Arizona’s economy appears to be gaining momentum, the best gift of all for the people of our state this holiday season. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer says she is pleased to see Arizona's unemployment rate fall to 7.8%, after the best November job gain since 2005. “There are so many reasons for optimism in the latest jobs report issued today by the Arizona Department of Administration. In November, the Arizona unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in four years as we added … [Read more...] about Arizona Posting Impressive Job Gains
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Former Flagstaff Mayor Lands New Job
Sara Presler, JD has been named CEO/Executive Director of the Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS) and Medical Society Business Services. The appointment, which was made by MCMS’ Board of Directors, will begin in December 2012. Founded in 1892, the Maricopa County Medical Society is a not-for-profit, voluntary association for physicians committed to promoting excellence in the quality of care and the health of the community, and to present and serve its members by acting as a strong, … [Read more...] about Former Flagstaff Mayor Lands New Job
Local Teens Securing First Jobs
When Tiffany Halvorsen was 15, she applied for her very first job at Chick-fil-A. She recalls, “I was super nervous, and I don’t know why. When you first get a job anywhere, you just want someone to call you back.” Now 19 and studying forestry at NAU, she is grateful for the interviewing and time management experience she gained from her first job. And that experience has paid off: since Chick-fil-A, she has landed several other positions, including her current job as a front end team member at … [Read more...] about Local Teens Securing First Jobs
Students Linking NAU and Tourism Economy
Since high school, Allison Wiltfong has known she wants to work in the hotel industry. She is now about to graduate from Northern Arizona University (NAU) with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) and live her dream. After working in restaurants during high school to make extra money, Wiltfong was instantly drawn to the industry. She came to NAU specifically for its HRM program because it is looked upon so highly. “I just chose the school for the HRM program,” Wiltfong said. … [Read more...] about Students Linking NAU and Tourism Economy
Strengthening Education for Economic Development in Flagstaff
Arizona is currently working on improving its education system in order to attract more businesses to the state and retain existing ones. Making the state more business friendly is a collaborative effort between the government, school districts, and families. Craig Barrett, former CEO of Intel Corp., is the head of Arizona’s education reform plan and chairman of BASIS Schools Inc. He said that American children are not being educated to compete and work in society’s competitive market. … [Read more...] about Strengthening Education for Economic Development in Flagstaff
“Gigs for Geeks” Connecting Students with Business
"Gigs for Geeks" is a little-known program established by the NAU Department of Computer Science that connects students with local businesses needing computer engineering services. When local businesses and agencies like Gore, Southwest Windpower, Efficient Learning Systems, Southwest Forest Science and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) need help building a simple data-driven website, creating a more complex Web2.0 portal or writing a piece of custom software, they look to their local … [Read more...] about “Gigs for Geeks” Connecting Students with Business
First Navajo Woman Operator at Black Mesa Railroad
Engine 36 blows its horn 77 times along the Black Mesa Lake Powell Railroad. These 78 miles of tracks across the Navajo Nation exist for one purpose: to transport coal from Peabody Energy’s twin coal silos 20 miles southwest of Kayenta to the Navajo Generating Station at LeChee. Thirty years ago, Judy Moffett was the only woman and the only Navajo to become a train operator. After working to become an under-ground miner, with plans to go to either Moab, Utah, or Grants, N.M., she asked … [Read more...] about First Navajo Woman Operator at Black Mesa Railroad
Discovering Life’s New Paths Among the Red Rocks
It‘s been nearly 10 years, but the emotions of working at Ground Zero just after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks are still close to the surface for Mark Ranges. “I don’t look at the pictures. I can watch things on TV, but I still can’t look at the pictures,” he said. Ranges, owner of Sedona Off Road Center, was in the Emergency Medical Service for 30 years in New Jersey when the twin towers came crashing down. “I was a volunteer in New Jersey. New Jersey has the largest number of volunteer … [Read more...] about Discovering Life’s New Paths Among the Red Rocks
Locals Hoping to Hit Jackpot on Twin Arrows Casino Bids
After last month’s groundbreaking at Twin Arrows Casino, Northern Arizonans hope to be put to work on the $150 million construction project. “Hopefully, work will be awarded to local contractors, but it is really up to the construction manager’s or owner’s discretion,” said Kim Brewster of Northern Arizona Building Association. “We have a lot of qualified subs in Northern Arizona.” NJ Shaum & Sons is one of the qualified. “We hope we can get some of the bid,” said Frank Patton, president. … [Read more...] about Locals Hoping to Hit Jackpot on Twin Arrows Casino Bids
Three Decades of Serving His Community
About a year after he left his job as assistant dean at Northern Arizona University to open his own business as a financial advisor, Bill Babb had serious second thoughts. “I thought maybe this was a bad decision,“ he said. It was too late to return to the university. They had already replaced him. He had no choice but to move forward. “So, I made the cut of the life boat and decided to just go for it and not turn back,” he said. And along the way, he learned something valuable. “The … [Read more...] about Three Decades of Serving His Community
