BizTUCSON SUMMER 2015
From BizTUCSON Publisher –
This BizTUCSON Summer 2015 issue: The Arizona Sun Corridor is well positioned for exciting economic growth in the next few decades. This megaregion has the potential to be one of the most dynamic in the United States, inextricably linked to major trade partner Mexico.
This is home to emerging growth industries including bioscience, healthcare, natural resources and minerals, aerospace and defense, plus world-class research universities, ready industrial parks, a transportation network and expanding population projections that point to limitless potential. Gabrielle Fimbres and Donna Kreutz provide compelling coverage on this megaregion that extends from Mexico through metropolitan Phoenix and beyond.
Our collective assets are impressive indeed.
Our special report introduces Sun Corridor Inc. (formerly TREO) and a strategic vision shaped by 57 top executives in the region.
The Sun Corridor Inc. economic development team has expanded its geographic horizons to reach from Mexico up through Southern Arizona, including Cochise County, Santa Cruz County, Pima County and Pinal County – the linchpin connector between Phoenix and Tucson. Their task is harnessing the power of the southern swath of the Sun Corridor.
Speaking of harnessing the power, world-class trainer and local legend Bob Baffert engineered the first Triple Crown in 37 years, with American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza. Sports writer Steve Rivera tells us all about Baffert’s ascent to horse racing royalty from the University of Arizona’s race track program.
Another famous UA grad is Terry J. Lundgren, chairman and CEO of Macy’s who joined other retail giants at this spring’s Global Retailing Conference. Tara Kirkpatrick reports on the wisdom they shared. You’re sure to learn valuable lessons for your business.
You’ll also meet Robert Smith, the man who’s overseen the UA’s $2 billion construction boom over the past two decades, including 80 projects, many of which attained the highest LEED Platinum rating for green, sustainable architectural designs.
This issue also focuses on “Women Who Lead,” featuring four remarkable women who are the top executives in the nonprofit, tourism and legal realms.
Healthcare in our community is seeing big changes – from Banner–University Medical Center’s $1.2 billion investment and expansion to Tucson Medical Center’s commitment to remain locally owned while forming alliances with the Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. David Pittman and Dan Sorenson report.
Also in medicine, Susan E. Swanberg introduces us to passionate scientist Dr. Thomas Boyer, who has studied the liver, its diseases and disorders for four decades.
Regarding nonprofits, Wells Fargo recently donated $500,000 to seven local organizations doing important work in the community. In other nonprofit news, arts champion Mike Kasser received the Governor’s Arts Award recognizing his outstanding leadership to stabilize Arizona Theatre Company, once on the verge of collapse.
On to the profit side of the ledger, it’s summer time and we have a few entrepreneurial ventures that should cool things off. One such enterprise is Isabella’s Ice Cream, owned by the husband and wife team of Dominic and Kristel Johnson. Isabella’s recently hit the big time as their ice cream was approved to go into more than 100 Safeway stores in Arizona. Other cool businesses include Cimarron Circle Construction – famous for pool designs – and the new Hub Ice Cream Factory downtown.
Steven E. Rosenberg
Publisher & Owner
BizTucson
