life lessons we can all learn from and discusses her journey from nursing into publishing. I know you’ll enjoy her insights and her passion for everything she is involved with from publishing, to the Culture Pass program, to the Act One Foundation. We cover a wide range of topics from how to develop meaningful and mutually-beneficial business relationships, to thoughts about retirement, and much more. Follow us on our new social media channels - Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (thanks to Beth Lewellen for all her help on this)!  

Joann MacMaster brought extensive background in entrepreneurship and startups to her position as the Director of Business Development for the University of Arizona's Tech Launch Arizona.  In addition to having three successful exits (including one IPO) in private enterprise, she has served as Director of the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) technology business incubator, Program Director for the UA McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, and is a UA Academic Leadership Institute Fellow. Among the many topics we cover, Joann discusses how to create a healthy corporate culture, mentorship and building mentor networks, and changes in the culture of entrepreneurship. SELECT LINKS: Art of the Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath The Rainforest - by Victor Hwang Prescott College  Regulonix Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net    

John Phelps is the CEO and executive director of the State Bar of Arizona, an organization focused on improving the administration of justice and the competency, ethics, and professionalism of lawyers in Arizona. John's introduction to Arizona came when his father was stationed at Ft. Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona.  Ultimately, John became a second generation career Army officer where he also became an intelligence officer before pursuing a law degree from the University of Arizona and joining the US Army's JAG corps.  Following his 25-year career in the Army, John served in the Arizona Office of Homeland Security, the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross, and as the chief of staff at the US General Services Administration. John discusses topics ranging from the challenges of leading in a "zero-defect" environment, balancing "gut feelings" with data, leading in non-profits and government organizations, surrounding yourself with trusted advisers, and so much more. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Good to Great and the Social Sectors by Jim Collins Hamilton by Ron Chernow Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net

We’re joined by three generations of leaders from Hickman’s Family Farms - Bill Hickman, Sr., Glenn Hickman, and Branden Hickman. Each one shares stories and insights I know you will enjoy and learn from. They share some unique insights to being part of a family business, engaging with community, the importance of education, and how they approach changing production requirements in response to customer demands for products such as cage-free eggs. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Arizona's Future of Education Vision event on 12/12/17 (Glenn mentioned in the podcast) Dirty Jobs w/ Mike Rowe at Hickman's Family Farms (Season 4, Episode 25) Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net

David Kolbe - the CEO of Kolbe Corp - shares insights into how they help individuals and companies thrive, how leveraging technology can grow your audience and simultaneously reduce costs, and how seeking feedback from users can lead to new product offerings.   Additionally, David shares his story which takes him from Brophy College Prep to the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.  After a brief stop on Capitol Hill, he returned to Arizona to attend law school at Arizona State University, practice law, and ultimately join Kolbe Corp. David’s mother, Kathy Kolbe, founded Kolbe Corp in Phoenix in 1975.  Kolbe Corp helps businesses and individuals identify, understand, apply, and leverage their unique instinctive strengths so they can be more productive and more fulfilled.  SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Wonderlic Personnel Test Michael Hyatt podcast where he discusses the Kolbe A Index Takes Two 5 Love Languages assessment Elvis Costello Rex Orange County Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net

This week we talk with Zach Ferres - the CEO of Coplex, a startup accelerator focused on founders who are not coders.  Zach grew up in Ohio and we talk about everything from leadership lessons he has learned from Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, to lessons he learned from his parents who instilled a strong, customer-centric work ethic.    Zach shares his thoughts on coders being founders, lessons from sports, risk management, whether startups need business plans, the essentials of culture and emotional intelligence, and his love of gluten-free pancakes and Family Guy.     SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST   Reebok Ragnar del Sol   Zach's Entrepreneur Magazine article about poker   Zach's Entrepreneur Magazine article about Coach Urban Meyer   The Hard Thing About Hard Things - by Ben Horowitz   Above The Line - by Urban Meyer   Scaling Up - by Verne Harnish   Launch Pad: Inside Y Combinator - by Randall Stross   Family Guy Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net

This week we talk with Max Hansen, the CEO of Y Scouts, a purpose-based executive recruiting firm.  Max grew up in Glendale, Arizona and went to Northern Arizona University thinking football would be his future.  He discusses that change in plan and what ultimately led him to the field of recruiting.     Max covers a wide range of topics, including how to align purpose, values, leadership and culture within an organization and within your hiring process.  He discusses being disruptive in the marketplace, connecting people and purpose, having an attitude of abundance, and winning the Gumball 3000.   Also, be sure to check out Y Scouts co-founder Brian Mohr's own podcast - Built On Purpose - which takes a look at leaders in Arizona and beyond.   SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST   The Captain Class by Sam Walker   Human Elements   Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net    

This week we talk with Justin Gray, the CEO and founder of LeadMD, co-founder of PaidSuite,  co-owner of Greyson Organics (an organic farm in rural Missouri), and co-founder of Six Bricks. Justin, who grew up in Fountain Hills and attended the University of Arizona, talks with us about his passion for entrepreneurship and modern-day marketing - topics he has written and spoken about extensively.  Justin has been published over 300 times in industry publications and holds his own column, Tribal Knowledge in Inc., as well as featured contributor statuses with Entrepreneur and others. We cover a wide range of topics including how he approaches writing (and why it is important for marketers to hone this skill), when should founders get out of the way, the importance of culture and values governing behavior, his views on unicorns and hiring, empathy, and the concept of 1+1=4. Also, check out Justin's podcast - Driven & Co. - which examines guests' "unconventional roads to leadership."  Great stuff! SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Connect with Justin: Email, Twitter, LinkedIn Billions Ear Hustle S-Town Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net

Todd Belfer is the managing partner of the venture capital firm Canal Partners.  Todd shares his early entrepreneurial days when he bused fraternity and sorority students to Laughlin and later found himself founding software companies, restaurants (Ra Sushi Bar), and supplement and herbal tea companies.  Today, he and his partners focus on helping entrepreneurs and founders, in a defined stage of their growth, flourish. Todd touches on a number of topics of interest to founders, entrepreneurs, college students, and each one of us who have a passion for what we do.  In fact, he really dissects the subject of "passion" and gives some great insights we can all learn from on that and many other topics. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST DeMello Spirituality Center New Way Academy Jiro Dreams of Sushi - Official Site Blink by Malcolm Gladwell Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net  

Ambassador Barbara Barrett joins us for this week's conversation.  She currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Aerospace Corporation and as the CEO of Triple Creek Ranch.  Ambassador Barrett has served as the US Ambassador to Finland, the Deputy Director of the Federal Aviation Administration, the President of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and the CEO of the American Management Association, just to mention a few. Our conversation covers not only her story, but her passion for education, lifelong learning, problem solving, and leading through significant change and rebuilding of an organization.  Ambassador Barrett discusses her passion for supporting the military, advocating for space exploration and aerospace, and giving back to the community.  She also shares some poignant thoughts on legacy, influence and why she does not embrace the concept of a "bucket list" (and what she and her husband, Craig, use instead).  Undoubtedly, you will benefit personally and professionally from what she has to say. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Fighter Country Foundation The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net

Heidi Jannenga is the president and co-founder of WebPT, a SaaS company providing support to physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.   WebPT has been on the INC 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the US for five years straight and is one of Arizona's fastest growing companies.   Our conversation takes us from Heidi’s days playing basketball to finding her passion in the profession of physical therapy. She then explains how seeing a huge problem led to the creation of WebPT. We talk about corporate culture, engaging your customers, the fear of failure, generational issues, and so much more. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST WebPT WebPT careers hjannenga@webpt.com WebPT's values Conscious Capitalism Special Episode with Michael Lorsch - Vision v. Behavior Special Episode with Michael Lorsch - Overcoming Failure Headspace Arizona Chamber of Commerce Email us at contact@azoriginals.net Rising Strong - Brene Brown

This week Jeffrey Pruitt, founder and CEO of Tallwave, joins us for a fascinating conversation about his journey from accountancy to entrepreneurship and from "running through walls" to leading smarter. An Arizona native, Jeffrey explores taking ideas to market, finding capitol for those ideas, and building a strong organization based on values and strategy.  You will want to have your notebook ready for this conversation, especially as he talks practically about how Tallwave strives to be a friction-less workplace. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Jeffrey Pruitt on LinkedIn Tallwave Tallwave Capital YPO Camelback Mountain 12 Week Year by Brian Moran The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Contact us at the podcast: contact@azoriginals.net  

This week, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack returns for the second installment of our conversation.  When she last joined us in Season One, we left her in Colorado, and today we hear the rest of the story. In addition to her journey, Colleen addresses topics each of us can learn from.  Those range from mentoring, to life-long learning, to taking risks, and finding balance in life.  You will also want to hear her story about one particular cast of the show "Evita" and the lessons we can learn about excellence and accountability. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST ASU Gammage Stadium 365 Built to Last The Experience Economy Bernstein Meets Broadway Yes, Chef: A Memoir Setting the Table Noorderzon - Performing Arts Festival - Groningen Traverse Theatre Edinburgh Game of Thrones Being Mary Jane Arizona Chamber of Commerce Email us at contact@azoriginals.net

  Jason Pistillo is the president of the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona.  Our conversation takes us from Jason building his first computer game at the age of eight, to becoming a network engineer at 21, to his 23-year career at UAT.  He has been recognized as a leader in business and was most recently given the East Valley Institute Technology's "Sam and Olga Bender Award" for being a strong community partner over the past decade. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from building a "fast, fun, friendly and smart" culture, instituting rigorous hiring practices, maintaining motivation and focus, investing in the community, and empowering staff.  Jason also discusses why their culture of vulnerability among staff has made their team stronger, and so much more. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST University of Advancing Technology Contact Jason via email Ballet Arizona YouTube video Valley Leadership YPO Leading Geeks by Paul Glen Alignment For Success by Katherine Halpin The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook by Peter Senge S*** My Dad Says by Justin Halpern Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Contact us at the podcast: contact@azoriginals.net

Greg Head has spent most of his professional life in the world of software, including being part of the startup and growth stages of two major Arizona companies and as the chief marketing officer for Chandler-based Infusionsoft.  Today, Greg consults founders and CEOs, curates Gregslist (an active list of Arizona-based software companies...over 300 strong), and has more projects and initiatives on the way. In our conversation, Greg shares thoughts on not only marketing, but focus, intensity, scaling your business, Arizona's technology mindset, and what it means to transition your business from being ADD to OCD.  You will want to take notes! SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Greg Head - LinkedIn Greg Head Consulting Gregslist Clate Mask podcast interview Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Contact us at the podcast at contact@azoriginals.net

Our first guest of the new season is Brian Mueller - Chairman, President and CEO of Grand Canyon University.  Our conversation begins in Milwaukee, WI where Brian grew up along with his parents and seven siblings.  We then look at his years as a teacher and basketball coach and ultimately to his move into leading two major higher education institutions. President Mueller discusses everything from finding purpose and passion to the importance of focusing on planning and preparation.  He talks about the time in his life he received the best training for leading businesses, and discusses his decision checklist when it comes to running a publicly traded company.  We also talk about partnerships, team building, and so much more. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Grand Canyon University _____________________________________________________________________ Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Contact us at the podcast at contact@azoriginals.net

This week we are joined by Jackie Norton who is the president and CEO of The Rodel Foundation of Arizona.  A native Arizonan, Jackie's career path has taken her from the private sector as a partner at the Gallagher & Kennedy law firm, to the public sector where she held several positions including the Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce for two governors, and in the non-profit space where she led the Arizona State University Foundation and now leads at Rodel. Jackie shares valuable insights about how to become an effective leader though collaboration, focus, and discovering how to leverage assets.  Her views on mentoring, lifelong learning, and vision for an organization will instruct and inspire you.   SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Interview with Shawn Linam   Arizona Originals Podcast Website Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net