Host
Matt Nelson: Senior Vice President, Crest Insurance Group
Matt is a Senior Vice President at Crest Insurance Group in Tucson, consulting with companies to identify and implement insurance, risk management, and employee benefits solutions. With more than 15 years of industry experience, he has served as a keynote speaker on the healthcare industry, leadership, workplace culture, and risk management for professional organizations throughout Southern Arizona, including the City of Tucson, Greater Tucson Leadership, the Financial Executives and Affiliates of Tucson, and the CEO Roundtable of Tucson.
Matt is an active member in the Tucson community, having served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Arizona Army National Guard and volunteering with multiple local organizations, including as Treasurer and a Big Brother with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, a volunteer with the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Chair of the Pima County JTED’s Business and Industry Council, a builder with Habitat for Humanity and many other local youth charities.
Email: mnelson@crestins.com
Phone: 520.784.7636
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mattrnelson2
Fintrepid Solutions Tucson is a consulting firm that specializes in providing businesses with strategic operational finance and accounting support. Fintrepid focuses on businesses that face challenges due to growth, exit options, mergers and acquisitions, and many other areas. Matt's guest is CPA Partner of Fintrepid.
Personal Bio ~ Jenaya Parise Carter
Partner, CPA - Fintrepid Solutions (520) 415-0188)
Jenaya is a seasoned business executive, consultant and accounting expert with deep ties to the Tucson community through education, training and community service.
She graduated from Salpointe Catholic and completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of Arizona's Eller College and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Southern California. An active volunteer and equestrian, she and her husband Sam are proud parents to their two children.
Prior to joining Fintrepid Solutions in 2019, Jenaya had 10 years of public accounting experience with a specialty in financial reporting, technical accounting, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, internal controls and processes, significant non-routine transactions, budgeting and financial models, and complex project management and execution.
While in public accounting, Jenaya worked on public and private companies and her primary industries included real estate and construction, investment funds, manufacturing, non-for-profit, mining, and airlines. Jenaya became a partner in 2021 and her diverse background brings a new perspective on financial management and operational best practices.
Fintrepid Solutions is a consulting firm that specializes in providing businesses with strategic operational finance and accounting support. Fintrepid focuses on businesses that face challenges due to growth, exit options, mergers and acquisitions, and many other areas. Fintrepid exists to help their clients navigate those challenges, providing clarity and confidence so they can grow boldly
Matt's longtime friend and business associate Howard Stewart President/CEO of AGM Container Controls in this episode share his successes and losses in business and how his company structure, training and support system is envied throughout Southern Arizona.
ABOUT ~ Howard N. Stewart
Howard Stewart is President/CEO of AGM Container Controls , a Tucson company employing more than 115 people.
He also served as the 2019 Co-Chair of the American Heart Association's Heart and Stroke Ball and as the Tocqueville Society Chair (2015-2018) for the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA), and as a board member (2015-2018).
Howard also serves as a board member for the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the President’s Council for San Miguel High School.
AGM Container Controls is a Tucson-based company manufacturing environmental control hardware for missiles and other sensitive equipment. AGM also manufactures world’s premier vertical wheelchair lift, which provides access to elevation changes in public facilities and residences for individuals with disabilities.
The company was founded in 1955 as Arizona Gear and Manufacturing by Roger and Joyce Stewart, and is one of a few employee-owned companies in its segment. In 2009, AGM was recognized with the national U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “America’s Best Small Business of the Year” award.
Company / Organization Website URL:
https://www.agmcontainer.com/about-agm/
Company or Guest LinkedIn URL:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/agm-container-controls/
Company / Org Facebook Page URL:
https://www.facebook.com/AGMContainerControls
Other? Any special notes?
https://www.youtube.com/user/agmcontainer
(520) 462-0912 Company Phone
Matt dives into Big Brothers Little Sisters with Veronica Saiz, Director of Corporate Engagement and Special Events. They discuss charity, service and how that relates to workplace culture.
Bio ~ Veronica Saiz
Director of Corporate Engagement and Special Events
Tucson-Native. Attended TUSD for primary school before enrolling at Sierra Middle School and graduating from Sunnyside High School in 2000. Attended the University of Arizona for freshman year of college and then transferred to a private college for Interior Design to earn an Associates.
Married mother of a son and daughter with two bonus sons and one grandson.
Worked for 7 years at a local Interior Design Firm. Transitioned to event/ wedding planning. In order to gain more experience, volunteered for committee work for a large golf tournament fundraiser and was hooked - Non Profit event planning and fundraising became the new passion and purpose.
Worked for various nonprofits both as staff and contracted until finding the way to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona is a one-to-one youth mentoring organization that has served Tucson and surrounding communities since 1963, helping children realize their potential and build their future.
As the Director of Corporate Engagement and Special Events, Veronica oversees the agency's three major fundraising events, event sponsors, program partners and supports hundreds of fundraising/ event participants. In addition, Veronica works with local organizations, businesses, and corporations to provide the opportunity to support youth mentoring in a way that is impactful and fulfilling to both the investor in the agency.
Company / Organization Website URL:
www.soazbigs.org
Company or Guest LinkedIn URL:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/soazbigs/
Company or Guest Twitter URL:
https://twitter.com/soazbigs
Company / Org Facebook Page URL:
https://www.facebook.com/soazbigs
Company/Org Messenger:
https://www.tiktok.com/@soazbigs
The Catholic University of America is a national research university with 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 250 academic programs on a residential campus in the heart of Washington, D.C. In fall 2020, The Catholic University of America launched its innovative new BA in Management program in Tucson. Matt goes in-depth with Keiran Roche M.ED, MA ED.
About Keiran Roche:
Keiran Roche, M.ED, MA Ed is the lead Program Director in Tucson for The Catholic University of America. He holds two Master’s Degrees from The University of Notre Dame and has been in educational leadership roles spanning two continents. His most recent venture was founding a consulting business that supports Catholic education in Arizona. Born and raised in Australia, Keiran, is a transformer, a trailblazer, and a passionate Catholic.
An educator at heart, Keiran has been a Catholic elementary school principal, instructional team member for the Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame, and started his career as a junior high social studies and religion classroom teacher. Over a four-year period as principal, he transformed an elementary school on the verge of closure into a thriving community. Keiran was subsequently the pioneering Regional Director for the Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Academies, leading efforts locally in Tucson while collaborating with a network of eleven schools across the country.
The Catholic University of America is a national research university with 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 250 academic programs on a residential campus in the heart of Washington, D.C. In fall 2020, The Catholic University of America launched its innovative new BA in Management program in Tucson. Directed by the University’s Metropolitan School of Professional Studies and delivered locally in partnership with Pima Community College (PCC), with the goal of providing students the highest quality, most affordable, locally embedded education possible.
The University has worked with over 300 members of the community to customize this program for Tucson. Local supporters include the mayor of Tucson, the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, and key business and school leaders. Additionally, the University has formed a local employer network to help students build bridges to local businesses through internships to prepare students for the future of work.
Company / Organization Website URL: https://www.catholic.edu/tucson/index.html
Company or Guest LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keiran-roche-m-ed-79083a175/
Company or Guest Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/CatholicUniv
Company / Org Facebook Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/CatholicUniversity
Matt has a great interview with Chris Gordon Vice President-Employee Benefits Consultant for Crest insurance. Chris spent time in England and Australia before settling back in their hometown Tucson with his English bride.
About Chris Gordon
A Tucson native, Chris returned to the community after graduating from Northern Arizona University and living overseas in England.
Chris Gordon is a Vice President and Employee Benefits consultant with Crest Insurance Group, where he has been advising clients since 2012. With nearly 20 years of industry experience across both large, publicly-traded consultancies as well as Tucson-owned and headquartered Crest, he has worked with companies and non-profit organizations throughout the region to maintain regulatory compliance and provide attractive recruiting and retention strategies to their workforce.
A Tucson native, Chris returned to the community after graduating from Northern Arizona University and living overseas in England. Married with two daughters, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys upland bird and big game hunting, fishing, hiking, and scuba diving.
Crest Insurance is the largest locally-owned and operated insurance brokerage in Southern Arizona, and one of the top-100 insurance agencies in the United States. Recognized as an industry leader with offices in Arizona, California, and Colorado, their experienced insurance experts provide cost-effective solutions for the complex industries that drive our local economy.
In addition to assisting businesses throughout the Southwest with their commercial insurance, workers compensation, and employee health insurance plans, Crest's team is also happy to assist its Tucson neighbors with personal coverage including homeowners, auto, and life insurance.
www.crestins.com/covid-resources/
cgordon@crestins.com
(520) 784-7651
Matt goes in-depth on how the foodservice business featuring a Tucson Icon Merit Foods of Arizona has delivered through the Pandemic period along with Vice President of Crest Insurance Brett Rustand an Ex-Black Hawk Pilot.
Merit Foods aims to be the best local independent broad-line Food Distribution Company serving Arizona.
About Matt Sadowsky
Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Matt Sadowsky turned his passion for food into a career by purchasing Merit Foods of Arizona in 1998 from his father Mort. He enjoys working with his family - including a brother, daughter, brother-in-law, and future son-in-law among Merit's team. In addition to a passion for local, independent food and restauranteurs, he is an avid mountain biker supporting Tucson's amazing cycling scene through Merit, a skier, kayaker, and proud husband and father.
Matt turned his passion for food into a career by purchasing Merit Foods of Arizona in 1998 from his father Mort. He is the leading example of running a family-owned and operated business. As the president of Merit Foods, he has a strong emphasis on relationships with his community and his focus is solely on the growth and prosperity of Arizona. Starting with 7 loyal employees in 1998, Merit has enjoyed substantial growth and now has well over 100 team members.
Merit Foods aims to be the best local independent broad-line Food Distribution Company serving Arizona. As an alternative to the large national broad-line distributors, Merit strives to go the extra mile for their customers and enhance their business through strong partnerships, personal sales to customer relations, complimentary marketing, and consulting services, and competitive pricing resulting in mutual growth. Not only do they support Arizona Restaurants, but they are also open to the public for will-call pickups at their Tucson warehouse.
Website: https://www.meritfoods.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/meritfoods
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meritfoodsofarizona
About Brett Rustand
After graduating from BYU, Brett commissioned in the United States Army as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot, ultimately attaining the rank of Captain. He served as a company commander with the 101st Airborne through duty stations both stateside and abroad in Korea, including tours in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Brett is a Vice President at Crest Insurance Group in Tucson, where he has consulted for over a decade with local businesses on commercial insurance and enterprise risk management. A graduate of Brigham Young University in International Relations, his progression into the risk management and insurance industry was a bit unconventional, but ultimately a perfect fit for his leadership, risk management, and operations experience.
A husband and father as well as veteran, Brett has been very active in the community around education and veteran mental health issues, including as a board member of the Arizona Department of Veteran’s Services, a graduate of both Greater Tucson Leadership and the Flinn-Brown Leadership Academy, and finally on the boards of Community Partners, Inc. and the Arizona Fisher House.
Crest Insurance is the largest locally-owned and operated insurance brokerage in Southern Arizona, and one of the top-100 insurance agencies in the United States. Recognized as an industry leader with offices in Arizona, California, and Colorado, their experienced insurance experts provide cost-effective solutions for the complex industries that drive our local economy.
In addition to assisting businesses throughout the Southwest with their commercial insurance, workers compensation, and employee health insurance plans, Crest's team is also happy to assist its Tucson neighbors with personal coverage including homeowners, auto, and life insurance.
Please provide 8-10 questions that you would like to make sure I do not forget to ask you about your business! (i.e. further clarification, promotion or products/services, or new press releases, etc.) Thank you.
Website: www.crestins.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-rustand-0b17977/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrestInsurance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrestInsuranceGroup/
Brett Rustand
Vice President
Crest Insurance Group
Company Phone: (520) 881-5760
Email: brustand@crestins.com
Matt interviews a fellow Crest Executive Cristina Baena
Cristina is President of the Employee Benefits Division at Crest Insurance Group.
She also plays a mean round of golf having played for the University of Arizona and
became part of NCAA Women’s Golf National Championship team in 2000.
BIO - Cristina Baena
Cristina is President of the Employee Benefits division at Crest Insurance Group.
In 2014, she joined Crest as an Account Manager and her roles quickly evolved to include business development, representing clients as a Benefits Consultant, becoming a Partner, and now a division President. Today, she oversees a team of 60 professionals over three states while handling benefits consulting for a select group of companies.
Originally from Colombia, Cristina came to the U.S. in 1997 to play golf for the University of Arizona and became part of NCAA Women’s Golf National Championship team in 2000. She earned her BS degree in General Business and Marketing from University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management in 2003.
After competing professionally in several golf tours, Cristina changed course and worked for Tucson Conquistadores in the nonprofit sector. Passionate about community involvement, she supports the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, San Miguel High School, and the Easter Seals Blake Foundation—to name a few. She has two children, Ben, 11, and Daniela, 9.
Website: www.crestins.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crest-insurance-formerly-bbva-compass-/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrestInsurance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrestInsuranceGroup/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrestInsurance
Brendan Lyons has been named “Hometown Hero” by Davis Monthan AFB & the USAF Thunderbirds, honored as one of Tucson’s Top 40 under 40, as well as named “Dedication-Recipient” & “Man-of-the-Year” for El Tour de Tucson, selected among his peers for the Brig. General Ronald L. Kurth Award for Leadership of his Greater Tucson Leadership 2017 Class. Matt talks with this Honorary Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for Commitment to ideals of Leadership & Service.
BIO - Brendan Lyons CAW
Brendan Lyons is one of Southern Arizona’s most recognizable personalities, and a veritable renaissance man of civic involvement. Public service, civic involvement, politics, and non-profit volunteering are just a few of his contributions to the Tucson community, and if you ask him, he’s just getting started. Brendan’s journey into public service began when he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter.
As a public safety advocate, he became concerned about distracted driving after responding to far too many crashes. In 2012, he launched “LOOK! Save A Life” in Southern Arizona. A year later, he tragically became a statistic of the very message he was advocating; struck from behind by a distracted motorist while bicycling. As he recovered, he threw himself into advocating for tougher laws against distracted driving, putting pressure on local jurisdictions throughout the state to adopt policies to make our roads safer.
In April 2019, the advocacy he’d been championing over six years was instrumental in convincing lawmakers to pass a statewide law on distracted driving. Brendan holds a Masters in Public Administration with a focus in Collaborative Governance. As a graduate student, he served as President of the Public Affairs Student Association through the School of Government and Public Policy. As honorary commander at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, he is an advocate for all of our service members and recognizes this installation as a vital economic driver in Southern Arizona.
Brendan has been named “Hometown Hero” by Davis Monthan AFB & the USAF Thunderbirds, honored as one of Tucson’s Top 40 under 40, as well as named “Dedication-Recipient” & “Man-of-the-Year” for El Tour de Tucson, selected among his peers for the Brig. General Ronald L. Kurth Award for Leadership of his Greater Tucson Leadership 2017 Class. He is an Honorary Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for Commitment to ideals of Leadership & Service.
LOOK! Save a Life is an established 501(c)3 non-profit organization. No cyclist wants to be struck by a vehicle and no driver truly wants to hit a cyclist, let alone kill someone. We recognize that safety is everyone’s responsibility. By promoting awareness to cyclists and motorists, providing cycling safety education, and having an active part in the community; we hope to humanize all road users by creating a more respectful relationship among all who utilize public byways. Through awareness, suffering will be alleviated, injuries avoided, and lives will be saved.
Section 6: How Would You Like Our Listeners to Connect with You?
Company / Organization Website URL: https://www.looksavealife.org/
Company or Guest LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blyonsaz/
Company or Guest Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/LOOKSaveaLifeAZ
Company / Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/LOOKSaveALife/
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/look_save_a_life/
Company YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZcz4c9quX2GgFbz-6EabHw
An affordable top-up for complete coverage?
Meet the founders and get the facts!
Since its inception in October 2017, Nice Healthcare (one of Agility Innovation Partners’ key initiatives) has focused on making primary care affordable and accessible to people who historically have not had access to care, either for cost concerns, convenience, or other factors.
Drew Kallestad: Founder, Chief Strategy Officer
Drew founded AGILITY in 2018, armed with over three decades of executive experience in healthcare, ranging from employee benefit consulting & health risk management, to healthcare finance & employee engagement.
A truth seeker and business connector, Drew has successfully guided innovation launches in health data analytics, payment integrity, direct primary care, and improved health outcomes fields. Pre-Agility, Drew served as Executive VP at CoBiz Insurance. As the senior member of the division, he led the transformation of Employee Benefits team. The firm tripled in size during that time.
Today, Drew’s most invigorating “innovation workstation” isn’t behind a desk or a laptop, but up at his Colorado mountain getaway, skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and fly fishing.
Ken Sloan: Founder, Chief Growth Officer
Ken has successfully launched multiple innovations in health technology, insurance technology, and has experience leading teams that have played a key role in transforming healthcare and wellbeing in America.
He started this pursuit as an early adopter of consumer driven health plans/ consumerism in healthcare in the early 2000’s and moved into behavior change and driving innovation in health insurance for key stakeholder groups. Prior to co-founding AGILITY, Ken served as the Vice President of Growth and Distribution at Vitality Group, a leading global behavior change health tech company. Originally from the Chicago area, Ken and his family now live in Evergreen Colorado. He enjoys everything outdoors, spending time with kids, grandkids, and the family’s Black Labrador, Teddy.
Company / Organization Website URL: http://www.nice.healthcare
Company or Guest LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nice-healthcare/
Company or Guest Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/nicehealthcare
Company / Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/nicehealthcare/
John Smalley Bio: (Must Use this one Tony) Thanks
An admitted serial entrepreneur, John Smalley doesn’t fit the typical mold of a pest control company owner – but then again, neither does Pest Friends, the company John co-founded with Scott Nolen.
After studying business at Southeast Missouri State University, John proceeded into the corporate world with a healthcare management and staffing firm, rising quickly within their ranks through a talent for turnaround/change management and territory development. It was through this season of his professional life that he would arrive in Tucson, which he and his family have called home for over a decade.
Like so many, though, John felt a calling towards entrepreneurship, and that calling has run through several iterations – first in consulting, then in an adjacent segment of the healthcare industry, until culminating in his partnership and venture in an industry he and his partners feel is a tremendously underserved industry and ripe for innovation: pest control.
Seeking to challenge the existing approach of broad service areas, heavy utilization of chemicals and poisons, and boilerplate service plans, John and his partners believe there is a better – and smarter – way to serve their customers through hyper-local relationships, a heavy emphasis on data analytics as well as technology, and individualized, environmentally-conscious treatment plans.
Contact/Social Media:
Company / Organization Website URL: https://www.mypestfriends.com
Company or Guest LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-smalley-40321336/
Company or Guest Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/my_pest_friends
Company / Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/Pest-Friends-103816431281054/
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_pest_friends
About Todd Sadow Bio: and Info
Born and raised in Texas, Todd Sadow has long been interested in competitive cycling, racing road cycles before moving to Tucson for college and shifting his focus to the growing sport of mountain biking. Early on, however, he did what many enthusiasts find themselves forced to do – keep their hobby firmly into the “hobby” column and head out to work each morning.
For Todd, work was a rising career in the world of retail real estate development and management company who built and managed mall properties across the United States. Unlike most, however, Todd made the leap so many dream of: leaving the corporate world to fill a void he saw in the cycling community and pursuing his dream by building a career in the cycling industry hosting signature mountain biking events across the country.
Since that fateful day, his company – Epic Rides – has grown to one of the most recognizable names in the field, hosting events in Arizona, Nevada, Arkansas and Colorado which include its signature 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo race – the longest-running American event of its type - based right here in Tucson.
Epic Rides Info:
From humble beginnings, the passion project now known as Epic Rides has grown to become one of the most recognizable names in mountain bike events, starting with the organization’s first Tour of the White Mountains and now preparing to host events in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Arkansas. The organization is perhaps best known for its iconic 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo event, the longest running race of its type in the United States, which will be celebrating its 22nd running in 2022.
With participants ranging from Olympic athletes to documentary filmmakers and local weekend warriors, their events are billed as a platform for personal achievement, camaraderie, challenge and life driving motivation (and satisfaction). Maybe even more notably, they are designed solely to deliver happiness to all involved while spreading the gospel of mountain biking.
Epic Rides Contact/Social Media:
Company / Organization Website URL: www.epicrides.com
Company or Guest LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-sadow-8058997
Company or Guest Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/#!/EpicRides
Company / Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/epicrides
Company Instagram: https://instagram.com/epicrides#
Corey Williams: Vice President, Crest Insurance Group Corey is a Vice President at Crest Insurance Group in Tucson.
He also founded and is the executive director of SPL Sports Inc., which is a non-profit organization, focused on providing free sports and fitness programs to youths across Arizona. In 2005, Williams founded the Tucson Summer Pro League, which is an NCAA certified summer league that has featured NBA players such as Richard Jefferson, Jason Terry, and Jordan Hill, and has since expanded to make the Phoenix Summer Pro League.
An Illinois native, Corey graduated from the University of Arizona in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He helped the Wildcats win two Pac-10 titles, as well as make an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and a trip to 1994 Final Four under Coach Lute Olson. After graduating, he went on to a successful 12 year professional basketball career playing in countries all over the world. His career and travels have led him to Canada, Venezuela, the Philippines, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
Email: cwilliams@crestins.com
Phone: 520.784.7670
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/corey-williams-7636ba97
Host
Matt Nelson: Senior Vice President, Crest Insurance Group
Matt is a Senior Vice President at Crest Insurance Group in Tucson, consulting with companies to identify and implement insurance, risk management, and employee benefits solutions. With more than a 15 years of industry experience, he has served as a keynote speaker on the healthcare industry, leadership, workplace culture and risk management for professional organizations throughout Southern Arizona, including the City of Tucson, Greater Tucson Leadership, the Financial Executives and Affiliates of Tucson, and the CEO Roundtable of Tucson.
Matt is an active member in the Tucson community, having served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Arizona Army National Guard and volunteering with multiple local organizations, including as Treasurer and a Big Brother with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, a volunteer with the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Chair of the Pima County JTED’s Business and Industry Council, a builder with Habitat for Humanity and many other local youth charities.
Email: mnelson@crestins.com
Phone: 520.784.7636
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mattrnelson2