It’s hard to know what to expect from Arizona’s economy in 2023. The labor market remains very tight, with low unemployment, high levels of labor market churn, and a tremendous number of open jobs. But any income gains we are making are more than offset by inflation. Rising mortgage interest rates and low affordability have combined to generate a decline in home sales. But as venture deeper into 2023, one thing is certain: Arizona is filled with brilliant minds and innovative companies that are certain to guide us through any economic storms that come our way. That’s why we created the AZ Big 100: The 100 Arizona commercial real estate companies and people to watch in 2023.
The editorial board for Az Business and AZRE magazines met with Arizona industry leaders to identify the AZ Big 100 for 2023: The 100 people and companies who will shape Arizona’s business community in 2023. Today, meet 50 Arizona businesses to watch in 2023 (in alphabetical order).
AZ Big 100 coverage
Monday, Jan. 16: 25 women business leaders to watch in 2023
Tuesday, Jan. 17: 25 male business leaders to watch in 2023
Wednesday, Jan. 18: 50 commercial real estate companies to watch in 2023
Thursday, Jan. 19: 25 women commercial real estate leaders to watch in 2023
Friday, Jan. 20: 25 male commercial real estate leaders to watch in 2023
Saturday, Jan. 21: 50 Arizona businesses to watch in 2023
72SOLD
Founded by attorney, real estate authority and TV spokesperson Greg Hague, 72SOLD was just recognized as the INC 5000 N. 1 fastest growing real estate firm in Arizona, and among the top 10 fastest-growing real estate firms in America. 72SOLD developed a program for selling a home in 72 hours for thousands more than selling the traditional way. The 72SOLD program has been featured on ABC, CBS, and NBC News, showcased in Forbes, and received several U.S. trademarks.
Achieve
When it comes to major accomplishments in 2022, Achieve has many from which to choose.
“First is the launch of our new Achieve brand,” says Linda Luman, executive vice president, human resources at Achieve. “While we’ve had 20 great years of success as Freedom Financial Network, the name Achieve really embodies our mission, which is to help everyday people reach a better financial future.
“Second is our consistent recognition as a top employer,” Luman continues. “We take such pride in the work that we do, and of always leading with our core values of CARE, whether we are helping a member, a teammate or our communities.”
And that commitment runs deep and is what separates Achieve from its competition.
“Our mission is what makes us unique,” Luman says. “We empower everyday people to move forward on a path to a better financial future. And during times like these when so many people are experiencing the impacts of rising costs, layoffs and this new post-COVID world, we know that we can help. Our people take an empathetic approach to helping our members. They don’t have to worry about AI and bots because we believe in and take a human approach.”
Learn more: achieve.com
Adopt Technologies
As the Valley’s small- and medium-sized business go-to for IT solutions, Adopt Technologies made the Forbes list of America’s Best Management Consulting Firms in 2022 for the third consecutive year. In addition to being part of “Inc.” magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest-growing companies, Adopt has also been recognized as a lifeline for remote, cloud-based services and support during and after the pandemic.
Alerus
To say that Alerus has had a busy year is perhaps an understatement. Among the financial institution’s 2022 wins was the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank. Not only was the transaction the largest bank acquisition in Alerus’ history, but it also marked the 25th acquisition for the organization since 2000.
“[The acquisition] is a great match because we share similar business philosophies and prioritize client service,” says Steve Haggard, Arizona market president at Alerus. “Combining our teams gives clients access to expanded capacity, additional products and services, and personalized financial guidance provided by our expert team members.”
The union of the two financial institutions has made Alerus a market leader in SBA lending and one of the largest deposit market shares among community banks in the Phoenix MSA, according to Haggard.
Additionally, because Alerus specializes in commercial real estate and construction lending, niche areas including HOA lending and outdoor media lending, and local market experience (among other services), the organization has “the capacity to meet almost any need and the expertise to be a long-term financial partner for our clients,” Haggard says.
Above and beyond offering abundant diversified services for its clients, Alerus also places priority in providing a client-centric approach, driven by a core fundamental belief “to do the right thing for its clients.”
“This fosters a culture of service, integrity and personalized service that sets us apart from competitors,” Haggard explains. “And while our roots are in community banking, we have the breadth and depth of products and services comparable to the largest institutions. All of this, combined with our exceptionally talented team, allows us to uniquely serve our clients and be the financial partner they need to achieve their short- and long-term goals.”
As for 2023, the forecast for Alerus is bright, according to Haggard — perhaps even more so — than the prior year.
“Our outlook for Alerus in 2023 is optimistic and is focused on strengthening existing relationships and continuing to expand our presence by providing the right mix of products and services that help clients navigate challenges and plan for long-term success.”
Alliance Bank of Arizona
From providing a host of banking services and solutions, from Commercial Real Estate & Construction, healthcare and professional services to restaurants and nonprofits, Alliance Bank of Arizona continues its legacy as a premier financial institution. NAIOP Arizona bestowed “Lender of the Year,” to the organization as part of its 2022 Best of NAIOP awards.
Amkor
Amkor Technology is one of the world’s largest providers of high-quality semiconductor packaging and test services. Founded in 1968, Amkor pioneered the outsourcing of IC packaging and test and is a strategic manufacturing partner for the world’s leading semiconductor companies, foundries and electronics OEMs.
Amkor’s broad package portfolio and technology leadership offer its customers semiconductor and test solutions to enable 5G, artificial intelligence, automotive, communications, computing, consumer, industrial, IoT and networking products. Products range from traditional leadframe ICs for through-hole and surface mounting to the latest chip scale packages (CSP) and ball grid array (BGA) solutions required in high pin count and high-density applications. Amkor’s diverse portfolio includes stacked die, wafer level, MEMS and sensors, flip chip, Through Silicon Via (TSV) and 2.5/3D packaging, allowing us to be a single source for many of our customers. We fulfill total semiconductor packaging requirements from legacy devices to System in Package (SiP) solutions. The availability of high-quality packaging services allows customers to focus their resources on semiconductor design and wafer fabrication while utilizing Amkor as their packaging technology innovator and test partner.
Services include package design and development, wafer probe and package test, wafer bumping and redistribution, package assembly and final test. Amkor provides complete end-of-line services up to and including final shipping. Engineering services offer best-in-class thermal, electrical and mechanical modeling and characterization as well as design automation. Test engineering services range from test program development to full product characterization of packaged RF, mixed signal, logic and memory devices.
Amkor’s flexible supply chain includes production facilities, product development centers and sales and support offices located in key electronics manufacturing regions in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Amkor’s operations encompass production facilities, product development centers, sales and support offices strategically located in key electronics manufacturing regions.
Learn more: amkor.com
Arizona Diamondbacks
In addition to home runs on the field, the Diamondbacks continue to have grand-slam impacts for fans and their “D-backs Give Back” program. This year, the MLB franchise achieved status as the No. 1 most affordable fan experience throughout the organization and through its charitable program, has collectively contributed more than $75 million to nonprofit organizations and charitable programs across Arizona.
Arizona Film and Digital Media Coalition
Tinseltown is about 400 miles west of Phoenix, but a new law will have Hollywood producers looking east to film their next blockbuster hit. Arizona legislators created a tax credit for the television and film industry to incentivize production in the Grand Canyon State.
The Arizona Motion Picture Production Program will begin in 2023 with $75 million in tax credits and will reach its cap at $125 million in 2025. The incentives are awarded as a percentage based off the total costs of production: 15% for projects up to $10 million, 17.5% for companies that spend between $10 million and $35 million, and 20% for expenditures in excess of $35 million.
“That’s the initial base,” explains Stephen Nebgen, entertainment lawyer and president of the Arizona Film and Digital Media Coalition, at an Oct. 11, 2022, panel discussion.
“If you use Arizona labor,” he continues, “you get another 2.5%. If you use a qualified production facility [in Arizona] you get another 2.5%. And then, if you have a long-term tenant — for example, a TV series — then you get another 2.5%.”
Other states, such as California and Georgia, also have similar incentives available for filmmakers. Peter Catalanotte, director of Film Tucson, says that New Mexico attracts so many productions to the state because of its generous tax credits.
“The only reason ‘Breaking Bad’ takes place in New Mexico is because of tax incentives. The original script was set in Santa Maria, but the producers wanted to find a way to save money, so they took out any references to Santa Maria and put in New Mexico,” Catalanotte notes. “There’s no reason why they couldn’t have filmed in Phoenix or Tucson.”
The lack of incentives has historically made it difficult for productions to choose Arizona to film, especially with California and New Mexico nearby. Before it was cut during the Great Recession, Arizona did have an incentive program, though Nebgen describes it as “flawed” and ultimately ineffectual. Still, Arizona has been represented on the silver screen in movies such as “Raising Arizona,” “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
Catalanotte adds that J.J. Abrams, co-creator of “LOST” and director of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” recently shot a pilot episode for a new TV series called “Duster” in Tucson. At the time, COVID-19 restrictions were lifting, and productions were flocking to New Mexico, but “Duster” ended up filming in Tucson due to the backlog of projects in the Land of Enchantment.
“[The production] only did the pilot, partially because we didn’t have incentives,” Catalanotte concludes. “Our hope is when [the Arizona Motion Picture Production Program] kicks in, we will get more projects such as “Duster” — and I think we will based on the phone calls I’m getting from a lot of major studios who want to come to Arizona.”
Bell Bank
When you talk with Kyle Kennedy about 2022, he is quick with an answer.
“We are most proud of how we’ve continued to grow in the Phoenix metro area, specifically the key talent that we were able to attract during 2022,” says the president and Phoenix/Arizona banking director for Bell Bank. “Our culture is built around team members and leaders we consider to be the region’s top bankers. Our teams thrive on helping customers grow, whether through personal accounts and guidance, or financing and services for businesses and organizations. Best of all, we know helping our customers creates opportunities that make our neighborhoods and communities even better places to work and do business.”
That foundation of strength is what keeps Kennedy optimistic heading into 2023.
“While the economy poses obvious challenges, Bell Bank has continued to thrive because banking with us is truly a different experience – with people who get to know you personally and understand what you’re looking for,” he says. “We have found that having a true relationship is even more important for customers in a down economy, and so we are preparing for strong growth in 2023 despite a potential downturn.”
Kennedy says his staff finds it equally important to take care of the community as people’s needs increase in a recession.
“That’s why we are so proud to partner with Champions like Larry Fitzgerald and Chef Mark Tarbell, who help connect people and make our community stronger,” he says. “Those connections help us expand the ways we Pay It Forward by giving back to the communities we serve.”
Learn more: bell.bank
Banner Health
Banner continues growing to meet the healthcare needs of Arizona residents. The healthcare system is building a new, comprehensive hospital and medical center in Buckeye, the first new hospital since the nonprofit health care system opened its 13th hospital in Metro Phoenix — Banner Ocotillo Medical Center in Chandler in November 2020.
Bluum
Bluum empowers educators with technology solutions that improve learning and make it more accessible, assisting more than 26 million students grow and flourish. The Phoenix-based company ranked 1,310 on the Inc. 5000 list for 2022, which ranks the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Burch & Cracchiolo
Known for its longevity and strong ties to Arizona, Burch & Cracchiolo is brimming with plans for the future. Now located in a state-of-the-art office, our 40 attorneys are leaders in the areas of business and corporate law, commercial litigation, construction, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and reorganization, criminal defense, estate and wealth preservation planning, family law, labor and employment, insurance defense, personal injury litigation, real estate law, zoning and land use and taxation. Since 1970, Burch & Cracchiolo has been providing stellar legal services at reasonable rates.
In addition to outstanding legal service, Burch & Cracchiolo is known for its philanthropy and deep commitment to the non-profit and economic development community in Arizona, sponsoring campaigns, events and providing volunteers for numerous organizations.
Serving corporate, governmental and individual clients throughout the Southwest and nationally, Burch & Cracchiolo is known for outstanding and cost-effective representation that emphasizes client objectives and reasonable rates. In order to better serve clients nationally and internationally, Burch & Cracchiolo is a member of Primerus, an international alliance of 200 law firms from over 40 countries around the world.
Learn more: bcattorneys.com
Cancer Treatment Centers of America Phoenix
CTCA, part of City of Hope, offers an integrated approach that combines surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and advancements in precision medicine with supportive therapies to manage side effects and enhance quality of life during treatment and into survivorship.
Copperpoint Insurance Companies
Founded in 1925, CopperPoint — led by President and CEO Marc Schmittlein — is a leading provider of workers’ compensation and commercial property and casualty insurance solutions with a growing 26-state footprint. It has $5.1 billion in total assets and an enterprise surplus of approximately $1.6 billion.
Cox Communications
Cox’s high-speed internet service was recognized by Ookla Speedtest as offering America’s fastest internet download speeds in the second quarter of 2022. According to consumer-initiated tests taken with Ookla Speedtest, Cox led among U.S. internet service providers with median download speeds of 196.73 Mbps.
Eller College of Management
U.S. News & World Report ranked University of Arizona Eller College of Management No. 30 in the overall ranking of the nation’s best business programs in 2022. UArizona’s undergraduate program for management information systems ranked No. 5 overall and No. 3 among public universities.
Emerge
Emerge, the leading freight procurement platform, was ranked No.12 on the Deloitte North America Technology Fast 500 for 2022, an annual ranking of the fastest-growing North American companies in the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech sectors.
FirstBank
FirstBank continued growth in assets, deposits, and income in 2022. At the end of June, FirstBank’s Arizona division saw total assets climb to $1.5 billion, up 41 percent from the same period in 2021. Total deposits were $1.4 billion, exceeding last year’s second quarter total by 39 percent.
Footprint
Footprint, whose mission is to create a healthier planet and healthier people through the elimination of single-use plastics, is the official green partner of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee. With the support of NFL Green, plans are in place to mitigate the environmental impact of Super Bowl LVII.
Frazer Ryan Goldberg & Arnold
Widely respected for dedication to private client matters, Frazer Ryan’s 26 attorneys are organized as service-specific teams that provide peer-recognized insight, depth, and skill in the firm’s six core areas: Estate planning, tax controversy, trust and estate controversies, business law, and elder law.
Goldberg & Osborne
The firm’s unwavering commitment to provide its clients with the highest quality legal representation has been the catalyst for its success. Goldberg & Osborne’s mission is to “protect and preserve the rights of injured people and guide them in their pursuit of justice.”
Helios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation has given $1.85 million to the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation to support efforts to improve outcomes for Latino students at six schools in the Valley. The grant will pay for resources at colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District that are designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions, or HSIs, by the federal government because their student population is at least 25% Hispanic.
HonorHealth
In 2022, HonorHealth, a leading Valley healthcare system serving 1.6 million people in the greater Phoenix and Scottsdale area, opened its latest healthcare facility, HonorHealth Complete Care, in Surprise. The healthcare organization also launched the Women’s Heart Health Program at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center.
Hospice of the Valley
The Dementia Care and Education Campus, an innovation of Hospice of the Valley, received a contract award from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to address the rising incidence of Alzheimer’s — which impacts more than 6 million Americans a year — and other dementias in our community.
IBG Fox & Fin
IBG Fox & Fin gets businesses sold, facilitating sales of private companies up to $150 million. Business owners seeking top dollar in the sale of their company benefit from IBG Fox & Fin’s experience, including an 86% deal-closing rate, which is more than three times the M&A industry average.
Insight
Insight Way, Insight’s new global headquarters in Chandler, opened in 2022. The more than 200,000-square-foot innovation hub emphasizes collaboration via 83 meeting spaces, and mobility through technology that allows Insight’s 1,400 Arizona teammates to transition effortlessly between collaborative teamwork in the office and individual work at home.
Intel
Arizona is Intel’s U.S. manufacturing powerhouse and is vital to Intel’s ability to create the world-changing technology we all depend on – all while building on the company commitment to corporate responsibility. Intel is currently investing $20 billion in two new state-of-the-art factories, creating thousands of new jobs.
Kyocera Solar
Scottsdale-based Kyocera is one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of solar photovoltaic modules and systems. With a 37-year history of innovation in solar technology, the company is recognized as an industry pioneer and has set repeated world records in multicrystalline silicon cell efficiency.
Lectric eBikes
Lectric eBikes, the brand behind the country’s best-selling e-bike model, has been named to the Inc. 2022 Best in Business list in the Consumer Products category. Inc.’s Best in Business Awards honor companies that have made an extraordinary impact in their fields and on society.
Lovitt & Touché
Lovitt & Touché has always taken great pride in its dedication to community stewardship, focusing on enriching Phoenix-area and Tucson communities. This dedication has — and continues — to yield successful outcomes for the tight-knit team members of Lovitt & Touché.
“This past year marked our continued commitment to our communities,” says James Jorgensen, senior vice president and director of commercial sales for Lovitt & Touché, “hosting monthly volunteer events including food drives, food banks and benefiting various charitable organizations.”
According to Jorgensen, 2022 also manifested accomplishments that include overall business growth as well as obtaining new clients and talent.
“We look forward to continuing the great performance [in 2023] that has been the standard since our founding in 1911,” he says. “That starts with our focus on investing and hiring top talent as part of our goal to further grow our business. We also are looking forward to serving our clients in the best way possible.”
And even with challenging capital markets, increasing interest rates and other potential blips ahead, Lovitt & Touché’s team remains steadfast. “We see this as an opportunity to bring innovative solutions and cost-saving strategies to our clients who may need us now more than ever,” Jorgensen says.
National Bank of Arizona
Leaders at National Bank of Arizona say they are reinventing banking. Each day, NB|AZ employees strive to transform new ideas into intelligent solutions. NB|AZ approaches every opportunity with creative, forward-thinking strategies to help its clients stay ahead of the curve.
Onsemi
For over 60 years, onsemi and its ancestors have been leading the world’s greatest technology advancements. The Phoenix campus is the global headquarters of onsemi. The facilities in Phoenix were established as part of Motorola in 1952 before ON Semiconductor was spun out of Motorola in 1999.
OneAZ Credit Union
OneAZ was named No. 4 on the 2022 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America by Healthiest Employers for its investment in the health and wellbeing of its employees. This award honors the organizations that are demonstrating care for their people by investing in health and well-being solutions and initiatives.
Optum Arizona
In line with its mission to help people live healthier lives, Optum opened its doors in November to a new community center designed to be a neighborhood hub for people 55 and older in Mesa. The new center joins four others located across the Metro Phoenix area, along with one in Tucson.
Paradigm Laboratories
Phoenix-based Paradigm is a state-of-the-art laboratory with expertise in all aspects of molecular laboratory testing, processing, and reporting services. Paradigm is at the forefront of creating innovative testing processes for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing that creates a seamless process for delivering information to front-line healthcare providers and patients.
Petsmart
Phoenix-based PetSmart is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives.
Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix Raceway’s reputation as a world-class, championship-caliber facility received a major boost when NASCAR announced that the track would host Championship Weekend again in 2023. The motorsport track currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually, one of 13 facilities on the NASCAR schedule to host more than one race weekend a year. Phoenix International Raceway was originally built in 1964 around the Estrella Mountains.
Qwick
Phoenix-based Qwick is the technology-enabled leader in staffing for hospitality businesses and freelancers. Solely dedicated to serving those who serve us in the hospitality field, Qwick empowers businesses to staff flexibly and fill shifts with qualified freelancers on demand while giving them the freedom to work on their own schedules and get paid the same day.
Radix Law
Radix Law is the first multi-lawyer traditional law firm in the United States with a combination of lawyer and non-lawyer owners. More commonly known as an Alternative Business Structure, the Arizona Supreme Court approved Radix under this model, which modernizes and revolutionizes the conventional law firm structure.
SRP
SRP continued development at the Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center in Florence, which includes a utility-scale advanced solar generation facility capable of generating up to 55 megawatts (MW) of solar energy, or enough to power approximately 12,000 homes. This is the first utility-scale solar asset in SRP’s portfolio that SRP self-develops, owns and operates.
Taylor Morrison
As one of the first national homebuilders to venture into the build-to-rent market three years ago, Taylor Morrison is continuing its commitment to the space with an unveiling of its new brand name, Yardly. Taylor Morrison is currently sourcing build-to-rent land in nearly half of its operating markets, including Phoenix.
The CORE Instutute
The CORE Institute was founded to deliver the best in orthopedic and neurological care, and built upon a foundation of pioneering research, academics and community service. Today, The CORE Institute is one of the premier patient care destinations in the world.
The Maggiore Group
Scottsdale-based The Maggiore Group has formed a partnership with Savory Fund that will help the restaurant group grow from three locations of The Sicilian Butcher and The Sicilian Baker to nearly 20 new units in Arizona and beyond in the next four years.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
TriWest Healthcare Alliance was formed in 1996 as the only company of its kind, with one sole purpose that continues today – serving the healthcare needs of the military and Veteran communities. For 17 years, TriWest administered the Department of Defense TRICARE program.
University of Arizona’s Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining
In November, Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education analysis company ranked UArizona Mining Engineering program No. 4 among the most impactful research universities in the world. But, the College of Engineering – Mining and Geological Engineering program, isn’t the only UArizona mining entity to gain widespread attention. The Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining (CESM) also made waves this fall, after hosting the Applied Industry Research & Information Sharing Program.
CESM, which develops research and educational initiatives intended to improve the environmental sustainability of mining, united academic and industry partners alongside government agencies for the day-long, collaborative conference.
“We had people there from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the BLM, U.S Forest Service and a number of different Industries — and not just hard rock mining — we had representatives from the rough products industry, so the cement and aggregate industry as well,” says Julie Neilson, associate research professor and director of the Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining at UArizona.
University of Phoenix
In 2021, the University of Phoenix created the University of Phoenix Career Institute® to address broad, persistent and systemic barriers to career advancement. Through this research-based initiative, expanded in 2022 to include perspectives from employers to identify actual and perceived gaps of resources and understanding between workers and employers, the higher education institute continues to positively impact its students.
“We have an ongoing commitment to underserved and underrepresented communities which is reflected in our 79,800 students, who form a diverse group of individuals united by their common drive to succeed and to develop themselves professionally,” explains says John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer at University of Phoenix.
According to Woods, 70% of University of Phoenix students are female, more than half report as ethnic minorities, the average student is 38 years old, 63% care for dependents, nearly 60% are first generation college students and 80% of students are employed while in school.
Moving into 2023, the university intends to continue its commitment to providing accessible, equitable, and diverse education. “Our priority is — and will continue to be — better serving non-traditional, adult students who are seeking a flexible, supportive environment in which they can expand and enhance their skill sets and achieve their professional and personal goals,” Woods says.
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona
In September 2022, the UCP Laura Dozer Center in North Phoenix received a remarkable addition. As the result of a close to $300,000 investment from United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Arizona, the facility was able to install the Aretech ZeroG Gait and Balance System. This innovative technology utilizes a robotic weight support system mounted on an overhead track. The user is fitted with a harness that attaches to the overhead unit, enabling patients to safely experience rehabilitative activities — like practicing walking, balancing and climbing stairs.
“The way it’s designed, it has sensors, and we can set it to be able to actually lift weight up off the child for them to be able to work on these skills,” explains Valerie Pieraccini, director of Therapy Programs and the Early Learning Center, UCP of Central Arizona.
The Aretech robotic-assisted technology is a game-changer not only for UCP, but also for many local Arizona families who can benefit from its therapeutic and rehabilitative capabilities. According to UCP, “cerebral palsy is the most common motor disorder in childhood; one out of 345 children are born with the disorder each year.” Additionally, 41% of children with cerebral palsy are limited in their ability to crawl, walk, run and play. The ZeroG Gait and Balance System opens the door for these children to safely experience these activities.
“If you can get a child up and out, and be able to have some type of mobility, there is a whole benefit of simply being able to move around your own house or be able to administer self-care,” Pieraccini says. “But even thinking about getting a child to be able to be out in their community, to be able to participate in adaptive sports really moves the child’s needle forward in their independence and ability to participate in life and in their community.”
For several children, the Aretech ZeroG Gait and Balance System is the first time they’ve ever experienced being hands-free — without having to rely upon the aid of a walker or cane. According to Pieraccini, it’s also the first time many children have been able to hold a parent’s hand, play and move freely without an assistive device.
“One of our first little guys [to use the ZeroG system] — Sebastian, one of our ambassadors — got on it, and he kind of looked around because he’s used to walking with walker,” Pieraccini says. “His mom put a Superman cape on him, because it was a big deal, and he exclaimed, ‘I’m walking! And I’m Superman. I am Superman, walking.’
“The story of ZeroG,” Pieraccini continues, “is embedded in the bigger picture of really realizing we need to carry the torch of our name. My co-chair, Dr. Michael Kruer from Phoenix Children’s Hospital, who’s a leading geneticist in our nation and has walked this journey with me for a long time, whispered in my ear at the ZeroG ribbon cutting, ‘I’m very excited for Arizona. I am very excited for what we can do and how we can change it for these kids.’”
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare’s Surest offers a new approach to health benefits that removes deductibles and provides clear upfront pricing information to people in advance of treatment. Surest, introduced initially in 2016 as Bind, has the fastest growth rate among UnitedHealthcare’s employer-sponsored plans.
University of Advancing Technology
UAT is focused on educating students in advancing technology to innovate our future. With Synchronic Learning, students can leave their state school cohorts in the dust and graduate in less than three years. Founded in 1983, UAT integrates technology into its general education requirements.
Wallace Plese + Dreher
Wallace Plese + Dreher was awarded and recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2021. In total, 250 companies were awarded the title of America’s Best Tax Firm 2021 and 200 companies were awarded the title of America’s Best Accounting Firm 2021.
