BizTUCSON SPRING 2017 ISSUE

From the Publisher BizTUCSON Spring 2017 Issue  – 

Women Who Lead

The University of Arizona is home to world-class scientists. In this issue you’ll meet two extraordinary women who lead in the world of medical research and discovery. Featured on our cover is Jennifer Barton, an ovarian cancer research pioneer and professor in the disciplines of biomedical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, optical sciences, agriculture and biosystems engineering. She’s a co-leader of the Cancer Imaging Program at the UA Cancer Center and interim director of UA’s BIO5 Institute, a collaborative research institute dedicated to solving complex biology-based problems affecting humanity.

One year ago, Roberta Diaz Brinton was recruited to lead the newly created UA Center for Innovation in Brain Science. She recently received a $10.4 million research grant, focused on women with Alzheimer’s disease. Statistics show that at age 65, women are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s than men. Brinton has earned a host of awards – Woman of the Year by Los Angeles Magazine in 2014 for her research into Alzheimer’s disease; the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Barack Obama in 2010; Science Educator of the Year in 2006 by the Society for Neuroscience; and listed by U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Ten Best Minds” in 2005. Science writer Eric Swedlund introduces us to both of these dedicated women.

Our Women Who Lead series extends beyond science to also encompass leadership roles in philanthropy, nonprofits, community services and small business. You’ll meet these remarkable women – Ginny Clements, Kate Jensen, Wanda Moore and sisters Jill Woodward and Robin Woodward.

This edition also features a special report on the Town of Marana, celebrating 40 years since its incorporation. This town is business friendly and growing fast. Informative articles highlight the impact of strategic planning and cover education, top employers, development, home building, tourism, retail and the potential for continued growth. Writers David Pittman and Christy Krueger take us behind the scenes.

Every spring we celebrate the Father of the Year honorees selected by the Father’s Day Council Tucson. These dads skillfully juggle parenting, business and community service. The honorees are Alan Levin, Edward P. Maxwell, Luis Felipe Seldner, Robert Smith, Michael V. Varney and Gregory J. White. Proceeds from the 23rd annual Father of the Year Awards Gala support the UA Steele Children’s Research Center, led by globally-acclaimed physician, researcher and scientist Dr. Fayez Ghishan, also Physician-in-Chief at Diamond Children’s Medical Center.

This spring, BizTucson celebrates its 8th anniversary as the region’s business magazine. We offer special thanks to our advertisers, who invest their marketing dollars to reach the region’s top executives – and to you, our loyal readers. We also extend a special thank you to our stellar team for contributing outstanding reporting, writing, editing, design and photography.

The exceptional creative direction and high journalistic standards begin with a terrific dedicated trio committed to excellence in every detail. We thank our Creative Director Brent G. Mathis for his outstanding graphic design, photography and sense of style – and Contributing Editors Donna Kreutz and Jay Gonzales, for their commitment to the highest level of journalistic quality in writing and to editing, and to Contributing Project & Event Coordinator Maricela Robles for her dedication and great contributions to the team. Most important is my heartfelt thanks to my very supportive family – and especially to my wonderful wife Rebecca.

Steven E. Rosenberg

Publisher & Owner

BizTucson