The Business of... podcast by the Tucson Metro Chamber

Guest: Margaux DeConcini | Development Director at Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (TROT)  | Episode details: Heather Wuelpern chats with Margaux DeConcini,  Development Director at Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (TROT), about the myriad of benefits associated with utilizing horses for people with mobility or mental health challenges.

Guests: Howard Tuller, owner and general manager of Tuller Trophy, and daughter Olivia Tuller | Episode details:  Tucson Metro Chamber’s director of communications, Heather Wuelpern, chats with Howard and Olivia Tuller about their 66-year-old, family-owned and operated, Tuller Trophy. They discuss the history of the store, aspects of running a local business with such longevity, and how the t...

Guests: Robert Schlanger owns Tucson British Car Service and is the governing board chair for JTED Joni Condit is the President & CEO of La Posada Green Valley and is the 2021 Tucson Classic Car Show chair for the Rotary Club of Tucson  | Episode details: Heather Wuelpern discusses how Tucson Junior Technical Education District (JTED) will be the beneficiary for the 2021 Tucson Classic Ca...

Guest: Mohit “Moe” Asnani Downtown Dispensary

Guest: Hilary Van Alsburg Executive Director Children’s Museum Tucson John Winchester Executive Director YMCA of Southern Arizona Sierra Boyer Community Promotions and Marketing Manager City of Tucson Parks and Recreation

Guest: Candice Mason Founder Desert Camo Apparel Alissa Caillet Owner Incandescent Skin

Guest: Allison C. Manning Attorney Kinghorn Heritage Law Group, PLC Sandi Eghtesadi Owner and CEO Farmers Insurance Agency Trena McSwain Sales Manager Evergreen Mortuary-Cemetery

Guest: Kate Maguire Jensen President & CEO Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona  Andy Heinemann CEO Tucson Values Teachers David Simpson COO Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona

Guest: Dan Gibson Senior Director of Communications Visit Tucson  Melissa “Misty” Shafiqullah, CTA CCC Owner/Travel Consultant Cruise Planners  Christopher Schmaltz, General Counsel Tucson Airport Authority 

Guest: Michael Guymon | Interim President & CEO of Tucson Metro Chamber Topic: Amber Smith and Michael Guymon talk about the transition from Amber to Michael at the helm of the Chamber as well as the strategic plan set in place for the Chamber’s future growth and success.

Guest: Kimberly Kirschner, Executive Director of the Institute for Better Education (IBE) Topic: Amber Smith and Kimberly Kirschner, Executive Director of the Institute for Better Education (IBE),  discuss details regarding getting the most out of making school tax credits for individuals and eligible businesses. Visiting IBEscholarships.org is the best place to start to learn more about maki...

Guest: Braden McLellan | Vice President of Sales and Account Management for UnitedHealthcare Topic: Amber Smith and Braden McLellan discuss open enrollment in health insurance and the importance of why consumers should research options to get the most out of plans that suit their personal needs. Plus, UnitedHealthcare will offer Peleton fitness classes for their members. Bio: Braden has been with...

GUEST: John Gibson | Community Banking Region Bank President, Arizona Southern Region, Wells Fargo Topic: Amber Smith and John Gibson talk about the longstanding partnership between Wells Fargo and Tucson Metro Chamber for the Copper Cactus Awards, now in its 24th year. Mr. Gibson also shares how Wells Fargo has helped approximately 124,000 small businesses across the nation through the “Open For...

Guest: Michael Young, Senior Sales Manager, Cox Business Topic: Amber Smith and Michael Young chat about the history and philanthropy of Cox Business. They also discuss how and why Cox Business is involved with this year’s Copper Cactus Awards as a category sponsor for the Business Growth category. Bio: Michael Young, Senior Sales Manager, Cox Business has more than 35 years of experience in the t...

Guest: Jack Clements, CPA, CIC, President Of Arizona Operations for Global Insurance Brokerage Hub International Topic: Amber Smith and Jack Clements discuss the importance of insurance in industries such as construction, cyber security, healthcare and cannabis. Mr. Clements also shares his philanthropic efforts with organizations such as the Centurions, San Miguel High School, and the Special Oly...

Guest: Ashley Barbara | Director of Development for Arizona’s Children Association Topic: Amber Smith and Ashley talk about Arizona’s Children Association’s role in supporting vulnerable children and families in Arizona. The organization helps 40k children and families statewide annually with behavioral health, foster care, and an assortment of other needs. Bio: Ashley Barbara is a born and raised...

Guest: Christie Lee | Member Services Director at Tucson Metro Chamber Topic: Tucson Metro Chamber’s Director of Communications, Heather Wuelpern, and Member Services Director, Christie Lee, share the exciting events the Chamber has planned, such as the University of Arizona Athletics Mixer, the Copper Cactus Awards—presented by Wells Fargo, Mask Mandates & Your Business, and many more. They a...

GUEST: Wendy Erica Werden | Manager of Community Investment | Tucson Electric Power TOPIC: Amber Smith and Wendy Erica Werden, Manager of Community Investment from Tucson Electric Power (TEP), discuss the philanthropic efforts that totaled $1 million that TEP made in the community during the pandemic. Wendy Erica also shares why it has been so important for TEP to be involved with the Social Impac...

Guest: Matthew Thrower | Team Lead | DPR Construction Topic: Amber Smith chats with Matthew Thrower about why DPR Construction chose to become a sponsor for the Diversity & Inclusion Champion category in this year’s Copper Cactus Awards, presented by Wells Fargo. They also talk about the importance of building a strong workforce so Tucson’s business environment thrives.

GUEST: Cristie Street | Co-founder and Managing Partner of Nextrio TOPIC: Amber Smith and Cristie Street chat about the Innovation category that Nextrio will sponsor for this year’s Copper Cactus Awards, presented by Wells Fargo bank, on Oct. 1 at Casino del Sol. BIO: Cristie co-founded Nextrio eighteen years ago and serves as the managing partner of A Tucson-based IT consulting firm of more than...

Guest: Eric Smith | Executive Director for UA Center for Innovation Topic: Amber Smith and Eric Smith talk about what the UA Center for Innovation and Tech Parks Arizona have been doing with the 53 startups and what impact the startups are making in the community. They also discuss the upcoming Copper Cactus Awards, including the Best Startup of the Year category that Tech Park Arizona sponsors. T...

Guest: Walter Richter | Public Affairs Administrator for Southwest Gas Topic: Amber Smith and Walter Richter discuss the benefits and savings associated with natural gas, renewable energy efforts, philanthropic projects, and much more. Bio: Walter Richter is the Public Affairs Administrator for Southwest Gas in Southern Arizona.  He began his career with Southwest Gas in 1998 after managing e...

GUEST: Jean Gage | AVP, Legal Services | CopperPoint Insurance TOPIC: Amber Smith and Jean Gage discuss how the award-winning CopperPoint Insurance Companies have made a positive impact in our community while they have expanded into other states. They also discuss how CopperPoint sponsored the Business Leader of the Year for the well-known Copper Cactus Awards, which will be held at Casino del Sol...

Guest: Andrew Jenkins | CEO of Brighten America Bio: Andrew Jenkins is the CEO of Brighten America and the exclusive SunPower Dealer of Tucson. He began his career in the car business, growing up in an entrepreneurial family. His family owns multiple franchises on the East Coast and he has worked in just about every position from service advisor to Assistant General Manager. He attributes this to...

Amber Smith and Dr. Saira Kalia discuss the distinction between mental health and mental illness. Dr. Kalia shares tips on how to identify potential mental health issues and how to seek help for yourself or loved ones. Anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and substance abuse are covered in their conversation. Bio: Dr. Saira Kalia is the Adult Psychiatry Outpatient Medical Director at Banner - Uni...