Summer 2014 TucsonChamber.org WHAT’S INSIDE: Higher State Standards Southern Arizona Military Assets 2nd Session/51st Legislature Improve Southern Arizona’s A $5.4 Billion Status Report pg:12 / Report Card pg:22 / Economic Outlook pg:29 B:9.25” T:8.75” S:8.25” WHETHER YOU’RE AT THE OFFICE OR ON THE GO, COX BUSINESS KEEPS YOUR B:11.75” S:10.75” BUSINESS RUNNING. T:11.25” In today’s world, your business counts on the reliability of technology more than ever. Cox Business provides the communication tools you need for your company to make sure your primary focus is on what it should be—your business and your customers. Switch with confidence knowing that Cox Business is backed by our 24/7 dedicated, local customer support and a 30-day Money-Back Guarantee. 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Speed claim based on Cox Business Internet 150 Mbps service vs. basic 1.5 Mbps DSL. 30-day money back guarantee limited to refund of standard installation/activation fees and the first month’s recurring service and equipment fees (and equipment purchase fees if purchased from Cox) for the newly subscribed services only. Excludes all other costs and charges. Refund must be claimed within 30 days of service activation. Other restrictions apply. ©2014 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 THE CHAMBER EDGE Executive Committee Chairman of the Board Chairman’s Message Tony Penn United Way of Tucson & Southern Arizona Vice Chair Tony Penn Tom McGovern Chairman of the Board PSOMAS Past Chairman Kurt Wadlington Tucson and Southern Arizona: Sundt Construction “The right place, at the right time for growth and prosperity for all.” Treasurer Robert Ramirez Vantage West Credit Union I’m honored and privileged to serve as Chairman of the board of directors. I’m filling the shoes of some great community servants who have come before me and I promise to do Secretary Cyndy Valdez everything in my power to live up to the excellent standards set for this position. We’ve made Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. tremendous progress in strengthening our chamber as an effective advocate for business and in creating genuine value for our membership, yet, we have many challenges to face during my President & CEO Michael Varney tenure. When I ask the question, “What are the essential ingredients for success?” the answer Tucson Metro Chamber boils down to two crucial strategies: shared value and collective impact. Board of Directors When it comes to success in business, Ray Kroc, builder of McDonalds, one of the most recognizable brands on the planet, knew how to get it done. Ray once said, “The two most William Assenmacher important requirements for major success are: first, being in the right place at the right time, and Caid Industries second, doing something about it.” I believe that Tucson and Southern Arizona is the right place, James K. Beckmann, Jr. Carondelet Health Network at the right time. The question is, “What are we going to do about it?” Tim Bee To understand shared value, we must realize that business and the community are The University of Arizona inherently intertwined. Business needs a successful community to create a demand for its Jim Burns products, to provide critical public assets and a supportive environment. Likewise, a community Casino Del Sol Resort needs successful businesses to provide jobs and wealth creation opportunities for its citizens. Bruce Dusenberry Suddath Relocation Systems Policies that undermine business are self-defeating, especially in a global economy where facilities and jobs can locate elsewhere. When business invests in societal improvement, a return Sherry Downer Fennemore Craig will be gained through a better workforce, expanded markets and increased efficiencies. John Gibson In order for our Chamber to be successful at employment growth and improving the quality Wells Fargo of life for all, we need your help. Guy Gunther CenturyLink To succeed in 2014, we will implement a collective impact strategy. Real collective impact is Stephanie Healy about creating large-scale change that requires broad cross-sector coordination, not individual Cox Communications groups working in isolation. Significantly greater progress can be made when all sectors Robert Lenhard (business, social services, city, county and state governments, colleges, universities and K-12 Hallmark Business Consultants, Inc. education, healthcare, etc.) come together around a common agenda for growth and prosperity. Larry Lucero UNS Energy Corporation With that in mind, we will focus on the following four areas: Walter Richter Southwest Gas Corp. 1. Better alignment with business development and advocacy organizations to leverage Cody Ritchie our collective strengths and create efficiencies (TREO, SALC, THCC, etc.). Crest Insurance 2. Improved recognition of the value of accomplishments and innovation of Southern Steve Rosenberg BizTucson Arizona’s small businesses across all sectors. Keri Silvyn 3. Strengthened support of economic development utilizing public and private Lazarus, Silvyn & Bangs, PC partnerships in both retail and industrial development. Lea Standridge Raytheon Missile Systems 4. Continued improvement of value added programs supported by the Chamber Howard Stewart regarding small business development and membership educational programs. AGM Container Controls, Inc. Cristie Street We are all blessed to live in such a wonderful community. Our future success lies in the Nextrio efforts of our business, political and volunteer leaders. I encourage each of you to continue to Richard Underwood strengthen your involvement in making Tucson and Southern Arizona the right place, at the AAA Landscape right time, for growth and prosperity for all. Judy Wood Contact One Call Center Tony Penn Chairman of the Board TucsonChamber.org Summer 2014 3 The Chamber Staff President’s Message Executive President & CEO Michael V. Varney Michael V. Varney Executive Vice President President & CEO Lori Banzhaf Executive Assistant Shirley Wilka, CPS Are We There Yet? Most economic indicators show that the country and the state are in a slow but steady Business uptick in the economy. If you’re like most people, you are aware that things are improving, Development but yet things just don’t “feel” like they are improving. A lot of companies still seem to be Business Development & hunkered down in defensive postures. They seem to have a “wait and see” attitude. The Advertising Director lessons of the Great Recession have not been lost on today’s businesses. They continue to do Jill A’Hearn “more with less”. They are lean. They are on top of every opportunity to create new revenue Business Development and cut every possible expense. Lessons learned over the past six years will serve businesses Executive well once this economy turns the corner and starts down the path of normal growth in GDP Edgar Martinez in the range of 3-4% a year. In my view, we have a way to go before companies now playing defense can shift into full-scale offense. The explosion in new regulations on business has had a very unsettling Government Affairs effect. Lawmakers have to stop making laws for every possible minute contingency. A better Vice President of approach would be for lawmakers to go on a campaign to actually reduce government Government Affairs regulation and intrusion on business operations. Ditto for health care. DItto for getting Robert Medler federal spending under control. The federal debt has the potential to unleash suffocating levels of inflation as the government competes for money with the private sector. Communications The bottom line is that business needs stability and predictability to rev up the engines Communications Director Carissa Fairbanks of free enterprise. Only then will we see more and more jobs and prosperity created. Communications Specialist David Long Michael V. Varney Special Events President & CEO Event Coordinator Jason Cook, CTA Member Services Member Services Affinity Director Jackie Chambers Member Operations Manager Tammy Jensen Member Services and Accounting Coordinator Sarah Akers Member Services Administrative Assistant Leticia Valenzuela Finance Finance and Operations Director Laura Nagore 4 THE CHAMBER EDGE confidence. experience. commitment. THE R A WAY. FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS... • Tax Planning & Compliance Services • Audit & Financial Reporting • Forensic Accounting • Estate & Retirement Planning 4542 East Camp Lowell, Suite 100 • International Tax & Acquisitions Tucson, AZ 85712 • (520) 881-4900 • Integrated Business Services randacpas.com • SINCE 1942 TucsonChamber.org Summer 2014 5 MISSIONgovernment STATEMENT affairs Government Affairs Message The mission of the Tucson Robert Medler Vice President of Metro Chamber is to promote a Government Affairs strong local economy resulting in business growth, ample The military has, and will always have, a very special place in my heart. It should. I’m the son of a career Army officer and perhaps more importantly the product of an Army wife. employment and improving Growing up we had the great fortune to live in numerous places within the continental United quality of life for all citizens. States and in Europe. When I turned 18, more than a third of my life had been spent overseas.