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From Coupon Queen to Real Estate Broker

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Carissa Maxwell mobilizes women, changes financial outcomes for families.

Not long ago, Carissa Maxwell was raising two young children, pregnant and at a crossroads, losing her Verde Valley home in the Great Recession. When her husband lost his job, the family moved into a small townhouse in Prescott Valley, looking for a fresh start.

“That year, we were living paycheck to paycheck, had a lot of debt to pay off, and we were struggling to make life happen every month,” she said. “I was clipping coupons with my ‘mom friends,’ riding the extreme coupon craze, becoming an extreme coupon-clipping brigade. We were organized and motivated, and we could mobilize to get the goods. I learned I am really good at activating and empowering people to improve their mindset and their lives.”

Maxwell says moving to a new town was the best thing for them. “I felt like we were starting over in a good way. We didn’t know anyone and leaned on each other. While my husband was working hard to get us back on our feet, I plugged into MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) through a Lutheran church in Prescott.”

MOPS, she learned, was the place to be for moms with small kids. “I met so many amazing, strong women who understood the value of supporting mothers and the positive impact it has on our community.”

For $5, the women would meet for the MOPS program, which included breakfast, two hours of childcare and a presentation by a speaker. It was here that Maxwell stepped into her calling as a leader.

Not long after, she gave birth to her third child, Mattison, started studying, and within a year, earned her real estate license. “I had a big motivation to change my circumstances. I wanted to change my life story and knew that it would only happen if I went back to work.”

Within two years of starting her real estate career, Maxwell hired the very same moms who she clipped coupons with to be on her real estate team. “I was pulling in women I knew I could go to war with, had the ability to manage a lot of projects, and eventually I also hired men who aligned with our principles, too. It changed the game for their families and what they thought was possible.”

Within a few years, Maxwell had a successful real estate team on both sides of Mingus Mountain and The Maxwell Group was kicking it into high gear. “I learned I could earn more and help more women by becoming a broker. I love contracts, and I love finding creative solutions that help my agents and clients win.”

In January 2022, Maxwell opened her own independent brokerage firm, Glow Realty, incorporating the same principles and mentorship that made The Maxwell Group successful. Today, 14 agents work at Glow Realty, a boutique brokerage in Central and Northern Arizona, focusing on relationship-based business and community involvement.

“We promote work-life balance with our agents, valuing their time both inside and outside of the office, making us an ideal environment for those seeking personal growth and sustainability in a real estate career and in life,” she said.

Maxwell is quick to note that Glow Realty is not a women-only business, but it is an organization that emphasizes women in business and leadership. “We are focused on helping women excel. What we are going for is a collaborative environment, a supportive workplace to create what we want to see in the world.”

Glow Realty is also the lead sponsor for the Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, presented by Quad Cities Business News. “We’re investing in ATHENA because it is exactly on message with what we care about: Women in leadership in the Quad Cities, creating mentorship for women and encouraging women to create an intentional life.”

Meanwhile, Maxwell is also involved with The Launchpad Teen Center and The Boys and Girls Club of Central Arizona in the Prescott area. Her hope is to create a mentorship program locally for girls and young women, ages 13 to 23. “I see a need for more emphasis on helping girls navigate big decisions that will set a course for their life. We should encourage girls to think bigger and provide them with learning opportunities that can expand what they think is possible. That is the goal. I see these girls shadowing women business owners and community leaders, attending masterminds, building confidence to create, fail, learn from mistakes and grow, knowing they have strong women backing them up with support and experience.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Maxwell will be presenting the main award at the fourth annual Quad Cities ATHENA Awards, 3- 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24 at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall. For tickets and more information, go to www.PrescottATHENA.com.

Photo Caption: Glow Realty founder and broker Carissa Maxwell created an organization that emphasizes women in business and leadership. “We are focused on helping women excel. What we’ve created is a very collaborative environment, a supportive place to solve problems,” she said.

Trails 4 Tatas Returns to Prescott, Raising Funds for Breast Cancer Care

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Not an off-roader? That’s OK. The BBQ feast, raffles, and silent and live auctions are open to everyone.

The fifth annual Trails 4 Tatas (T4T) is heading back to Prescott Oct. 14, inviting off-roaders to bump their way along nearby scenic trails with other 4×4 enthusiasts to support enhanced care at the Baskin Breast Care Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).

Participants can look forward to a full day of activities, starting with a free breakfast before they head to four-wheel on one of four trails – ranging from easy to moderately difficult – in the Prescott National Forest. Following the two- to three-hour trail ride, everyone will head back for a sumptuous lunch, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, the Rosie Raffle drawing (featuring a pink pistol) and a rambunctious live auction headlined by highly coveted prizes.

Not an off-roader? That’s OK. The BBQ feast, raffles, and silent and live auctions are open to everyone.

“Every penny raised stays within Yavapai County, directly benefiting our community, including our neighbors, our friends and our family members who are battling breast cancer,” said Laurie Cwikla, who has been organizing the event on behalf of Summit 4×4 Company for the past three years and expects a crowd of up to 200.

“Off-roaders are a breed all their own, a really fun group,” she added. “This is a unique day that begins with a great breakfast, continues with a scenic trail trip, then everyone eats another great meal and bids on fun stuff!”

Prescott Valley Chamber President Marnie Uhl, the 2021 guest of honor, is a breast cancer survivor who shared personal details about her journey with the disease during the 2021 T4T lunch.

“It’s the most devastating thing to face,” said Uhl, who was treated at YRMC’s Breast Care Center. “Every one of the nurses, doctors, radiologists and imaging techs are there to take you through your journey and assist you. At that moment you’re with them, they’re your angels.”

The 2023 guest of honor is Cwikla’s good friend, Lesa West, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2022, a diagnosis received while she was serving as a volunteer for last year’s T4T.

Cwikla took over leadership of T4T three years ago, shortly after becoming president of the Summit 4×4 Girls Tribe. Newly appointed president of the Summit 4×4 Club, Victor Torres, joined her this year in organizing the event. The two clubs are part of Summit 4×4 Company, a one-stop shop for any 4×4 enthusiasts’ needs with two locations: one in Prescott and the other in Prescott Valley. They also have Off-Road Auto Sales at their original location on Sheldon in Prescott.

Cwikla is extremely dedicated to making Trails 4 Tatas hugely successful, to the point that she’s organizing fundraisers year-round to support the cause. She arranges restaurant fundraisers with local establishments nearly every month. Every year, the kickoff to T4T is National Jeep Go Topless Day, an event that gathers off-roaders for a fun trail ride, during which drivers are encouraged to take the tops off their Jeeps and “go topless.”

Hosted in May, Go Topless Day raised more than $1,300 through donations and sales of t-shirts, bracelets, stickers and a 50/50 raffle. The 2022 Trails for Tatas raised more than

$62,000; the fundraising goal for 2023 is set for $100,000.

For Cwikla, who retired from Southern California to Prescott 11 years ago with her husband, Allen, being active in the off-road club and organizing T4T allows her to stay engaged with the community she cherishes. Admittedly, she is “someone who loves to stay busy.”

But it’s more than that.

“It’s a chance to be a part of something truly meaningful,” Cwikla said. “Everyone is invited to join our heartfelt mission. Together, we can provide hope and support to breast cancer patients on their journey to recovery.” QCBN

By Drew Whitney, QCBN

For all details and to register for the event, visit https://trails4tatas.com/. Attendees must purchase a lunch ticket ($25 for adults, $10 for children) to enjoy the BBQ lunch as well as bid in the silent auction and live auction. Those interested in sponsoring and donating to help Trails 4 Tatas meet, and hopefully surpass, its 2023 fundraising goal of $100,000 can contact Laurie@summit4x4clubs.com or call 909-229-7675.

Courtesy Photo: Trails 4 Tatas committee members join with Summit 4X4 Company owners and employees to award Yavapai Regional Medical Center and their foundation staff a $62,782 check, representing funds raised in 2022. 

Mountain Sports Celebrates 50 Years of Promoting Outdoor Adventure

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Outdoor lifestyle family business credited with introducing new sports, keeping recreationists comfortable and championing environmental conservation.

For half a century, Mountain Sports has proven that having a passion for what you do, living your brand, aligning with your customers’ values, staying on top of trends and giving back to your community are key to outfitting your business for success. The Northern Arizona family-owned and operated specialty outdoor retailer is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

“Growing up with Mountain Sports, in a family that cares deeply about the outdoors and in a community that values conservation, environmental education and wild places, has shaped me and the business,” said Mountain Sports owner Lisa Lamberson. “My parents [Mark and Rosie Lamberson], both entrepreneurs, are my role models. Early on, I came to understand that we are deeply rooted in community building, and I am incredibly grateful to our loyal customers for giving us the opportunity to cultivate and give back to our community.”

The Mountain Sports story began in Casper, Wyoming, when two young men who loved to ski, Mark Lamberson, 22, and his brother, Bruce, 20, wanted to start a business, earn at least $100 a week each, and have time for their favorite sport. With a $20,000 loan from a close family friend, they opened Mountain Sports, which became the source for all things alpine skiing and the place to go to find out about the next great outdoor activity before it hit mainstream America.

“We were passionate outdoor enthusiasts ourselves,” said Mark. “We first had a ski shop and then camping and backpacking were becoming new outdoor sports in the ‘70s, beyond Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts. We were early adopters of all these things – water skiing, mountain biking, windsurfing, snowboarding – we’d try them out, buy the gear and our excitement about the next new sport would lead to other people wanting to do it, too.”

“We were having fun and didn’t realize we would be participating in sports that didn’t even exist when we opened the business,” said Bruce Lamberson, who still owns and operates the Casper store. “It was at a time when there was this whole culture shift in America. The Vietnam War was happening, hippies wanted to be outside and there was an emergence of outdoor specialty stores.”

On Nov. 2, 1973, Mountain Sports opened with 100 puffy jackets in four sizes and three colors. “Nobody had ever seen these before. And they just sold like, boom!” said Bruce. “Business was really simple back then. We were fearless, probably naïve, and full of energy.”

“We had a tiger by the tail,” said Mark. “From the very beginning, we had tapped into something that was taking off. Our business grew very quickly over the first seven or eight years, and we realized Casper was going to tap out.”

They wanted to expand into an additional store in a new location and a friend advised them to check out an Arizona mountain town called Flagstaff. With a business assessment created by a Northern Arizona University business professor, Mark and Rosie made the move with their two young children, Bret and Lisa, and opened Mountain Sports Flagstaff on Milton Road.

“Like many people, we moved to Flagstaff for the lifestyle,” said Mark. “It’s what unites all of us. Rosie and I jumped in with both feet.”

“We were hardwired as kids to love the outdoors, to live for it, to appreciate it. And there wasn’t any shortage of good gear,” said realtor Bret Lamberson, of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, about growing up with his sister, Lisa, and Mountain Sports. “Our dad was adventurous in every respect. I remember wanting a BMX bike for Christmas one year and he said, ‘I have something you’re going to like even more. It’s really cool, called a mountain bike. You’re going to love it.’ And he was right!”

Both Bret and Lisa worked in the store as teenagers and gained an appreciation for high quality brands. “We have always had a joyous energy in the store with people who love to work hard and play harder,” said Lisa. “Our customers know we focus on quality brands. Some share stories of having kept the same jacket for 40 years!”

At one time, Mountain Sports had three stores in Arizona, two in Flagstaff and one in Prescott. In the early 2000s, the business narrowed its focus to primarily an outdoor apparel store, focusing on Patagonia clothing in Flagstaff’s historic downtown district. As it has evolved, Mountain Sports has hired hundreds of employees, providing many college students like Sarah Morton with their first professional job.

“It was pretty cool to be nurtured by Mark and Rosie, who recognized what your potential might be,” said Morton, who continued in the outdoor recreation industry and opened “Clear Water Outdoor” in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. “The experience gave me a passion I didn’t know I had about connecting products with the outdoors and getting people into nature.”

For half a century, the name Mountain Sports has been synonymous with outdoor adventure, and the legacy continues. “It is a fun-loving industry that cares deeply about the outdoors. Through our partnership with 1% for the Planet, Mountain Sports Flagstaff has been able to grant more than $250,000 back to Northern Arizona environmental education and conservation organizations, which is super meaningful to me,” said Lisa. “Without our loyal, longtime customer support, none of that giving would be possible.”

Mountain Sports’ 50th anniversary activities include honoring local artists during First Friday ArtWalks, participating and supporting the Flagstaff Star Party, Sept. 21-23, hosting a Trail to Tavern guided hike and pint night with The Arboretum on Thursday, Sept. 28 and hosting a free grand celebration open to past and present employees as well as community members and partners at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff. The Friday, Nov. 3 celebration will include raffles benefiting the 1% for the Planet partnering organizations, stories of 50 years in retail, a slideshow of past employees and locations, photo booth and more. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

For more about upcoming Mountain Sports Flagstaff activities, visit https://www.mountainsportsflagstaff. com.  Hear from Lisa Lamberson on Zonie Living at www.starworldwidenetworks.com

Photo courtesy of Kristen Carnes: Mountain Sports co-founder Mark Lamberson and his daughter, owner Lisa Lamberson, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the family owned and operated specialty outdoor retailer that has grown up with Northern Arizona, reflecting the values of its outdoor adventure-oriented customers. 

Maui: An Island in Pain

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Small businesses struggle to recover from ‘horrific tragedy’.

Reeling from what have been called the deadliest fires in the last century of U.S. history, residents across Maui are hurting. More than 100 people are dead. Hundreds are said to be missing. Survivors say they are in shock. Some weep for a loss that has left many homeless, traumatized and desperately sad. For small businesses that have created the Aloha Spirit for visitors from around the world, the future is uncertain.

Summer Teixeira, who owns and operates Surf Yoga Maui, has struggled for words to describe the fire that devastated Lahaina Town on the island’s west coast, and the Upcountry Fire that ravaged the Kula community on the slope of the island’s Haleakalā Volcano, where she lives.

“The main word I can think to use is ‘apocalyptic,’” she said. “We are all really traumatized and sad. We cannot even fathom that our experience upcountry was happening at the same time as Lahaina Town got wiped out and that we are all a part of a horrific tragedy with so much loss that happened so fast.”

In the afternoon of Aug. 8, the Upcountry Fire came from behind the community of Kula. Eddy Teixeira and neighbors began spraying the roof of their homes with garden hoses as the fast-moving firestorm approached. In those tense moments, it was decided Summer should leave with their dog, and her husband, Eddie, would soon follow.

“We had no warning and I had to depart and evacuate with the doggie, leaving my husband in the flames because they wanted to stay and help with the fires and save the houses. He said he would be right behind us and then never came.”

As cell service failed and phone batteries died, the two lost contact with each other and didn’t reunite until the next day.

“While our experience was scary, our story is one of the fortunate ones,” said Summer. “The stories of our friends, neighbors and community are heartbreaking. We are just grateful to be alive and have a home.”

Six days after the inferno swept through Kula, Summer reported the danger wasn’t over. “I am up at 3 a.m. because of the smell of smoke. The flare-ups all around us are still occurring – from behind, to the side and in front of us. The ground is so hot and the hot rocks and roots start new fires. Neighbors are all on watch constantly and communicating with each other. The way we saw the other day go from smoke to a sweeping blazing fire rushing through, we are all super on edge and hyper-alert.”

About 20 miles away in Lahaina, many lost their businesses and their homes. “The town I called home for 16 years is gone,” said Surf Dog Maui owner Donny Travaglia. “The old neighbors and friends I have been able to reach have lost their homes. I don’t know what to do about the future of my business right now because there are so many unknowns. Just taking it day by day, trying to help anyone who needs it.”

Reports estimate it will cost more than $5.5 billion for Maui to recover. Without tourists in the foreseeable future, owners believe their small businesses will struggle. Many likely won’t come back.

Among those coming to Maui’s aid, news reports say Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns a house on Maui, and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, have pledged $100 million to help the island recover. Oprah Winfrey, also a Maui resident, reportedly paid for support to help evacuees.

In Arizona, Scottsdale-based golf equipment and apparel company PXG announced a $1 million donation to Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization.

“Team Rubicon quickly coordinates and deploys trained military veterans, first responders and civilians as volunteers for disaster relief efforts,” PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons stated. “We have witnessed the dedicated volunteers who make up its ranks fall in to embrace and empower devastated communities. Today, we look to bolster their efforts in Maui and help their boots on the ground to do what they do best.”

Cash donations are what residents say they need most, which can be sent directly to individual businesses and also to organizations such as HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/maui-strong and MauiUnitedWay.org.

“Every donation brings tears to our eyes,” said Summer.

Meanwhile, in the midst of ashes and epic losses, words of hope and gratitude can be found. While standing on a dock in Maui loading supplies for the people of Lahaina, Maui physical therapist Dr. Amanda Eller sent this text, “There are so many people helping. The kindness of humanity and the community pulling together on this island is awe-inspiring.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

For more, visit “Maui: An Island in Pain” on Zonie Living at https://starworldwidenetworks.com/episodes/maui-an-island-in-pain-how-we-can-help-video.

Photos courtesy of Summer Teixeira:  The Upcountry Fire burned without warning through the community of Kula on the western slope of Haleakalā Volcano. 

Ned Ledoux, RaeLynn  Headlining at Big Sting Country Music Festival

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Festival and campout to support first responder health.

With the risk of a heart attack for first responders 300% higher than the average person, organizers of the Big Sting country music festival and campout are hoping to raise $200,000 so they can continue to support health screenings and patients in need through money raised at the 9th annual event, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13 and 14 at Watson Lake.

“We invite everyone to come on out, bring your RV, pitch a tent and enjoy the natural beauty while listening to your favorite country tunes,” said founder and organizer Vicki Burton. “We’ll have multiple stages and activities for all ages.”

The event features a flag ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Country music singer Teddy Robb is opening for Ned Ledoux Friday night. Shari Rowe will sing the national anthem on Saturday, followed by John King opening for RaeLynn Saturday night. The event opens to campers Thursday, Oct. 12.

The Big Sting is a fundraising event benefitting the Shadow Foundation, a non-profit organization that has provided free health screenings for thousands of Arizona firefighters and police officers and helped more than 500 Northern Arizona families and individuals with financial support in times of sickness.

“We do this because they do so much for us,” said Burton. “I don’t think most of us realize what they go through on a day-to-day basis taking care of our communities. A simple call for an officer could lead to his death.”

She says advanced screening, which costs more than $200, can detect heart conditions in high-risk populations that may otherwise go undetected.

Burton expects about 4,000 people at this year’s event. “It gets better every year because we are bringing more to it. Bucky’s Casino is partnering with Majestic Marketplace to sponsor the VIP tent. Ticket holders will have access to blackjack tables and we’ll have a blackjack tournament both days from 3 to 6 p.m. In addition, Chef Reuban Stoller of Flagstaff’s Lumberyard Brewing Co. and Beaver Street Brewery will be creating an amazing dinner!”

Also new this year, Dos Equis XX is sponsoring a 30’ x 60’ tent open to all ticket holders. After parties will follow the headliners each night with special guests on stage in the Dos Equis tent.

Burton recommends that festival goers bring lawn chairs, blankets and layers of clothing. “We expect it to be beautiful during the day and chilly at night.”

General admission weekend passes are $80 per person; tickets per day for Friday or Saturday are $45. Discounted passes are available for first responders, those in the military and veterans. Kids 12 and under get in free. For more information, visit thebigsting.com QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Quad Cities Business News supports the effort as an event sponsor. For more information, visit thebigsting.com.

Courtesy Photo: Country music singers perform on multiple stages throughout the weekend. 

Driving Support for Police Dogs

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Findlay Subaru contributing with every car sold in October.

Three dependable canines are working in law enforcement for the community – a pair of Labrador retrievers, Cooper and Benny, assigned to keep dangerous drugs off the streets, and Eden, the Goldendoodle that provides emotional comfort through the Victim Services Unit at the Prescott Police Department.

Stepping up to support them is Findlay Subaru of Prescott, with a pledge to donate $100 for every car sold during the month of October.

General Manager Jason Jenkins noted that Findlay Subaru typically sells about 100 cars a month, which could bring in about $10,000 that would be split three ways to care for the three police dogs.

“I heard the story of Eden helping a young child testifying in court,” said Jenkins. “It’s a tear-jerking story to hear and I wanted to help and be part of it. I’m so glad our community has this program.”

Jenkins and his wife, Rebecca, moved to Prescott in 2011. “We came to Prescott because my parents were in Sun City and we would visit and ride motorcycles up here. We love the beauty of the area, the small-town feel, the downtown and Courthouse Plaza. We stayed at a vacation rental in Prescott for a month and decided to extend our stay.”

That extended stay has lasted for more than a decade. “We love it here and it’s just really important to us to give back to the community,” said Jenkins. “We would like to continue our effort in helping out the K9 Unit.”

Jenkins and Findlay Subaru are hosting a grand Kick-off Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, with booths and food and all three dogs in attendance at the dealership on Willow Creek Road in Prescott.

Meanwhile, Police Administrative Sergeant Jack Shapiro reports that the police dogs are doing great. “Benny and Cooper are very active and have a ton of energy. Their training never stops, and we train about eight hours a week on narcotics detection and obedience.”

The drug-sniffing dogs do not work with Eden, as they have very different jobs, but they do pass each other in the halls at the police department and say, “Hi,” said Shapiro.

The 5-year-olds work in concert with their two handlers, police officers Kyle Alltop and Troy Crawford. “The public reaction to Benny and Cooper has been extremely positive, and they are very well supported by the community,” Shapiro said.

Officer Alltop, who is Cooper’s handler and has had a lengthy military career working with dogs, is very appreciative of donations received.

“Donations really help drive our program forward,” he said.

Officer Crawford, who is Benny’s handler, agreed. “We appreciate the support from Findlay Subaru, helping us raise money to keep the dogs trained up and catching drugs.”

The officers say Cooper and Benny have been highly effective assisting the narcotics task force in locating and removing dangerous drugs from the community.

“They’re called ‘single purpose’ police dogs and are trained to detect methamphetamines, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine,” Shapiro said.

The dogs work four 10-hour shifts and basically become part of their handler’s family, usually sleeping in special temperature-controlled kennels in the patrol vehicles.

Donated funds are used to purchase items such as training aids, containers used to hold narcotic scents, toys to reward the dogs, leashes, harnesses, beds, kennels, food containers, handler supplies and upgrades to the training facility.

For her part, Eden is the first full-time emotional support and facility dog on duty in a law enforcement agency in Yavapai County. Senior Advocate Amy Fillingim is Eden’s handler. Eden, who is nearly 3 years old, lives with her.

“Eden is my favorite topic,” she said. “She works every day that I work.”

Fillingim works in Victim Services four days a week and works some in Dispatch.

“When I work in Dispatch, she comes with me,” she said of Eden. “She loves being here and being a part of all that the department has to offer. All the dispatchers ogle over her, and the police staff take time to engage her and throw the ball.”

Eden has been task trained since she was 8 weeks old to detect levels of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline in humans.

“During and after a traumatic event, our human brain starts pumping out high levels of adrenaline and cortisol – it’s fight, flight or freeze,” Fillingim explained. “Where there’s a threat, Eden can detect when there’s an increased level of those hormones.”

Eden is trained to crawl, cover, hug or touch, behaviors intended to increase the feel-good hormone, serotonin, in humans.

“She is trained to offer those tasks when someone is going through trauma,” she said. “It has a calming effect and helps to induce clear thinking and better recall. Eden is a pro now.”

By 18 months, Eden had achieved all of her certifications. In addition, she has sat in on four trials this year in which minors, ages 11 to 17, were asked to testify against accused abusers.

“These children were frightened sitting on the stand in a courtroom, with the defendant staring right at them,” she said. “Eden laid curled around their feet in the testimony box when they were feeling scared.”

The public will soon have an opportunity to meet and mingle with all three police dogs and also contribute to their upkeep by purchasing a Subaru or donating to the Prescott Police Department.

“We try to dump as much of our advertising budget as we can into the community,” said Jenkins. “It’s just the right thing to do and we feel such pride to be associated with these important programs.” QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Findlay Subaru General Manager Jason Jenkins bonds with Eden after hearing about the support she gives children having to testify in criminal cases. Benny and Cooper are credited with getting illegal drugs off Prescott streets. 

ATHENA Leadership Qualities on Display in the Quad Cities

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It’s an honor to inspire and empower others by showing them that their dreams are achievable.

Learning constantly, acting courageously and living authentically are among the key principles found in the way women lead, according to the ATHENA Leadership Model. These qualities are on display in the Quad Cities among women in leadership, such as Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine, Prescott College President Dr. Barbara Morris and Prescott Chamber of Commerce President Sheri Heiney.

Learning Constantly

Lisa Rhine, Ph.D., is not proud of her upbringing. “It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was painful,” she said. “I grew up in an impoverished home where the only thing that was consistent was chaos.” Her father, a single parent of six who left school after 8th grade, worked three jobs to feed the family. When he wasn’t successful, young Lisa and her siblings were shuttled around to foster care.

“I knew, even at a young age, somehow, that education was the thing that would lift me out of this mess and be the lever that would catapult me out of challenging, even dire, circumstances and change not only my fate, but the fate of the next generation.”

Rhine was the first in her family to attend college. It wasn’t easy, but she kept pushing through, through her bachelor’s degree, through her master’s degree, and through her doctoral degree. “The adversity you experience in your life is actually what builds your leadership ‘muscle.’ In my experience as a senior leader in academia at colleges and universities, I have learned that a key aspect to leadership success is resilience. Resilience develops as we adapt, bounce back and maintain a positive mindset and a high level of perseverance and determination in the face of challenges.”

Acting Courageously

From a very tender age, Barbara Morris always wanted the same opportunities as the boys. As a young teen, she determined she wanted to be President of the United States. “This was an outrageous thought in the ’70s,” she said, “but I read a famous book at the time by C. Wright Mills called ‘The Power Elite’ that said for those to excel in leadership they had to have three aspects in their career: politics, business and military.” She set out on her plan at age 14.

“The issue was how to get political, business and military experience as a girl at the time,” she said. Morris pursued a double major in political science and economics at San Diego State University, plus a minor in women’s studies. However, according to her plan, she still needed military experience.

“There was a flier stating the Air Force was looking for the first six women pilots, so I decided to apply.” After 18 months of boot camp, she was among the first group of women to be in oxygen deprivation tanks and was accepted into the program. Morris was on the flight path of her dreams. Then, unexpected turbulence. Sixteen years later, she found herself mustering the courage to leave a difficult relationship with three kids, no money and no job prospects.

Living Authentically

From an early age, Sheri Heiney learned that success often lies beyond the familiar and comfortable. “As a woman stepping into leadership roles, I encountered unfamiliar territory, where stereotypes and biases tried to undermine my capabilities. However, I embraced these challenges, turning them into opportunities for growth.”

Heiney studied hospitality management, earned her real estate license, Learned about  insurance licensing and pursued other specialty areas. “I wanted to understand more things and how they blended together.”

She then embraced leadership in a big way in Rochester, Michigan, as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, an area comparable in size to the entire Quad Cities.

“I am deeply aware of the impact my actions have on those around me, especially young women aspiring to leadership roles. It’s an honor to inspire and empower others by showing them that their dreams are achievable. Authenticity, resilience and empathy are crucial traits that can leave a lasting impression on the next generation of leaders.”

Being true to herself, Heiney listens to her heart. “I’ve always wanted to have my own business.” Her love for animals explains the rescued donkey and pony in her household, along with the lively lab puppy she has in therapy training. Today, she is considering combining these passions.

Find out more about how Lisa Rhine, Barbara Morris and Sheri Heiney came to be leading ladies in the Quad Cities and how they created their personal blueprints for success. The three will share their journeys on the Women in Leadership Panel at the Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, starting at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24. For tickets, go to www.PrescottAthena.com. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.

Rotary Hosts Annual Garden Party

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Come enjoy the garden fun while supporting children in our community!

Wine will flow and spirits will lift as the gardens come alive when Watters Garden Center hosts Prescott Frontier Rotary’s 17th G4G benefit. From 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17, the garden center will transform into “A Garden Party,” with all proceeds going directly to Rotary community causes. Grapes-4-Good received an outpouring of support last year, raising more than $95,000. The top auction items this year are trips to Austria and Italy. See past Grapes-4-Good events at https://www.pinterest.com/WattersGardenCenter/grapes-4-good-rotary-fundraiser/.

Delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by El Gato Azul and a live auction for things like condos in Austria or Italy, and exclusive golf outings, will be offered in the lush, vibrant setting of the beautiful garden center. The event will feature an evening of wine and live music by Bob Shimizu. Twelve different wines with artisan beers will debut. Event tickets are $80 and can be purchased online and at PrescottFrontierRotary.com.

Prescott Frontier Rotary meets at noon every Tuesday at the Prescott Resort, providing community leaders an opportunity to serve and benefit the entire community. Rotarians promote high ethical standards, fellowship and goodwill globally.

Grapes-4-Good supports education, strong business ethics, better communities, ending polio and improved high school and college leadership skills. The event’s Top Tier sponsor is Lamb Chevrolet.

Come enjoy the garden fun while supporting children in our community! QCBN

SRP to Receive More Renewable Energy from CO Bar Solar

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One of the largest solar projects in the U.S. to operate in 2025.

Salt River Project (SRP) and Clēnera, an Enlight Company, have announced a power purchase agreement for an additional 394 megawatts (MW) of clean energy at CO Bar Solar outside of Flagstaff. This is the second agreement executed between Clēnera and SRP at the CO Bar Solar complex, and with both agreements, SRP has now procured nearly 1,000 MW, or 1 gigawatt (GW), of power from the project. Once operational in 2025, CO Bar Solar will offset more than 4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

“This is not only the largest solar plant in Arizona and one of the largest in the United States, but it will also be the most significant solar resource in SRP’s energy portfolio,” said Jim Pratt, CEO of SRP. “SRP will be quadrupling the amount of utility-scale solar on our power system in just the next two years, with CO Bar Solar as a key part of this. Nearly half of all energy delivered to SRP customers will come from carbon-free resources by the end of 2025.”

CO Bar Solar is a 1.2 GW landmark solar and storage complex being developed by Clēnera, a subsidiary of Enlight Renewable Energy. The project, which is expected to be one of the largest in the United States, will occupy up to 2,400 acres on Babbitt Ranches private land in Coconino County. Construction on CO Bar Solar is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 and is expected to reach commercial operation in phases throughout 2025.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with SRP again on CO Bar Solar and providing them with reliable, clean energy,” said Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight. “CO Bar represents a strategic project in Arizona, serving as a prime example of our approach to greenfield development that capitalizes on sizable interconnection positions.”

Jason Ellsworth, CEO at Clēnera, added: “We are excited to deliver increased access to affordable, clean renewable energy in Arizona. We look forward to a fruitful long-term relationship with SRP, as we continue to develop additional renewable energy projects in the state.”

Over the course of the CO Bar Solar construction timeline, approximately 550 construction jobs will be created, with many being local. Once complete, SRP will receive enough power from this resource to meet the needs of approximately 180,000 average-size homes.

“In our efforts to support the delivery of renewable energy, we acknowledge the terrific and wonderful participation of so many businesses and government entities involved in the process to make this happen,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco. “We appreciate the valuable input from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona State Land Department, Coconino County and everyone involved in the Western CO Bar Legacy Conservation Community for the benefit of future generations.”

SRP officials say the utility has taken significant steps toward decarbonizing its power system while maintaining reliability and affordability. By the end of 2025, SRP expects to have more than 3,000 MW of renewables online. In addition to its renewable resource commitments, SRP has among the largest battery storage investments in the Western U.S., with over 1,100 MW of battery storage projects that will be online by the end of 2024. SRP officials say that with all the utility’s recent strategic resource additions and decisions, SRP is proving to achieve its sustainability goals. More than 75% of SRP’s energy is expected to come from carbon-free resources by the end of 2035. QCBN

Ranching Descendants Doing the Heavy Lifting to Preserve History

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Vibrant Building Solutions saving old homes, keeping material out of landfills.

The same characteristics that pioneered the West, like rugged determination, a strong work ethic and a can-do attitude, are easy to spot in Arizona ranching family descendants Garrett Denny and Vince Fornara. Denny is a fifth generation Prescottonian, whose family raised cattle at the Fort Rock Ranch in Seligman from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Fornara is a third generation Arizonan, whose relatives owned dairy farms in the Verde Valley. Today, the men are business partners, making their own mark in Arizona history with their Prescott-based company, Vibrant Building Solutions, which moves entire houses.

Recently, the men were called upon to work with members of another long-time Arizona ranching family to save a home built around 1920. Helene Babbitt, with her husband, the late Jim Babbitt, owned a historic two-bedroom, one-bath bungalow in downtown Flagstaff. She loved the location, but wanted to build a new home for herself that wouldn’t require a lot of maintenance. She contacted the Townsite Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that preserves historic homes and makes them available through its affordable housing program.

Townsite CLT Executive Director Duffie Westheimer was thrilled with the donation, marking the nonprofit’s sixth historic home. She found a lot for the house nearby, but moving the house would require more support. That’s when she called Vibrant Building Solutions.

“That house was built very well,” said Denny. “It has a very strong structure.”

A Historic Move

After months of preparing and securing the house, Denny, Fornara and team members Anthony Collum and Sean Timlick began the slow and precarious journey of moving it, starting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 28.

“The size of the house wasn’t very big, but the route was very challenging because of how tight the homes and trees were,” said Denny. “The logistics were a bit challenging. At times we had only six or seven inches of space on either side of the house.”

“The movers were just incredible. These people are so talented,” said Helene Babbitt, who watched with nostalgia as Vibrant Building Solutions carefully drove the century-old home off her lot. “The house was stalled for about an hour when they had to move the wheels underneath by hand in order to change the direction of the rig. They did that twice. They were never worried. It was an incredible feat.”

The historic bungalow was delivered safely to West Birch St., only about a mile away from its original location; however, the move took nearly 10 hours.

Honoring an Old House

Through the years, the home had four owners. Members of three of the families came out to witness the move and share memories made in the old house. Among the small gathering were three generations of Babbitts: Helene, her son Charles, along with his wife, Traleigh, and their four daughters, Britania, 7, Isla, 8, Kalista, 14, and Stella, 17, who was born in the house.

“This meant so much to my grandma [Helene],” said Stella Babbitt, who will be attending Arizona State University this fall, working toward her goal of becoming a high school history teacher. “I’m really close to her and I wanted to support her and watch it go. Every time we had family gatherings at their house across the street someone would say, ‘Stella was born in that house!’ Seeing it go felt so unnatural but it’s really good that it will be preserved.”

The home was built by Will and Ann Marlar. “Will was a pharmacist, an undertaker and a state senator,” said Westheimer. “He had a funeral parlor, a dance hall and built an auto garage. He built 20 homes in Flagstaff.”

Around 1924, the Marlars sold the house to Frank and Louise Wolf. Their grandchildren, Martha Wolf Jacobson and her brother, Tom, had fond memories of visits there. The two came out for the move and stayed through the night until it was set down in its new neighborhood at nearly 4 a.m., June 29.

“It was really emotional for me,” said Martha. “My brother and I would spend two weeks every summer there for 15 years while we were growing up. I almost cried when the house was being taken off the lot. I know my grandmother just loved being in Flagstaff.”

In 1974, the home was sold to Eleanor Raudebaugh. “I’ll be honest. When I first saw it being lifted up, it was really, really emotional for me. I have so many wonderful childhood memories spending time there with my grandmother. I lived with her in the summers as she got older.” said Terry Gochanour, Eleanor’s granddaughter.

Gochanour and her mother, Mary Lou Raudebaugh Morrow, happened to drive by the house when it was being prepared for relocation. “It was incredibly heart-warming to learn that it was going to be preserved and brought to the neighborhood where my mother grew up,” said Gochanour. “To see that it’s going to be around forever made my heart very, very happy.”

The house was purchased by the Babbitts in 1995.

Currently, the house is sitting a little higher than the other houses around it. “When the foundation is built, it will look like it’s always been there,” said Westheimer, noting that Marlar built at least one other house on West Birch.

Moving into their Destiny

As a teen in high school, Denny began moving houses with his dad, Gary, in the family business, G.R. Denny and Son Structure Relocators. When the Great Recession hit in 2008, work slowed down in Arizona but the two were needed in Galveston, Texas, to help lift houses that were flooded from Hurricane Ike. They returned to Prescott and new opportunities in 2012.

“Three houses near Prescott High School were going to be torn down,” said Denny. “We found a vacant lot across the street for sale and were able to save two of the houses. That got us started moving houses that were going to be torn down. We’d set them up and rent or sell them.”

When Gary decided to retire, he offered the equipment to Garrett. In 2014, Garrett joined forces with developer and family friend Vince Fornara to create Vibrant Building Solutions. “My father was definitely into the hard work aspect. He still loves that and my partner, Vince, is the same way.”

“I did all of that development above Willow Lake – Vista del Lago and Vista Verde – with another fellow,” said Fornara. “I ran out of property to sell.”

Fornara went to Prescott High School with Gary Denny. “When I met Garrett, he was young and energetic and I wasn’t ready to quit,” he said. “We do a lot of repurposing of old structures. We’ve moved in the vicinity of 30 structures, four of which were school buildings that we remodeled into homes. It was very satisfying to move the George Phippen cabin and porch slab that now rests next to the Phippen Museum.” Phippen was a sculptor and painter who worked in the cabin studio he built in Prescott.

Currently, the team is developing 16 apartment units near Fry’s grocery store in Prescott. Vibrant Building Solutions also provides dumpsters for contractors.

A Rewarding Move

“What’s most rewarding and also most challenging is moving houses,” said Denny. “You see a house sitting on the ground, you pick it up and move it to a different location, set it down and someone can move into it. The majority of the ones we’ve moved are still in use. It feels very good to save these houses and keep them out of the landfill.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Photo by Kay Lyons: Vibrant Building Solutions owners Garrett Denny and Vince Fornara, with office manager Sarafina Fornara, are thrilled to be able to save old homes and structures and make them available for people to live in, while keeping construction materials out of city landfills.