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April 2016
CruiseOne honors local travel agent with OPAL award
Karen Coleman-Ostrov has been given the OPAL Award for Women by CruiseOne. The Gilbert resident is a CruiseOne vacation specialist and franchise owner. The OPAL Award recognizes a female franchise owner who demonstrates outstanding performance and leadership. The honoree is active in community and civic organizations, is among CruiseOne’s top selling agents and has exhibited strong business skills. Coleman-Ostrov will receive three months of waived fees and a $100 gift certificate. “We are pleased to recognize Karen with this year’s OPAL Award because of her passion for travel and for helping others, both in her local community and within the CruiseOne franchise system,” said Tim Courtney, vice president of franchise development at CruiseOne. “Karen is a role model who loves inspiring others and believes in the importance of making a positive impact in all aspects of her life.” Coleman-Ostrov has been a CruiseOne franchise owner for five years and embodies the spirit of the OPAL Award and Women’s History Month through her involvement with the women-only networking groups Women’s Success Referral Group and Female Empowered Networking, both of which work to empower and support local businesswomen, as well as partners with regional charities to improve the community. In addition, she has aligned herself with CruiseOne’s signature charity Make-A-Wish, by donating her previous car to the organization’s Wheels for Wishes initiative. CruiseOne is committed to being “Rich in Diversity” and empowers all owners, agents and employees to reach their
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Orbital ATK is planning to add 60,000 square feet to its site. Submitted photo by Orbital ATK
Gilbert resident Karen Coleman-Ostrov is active in community and civic organizations, is among CruiseOne’s top selling agents and has exhibited strong business skills. Submitted photo
highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent, experiences, personalities, viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth. In operation since 1992, the home-based travel franchise CruiseOne is ranked in the top 3 percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association. As part of World Travel Holdings, the world’s largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company, CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent “Best Price and Satisfaction Guarantee.” For more information, visit www. CruiseOneFranchise.com or www.cruiseone. com/kcolemanostrov.
Local Businesses Add to the Culture and Flavor of Our Community
Shop at locally owned businesses... It’s the neighborly thing to do. www.gilbertsunnews.com • 480-348-0343
Governor, Orbital ATK announce expansion of Aerospace Engineering Operations Gov. Doug Ducey and Orbital ATK, an aerospace and defense technology firm, announced the expansion of the company’s engineering operations in Gilbert. The expansion will add 60,000 square feet to the site that includes Orbital ATK’s Satellite Manufacturing Facility, one of the largest and most advanced spacecraft assembly and test facilities in the United States. With additional facilities in Chandler and Mesa, Orbital ATK’s total footprint in the state is almost 800,000 square feet, contributing to over 1,750 hightech and high-paying aerospace and defense jobs. The project will create a projected 155 full-time, high-wage jobs over a five-year period. Orbital ATK’s heritage satellite business began in Gilbert in 1989 and has 261 employees working at the existing site. The expansion plans complement Arizona’s robust aerospace and defense sector that contributes $38 billion annually to the Arizona economy and employs more than 52,000 workers. “I am thrilled that one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the world once again has selected Arizona for its expansion plans, and to support its critical operations,” Ducey said. “Arizona is a major player globally when it comes to aerospace, defense and avionics—and we continue to grow. This is a great partnership.” Orbital ATK’s Gilbert Site Director Rick Kettner said his company has been developing satellites in the Gilbert area for more than 25 years through its heritage business. “Today, our facility in Gilbert
produces cutting-edge satellites for a variety of customers both domestic and international. This cooperative agreement with the state of Arizona and Gilbert helps ensure we will continue to do so for years to come,” Kettner said. This project will add to the growing landscape of high-wage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs in Gilbert and the state. “Orbital ATK’s expansion in Arizona is further evidence that Arizona has a leadership position in the aerospace and defense industry,” said Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority president and CEO. “Our state’s highly skilled workforce, pro-business climate, strategic location, and excellent quality of life combined with a rich aviation history provide the ideal location for aerospace and defense companies to grow their businesses. We thank Orbital ATK for their continued commitment to Arizona.” Mayor John Lewis said he appreciates Orbital ATK staying in Gilbert. “A company like Orbital ATK could have expanded its operations elsewhere in the country,” Lewis said. “The fact that they plan to continue to invest in our great community is a testament to our mutually beneficial relationship and Gilbert’s focus on growing STEM occupations in aerospace and manufacturing sectors. These are some of the best jobs in Arizona and I’m proud they are happening in Gilbert.”