Gilbert Sun News, November 2015: Business

Air Force vet’s 30 jobs in 30 days will pay for a week of work

BY KENNETH LAFAVE

Lance Whitford has worked bagging produce. He has also worked on an archery range. Then there were the jobs installing windows, washing cars, moving furniture, selling books, selling guitars and doing maintenance on aircraft, plus another dozen-plus gigs of assorted descriptions, with more still ahead. When the last of the jobs is done, Whitford will have worked 30 different jobs on 30 different days.

And Whitford’s net after all that effort? Zip. He plans to use his earnings to bankroll a project that will employ 15 fellow veterans for week.

A former Gilbert resident, Whitford is the founder and CEO of Vets2Work. US, a nonprofit organization with the goal of putting American veterans to work. Dubbed the “30/30 Veterans Employment Campaign,” Whitford’s 30-jobs-in-30-days project is his highprofile way of raising $6,500 to employ 15 veterans at $15 per hour, eight hours per day, in the five days leading up to Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Whitford has a passion for helping vets find their place in life-afterservice.

“When I lived in Prescott, I took a sociology class at Yavapai College, and the teacher challenged us to prove that

one person can make a difference,” Whitford said.

“Well, I’m one person and I’m trying to make that difference.”

Raised in California and Oregon, Whitford settled in Gilbert in 1999 following 11 years in the U.S. Air Force. (He currently lives in Maricopa.) He moved temporarily to Prescott in 2012 for treatment at the VA hospital there.

“I saw the hospital release veterans back into society without any connection to the community, without any help. I had issues when I separated from the service. I’ve been there and lived it. I decided to help,” Whitford said.

Whitford came up with a three-part plan:

• Contact 30 vet-friendly businesses and offer to work for each of them one day, in return for payment going directly to his nonprofit.

• Use the proceeds to employ a group of veterans in a project benefitting the community.

• Use the networking among the 30 employers to secure regular jobs for at least some of the vets.

Whitford’s 30 employers included three Scottsdale Airportarea businesses: Caliber Wealth Management, Fender Musical Instruments and Executive Aircraft Maintenance.

Working 30 different jobs was the fun part, Whitford said. Linking the employers to appropriate vets-for-hire is the more challenging task.

“It’s not as easy as people might think. I’m trying to match the needs the company has with the skills the veteran has. Every person who meets with a company, I will meet with them first, because I am personally invested in that company,” Whitford said.

Three match-ups have already taken place: Caliber Wealth Development hired a Navy veteran, Western Window Systems hired an Air Force veteran, and Quality Transportation Services of Arizona hired a Marine veteran, all because of Whitford’s project.

“We know the vets very well, and know the situations facing our vets,” said Dana McWilliams, managing director at Quality Transportation Services. QTS serves the veteran and senior communities by providing nonemergency medical transportation.

“We’re one of those things you don’t notice until you know about us,” McWilliams said. “We’re the

Google, Chamber want to put Gilbert on the map

niche market between an ambulance and a taxi. Many of out clients are wheelchair-bound or stretcher-bound.”

When Whitford approached QTS, it was a “no-brainer,” McWilliams said, and the company hired Marine veteran Keegan Cooley as a dispatcher.

Whitford’s campaign culminates with what he calls “Operation Serving Our Community.” That’s when the 15 vets he hires with money earned at 30 jobs will work painting the perimeter wall at Habitat for Humanity in Avondale. They will work there Nov. 6 through Nov. 7, and Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, but on Sunday, Nov. 8, the vets will shift their focus to American Legion Post No. 1 in downtown Phoenix. There, with the assistance of a second nonprofit. They will build a much-needed handicapped ramp.

With those hard-working vets assembled at one location, Whitford has also decided to turn the workweek of Nov. 6 to Nov. 10 into “an impromptu job fair” by inviting human resources officers from a variety of Valley businesses to the work sites for interviews.

The last of Whitford’s 30 jobs, hosting at a restaurant, actually overlaps with the vets’ workweek. It will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Alexi’s Restaurant, 3550 N. Central Ave. The public can help Whitford’s final push for funds by making donations to that night’s buffet (suggested amount: $12), which will go to Vets2Work. For more information, email Lance@Vets2Work.US, or visit the website.

Whitford insists he is not neglecting his own ambitions by putting 100 percent of his energy into helping fellow veterans.

So, what does he think he’s getting out of it?

“I’d like to think this shows I have entrepreneurial skills.”

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Google’s Let’s Put Gilbert on the Map program, an effort aiming to put every town business online and better display correct local business information through the search engine.

Ninety-seven percent of consumers look online for information about local goods and services, according to a user wave study by BIA/Kelsey, a media and advertising research company. Let’s Put Gilbert on the Map is a simple and free method for businesses to be included in consumer’s search-engine results.

“This is an important effort for businesses of all sizes,” said Kathy Tilque, CEO and president of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. “By having key information available online, it levels the playing field and increases the competitive nature of our local market, allowing businesses to expand their reach and grow.”

Businesses can check the status of their company listing online. If a business is already listed, details can be confirmed and updated. Otherwise, a new listing can be created.

To check the status of a business listing, watch an overview video about the program, or for more information about Let’s Put Gilbert on the Map, visit www.gilbertaz.com/onthemap or contact Macey Streeper at macey@ gilbertchamber.com.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 650 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 52,000 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

Cooperation, innovation produce health care savings at Meritus

BY KENNETH LAFAVE

Cooperation is competition at Meritus, Arizona’s only nonprofit, consumeroperated health plan.

Meritus’ 55,000 members do the cooperating, and for-profit health insurance companies get the competition.

“I look at this as an opportunity to put some pressure on the for-profits,” said R.J. Voth, a founding member of Meritus and chairman of the board’s finance committee.

One of only 24 cooperative health insurance companies in the country, Meritus was founded in 2012 with a loan funded via the Affordable Care Act. Voth, a financial adviser, found out about the loans following a talk he gave on cash flow at a physicians’ conference.

“Dr. Selvoy Fillerup approached me after the talk and asked if I had ever heard of Section 1322 of the Affordable Care Act,” Voth remembered. He had to confess he had not.

“‘Well, part of it has funding for nonprofit health care alternatives,’” Voth recalled Dr. Fillerup saying.

An investigation into the potential for a nonprofit alternative in Arizona led to the formation of a five-person board and an application for the federal loan. Meritus was the only nonprofit funded in the state.

“The notion of a company owned and operated by its membership was a terrific one. We just needed to make it available to people,” Voth said.

“It came together as a community effort,” said Meritus CEO Tom Zumtobel, picking up the narrative.

“Individuals saw the opportunity and invested their own time and resources,” Zumtobel continues.

Individuals founded the company, and individuals profit from its focus on lowering premiums. The plans are available through the ACA Marketplace during open enrollment.

Meritus’ overall average premium for 2015 is $208.76. In Maricopa County, Meritus’ range is from $153 at the low end of its

bronze plan, to $259 at the top of its gold plan. Prices in other Arizona counties vary, and in some counties, Meritus offers only its PPO. The HMO figures compare with a statewide average of $229 for bronze plans and $319 for gold.

Meritus has also made recent improvements to further lower costs. Copayments for lab work are now on a per-visit basis, rather than per test. In the past, each lab test would have generated a copayment. Now, a single copayment for a lab visit pays for as many tests as are required. Copayments have also been waived for visits to an ER due to an accident; an ankle broken during a soccer game, for example, would not incur an ER copayment.

Innovation was required to get premiums to Meritus’ current low rates. In the company’s first year, the average price of a Meritus premium came in at just over the average for Arizona. The company attracted only 3,000 members. Then Meritus hit on the idea of what Zumtobel calls “a narrow delivery system”—a smaller number of service providers in its HMO network. That lowered underwriting costs, which in turn reduced premiums, causing pricing to go from over-the-average to under-theaverage. Membership exploded. More than 55,000 people are now member-owners of Meritus. Next year’s target is 85,000.

“We sent more business to fewer facilities so we could get contracted rates as attractive as those of the 800-pound gorilla companies,” Zumtobel explains.

The ACA loan was necessary because startup costs for an insurance company are formidable

“It’s a capital-intensive business, where you need significant reserves,” Zumtobel said. Among Meritus’ immediate capital requirements were underwriters and pricing consultants.

“Pricing insurance is not like pricing a car, something with a fixed cost. We have to price based on what our members’ needs are and how well we can manage those

Medical office condos sold

Colliers International in Greater Phoenix recently completed two separate medical office condominium sales totaling $2.175 million in a triple net leaseback deal for Desert Pulmonary and Sleep Consultants in Gilbert.

KMRS LLC purchased a portion of Building 9 located within the Spectrum Falls Professional Park, 2730 S. Val Vista Dr., from Desert Pulmonary for $1 million. Built in 2006, the Class A medical office condominium consists of 3,835 square feet and is minutes away from the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Loop 202. It is also near the SanTan Village power center and high-quality retail shopping and

needs.”

Part of the mandate attached to the ACA’s loans to nonprofit startups was the need for innovation. That’s something Meritus takes seriously, Zumtobel said.

“We are the first health insurance company in this market to fully automate. All broker enrollments are automated. This industry has historically done paper enrollment. With us, it’s all online.”

That not only makes it more convenient for providers, but streamlines interface between providers.

“Lots of times, with paper enrollment, there’s a lag between one doctor and the next one,” Zumtobel said, resulting in the second doctor not always being current on the first doctor’s findings. Complete automation eliminates that lag.

Cooperative insurance was once typical in rural areas of the country where forprofit service was either overpriced or nonexistent, Zumtobel observes. Many of those early cooperatives became mutual insurance companies. While both cooperatives and mutuals are owned by their members, a mutual’s objective is to make a profit. At a cooperative, any money left after claims and bills are paid goes

back into either lowering the premiums or enhancing benefits.

Voth noted that the difference amounts to “the same dollar called something else.”

“We don’t say the ‘p’ word. We call (leftover money) a ‘networking surplus,’” Voth said.

Meritus is looking for more individual members and for employer-members as well.

“If an employer likes the idea of local relationships, they will like Meritus,” Zumtobel said. “All our customer care occurs locally, all our sales people are based locally, and all our service of an account is local.”

The ACA funding of cooperatives nearly did not happen. Both 2008 Nobel Prize Economics Laureate Paul Krugman and former presidential adviser Robert Reich stated when ACA was passed that they did not think cooperatives would have the effect of lowering health care costs.

They were wrong. For the second year in a row, states with cooperatives have had lower overall premiums than states without them. Arizona’s premiums fell 3 percent this year.

restaurants.

The second property is a portion of Building 4 within the Executive Villas at Dana Point, 3303 E. Baseline Rd. It was purchased by Dana Point 208 LLC of Mesa, a private investor, from Desert Pulmonary for $1.175 million. The buyer’s broker was Tooraj Bakhtiari, senior commercial specialist, with RE/MAX Excalibur Realty in Scottsdale.

Built in 2003, the medical office condominium consists of 4,561 square feet. The location is near Banner Gateway Medical Center and the U.S. Highway 60, and near the Dana Park Village Square. Both transactions were led by Steve

Gonzalez, senior vice president; Marcus Muirhead, vice president; and Greg Guglielmino, senior associate; all with Colliers’ Phoenix office. They are the exclusive representatives for the seller, which became the tenant, Desert Pulmonary and Sleep Consultants. The company provides comprehensive care for persons with lung disease and sleep disorders.

“The seller desired to divest the real estate for long-term planning purposes and to focus on their core business in health care,” Gonzalez said of the second transaction.

Amazon Coatings transforms generic floors

BY ALISON STANTON

When she was growing up, Lori Davis-Mundo often helped her dad with his construction projects.

Little did she know how much that would inspire her. As an adult, she quickly learned that an office position isn’t for her. Customer service in the construction business was calling her name.

“I’m basically a grown-up tomboy, and I got tired of pushing paper,” she said.

Davis-Mundo founded Amazon Coatings LLC in 2001 after purchasing the inventory of a concrete coatings company. The Mesa-based company offers decorative concrete coatings for driveways, garages, floors, patios and pool decks.

Davis-Mundo, who runs the company with her husband, Rafael Mundo, said although they are licensed to handle commercial projects, they primarily work with residential customers who want to transform old floors into something attractive.

For example, customers who have

a stained garage floor can choose a metallic coating that Davis-Mundo said has a “really cool look.”

“We also do a lot of simulated flagstone coatings, and a lot of pool deck repairs,” she said.

When Davis-Mundo started her company, she wore many hats, from office manager to salesperson and coatings applicator.

These various job titles and hands-on knowledge stayed with her over the years, she said, and gave her a level of experience that sets her apart from the competition.

“When speaking with prospective customers, they know that I’m speaking from experience, not from what I read in a book or someone told me,” she said.

Taking the time to listen carefully to customers and understand what they are looking for in a decorative floor is also important to DavisMundo and her husband.

“The main thing for us is the level of pride that goes into our work. We feel that we give a much greater value than the dollar amount we are

charging,” she said.

“We actually do what we say—so when we say we will be there, we will be there. We stand behind our work and we do it in the time frame we say. We’re a small business with a lot of heart.”

Customers definitely notice Amazon Coatings LLC’s commitment to them, Davis-Mundo said, adding that they get a lot of business through word of mouth and repeat clients.

“In one case, a customer has moved three different times, and every time she does she calls us to do more work,” Davis-Mundo said.

In addition to enjoying getting to know their customers, Davis-Mundo said she and her husband love seeing the finished product.

“We like knowing that we can take a blank slate and when we walk away, our customer will have a work of art,” she said.

For more information about Amazon Coatings LLC, call (480) 890-1141 or visit www. amazoncoatings.com or www. facebook.com/amazoncoatings.

Islands Chiropractic and Massage offers special rate

Dr. Daniel Carlow, chiropractor and founder of Islands Chiropractic and Massage in Gilbert, is offering $39 chiropractic exams for new patients to introduce the community to the benefits of chiropractic care.

This initial exam will identify patient problem areas through consultation, case history and a basic physical examination.

A chiropractic doctor since 1993, Carlow said his goal is to enable patients to live better, fuller lives.

“Helping people identify the source of their chronic pain or immobility is actually an empowering experience,”

Carlow said. “When patients understand more about the underlying problem, they are more empowered to face the problem head on, rather than masking symptoms with medication.”

Islands Chiropractic and Massage, 1447 W. Elliot Rd., Suite 103, is a full-service chiropractic office offering treatment for migraines and headaches, back pain, sciatica, neck pain and disc problems. The clinic offers traditional chiropractic adjustments along with exercise and stretch programs to help patients regain or maintain full mobility. In addition to adjustments, the clinic specializes in

massage techniques that treat spasms, tightness and problems related to scar tissue, which prevents the muscles from moving normally and cause pain.

Patients often seek chiropractic treatment due to back pain caused by disc problems. Carlow’s office offers decompression therapy to reduce pain and nerve irritation. This nonsurgical procedure uses a computerized table to gently adjust the spine. This treatment helps to decompress nerves and relieve pain.

“We treat a full range of chiropractic issues that may be caused by acute injuries, such as a sports-related injury, to issues that are chronic in nature, such as pain caused by ongoing disc problems,” Carlow said. “Often, chiropractic is a viable alternative medical treatment that can forestall or even eliminate the need for more invasive treatments like surgical procedures.”

Carlow said he treats patients like they are members of his own family.

“If people have never been to a chiropractor before, they may not know what to expect,” Carlow said. “Modern chiropractic methods are actually quite gentle and appropriate for all ages

from the very young to the elderly. At this introductory rate, new patients can come in, consult with me, and learn more about how I can help them alleviate pain and live a better life.”

To take advantage of the $39 rate for new patients, contact Islands Chiropractic and Massage at (480) 5454580. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. They are open for appointments Thursdays and Saturdays.

MAP

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Batteries Plus Bulbs opens new store

Gilbert residents now have more options for lighting homes and businesses, powering essential items and fixing mobile devices with the opening of Batteries Plus Bulbs, 2811 S. Market St.

The store is the 11th one operated by franchise owner Wayne Ohland. Batteries Plus Bulbs, a battery, light bulb and smartphone/tablet repair franchise, provides access to more than 50,000 different types of batteries, light bulbs and related products for household and business needs. The company offers a suite of tech services for replacing watch, keyless entry and smartphone batteries, rebuilding battery packs and repairing smartphones and tablets, including iPhone, iPad and iPod devices.

While batteries and light bulbs are essential items for powering daily life, most Americans—about three in 10—do not consider themselves educated on these two categories, according to a 2015 nationwide survey conducted by Batteries Plus Bulbs and marketing research firm Kelton Research. Data also showed nine in 10 consumers own at least one batterypowered item that runs out of juice quickly or sooner than expected, with smartphones draining most frequently according to 57 percent of respondents.

With the opening of the South Gilbert store, residents can get help with battery woes and assistance with power and lighting needs. Catering to the need for battery and lighting products, the company also launched a new website and e-commerce platform. Retail and business customers can easily check store availability for inventory

and select from multiple ordering options such as buy online or pickup in store.

Since the opening of his first store in 1996 in Chandler, Ohland has continued to provide the Valley with access to battery, light bulb solutions and more recently, smartphone and tablet repairs, by opening additional stores. By following market trends and identifying target areas, Ohland made the decision to expand into southern Gilbert in order to make the store’s resources readily available to residents and the increasing general medical and surgical hospitals in that area.

“I was first attracted to the Batteries Plus

Batteries Plus Bulbs stores offer thousands of batteries for everyday items and devices, including watches, digital cameras, motorcycles, boats, laptops, smartphones, and cars/trucks. The specialty retailer also sells automotive accessories, including jumper cables, wiper blades, terminals and cleaners.

Bulbs business model in 1995 after seeing continued success from a good friend involved in the business,” said Ohland.

“Being a part of the franchise for nearly 20 years has made me realize how quickly our product categories evolve as well as our Arizona customers’ ever-changing requirements. Seeing that the market demand continues to grow within the medical and tourism industries, my decision to expand was easy. More than ever before, local businesses and residents are in need of easy access to a specialty retailer that provides access to a wide array of light bulbs, battery products and specialized services such as smartphone and tablet repair.”

Batteries Plus Bulbs’ lighting offerings range from recessed and track lighting and a full line of energy-efficient LED options to specialized light bulbs for cars, healthcare equipment, aquariums and projectors. The store also offers emergency lights, exit signs, parking lot lights, and other essential lighting products for businesses. Store employees are trained to educate consumers on the benefits and values of switching their bulbs to LEDs, and they can recommend color temperature and brightness options for specific lighting applications in various rooms of a home or building.

The Gilbert store also offers an array of related services and programs including: Testing, conditioning and rebuilding battery packs for rechargeable household and business-to-business products Battery installation services for cell/ smartphones, watches, keyless remotes and automobiles

Free automotive battery and electrical

Chamber hosts series of events through November

Throughout the year, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of luncheons and meetings for its members and the community.

Events are held throughout the town.

The chamber office is at 119 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101. For more information about events or to register, call (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

Chamber Chat–Midday

Presented by Silver Fox Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Heating

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 Zappone’s Italian Bistro, 1652 N. Higley Rd., Suite 103, Gilbert

Meet up with other Chamber members for lunch. This informal gathering is a fun way to share conversation with other professionals and learn more about businesses in the community. There is no agenda, no script—just good food, great company and friendly conversation. Admission is $10, which includes a lunch buffet, beverage and tax. Additional

gratuity requested.

The 411

Presented by Printwerx

7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 119 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101, Gilbert

The 411 is a comprehensive membership orientation at which members and prospective members can learn how to maximize the benefits of a Chamber membership. Gain an insider’s view of programs and services, ask questions of Chamber staff and develop an action plan for Chamber engagement and success. Free to attend.

Small Business Workshop: Speak Your Way To Success

Presented by 910 West

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13

St. Xavier University, 92 W. Vaughn Ave., Gilbert

Learn to speak well and make every presentation a game changer. In this workshop with presenter Ed Phillips,

participants will learn the seven secrets for a knock-‘em-dead presentations, five things that turn an audience off, tips used by professional speakers and why a fear of public speaking may be a best friend. Member admission is $25; non-member admission is $40.

20th Annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards

Presented by APS

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday Nov. 13

Doubletree by Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert, SanTan Elegante Conference & Reception Center, 1800 S. SanTan Village Pkwy., Gilbert

This formal evening is filled with celebration as attendees honor those who have excelled in areas of business, education and community involvement. The community event is supported with a partnership of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, Gilbert Public Schools, Higley Unified School District, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, the Town of Gilbert

system testing

Battery, light bulb and select portable electronic device recycling using EPAapproved methods

Business account programs that offer business customers volume discount opportunities, onsite needs analysis, energy savings programs, online ordering, and delivery and recycling services.

In 2014, Batteries Plus Bulbs continued to evolve its franchise business and launched smartphone and tablet repair services nationwide. The 2015 survey revealed 39 percent of Americans are currently using broken smartphones, with 56 percent of the sampled group stating poor battery life as the primary issue. Results also found 56 percent of people do not fix their phone because of cost and 25 percent would rather use a damaged device than get it fixed. A separate 2015 survey conducted by Batteries Plus Bulbs discovered 61 percent of the 1,000 respondents weren’t aware that an iPhone battery could even be replaced. Batteries Plus Bulbs’ technicians can replace smartphone batteries. Technicians will test and diagnose the issue first, making sure to replace the parts that are causing the problem. The store also offers affordable, repairs for Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad and iPod, most Samsung devices and other manufacturer options. The entire suite of services includes: battery replacements, cracked screen, charge port, button and antenna repair, among others. Batteries Plus Bulbs provides a six-month warranty on all parts and workmanship.

and the Gilbert Republic. The popular Taste of Gilbert showcases restaurants and samplings. A cash bar will be available for the purchase of soda and wine. General admission is $50. A reserved table for ten is $500; a sponsored table for ten is $625.

Commercial Filming For Members

Presented by 4th Wall Productions

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 119 N. Gilbert Road, Suite 101

Gilbert

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and 4th Wall Productions LLC have teamed up to produce high-quality commercials on behalf of Chamber members. Anthony Miles partnered with the Chamber for these commercials. To participate, members must hold a Chamber membership at or above the Business level and the account must be in good standing. Appointments must be scheduled.

The Village Square at Dana Park will add to its existing commercial center and feature retail and restaurants, a movie theater and multiresidential units. Submitted photo

Mixed-use development moves forward at Dana Park

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

The Village Square at Dana Park soon will add a hotel, a mixed-use cluster of retail and restaurants, a movie theater and multiresidential units.

The Mesa City Council recently approved a site plan modification, a council use permit and rezoning request for Dana Park’s owner, Whitestone REIT, to add residential retail, office, hotel and theater buildings to the existing commercial center as a part of mixed-use development.

Revisions and additional uses to the center, which is on the Gilbert border, include:

• A six-story, 102,000-square-foot hotel in the northeast corner of the center

• 153,000 square feet of office space along with retail and restaurant uses grouped around a central green space, and served by an urban-style auto/pedestrian street with on-street parking

• Multiresidential/parking garage: the northwest corner of this center has long been approved for a parking garage. This proposal reduces the footprint of the garage, wrapping it on three sides with 325,300 square feet of residential units on four levels and a reduced footprint of penthouse units on the fifth level. The addition of residential to a commercially zoned property required the council use permit.

• A 40,000-square-foot movie theater will replace retail space at the northwest elbow of the current retail strip, consisting of a remodeling or a new building.

• A south mixed-use cluster in two buildings adjacent to a green space will house retail, restaurant and possibly office uses.

• Streetscape and pedestrian revisions include narrowing of wide “drive” aisles, and the addition of diagonal street parking, and street trees and shading devices along the pedestrian sidewalks. Improved pedestrian paths will extend from the center to the public streets and along the main entry drives to the center.

Bill Jabjiniak, director of the Mesa’s Office of Economic Development, said the development will “become more of an urban lifestyle center.”

The plans for office space with open floor plans will allow the city to accommodate more high-tech companies. “It fits what the technology companies want with open floor plans,” Jabjiniak said. “We don’t have much of this in Mesa.”

Construction was expected to begin shortly on the residential component at the site. “The residential is expected to take about a year to complete,” Janjiniak said.

Dana Park is 92 percent occupied, which Jabjiniak said was an “excellent” rate for Whitestone REIT, Dana Park’s owner. “I attribute that to its location,” Jabjiniak said. Dana Park has 500,000 people living within a 5-mile radius, Jabjiniak said. “A lot of vehicles drive by and it is easy access,” he said.

Jabjiniak expects the improvements will help use “underutilized space and make it more productive,” he said.

Whitestone REIT officials were unavailable for comment for this story on the plans and the expected completion date. According to a story on MarketWatch. com, Jim Mastandrea, Whitestone’s chairman and chief executive officer, said that Whitestone was pleased with the council approval, allowing the company to move forward. He noted that Dana Park’s occupancy went from 71 percent in September 2012, when Whitestone purchased the property, to 92 percent.

“Since the acquisition, we have added new tenants, such as Ferguson Showroom, Mad Greens, Soma Intimates, Pita Jungle, Pure Barre and Relax the Back to our toptier roster of existing tenants, including Chico’s, Ann Taylor Loft, Jos. A. Bank, Anthropologie, Z Gallerie, Pei Wei, AJ’s Fine Foods, California Pizza Kitchen and Orangetheory Fitness,” Mastandrea said.

A hot recipe for success

El Sol Foods expands products nationwide, teams with Phoenix Suns

BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

El Sol Foods CEO Ryan Bullock recently said that chips and salsa go together like Eric Bledsoe and a 3-point jump shot—a comparison that rings especially true for his salsa company that has now teamed up with the Phoenix Suns.

Starting this season, El Sol Foods salsa will be the official salsa of the Valley’s NBA team and will be served at all of the games. It’s just one more successful milestone for the Gilbert-based family business that has been growing steadily for more than a decade.

“Eleven years ago I had a dream of starting El Sol Foods to provide the freshest homemade salsa and to take that product directly to local markets for customers,” Bullock said. “After years of devoted work to the company and making the best salsa, and much sacrifice from my wife, Marisol, and family, we’re now having great success.”

Dubbed the “Southwest Salsa King,” Bullock uses recipes that have been passed down from his mother-in-law for his salsas.

El Sol’s salsas are sold at Bashas’, Safeway, Albertson’s, Costco, Sam’s Club and Walmart in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Nevada.

The company has recently expanded nationally; beginning in 2016, a number of El Sol’s fresh salsa products will be available on shelves of Costco stores in the Southeast. The Costco Southeast deal comes quickly after Fry’s accepted El Sol’s products for its shelves.

“I applied the same goals and strategies to get our products into Costco stores nationwide as we do to each of our customers: create the best product on the market and deliver that product to the customer,” Bullock explained. “It makes no difference if it is a large company like Costco or an individual shopping for a condiment for the next Phoenix Suns game. The same rules apply.”

What stands out about this locally made salsa? Bullock said that it all comes down to the ingredients.

“I think my favorite salsa ingredient is not an ingredient at all; it’s making sure all salsa ingredients are fresh,” he explained.

“Using the freshest onions, tomatoes, corn, mangoes and spices naturally make the best tasting and most favorable salsas.”

To go from a small kitchen-based startup to a national product line has been a worthwhile experience, Bullock said. For example, when he started El Sol Foods, he quickly discovered he needed certain types of machinery to make the best salsa. Those on the market at the time did not fit his demands or they were very expensive. Instead, he had his neighbor, Mike Campbell, custom-make the assembly line machinery he needed.

“Our goal has always been to make salsa like it has been handed down for generations in our family,” Bullock said. “We have perfected a way to make a salsa that used to be prepared on a small scale in a tiny kitchen to today where we are making 50 gallons of salsa at a time.”

Bullock said that he encourages other local business owners to follow their dreams.

“John D. Rockefeller Jr. said the secret to success is to do the common thing uncommonly well. I think every business owner should subscribe to this advice,” he said. “...If you have a dream or a product you truly believe in, then it will become a reality. Taking a step toward a goal is one more step closer to your dream.”

To learn more about El Sol Foods, visit www.elsolfoods.com.

Doing business

Best Gilbert Carpet Cleaning

Owner: Josh Turner

How long in business: Two years

Specialty: Carpet cleaners

Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Address: 745 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 177F

Phone: (480) 374-4600

Website: www.bestgilbertcarpetcleaning.com

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Pure Barre opens in Gilbert

Pure Barre, the largest barre franchise in the country, will open its newest location in Gilbert near SanTan Village in November. The new franchise studio, located at 2556 S. Val Vista Dr., Suite 103, is owned by Nicole Hines.

“I have witnessed Pure Barre transform bodies as well as minds,” Hines said.

“Designed for all ages and fitness levels, this method will prove that you are stronger than you think. It has literally changed my life and I know it will do the same for others in the Gilbert community.”

excitement and results of Pure Barre to its residents,” said Carrie Dorr, founder and chief concept officer of Pure Barre.

“The continued growth of Pure Barre studios across the country is a testament to the workout’s ability to quickly transform clients’ bodies, and we couldn’t be happier to bring this experience to Gilbert.”

The ballet barre workout has exploded in popularity since its inception in 2001. Focusing on the areas of the body that people struggle with the most, Pure Barre tones the thighs and upper body, and creates long and lean muscles through small isometric movements centered around a ballet barre. Since it began franchising in 2009, more than 320 Pure Barre studios have opened in 40 states.

“We are thrilled to open our newest studio in Gilbert and bring the

This location has just launched a pre-opening special of five weeks Unlimited Pure Barre classes for $99. The special can be purchased on this location’s website at www.purebarre.com/az-santanvillage. Follow this business on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ purebarreSTV. Class schedule will be released soon. The studio will operate seven days a week offering morning, afternoon and evening classes.

For more information on Pure Barre Gilbert-San Tan Village, contact Nicole Hines at (480) 821-1515, visit www.purebarre.com or follow Pure Barre SanTan Village on Facebook at purebarreSTV.