Business Elevated

Season 6 Episode 7: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Ryan Westwood, chairman and CEO of Fullcast. Westwood shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the unique aspects of doing business in Utah. He reflects on his international experiences that led him to embrace opportunities for growth an...

Season 6 Episode 6: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jason Hewlett, Hall of Fame keynote speaker and keynote speaker at the 2024 spring One Utah Summit.   Hewlett shares his ties to Utah, from being born and raised in Park City to his extensive career in entertainment and speaking engagements across t...

Season 6 Episode 5: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Dan Lambert, CEO of PathologyWatch . Lambert shares his entrepreneurial journey and the transformative impact of digital pathology and AI on healthcare. He discusses his move from Manhattan to Utah, citing the primary factors of lower operational co...

Season 6 Episode 4: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Hunter Manz, CEO of  Eden Technologies , and Gabi Tellez, managing director of the  Utah Innovation Fund . In December 2023, the Utah Innovation Fund invested $250K in Eden Technologies for their reverse osmosis centrifuge (ROC) technology.  Manz shares his journey from...

Season 6 Episode 3: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Annalisa Holcombe, senior vice president of advancement at Western Governors University (WGU).  Holcombe shares her unique career journey, transitioning from law to higher education and eventually leading WGU's fundraising efforts. She discusses the...

Season 6 Episode 2: In this podcast, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah.  Freedman shares his journey from founding Downeast Outfitters in the early 90s to leading World Trade Center Utah. Born and raised in New York, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to e...

Season 6 Episode 1: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Cuthbertson, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah). Cuthbertson reflects on his first year as president and CEO, emphasizing the importance of getting to know stakeholders, maintaining the organization's p...

Season 5 Episode 39: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Evanson, venture partner at Philo Ventures .   They discuss Evanson's entrepreneurial journey and the entrepreneurial spirit that emerged during his early career, inspired by the autonomy and financial opportunities he witnessed while working...

Season 5 Episode 38: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Rob Hitchcock, president and CEO of  SelectHealth . They discuss Hitchcock's journey from being born and raised in Utah to his 25-plus-year career in the healthcare industry. He reflects on his transition from wanting to attend law school to findin...

Season 5 Episode 37: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Chad Linebaugh, president and general manager of Sundance Resort.  Linebaugh shares his Utah story, discussing his love for the state and his passion for outdoor activities like skiing and hiking. He details his journey in the resort industry, star...

Season 5 Episode 36: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Vanessa Quigley, co-founder and chat booker-in-chief of Chatbooks. Quigley shares insights into her journey of building a successful business and her unique challenges as a woman entrepreneur. She discusses her unexpected entry into the business wo...

Season 5 Episode 35: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Julie Edwards, the owner of TowPro. Edwards shares her entrepreneurial journey and inspiration for starting TowPro, a software company that streamlines the dispatching of tow trucks for 911 dispatchers. She discusses the challenges she faced,...

Season 5 Episode 34: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Edward Bennett, the director of business development for the Suazo Business Center.  Bennett explains the Suazo Business Center's mission and work, including its focus on entrepreneurship, economic development, and helping individuals succeed...

Season 5 Episode 33: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Nathan Rich, the founder and CEO of IsoTruss, Inc. They discuss Rich's background and milestones of his business journey, the unique properties of IsoTruss' composite materials, and the company's growth plans. The company's support for women i...

Season 5 Episode 32: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Aaron Starks, president and CEO of  47G Aerospace and Defense Association (47G), formerly known as the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association.  Starks discusses his background growing up in Utah, pursuing a career that took him to different co...

Season 5 Episode 31: In this episode, podcast host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Chris Stewart, former Congressman and the chair of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association.  Stewart shares insights into his military service, his transition to politics, and his experiences in Congress. He also discusses his decis...

Season 5 Episode 30: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Judd Cook, Dominion Energy vice president and general manager of western gas distribution.  The duo discusses various aspects of Dominion Energy's operations and initiatives, its long-standing history in Utah, and its role in providing natural...

Season 5 Episode 29:  In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews Christina Lux, a certified arborist and founder of Tree Lux, a tree care services company. Lux shares her journey from being a single mother and former massage therapist to becoming an arborist and professional tree climber. Lux discusses her...

Season 5 Episode 28: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with guests Ryan Starks, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, David Carlebach, managing director of international programs at World Trade Center Utah (WTCU), and Ike Ikeme, vice president of investments and strategic...

Season 5 Episode 27: In this episode of Business Elevated, host Pete Codella speaks with Robert Spendlove, senior vice president and economic and public policy officer at Zion's Bank. He offers an insightful analysis of Utah's economy, combining his extensive experience in the financial sector and Utah Legislature. From navigating the complexities of interest rates, inflation, and employment trend...

Season 5 Episode 26: In this podcast episode, Ashley Okawa, public information officer at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews Troy Tortorich, general manager of the Chevron Salt Lake City refinery . He shares insights about Chevron's history in Utah, starting in 1948 when Standard Oil built a refinery in the state. Tortorich discusses the refining process, including the produ...

Season 5 Episode 25: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, discusses the challenges faced by women and girls in Utah with Dr. Susan Madsen, founder of the Utah Women and Leadership Project. They cover topics such as workplace inequality, sexism, domestic violence, and educational disparities. Dr. Madsen emphasizes th...

Season 5 Episode 24: This episode features a conversation with Brian Torgersen, director of the Provo Airport, and Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Provo Municipal Airport (PVU) is Utah's second busiest airport. Commercial service is provided through its partners Breeze Airways and Allegiant Air. The airport is considered a gene...

Season 5 Episode 23: This episode features a conversation with Derrick Porter, CEO of Beauty Industry Group, and Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. The governor's Spring 2023 One Utah Summit has a long-standing tradition of presenting awards to honor individuals and companies contributing to Utah's economic opportunities, local co...

Season 5 Episode 22: This episode features a conversation with the finalists of the 2023 One Utah Summit Startup Pitch competition. Listen as Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews the three award winners – Pam Sitterud, co-founder of Dentacōr (first place and people's choice), D.J. Potter, CEO of Sawtooth (second place), a...