Chamber 2010 Annual Report

2010 Annual Report

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“A City without a Chamber of Commerce is a city without a future,” Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce President Joe Rowan, 1976.

For 120 years, the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce has served local businesses and the community at large with the constant goal of expanding the

region’s economic vitality, which is so essential in creating and preserving the quality of life we enjoy.

The Chamber was established in 1891, when businessmen led by W.L. Van Horn, Dr. Dennis J. Brannen and D. M. Riordan founded the “Board of Trade” to promote commercial opportunities in Flagstaff.

Throughout the years, the Chamber and its members have been intricately involved in Flagstaff ’s development. It was Chamber representatives that wooed Percival Lowell here to build his observatory, served on the committee that ultimately formed the Museum of Northern Arizona, and helped secure loans for the city so that the town would have enough water in the 1930s.

More recently, the Chamber revived the community Fourth of July Parade in 1997 after a hiatus of almost 20 years. Although the 1997 parade was supposed to be a one-time event, it proved so popular that the Chamber kept the tradition going


and in 2005, the parade was honored as an “Arizona Treasure” by then-Governor Janet Napolitano, who recognized it as a magnet for in-state tourism. Another major tourism draw is Winterfest Flagstaff, a month-long celebration of our mountain town’s fabulous winters that occurs each February. Winterfest also is marking a special anniversary this year, turning 25.

As much as the Chamber celebrates tradition and honors its past, it is equally eager to embrace change and the future. The Chamber now is more active in advocacy, communicating with all levels of government about what businesses need to thrive. It seeks out opportunities to partner with other community stakeholders to continually improve life in Flagstaff. It works to offer the best new thinking to its members, so that they can elevate their businesses and organizations to the next level.

The Chamber’s 120 years would not be possible without our members. We are amazed at the diversity, talent and entrepreneurship of these businesses and organizations, many of which you will see in these pages. The Chamber is honored to represent and be a resource to them - now and in the future.


The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, celebrating 120 years of building business and building community, is a consortium of more than 1,000 member businesses and organizations. They are a microcosm of the community, reflecting our strength, ingenuity and accomplishment.

So just who makes up our Chamber? It’s a highly diverse group.

Chamber members are entrepreneurs and employers. They range from one-person operations to companies that have hundreds – and in a few cases, thousands – of workers. Just under 87%, however, are small businesses employing 25 people or less. We are the voice of small business.

Chamber members are located everywhere in our region. From the Flagstaff Auto Park dealers on the far eastern edge of town to Arizona Snowbowl in the Peaks, to the

shops and restaurants of Historic Downtown, to the industrial corridor near Pulliam Airport, not to mention all along Route 66 and 4th Street, there are few neighborhoods that don’t feature a Chamber business or organization.

Chamber members are diverse. Because of the city’s natural beauty and easy distance to marvels like the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff ’s economy has always had a strong tourism sector. Many of our members are part of that - hotels, tour guides, restaurants and attractions. But Chamber members are also art galleries, biotech startups, business consultants, engineering firms, health clinics, print shops, insurance agencies and even wineries.

Chamber members are private, public and non-profit. Although the majority of Chamber members are private employers, there is also a healthy dose of non-profits, associations and public entities that comprise Chamber membership. Major public sector employers represented are the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College and the Flagstaff Unified School District. There are also about 50 smaller non-profits on the Chamber’s rolls.

That is just a small taste of the wide variety of members that make up your Chamber. But I think that even this small sampling shows that when you are a member of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, you are in very good company.

Thank you for your investment in the Flagstaff Chamber.

Julie Pastrick President & CEO


Creating a Strong LoCaL eConomy

As it has since its inception in 1891, the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce continued to provide leadership in economic development in 2010 to address what members told us are their most pressing needs – attraction of new businesses; retention and expansion of existing enterprises; and information to help executives run their businesses and organizations more efficiently. The Chamber also forged new partnerships in 2010 on both a state and local level.

ECoNA. One of the most dramatic changes in 2010 was the creation of a new private/public model for economic development in the region. The Chamber entered into an agreement to financially support and serve on the Executive Committee of the new Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona, a dynamic group of more than 20 organizations dedicated to attracting new business to Flagstaff, helping existing businesses grow and developing our workforce. The Chamber also sits on several of ECoNA’s “Action Teams” dedicated to business attraction, business retention and expansion and redevelopment.

Arizona Commerce Authority. The Chamber was invited to participate in work sessions facilitated by Governor Jan Brewer’s Small Business Council and through the Arizona Chamber of Commerce that resulted in the restructuring of the state Department of Commerce, now known as the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). Chamber President/CEO Julie Pastrick was appointed by the Governor to the Rural Business Advisory Council that provides direct assistance to the ACA in organizing, coordinating and implementing business development strategies to diversify rural economies. In that role, she has helped local businesses apply for grants as part of the $2 million in discretionary federal stimulus funding to advance rural economic development.

Buy • Dine • Stay in Flagstaff / Value Added Campaigns. Now in its fifth year, the Chamber’s Buy •Dine • Stay in Flagstaff campaign reminded residents community-wide to “shop where they live” and support local businesses for all of their product and service needs. Thinking of Flagstaff first, whether you’re in the market for a car or an architect, keeps businesses open and creates employment opportunities. Choosing local businesses also generates the necessary tax revenues that pay for a wide variety of city services, such as the police and firemen who keep us safe and the local parks that we enjoy.

Healthcare Seminar. Understanding that federal healthcare reform had the potential to affect the bottom line of almost all businesses, the Chamber partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona for a breakfast seminar to learn more about the new federal law. Pre- and post-seminar surveys conducted by

The Buy Dine Stay in Flagstaff campaign is vital to making people aware of the importance of “shopping where you live” and supporting local businesses. The Chamber has also been at the forefront of promoting the added value provided by local professional service firms, such as engineers and architects. — Paul Turner, Owner, Turner Engineering, Inc.


Blue Cross of the more than 50 local business leaders showed that the seminar helped to dramatically increase their understanding of the issues surrounding health care reform and how it might affect them.

Arizona Cardinals Training Camp. The Arizona Cardinals NFL Training Camp again brought thousands of visitors to Flagstaff and created a huge economic impact for our community. For the second year, the Chamber partnered with the Arizona Daily Sun to produce an exciting tabloid about camp. The Chamber also held its second “Paint the Town Red” contest in which businesses decorated with Cardinals paraphernalia to raise the level of welcome for the team. In addition, a special members-only sideline event took place during one of the night practices at Coconino High School.

B3 – Building Bridges to Businesses. The Chamber has interviewed dozens of businesses as part of this initiative to promote business expansion and retention with a sophisticated survey. Results are computed and indicate a local company’s growth potential, risk of relocating or downsizing, overall satisfaction with the community and employment trends. B3 surveys are also now reviewed by the ECoNA Business Retention and Expansion Action Team.

Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Buying Fairs. In January, Bookmans Entertainment Exchange was one of the victims of a roof collapse after a historic snow storm hit the city. Its facility required a lengthy rebuild and its stock was totally destroyed. The Chamber partnered with Bookmans and provided our parking lot for their spring and summer buying weekends, which allowed them to restock in time for a grand re-opening in December.

Winterfest Flagstaff. This annual celebration of winter in Flagstaff will celebrate its 25th anniversary in February 2011. Dozens of businesses and organizations feature their February Winterfest specials in the Chamber’s special tabloid that is published in partnership

with the Arizona Daily Sun. Ten thousand extra copies are distributed to hotels, restaurants, media outlets statewide and other venues to promote winter tourism in Flagstaff.

Being able to hold our buying fairs at the Chamber was extremely important to Bookmans. It helped us tremendously with sales and replenishing our stock, but it was more than just financial. It really boosted the staff ’s morale – it got us out of the warehouse we were working in – and it kept up our community presence while we were rebuilding. — Kate Beles, Flagstaff Community Relations, Bookmans


eduCation & WorkforCe deveLopment

The Chamber has always been a hub for business skills education. One of the benefits of membership is being able to count on your Chamber peers to share the best practices of the day. We suspect that at the turn of the last century, Flagstaff Chamber members were discussing the latest accounting trends or the new practice of “scientific management” of workers (now known as human resources).

Now the conversations include more cutting edge topics – the explosion of social media and its affect on marketing strategies; how to make your organization “green;” methods to manage better in an incredibly fast-paced world, where everyone has to do more with less.

The Chamber’s role in education falls into a few broad categories. In addition to continuing education for our members so that they can maximize the success of their businesses and organizations, there are also a variety of workforce development initiatives for both adults and teens to ensure that future workers will be ready for the next generation of jobs in Flagstaff.

Among the educational highlights in 2010 are:

Chamber Academy. Lunchtime roundtables held monthly throughout the year allow chamber members to meet local experts who can counsel and mentor them in everything from increasing customer service to managing their money to honing the marketing power of Twitter and Facebook. Informal and informative, these sessions are designed to answer your questions and help you improve your business acumen.

Skills for Success. Now in its fifth year, this initiative created by the Chamber and Flagstaff Unified School District partners local businesses with classrooms in order to make students aware of career opportunities available in Flagstaff, and to promote the “soft” skills they will need to obtain those jobs. “The pairings of businesses with classrooms has been creative and inspiring, with often interesting combinations that expand students’ minds about what they think that they want to pursue as a career,” FUSD Superintendent Barbara Hickman recently wrote about Skills for Success. “It’s also helpful to have adults who are not parents or teachers reinforce ideas like timeliness, consistency, customer service and fulfilling commitments that have been made.”

SCORE. The Chamber has teamed with SCORE to provide free and confidential advice on key business goals and challenges. SCORE volunteers, successful entrepreneurs who want to share their knowledge with clients, meet with business owners and managers for one-hour sessions.

Workplace Safety Seminars. Through its partnership with SCF Arizona, the Chamber provides a workers’ compensation insurance pool for members. It also co-hosted several free safety seminars in 2010 with Northern Arizona Orthopaedics which foster safe work environments to minimize employee injuries. These included sessions on winter workplace safety, behavioral issues

The Chamber’s commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education is critical for the success of our next generation and we’re thrilled to be a part of the “Skills for Success” program, a clear example of how the Chamber is affecting our future workforce. — David Engelthaler, Director Programs & Operations, TGen North


in the workplace, and a session geared toward managers and human resource departments on managing workers compensation insurance accounts.

Star Party. To promote science education and hands-on learning, a “Star Party” for fifth graders was co-sponsored by FUSD, Science Foundation Arizona, the Chamber, Lowell Observatory, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory and the City of Flagstaff. Hundreds of students came to Buffalo Park to work with Galileoscopes (telescopes) donated by Science Foundation Arizona. The Chamber and several businesses (Aspey Watkins & Diesel, Seley’s Flagstaff Honda, Mountain Heart, Nestle Purina PetCare and Norchem Drug Testing) financed the purchase of optic kits for the telescopes.

Honoring our memberS

As the Chamber celebrates 120 years of building business and building community, we would like to honor those businesses and organizations that have continuously supported the Chamber with their membership for decades.

Members for more than 50 years:APSBabbitt Ford Lincoln MercuryMeteor Crater EnterprisesPepsi-Cola Bottling

Members for 40+ years:Arizona Daily SunArizona Department of Economic SecurityArizona Historical Society - Pioneer MuseumBurlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co.Canyoneers, Inc.Chase - DowntownChase - East FlagstaffDays Inn - Historic Route 66East Flag Upholstery & Carpet ShopEmpire MachineryGHD Inc.Grand Canyon National Park LodgesHolmes CleanersHunt’s True Value LumberJ. Michael Flournoy Attorney at Law/MediatorJCPenney Co., Inc. - Flagstaff MallKAFF/KMGN RadioKOA: Flagstaff/Grand CanyonKonica Minolta Business SolutionsLowell ObservatoryMangum, Wall, Stoops & Warden, P.L.L.CMcCoy Motors, Inc.McCullough Insurance AgencyMormon Lake LodgeNorthland BeverageQwest CommunicationsSCF ArizonaSwire Coca Cola, FlagstaffTwin Pines GasserUniSource Energy Services

W.L. Gore & Associates, IncWilliam Gaylord - D.D.S., M.S.

Members for 30+ years:Anthony Choi - C.P.A.Arizona Mountain InnArizona State Credit Union - Beaver StreetAspen Mini StorageAspey, Watkins & Diesel, P.L.L.C.Best Western Pony Soldier Inn & SuitesBlack Bart’s Steakhouse, Musical Revue & RV ParkConn Pest ControlDomino’s Pizza - Milton RoadEcono Lodge - UniversityFirst American Title Insurance Agency, Inc.Flagstaff MallFlagstaff Symphony AssociationFleming Brothers L.L.C.Golden Eagle DistributorsGrand Canyon Deer Farm, LLCGuest, Schutte & Cosper, C.P.A., LLPGuidance Center, Inc.Heath’s Paint CenterHorizon Moving Systems of AZ, Inc.Horsemen Lodge RestaurantLittle America FlagstaffMiz Zip’sMoving Management Moving and StorageMuseum of Northern ArizonaN.J. Shaum & Son, Inc., Electrical ContractorsNestle Purina PetCare CompanyNordstrom & Associates, P.C.Northern Arizona Building AssociationPapillon Grand Canyon HelicoptersRoger T. Bollard - C.P.A.Sizzler Steak, Seafood, Salad - Milton RoadStarlite Lanes


Total Grand Rental StationWeatherford Hotel & Charly’s Pub & GrillWestern Technologies, Inc.Win Oil Company, Inc.

Members for 20+ years:All AwardsAlpine Animal HospitalAmerican Cancer SocietyAmerican Legion Mark Moore Post #3America’s Best Inn dba Arizonan MotelAnderson General TireArboretum at FlagstaffArizona Sealcoating Co.Armour Self-StorageB & T Glass CompanyBabb Financial Group, LLCBank of America - Downtown BranchBaskin RobbinsBig Brothers Big Sisters of FlagstaffBlue Cross Blue Shield of ArizonaBoyer Heating & CoolingBuster’s Restaurant & BarButterfield ApartmentsCemexChase - Flagstaff Milton RoadCheap ClothesChrist’s Church of FlagstaffCoconino County Career CenterCoconino Federal Credit UnionColdwell Banker NARICOComfi Cottages of FlagstaffComfort InnConsolidated Investment Co., Inc.Copper State Bolt & Nut Co.Country Club MeadowsCountry Host Restaurant and Porky’s PubCOX MediaDahl Chiropractic ClinicDigital Resources, Inc.Domino’s Pizza - Seventh AvenueEast Flagstaff Family Medicine, LTDEcono Lodge MotelEdward Jones Investments - Sedric Cade & Stephanie

StackhouseFairfield Inn, FlagstaffFedEx Kinko’sFirst Commercial Real Estate of No. Az., Inc.Flagstaff Medical CenterFlagstaff Unified School District #1Foliage UnlimitedFoxy FingersFrank H. Windes & AssociatesFrederick Fisher Jewelers - Flagstaff MallGinsberg Group @ Coldwell Banker/NARICO - Allen

GinsbergGoodman Contracting, IncGoodwill Industries Northern ArizonaHoliday Inn ExpressHomCo ACE Home CenterHozhoni Foundation, Inc.IKON Office SolutionsJ. Thomas Montfort - D.D.S.Johneta CompanyJohnson Walzer AssociatesJunipine ResortKatlon, Inc.Kelly Services

KVNA AM/FM & KQST Radio StationsLozano’s Flagstaff MortuaryMacy’s European Coffee House, Bakery & Vegetarian

RestaurantMain Street CateringMaverick Helicopter ToursMelissa Collins Cripps Insurance Agency, Inc.Mike Furr Construction, Inc.Mountain Man EventsMountain School, Inc.National Geographic Visitor CenterNative Americans for Community ActionNavajo Hopi ObserverNorchem Drug TestingNorthern Arizona Association of REALTORSNorthern Arizona Orthopaedics, Ltd.Northern Arizona UniversityNorthland Home Care Medical Supply, Inc.Odegaard’s Sewing CenterPeace SurplusPerformance StaffingPersonnel Safety Enterprises / Zee Service Co.Pine View Village ApartmentsPinewood RealtyPink Jeep ToursPioneer Title Agency - Elden StreetPlanned ParenthoodPlastic Surgeons of Northern ArizonaQuality Inn Mountain Ranch ResortR & A Import Auto Parts & RepairR.K.M. Construction Co.Radisson Woodlands Hotel - FlagstaffRed Feather LodgeRed Rock Western Jeep Tours, Inc.Residence Inn By MarriottRivers & Oceans - A Travel Company Inc.Rodney C. Wilson, C.P.A.RSC Equipment RentalSalsa BravaSanta Fe Realty, Inc.Shattuck Realty - Burt ShattuckSizzler Steak, Seafood, Salad - East Route 66Sparkletts of Northern ArizonaSpellman HardwoodsSuperior Restoration Services, Inc.TeleDigit a Copper State Communications CompanyTheatrikos Theatre CompanyTherett Lewis / BCATkatchov & Tkatchov C.P.A.’S, PCTravelodge - FlagstaffTyrrell-Marxen Chevrolet-CadillacU.S. Government/Coconino National ForestUnited Flagstaff Firefighters Local 1505United Way of Northern ArizonaUniversity Square ApartmentsUPS Store - Fourth StreetVictim/Witness Services for Coconino CountyVillage Land Shoppe, Inc.W.A. Franke College of BusinessWalgreens Distribution CenterWal-MartWarner’s Nursery & Landscape Co.Wells Fargo Home MortgageWoodcrest ApartmentsWoodlands Village ApartmentsWoodlands Village Dentistry, P.C.Woody Mountain Campground & RV Park



government affairS

The Chamber represents business interests to our elected leaders and hosts gatherings so government officials can hear directly from our members. This provides vital communication to ensure that local business needs are being voiced at the local, regional, state and federal levels.

Much of the Government Affairs Division’s focus in 2010 was dedicated to two major efforts that will determine local growth and development in our region for at least the next decade.

The Regional Plan 2012, which is the over-arching policy document for both the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County, is currently being drafted by a Community Advisory Committee (CAC). State law requires a regional plan to be put before the voters every 10 years. In addition to monitoring the plan’s progress and lobbying for items that would help the business community, the Chamber has been active in urging its members to weigh in on the plan. The CAC will continue drafting the document in 2011, then present it to the City Council and County Board of Supervisors for approval before putting it on the ballot for the May 2012 election.

The other massive policy being reviewed intensely by the Chamber is the rewrite of the city’s zoning code. The Chamber’s Community & Economic Development Committee has been studying the document since its release in August 2010. It has also partnered with the Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS® and the Northern Arizona Building Association to meet with zoning staffers and City Council members about the proposed changes.

Throughout the year, at the direction of its Board of Directors, the Chamber weighed in on a variety of ballot initiatives. It successfully opposed a form of collective bargaining for city employees called “meet and confer” largely because of the heavy financial burden and extensive time constraints it imposed on taxpayers and city staff.

The Chamber also successfully supported the renewal of the city’s sales and BBB taxes. The first funds essential city services and the second supports items vital to our local economy such as tourism, beautification and arts and science funding. Other funding issues, such as the passage of the Flagstaff Unified School District budget override, were also supported in order to maintain a level of education needed to ensure a qualified future workforce.

Lastly, the Chamber continued its steadfast support for Arizona Snowbowl as the ski resort pursued the expansion and improvements that will allow it to become even more of an economic engine in our community. The addition of snowmaking at the facility will have a two-fold affect on our local economy – a longer season with more revenue from out of town skiers and snowboarders, and Snowbowl jobs, with wages and salaries that are estimated to climb from $2.8 to $3.5 million with a predictable, longer season.

More than a dozen business leaders met with U.S. Sen. John McCain during a special event to benefit BizPAC, the Chamber’s political action committee. McCain discussed the national economy and job creation, as well as answering several questions from Chamber members during the session.


tHe 2010 atHena aWardS®

This year the Flagstaff Chamber presents the 22nd Annual ATHENA Award. This award ceremony is made possible by McCoy Motors, which has been the title sponsor for the award since its inception in Flagstaff, and supporting sponsor Nordstrom & Associates.

ATHENA International began in 1982 when Sedona resident Martha Mertz, then a member of the Board of Directors of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, began the award to recognize the leadership of outstanding professional and business women in the community. The award ultimately gave rise to the ATHENA International Foundation, which administers the ATHENA Award and other programs designed to assist women and provide opportunities for them to move into leadership positions.

ATHENA Award nominees and recipients are outstanding women who have demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in their careers; provided valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community; and assist other women in reaching their full leadership potential.

The recipient of the traditional ATHENA honor is presented a bronze sculpture based on the goddess ATHENA from Greek mythology. All parts of this unique piece of art are steeped in symbolism. The solid marble base represents the recipient’s solid foundation. The unique textures of the bronze body of the statue differ on each sculpture, just as the life experiences of the recipients differ. The cut crystal stands for the many facets of human character and the light emanating from the recipient. The form’s outstretched arms can be seen to express the celebration of achievement and a reaching out to others.

In 2007, the ATHENA Young Professional Award was added to recognize emerging leaders who serve as a role model for young women professionally and personally. Recipients of this honor are presented with a cut crystal prism, again signifying the multifaceted qualities of great leadership. This lovely award is also engraved with the eight elements of the ATHENA Leadership Model – The Authentic Self, Relationships, Giving Back, Collaboration, Courageous Acts, Learning, Fierce Advocacy, and Celebration & Joy.

In 2010, the Chamber was honored to recognize eight extraordinary nominees.


2010 atHena aWard nomineeS

Sonja BurkhalterSonja Burkhalter has been credited with taking an already effective and vital agency and transforming it to one that now serves as a national example.

Since May 2005, Burkhalter has been the executive director of Northland Family Help Center , which provides shelter, counseling, education and legal advocacy for women, children, and their families who are victims of abuse. During that time, she has expanded programs and services despite the economic downturn, used “outside the box” thinking to make sure services have not been interrupted, and enhanced the reputation of the agency so much that people from all over the world have contacted NFHC for guidance on program administration, social change strategies and applied theory.

In addition to her work with NFHC, Burkhalter also sits on the board of directors of Flagstaff Junior Academy, is president of the Coconino County Coalition of Children and Youth, and is a member of the Family Advocacy Council, the Coconino County Coordinated Response Team to Domestic and Sexual Violence and is a member of Soroptimist International Mountain Morning. She was also on the Arizona Sexual Assault Network board of directors and currently serves on the board of Open Inn, whose mission is to empower children, youth and families to experience and develop positive self-worth. She has supported local organizations such as the Community Supported Agriculture and Naturopaths International through partnership building, resources, and mentoring.

Locally, her volunteer work has included working the crisis phone lines for United Way during the Timberline floods, volunteering at the Flagstaff Family Food Center and preparing tax returns for free through United Way’s VITA program.

Burkhalter is noted as a mentor in her office, offering her staff training in multiple aspects from grant writing to program planning to budget planning. Not known as a micro-manager, Burkhalter consistently leads her staff in a manner that allows them to demonstrate their particular skills and encourages them to develop additional abilities. Turnover - often very high in these types of agencies because of burn-out - has decreased dramatically under her leadership.

Brenda Felsing Brenda Felsing is known for creativity, initiative and an entrepreneurship that has led her to open two businesses recently. After years of feeding her friends fabulous southwestern foods, Felsing started Traditions Catering and began sharing her talent around the community. More recently, she expanded her business by opening a new restaurant, Burrito Burger. She is known for her commitment to excellence and superb customer service in both these endeavors. Her culinary skills led to a recent appearance on the television show, Sonoran Living, where she made her green chili chicken enchilada soup.

Felsing’s cooking talent is also part of her volunteer work in the community. She has cooked dinners at Hope Cottage for women in need. She also prepares meals for the Trinity Heights United Methodist Church. She has participated in Taste of Flagstaff to raise money for Victim Witness and Wine and Dine in the Pines to benefit the Northern Arizona University athletic department. Felsing is a former Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, where she helped welcome members connect at events ranging from ribbon cuttings to networking breakfasts.

Self-sufficient and determined, Felsing serves as an example for other women. She has been described as hard working, unwilling to take “no” for an answer and not knowing how to be “off-duty.” She also goes out of her way to find young people in need of skills and experience and provide them with an opportunity for employment. She has been described as taking “every opportunity to have a teaching moment” with her employees, making sure that the experience is not just a job, but a way of helping her employees meet their fullest potential.

Kay McConagha Described as a “true unsung hero to the community,” Kay McConagha has held significant positions of leadership in The Guidance Center, North Country Healthcare, WL Gore & Associates, Northern Arizona University, and most recently as the Finance Director at Northland Hospice & Palliative Care. She has also served both the private and public sectors in the area of tax accounting through her own firms here in Flagstaff.

Her nominator noted that “her focus is always helping those around her be successful. Kay believes that change is good and transparency is even better.”

McConagha has a lengthy list of organizations that she has served in Flagstaff over the last 15 years, typically as an officer or member of the board of directors or finance committee, including Girls on the Run of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy, Northland Preparatory Academy, Flagstaff Symphony Guild, and DeMiguel Elementary School PTO.

Brenda Felsing Owner Burrito Burger/Traditions Catering

Sonja Burkhalter Executive Director Northland Family Help Center

Kay McConagha Finance Director Northland Hospice & Palliative Care


There’s also her passion for soccer – McConagha plays in a summer women’s league, has served as Co-Director of the Flagstaff Soccer Club Tournament, has been a coach for the Flagstaff Soccer Club and America Youth Soccer Organization, and is a soccer referee for Arizona Interscholastic Association and the United States Soccer Federation.

McConagha’s dedication to “Girls on the Run” is indicative of her commitment to other women. The organization’s mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Its goal is to inspire girls to stay true to themselves and live outside societal stereotypes. She is also described as bringing those same supportive qualities to her workplace, with an innate ability to motivate and inspire others and support them in their individual growth and in their careers.

Brenda Silveus Brenda Silveus has a passion for giving back to the community. A former Realtor who mentored new Realtors (she was once honored as Realtor of the Year), Silveus is now director of sales and marketing at Pioneer Title, where she combines her professional life with the call of volunteerism by organizing the company’s community efforts.

She also participates on many Boards and holds leadership positions in community service organizations as well. Currently, she is the treasurer of the Northland Family Help Center board and sits on its Development Committee. She has been a member of the board of directors of Bothands for seven years and is a past board president. When she was a realtor, she was the president of the Northern Arizona Association of Realtors. She has also served as a Girl Scout leader and has been with Soroptimists International of the Arizona Peaks for more than 20 years.

During her 1998 term as the President of Soroptimist, Silveus created as her President’s project what she believes was her biggest contribution to women and the community at large, Hope’s Closet. Based on a program in Philadelphia, Hope’s Closet gathers clothes from businesswomen and makes them available to women getting back on their feet

who need professional wardrobes or clothes for interviews. The store is open to clients referred to it by government agencies, local churches or non-profit programs designed to help women in the community, such as Sharon Manor, the transitional residence for homeless women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse.

In addition, Silveus cooks meals for residents of Hope Cottage. She has also volunteered for Christmas in April and Habitat for Humanity.

Christina Votipka From her position as a dispatcher in the Flagstaff Police Department, Christina Votipka has been on the front lines of community crisis. In recent years, she has worked everything from a helicopter crash to an officer-involved shooting as well as the natural disasters of this year’s fires, floods and a tornado.

This past fall, Votipka was one of five emergency communication specialists or specialist supervisors to receive a letter of commendation from the Police Department for her role during a reported domestic violence incident that involved a shotgun and ultimately became an officer-involved shooting. Votipka took the initial call about the incident. “The teamwork that took place during this incident is an example of outstanding work under very high stress conditions,” the letter of commendation reads.

In addition to her own work, Votipka also is one of the trainers at the department, ensuring that new hires are well prepared for the wide variety of incidents they will have to communicate on. She is helping to create a new training manual so that new hires will have consistent, thorough training.

In the community, Votipka volunteers once a week on average with St. Vincent de Paul, giving out food boxes and financial assistance to those in need. She works the Toys for Tots booth at the Flagstaff Mall, organized a group from her work to adopt a needy family last Christmas, and volunteers as a guide for Flagstaff Project Connect, which helps give access to services for the homeless or those at risk of being homeless.

Votipka’s role with her church’s teen youth group puts her in the position to mentor young women in our community, teaching them valuable lessons and helping them work through many issues they face.

2010 atHena young profeSSionaL nomineeS

Sarah HolcombIn addition to running her own successful law office, Sarah Holcomb is a full-time faculty member at the W.A. Franke College of Business, Northern Arizona University. She teaches about 360 students per year and is the course coordinator for the business college’s “Legal Environment of Business” courses, developing the syllabi and coordinating the section’s part-time faculty, who are all local attorneys.

Holcomb consistently volunteers her expertise to charitable organizations in Flagstaff. For example, she presents training courses to Northland Hospice on end of life directives and legal issues and also has presented to the American Society of Women Accountants, and the Flagstaff Community Foundation. In addition, Holcomb was an active member of the Grand Canyon Youth Board of Directors and served as its secretary in 2008-2009. Since 2005,

Christina Votipka Emergency Communications Specialist Flagstaff Police Department

Brenda Silveus Director of Sales & Marketing Pioneer Title


Holcomb has been a participating attorney with the Volunteer Lawyer Program for DNA People’s Legal Services, providing pro bono legal services to members of the Flagstaff community.

Holcomb is one of the few female faculty members at the business college who teach freshman level courses, and she has inspired many first-year women students to pursue business as an academic path. In class, she is able to talk about her law school years and running her own practice to give young women a realistic picture of what it means to be a female attorney.

She also serves as a Pre-Law advisor for students who express an interest in going on to law school, and shows them how a business degree and a law degree can be a successful combination. Of the 21 students she is currently counseling, one-third are women. She meets with them to assist in the application process to law schools, discuss their future goals and helps them look at the totality of their academic careers so that they can move onto their profession (whether they decide to pursue law school or not) with a clearer focus and sense of purpose.

Ivy SampsonIvy Sampson is described as both community-minded and a creative thinker, character traits obvious in her professional life and her volunteerism. As her nominator succinctly put it: “Mrs. Sampson is a professional woman who understands that the key to success is to elevate others and her community as a whole.”

She played a major role in the transition of First State Bank, where she was a branch manager, into Sunwest Bank in 2009. She now serves as a vice president and branch sales manager for Sunwest, where she is in charge of business development for the 4th Street Branch and helps local entrepreneurs in the community identify banking solutions that meet their needs. She also previously owned All Pro Auto Glass and was the store manager for Niles Radio downtown for many years, experiences that help her better serve and mentor female entrepreneurs.

Sampson has a reputation for going the extra mile to help identify funding opportunities for local non-profits and women starting out in business. She is currently helping Hope Cottage apply for funding through the Sunwest Bank Charitable Foundation. She has also personally spearheaded an effort to allow clients of Hope Cottage and Sunshine Rescue Mission, who were considered a higher risk because of their prior banking histories, to establish banking accounts at Sunwest to give them a

second chance at financial stability.

Additionally, she is collaborating with Hope Cottage/Sunshine Rescue Mission to teach financial literacy. She is also a committee member for the American Cancer Society Denim and Diamonds Gala and an active member of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. She also is a frequent volunteer at local food banks.

As a bank executive, Sampson hires, trains and manages young women in the banking industry. She focuses on employee empowerment, helping them become more independent and productive in their roles.

Heidi SolanoHeidi Solano has made a big impact on people’s lives in her short time in Flagstaff.

Originally from El Salvador, Solano immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s, during that country’s civil war, and became a US citizen while residing in Washington, DC. She ultimately decided to settle in Flagstaff in mid-2009 and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a master’s degree in Business Administration.

She worked for the Historic Hotel Monte Vista and, even though only a part-time employee, made substantial changes there. She took on the role of liaison between the housekeeping staff and management, aided by her bilingual skills, and implemented various improvements that increased productivity and efficiency. In her new position at Victim Witness Services, she will be implementing a child maltreatment public awareness and outreach campaign across Coconino County which focuses on this underserved population.

Solano was a volunteer with VWS prior to being offered a full-time position with that organization. She continues her volunteer work there and also volunteers at the Coconino County Jail. There she talks to inmates on a bi-weekly basis, promoting life skills and providing support and encouragement to incarcerated women. Additionally, she volunteers at Organizing for America.

In the coming year she plans to present a self-esteem building workshop for young women at the Sunnyside Youth Group titled “My Mirror/Mi Espejo.” Her mentors are the ladies at Soroptimist International of Flagstaff and she is mentor to Erika, the 12-year-old daughter of one of the hotel housekeepers. As her nominator noted: “Her ability to engage and empathize with young women is very impressive. She has overcome many life challenges and persevered and this is apparent in all she does.”

Sarah Holcomb Attorney/NAU Lecturer

Ivy Sampson Vice President & Branch Sales Manager Sunwest Bank

Heidi Solano Project Director Child Maltreatment Public Awareness and Outreach Victim Witness Services


promoting buSineSS & tHe Community

Although the Flagstaff business community constantly branches into new facets, such as bio-technology and “green” construction, one of the traditional economic mainstays has been the area’s natural beauty and convenient location to many of the state’s major tourist attractions.

A core value of the Chamber is promoting Flagstaff. We do that with publications that highlight the area’s great attractions and events that draw thousands of visitors.

In 2010, the Chamber again attracted thousands to Flagstaff for the annual Independence Day Parade on July 3, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola Bottling, and the Vora Financial Northern Lights Holiday Parade on December 11.

The patriotic summer parade, recognized as an “Arizona Treasure” by the governor’s office in 2005, was all the more powerful this year as it came shortly after the Shultz wildfire that burned more than 15,000 acres and caused the evacuation of more than 700 homes. Firefighters marching in the parade were greeted by cheers, standing ovations and hundreds of grateful residents holding “Flagstaff ♥ Firefighters” posters made and distributed by Chamber staff.

Chamber publications and communication tools are designed to promote the Flagstaff area and Chamber businesses and organizations throughout the year. The annual Destination Flagstaff is a glossy magazine giving an overview of the region for visitors and those considering relocating here. It includes in-depth information on homes, tourism, education, recreation, arts and entertainment, industry, healthcare and shopping and dining. Chamber members receive an expanded edition of the magazine that also has a Membership Directory.

The Chamber’s monthly publication, Business Matters, features work being done by the Chamber for its membership, spotlights member businesses and organizations and keeps readers up to date on important news that will affect them, from changes in the zoning code to the affects of federal health care regulations. The Chamber’s e-newsletter supplements the printed publication throughout the month.

At various times in the year, the Chamber teams up with the Arizona Daily Sun for special tabloids promoting tourism and marking important events. Among those are the Women in Business Section publishing in January to honor the Annual ATHENA Nominees, the Winterfest Flagstaff guide to special events happening throughout February in Flagstaff, and the fan guide to the Arizona Cardinals NFL Training Camp.


Lastly, the Chamber recently launched its new website, www.FlagstaffChamber.com, to make it more contemporary, easier to use and include new technology.

netWorking opportunitieS

Connections are priceless and the Chamber offers its members unique opportunities to network and gather referrals from fellow Chamber businesses and organizations throughout the year. These events range from energetic breakfasts to casual get-togethers after work to semi-formal events.

Good Morning Flagstaff is a facilitated power networking event held each quarter. More than 100 Chamber businesses gather at a breakfast designed to connect them with dozens of fellow businesses in less than two hours. Much like speed dating but for business, not only do you connect with tens of individuals, but also potentially with all of their friends and customers they might refer to you.

The Chamber/ Coca-Cola Golf Classic, held each May, is the premier business golf tournament in Northern Arizona. In addition to 18 holes of golf, the Golf Classic also has a post-tournament reception that allows participants to meet with some of the community’s most influential businesses and stakeholders. Profits from the event, which is the Chamber’s main fundraiser for the year, help fund all aspects of the Chamber’s work, including economic development, membership services and all operations.

Each September, Chamber members gather for exquisite food and fabulous music at The Evening of Jazz at Flagstaff Ranch. This “semi-formal” fundraiser benefits the Chamber’s Small Business Division. In addition to the beautiful setting of the Flagstaff Ranch clubhouse, this elegant evening features live and silent auctions and special gourmet cuisine from some of Flagstaff ’s finest restaurants.

Multiple times each year, the Chamber takes it’s networking show on the road and holds Business After 5 at member venues. In 2010, Business After 5 mixers were held at Taverna Greek Grill, Findlay Volkswagen, Wildflower Bread Company, Arbors Condominiums, Aspey Watkins & Diesel, Vora Financial, Collins Irish Pub & Grill, Forest Highlands, and the annual December “Jingle Bell” mixer at Little America Hotel. Members directly benefit from increased name awareness and the opportunity to showcase their location to a huge crowd.


During 2010, the Chamber Ambassadors held more than three dozen ribbon cuttings for new – or newly reopened–businesses. These joyful events are a popular way to celebrate the business community.

CHamber buSineSS Hour

The Chamber promotes local businesses and organizations on its new KAFF radio show, The Chamber Business Hour.

The Chamber Business Hour is designed to bring recognition and awareness of the incredible businesses and organizations that contribute significantly to our quality of life in Flagstaff.

In 2010 The Chamber Business Hour interviewed representatives of almost 100 area businesses, organizations and non-profits. We knew moving here that one of the

first things we had to do was join the Chamber. One of the key points in our plan to build our business was to connect with other businesses and the Chamber makes that possible. — Betty & Ed Goodwin, Owners, The Print Raven


CommitteeS

The work of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce is directed by its volunteer Board of Directors. They are advised by Chamber staff and a series of committees that focus on everything from economic development to member recognition. Below is a list of 2010 volunteers comprise these invaluable panels:

Ambassadors Jeff Sonni, 2010 Chairiman Qwest Communications

Bonnie Bouschet Best Buy

Terrie Coffey Cleansing for Life

Carl Cooke Gene Baker CPA

Annette Fallaha Fall Inn to Nature

Sara Gandy Alliance Bank

Betty & Ed Goodwin The Print Raven

James Hernandez Tyrrell -Marxen Chevrolet/Cadillac

Christopher Keeler QC Office

Maria Maltese-Gonzales St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance

Ted Molina Horizon Moving Systems of AZ

Donna Pettinger Rodger E. Pettinger Consulting

Dusty Rhoton United Country Northern Arizona Realty

Ivy Sampson Sunwest Bank

Steven Scott, 2010 Co-Chairman RE/MAX Peak Properties

Stephanie Springle American Red Cross

Jeff Stanley Competition Auto

Janet Sweigart SweigART Designs

Ameeta Vora Best Buy

Sandy Znetko Sszled Health

Community & Economic DevelopmentWilliam P. Ring, 2010 Chairiman William P. Ring Land Use Law & Development

Ralph Boyer Marine League Charities

Coral Evans Sunnyside Neighborhood Assoc. of Flagstaff

Jeff Kelly Copper State Communications

Monika Leuenberger Avenues of the World Travel

LaVelle McCoy McCoy Motors Inc.

Ross Nicholls Compass Bank

Bruce Nordstrom Nordstrom & Associates

Jeff Oravits Oravits Enterprises

Steve Thompson Aspey Watkins & Diesel

Paul Turner Turner Engineering, Inc.

Rob Wilson Aspen ProMedia

Education & Workforce DevelopmentDietrich Sauer , 2010 Chairman Deckers Outdoors Corp.

Doug Allan Flagstaff Unified School District

Kim Bayer SuperPawn

John Cardani Coconino Community College

Dave Engelthaler TGen North

Haven Flanagan Northland Hospice

David Hirsch Goodwill Industries

Paul Kulpinski Flagstaff Unified School District

Mark Markussen Second Chance Center for Animals

Christine Mayer CAVIAT

Emy Tice Boyer Heating & Cooling

Craig Watkins Red 115/Red OTS Salons

Workplace Safety CommitteeTod Dennis, Association Coordinator SCF Arizona

James Bushnell Pepsi-Cola Bottling

Haven Flanagan Northland Hospice

Rick Flanagan Second Chance Center for Animals

Kathleen H. Jenkins (Kathy) Coconino County

Debbie Jo Maust City of Flagstaff

Jane Oliver, R.N. Flagstaff Medical Center

Natasha Wison Coconino County


Executive Committee

Gary Seley, Chairman Seley’s Flagstaff Honda

Michael Loven, Vice Chair Loven Contracting

Patsy Crofford, Vice Chair Northern Arizona Healthcare

Greg Sampson, Treasurer Alliance Bank

Directors

Bill Calloway Nestle Purina PetCare

Melissa Cripps Melissa Collins Cripps Insurance Agency

Marc Daniels BEC Southwest

Sue George Flagstaff Mall

Monika Leuenberger Avenues of the World Travel

Cindy May APS

Gary Nelson Gary Nelson Group/Realty Executives of Flagstaff

Steve Patel Motel 8 - Flagstaff Mall

William P. Ring William P. Ring Land Use Law & Development

Jeff Ross Realty Executives - Jeff Ross

Don Rowley Arizona Daily Sun

Penny Trovillion W.L. Gore & Associates

Dharmesh Vora Vora Financial Group

Rob Wilson Aspen ProMedia

Ex-Officio

Leah Bornstein Coconino Community College

Richard Bowen Northern Arizona University

Carol Curtis Coconino County Career Center

Barbara Hickman Flagstaff Unified School District

Chamber Staff

Julie Pastrick President/CEO

Joe Galli, Vice President/Govt. Affairs

Dick Bettes Business Manager

Nikki Younger Membership Director

Brittany Fulmer Account Executive

April Gavin Executive Assistant

Tim Rodriquez Front Office Manager

fLagStaff CHamber of CommerCe

board of direCtorS — 2010

Eco-friendly printing courtesy of


Documents

Chamber 2010 Annual Report