Meet Flagstaff's newest 20 under 40 who have made a difference in the community
The Arizona Daily Sun, the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Twin Arrows Casino Resort and Mercedes-Benz of Flagstaff are pleased to present the 2017 group of 20 individuals under 40 years of age who have made and continue to make significant contributions to Flagstaff through work and service.
These 20 individuals come from diverse backgrounds and careers, yet they all stand out for their commitment to Flagstaff’s economic and community development. From a woman who transformed her grief into a successful charity to a physician that helps keep infectious diseases at bay, each honoree has a unique story of how they came to work and live in our beautiful mountain town.
Ross Altenbaugh
Updated
Ross Altenbaugh
Executive Director, Flagstaff Shelter Services
Sometimes people choose a career for themselves, and other times it seems as though the career chooses them. For 20 Under 40 honoree Ross Altenbaugh, it was the latter.
Altenbaugh is the executive director of Flagstaff Shelter Services and has been involved in charity work since she was a child. Her mother started a nonprofit to feed and clothe the homeless in Richmond, Va., after pulling herself out of poverty.
“I finished homework assignments for school in the back of a cargo van surrounded by 1,000 brown bag lunches that we would hand out to people who had nothing,� Altenbaugh recalls of weekends and summer breaks. “From an early age, I knew I wanted to carry this community work on in my own life.�
She volunteered with AmeriCorps for two terms after college before coming to Flagstaff in 2014 and joining Flagstaff Shelter Services, which serves 25 percent of Coconino County’s homeless population.
“Flagstaff Shelter Services relies on the generous support of the community and sewing together funding from federal, state, local and foundation support,� she says. “We would not be able to support so many vulnerable neighbors without the support and resources that we are given from all of these partners.�
Altenbaugh began implementing a new program three years ago that coordinated efforts between the different organizations helping people who experience homelessness. The Front Door Coordinated Entry program has simplified the process for people seeking assistance in Flagstaff and reduced duplication for those providing crises solutions.
She concludes: “I know that I can have a hand in changing the old mantra ‘poverty with a view� to something far more positive about this beautiful mountain town.�
Heather Berginc
Updated
Heather Berginc
Math Teacher, Flagstaff Junior Academy
As in any town, education plays an important role in serving and building the community, and Flagstaff is no different. Among our 20 Under 40 honorees is Heather Berginc, a 7th and 8th grade math teacher at Flagstaff Junior Academy (FJA).
After graduating from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Berginc found it difficult to find work. When a math teaching position opened up at Flagstaff Junior Academy, Berginc jumped on the opportunity, immediately recognizing some of the challenges of the job.
“How do I get students to master each of the standards with 55-minute classes, four days a week?� she asks. It’s a challenge, however, that Berginc is happy to accept.
“My first goal as an educator is to support the students, whatever level they are at, to find their niche within the school system and to grow into happy and successful young adults.�
As an educator, Berginc goes above and beyond what is expected of her, constantly learning new ways to engage her students. In 2014 Berginc attended the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Coding Camp, a computer programming experience. She then founded the FJA Coding Club, which has grown to more than 20 students. In addition, Berginc took part in a four-week Intel math training that helped her introduce a new math curriculum to the academy.
Berginc is also dedicated to community development. For the past five years, she has been an integral leader in the FJA annual rite-of-passage journey for 8th graders. The five-day biking trip from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon gives students lessons in history, science and life skills.
For Berginc, being herself is the best advice she’s received.
“You can only be you. As soon as you try to do your job someone else’s way, you fail. It’s only when you start integrating your personal style into your position will you find what truly works and what doesn’t.�
Students are truly engaged and remember teachers who are unique, who make them excited about the world and about learning. With Berginc’s commitment to the art of teaching, young learners all over Flagstaff will remember her for a long time.
Daniel Collins
Updated
Daniel Collins
Owner, CEO and Realtor at Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert
Do one thing, do it well, and never give up. That’s the business advice of 20 Under 40 honoree Daniel Collins.
At age 24, Collins began his career as an independent real estate agent in Lake Havasu City. 365betÌåÓýÔÚÏßÊÀ½ç±, he’s owner and CEO of Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert in Northern Arizona, overseeing six regional offices and more than 300 agents.
That’s huge growth considering he began the franchise in 2014 with five agents.
“I got into the brokerage side of the business because I felt the market was growing and agents needed a better brokerage, where they can earn more for themselves and their families,� he said. “In just over two years we have become the No. 2 brokerage in town by volume and No. 1 by agent count.�
Jeff Hover, chief operations officer for Mountain Desert, attributes the fast growth and success to Collins leveraging technology to save time and build business. He said Collins takes great pride in watching his associates succeed.
“Daniel doesn’t believe in hiding his secrets to success. Rather, he shares them on a daily basis knowing that others grow by learning. � He is helping to promote a stable stream of professional business owners who take pride in what they are building in the Flagstaff community.�
Family and Flagstaff’s changing seasons brought Collins to the area.
“I enjoy snowboarding, mountain biking and just the fresh air,� he said. I moved here for the unique culture the town provides and to be closer to my sister and her family.�
Collins is a member of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteers with the Flagstaff Family Food Center and helps organize community service events through Mountain Desert’s ONE Gives Back program.
Collins lives the brand slogan of Realty ONE Group: “Everyone and everything matters.�
Katherine Davis
Updated
Katherine Davis
Director of Hotel Operations at Twin Arrows Casino Resort
Many of our 20 Under 40 honorees have been in their fields for a long time. Katherine Davis, director of hotel operations at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, has been in hers since age 19.
While living in Guam, she served as a hotel front desk agent, supervisor, front desk manager, operations manager and eventually general manager. In 2010, she skipped the pond and found herself in beautiful Honolulu at the Marriott International and then The Modern Honolulu. Her career eventually took her to the West, to the red rocks of Sedona, and then finally to the windy mountain city of Flagstaff.
“I love the feel of a small-knit community,� says Davis. “[Flagstaff is] safe, less traffic, great dining options and outdoor activities. I love the weather and the people. It is a great community to raise a family.�
Promptly after joining the Twin Arrows Casino Resort in 2013, Davis was promoted from front office manager to her current position as director of hotel operations.
“I believe that with hard work, dedication, perseverance, loyalty and drive you will eventually get to do what you have been inspired to do,� she says.
Davis also understands that, with some of the challenges facing Flagstaff, dedication and drive can be hard to manufacture, but she uses her position to ensure that her staff and guests are welcomed and appreciated.
“I believe that the high cost of living is a challenge for many of our employees, as I’m sure the Flagstaff community,� Davis shares. “We have recently been able to provide additional salary increases to the entire hotel staff to assist with the increase of the cost of living. We believe that one important aspect of who we are as a company is to be able to give back to our employees.�
Davis has been committed to great service and hospitality for more than 15 years, but her ability to take advantage of opportunities is what makes her one our 20 Under 40 honorees.
She says, “When you are given an opportunity, just say yes, and do whatever is necessary to get it done.�
Dr. Julia Eskuchen
Updated
Dr. Julia Eskuchen
Pediatrician and Lactation Consultant at North Country HealthCare
Like many of our 20 Under 40 honorees, Dr. Julia Eskuchen has volunteered her time to help members of the community in a number of ways.
During her time in the honors program at the University of Maryland in College Park, she volunteered at a nonprofit medical clinic. After graduating, she spent a year volunteering with AmeriCorps before attending medical school and completing her residency.
Her first job post-residency was as an active-duty pediatrician in the U.S. Air Force. She was stationed at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for three years.
“At that point, my husband and I decided to follow our dream of moving out west,� she says. “Five years later, I am still excited to go to work here each day. � It has been a very welcoming community and has proven to be an excellent place to raise our family.�
Last year, Eskuchen was a recipient of the CATCH (Community Access to Children’s Health) Grant presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She used the money to research disparities in the community’s breastfeeding rate which led her to start a lactation clinic at the health center and become a lactation consultant.
She understands the struggles that come with living in a city with high rent, and is happy to work for a company that is willing to help when possible. For example, North Country HealthCare’s Angel Fund helps pay for uncovered medical expenses and the health center also offers services on a sliding scale for patients who don’t have health insurance.
Having lived in busy metropolitan areas, Eskuchen said she and her husband enjoy the slower pace and easy access to trails and other outdoor activities that Flagstaff provides.
She adds, “I try to encourage children and their families to take advantage of the outdoors on a daily basis as a way to improve their health.�
Daniela Harrison
Updated
Daniela Harrison
Travel Consultant, Avenues of the World Travel
There no better travel agent than one who has experienced the world.
Daniela Harrison has visited all 50 states as well as many countries around the globe, and yet she considers Flagstaff a one-of-a-kind city.
“It’s a very special place to live and be part of,� she says. “There’s so much to do and see here and everyone should be able to experience our amazing community. � Whenever I get requests from people wanting to visit the Grand Canyon, I try to make a point of having them fly into Flagstaff and spend more time in town.�
Harrison was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, and moved to New York after high school. Her degrees are in communications, and she once produced a local PBS TV show. Eventually, work led her to Arizona. She managed the now closed Matterhorn Grill, a German restaurant, before landing an interview with Avenues of the World seven years ago.
“They liked my style of selling and customer service. It was a perfect match, and I’ve been with the company ever since.�
If you’ve ever been to and enjoyed the annual Travel Expo put on by Avenues of the World, you have Harrison to thank. She came up with the idea of the event now in its fourth year.
Harrison had no experience in the travel business before joining Avenues, but she “quickly showed her talent in connecting with her clients and arranging for travel that exceeded their expectations,� said CEO and president Monika Leuenberger.
Like many of the 20 under 40 candidates this year, Harrison is also active in the community outside the office.
In her car, she carries emergency bags containing rain ponchos, socks, hats, sunscreen, snacks, Gatorade and the like. Necessities that can help transient people.
“When I see someone in need, I am prepared and can make sure they have essentials to hold them over for a day or two.�
Harrison’s tenacity in business has earned her several speaking engagements and awards in the travel industry.
Her best business advice: “It is okay to not know everything � nobody expects you to � as long as you know where to find the answers you need in a timely fashion.�
Colin Hughes
Updated
Colin Hughes
Certified Financial Planner with Four Peaks Wealth Management
Colin Hughes is featured as one of our 20 Under 40 honorees for his work as a Certified Financial Planner with Four Peaks Wealth Management.
Raised in Flagstaff, Hughes worked for a construction company out of high school and became interested in financial markets after being offered a 401(k) plan. He wanted to learn more and enrolled in classes at Northern Arizona University, graduating in 2007 with a degree in business finance.
The biggest challenge of his job is keeping up with the ever-changing investment environment and with regulations. He says he must continuously educate himself in order to stay ahead in the trade. And, the best business advice he’s ever received is that success requires hard work.
“If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.�
After coming on board with Four Peaks in 2012, Hughes studied hard for his certification exam, completing it in 2015. Now, he specializes in retirement planning and enjoys being able to help people figure out their financial situations.
One local couple that has benefitted from his knowledge is his own parents.
“Colin did a complete overview of our Social Security benefits, pension plan and our other investment accounts and explained in detail how to maximize our money from each of our benefits for a successful retirement,� said his mother, Audrey Hughes. “Colin has been very helpful to me and my husband, our friends and their friends.�
Besides help for retirees, the financial adviser sees opportunities to help small businesses and their employees.
“Flagstaff is a beautiful place with lots of local small businesses,� he says. “We promote small business by helping business owners develop retirement plans for themselves along with their employees. � Not many offer a 401(k). So, we educate them on their different options to be able to save for retirement.�
Hughes continues to give to the community in other ways. He’s a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff and assistant coach for the NAU hockey club.
Jill Larson
Updated
Jill Larson
Sales Manager at Sodexo
All of us here in Flagstaff have felt the impact of the minimum wage increase, but perhaps no one has felt it as strongly as people in sales. Sodexo sales manager Jill Larson is seeing the impact on the Northern Arizona University’s summer camps and conferences program. The cost of higher wages is ultimately passed down to customers.
“I am currently working with our clients on summer 2018, and we are facing the reality that some of them might no longer be able to afford us,� Larson said. Yet she feels optimistic about the challenge facing Flagstaff.
“We are working to overcome this challenge by honest communication [and] adding value where we can.�
In 2012 Larson took the reins for the NAU summer camps program, which aims to generate revenue for the university while exposing youths to its opportunities and campus. Larson’s role is to contract, plan and invoice for the program, and she has worked diligently to expand operations. Under her leadership she’s increased the program revenue by 45 percent and the number of groups involved by 25 percent.
“I believe in the value of our program and the experiences it brings to youth, and I am very proud to be a part of our success.�
Larson’s love of Flagstaff first developed while attending NAU. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management, she worked as the food and beverage supervisor for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Santa Barbara, California. Her career took Larson to the East Coast, where she worked for more than three years as a sales representative for Office Furniture Depot in Florida. Finally, in 2008, a position opened up at Sodexo in Flagstaff for a conference services manager. Larson obtained the position and proudly worked her way up to sales manager in a town that she loves.
“I enjoy bringing new groups to campus and creating that exposure of not only NAU but Flagstaff as well,� she says. “Flagstaff has so many great things to offer. It is easy to talk about our town in a way that gets people excited because I am excited.�
In addition to being an integral part of Sodexo’s new employee training program, Larson is actively involved in the Flagstaff Leadership Program and a member of the Flagstaff Arts Council and the Flagstaff Women’s Leadership Network. For her strong business sense and community participation, Jill Larson has earned her spot among our 20 Under 40 honorees.Â
Trampus Mansker
Updated
Trampus Mansker
Executive General Manager, Martin Automotive Group
There are no shortcuts for success. Trampus Mansker knows this well. He began his career as an automotive technician before working his way up the ranks to sales and management. Now executive general manager of the Martin Automotive Group, Mansker has made it to our annual list of 20 individuals under 40 who have accomplished great things.
The automotive sales and service group encompasses Mercedes-Benz of Flagstaff, Flagstaff Buick GMC and Lake Powell Ford. Mansker supervises over 150 employees and believes that companies are only as strong as the weakest link.
“Every employee has value,� he says, adding, “I always strive to know the staff personally and to make sure we have one goal, one vision. If we have happy employees, we will have happy customers.�
He implemented a customer relationship management tool within the sales department at Flagstaff Buick GMC to help employees communicate with customers looking to buy a car, providing a personal touch that helps the company stand out from the crowd. He also brought in a new state-of-the-art framing machine for the body shop.
Last year, under his guidance, Flagstaff Buick GMC was named the No. 1 Buick dealer in Arizona.
Christopher Taylor, general sales manager at Flagstaff Buick GMC, calls Mansker the “pure definition of a game changer, or as some might say, an innovator.�
When the opportunity to buy in to Flagstaff Buick GMC was presented to Mansker, “I did not hesitate at all,� he says. He is also a partner in Mercedes-Benz of Flagstaff.
During his four years as manager, he has created more than 100 jobs between the two Flagstaff franchises and given all employees, both full- and part-time, an opportunity to enroll in the company’s 401(k) plan.
He balances his hard work with some fun as a coach for his son’s Little League team and also through participation in the Coconino State Fair with the 4-H Club.
Colleen Maring
Updated
Colleen Maring
Attorney at Law at Aspey, Watkins & Diesel
There’s an old adage that traces back to Bernard of Chartres in the 12th century; however, most of us are familiar with English expression by Issac Newton in 1675: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.� Among the outstanding 20 Under 40 honorees is Colleen Maring, attorney at law at Aspey, Watkins & Diesel PLLC, who lives with that philosophy, owing her success to teachers, coaches, mentors and family members.
“I learned to work hard from these individuals; they inspired me and continue to inspire me to work hard; and I have benefited from their hard work, as they have sacrificed for me and alongside me.�
Originally from Oregon, her educational career took her to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she played varsity soccer. She earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in psychology from Calvin College. From there, Maring found herself in Washington at the Georgetown University Law Center. She graduated from its juris doctor program, magna cum laude, and in the top one percent of her class. For three years she worked as a litigation associate at Williams & Connolly LLP in the nation’s capital before her husband was offered a faculty position in the philosophy department at Northern Arizona University.
“What keeps me and my family in Flagstaff is its unique combination of being a smaller town in a stunningly beautiful area that has excellent education opportunities and [is] made up of a community that cares.�
Shortly after moving to Flagstaff, Maring became involved in the community, serving as director for the Arizona Innocence Project at NAU and Vice Chair on the board of directors at Flagstaff Shelter Services. Maring became a practicing attorney at Aspey, Watkins & Diesel in June of 2016. She currently serves on the board of directors at the Arizona Justice Project, which assists inmates in overturning wrongful convictions.
From helping individuals experiencing homelessness seek shelter to assisting young entrepreneurs start new businesses, Maring constantly uses her platform to support others, understanding that beyond the business face is a human heart.
“We are humans living in community, so no matter what our business is, in the end, it’s about serving other people.â€Â�
Rachael McDonald
Updated
Rachael McDonald
Regional Director, High Altitude Personal Training
Rachael McDonald makes it into this year’s 20 Under 40 list through her work as the regional director for High Altitude Personal Training. It wasn’t what she expected her job would end up as though; she had earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Northern Arizona University and was planning to attend physical therapy school when her husband opened a personal training gym with partners Dustin and Kristin Evans.
“As I observed what took place in the lives of the participants, I felt compelled to join in,� she says. “I became certified as a trainer and jumped in as quickly as possible.�
As the company grew, she took on more responsibility, becoming a supervisor and eventually a lead trainer. When a second location was opened in January in Paradise Valley, she was promoted to her current role as regional director.
“It’s a great fit because I still get to train in some personal training sessions, and combine that with the variety of leading both teams, administration, one-on-one client meetings and more,� she says.
McDonald was born and raised in Flagstaff and enjoys the friendly community that comes with living here, saying that the neighborly nature has aided in business growth through referrals.
She and the company take a personal and holistic approach to health and wellness.
“My company promises an individual touch. If we lose that, we lose our niche,� she says. “Each client is valued. � Making sure their needs are met and their expectations exceeded is a challenge with so many differing people, but it’s what makes it fun as well as something I can do long-term.
“When people come to HAPT they are ‘buying� personal training, but what they get is a long-term relationship and community that supports them as they strive toward their goals, and pursue a lifestyle of holistic health.�
Landon Merrill
Updated
Landon Merrill
Campus Pastor at Covenant Church
Many of our 20 Under 40 honorees were inspired friends and family members to pursue good careers and help others where they can. Landon Merrill, campus pastor at Covenant Church in Flagstaff, was inspired by his grandfather.
“My grandfather helped build the church we are in and pastored it back in the �60s,� says Merrill. “So when we saw that it was for sale, we knew it needed to be a community church again, so we bought it back, remodeled it and launched it into a church.�
Merrill began his journey in faith leadership at 18. In Addition to Arizona, Covenant Church has faith communities across the nation with campuses in the Texas cities of Carrollton, Colleyville, Crossroads and McKinney.
Working as a pastor in Flagstaff, Merrill is excited about the challenges and opportunities the city brings.
“One of the biggest challenges that I see in Flagstaff is the need to work together in unity,� he says. “Flagstaff has an incredible opportunity to show our state and our nation how a city can work together in harmony and set an example for what a great community looks like.�
Merrill has helped Covenant Church expand services to hosting community events, investing in community projects and feeding the hungry.
“One of the sayings we have at our church is, ‘We are not here to compete; we’re here to complete.� Meaning we have a part to play, and we will play our piece of this community to help complete this puzzle.�
In addition to working with the Flagstaff Police Department to bring the Dream Courts program to the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff, Merrill oversees the Serve Your City outreach. He also works with Habitat for Humanity and with the Flagstaff Unified School District to help feed hungry children. In working with multiple organizations and a diversity of individuals, Merrill hopes to impact the community as much as he can.
“Our vision and our goal is to impact as many people as we can, in every way we can for the benefit of our community, this great city and our great state.�
Pastor Merrill’s commitment to faith, community and outreach has earned him a place among our 20 Under 40 honorees.
Randall Moehr
Updated
Randall Moehr
Human Resources Analyst, City of Flagstaff
Attention to detail and precision ensures quality service.
Randall Moehr believes that city employees, such as himself, have a responsibility to provide clear and accurate information to the community they serve.
“The consequence of error is very high in the field of Human Resources,� says the 20 Under 40 honoree. “It is essential to maintain a high level of accuracy and remain committed to acting responsibly.�
Considered a top-level professional by peers, Moehr developed a passion for human resources while earning his degree in business administration from Northern Arizona University, but his enthusiasm for Flagstaff runs much deeper than the job.
“I am a Flagstaff local and have spent my entire life growing, learning and working in this community. I have an intimate understanding of Flagstaff culture and its values and am personally committed to working toward developing a future that retains Flagstaff’s unique identity.�
He has invested in that future by helping children make positive strides forward.
Active in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff for many years, Moehr began working with the organization’s Step Up program in 2013, providing a good role model and experiences for incarcerated youths. He was elected to the charity’s board of directors in 2016 and became board president this year.
Moehr also spends free time teaching music to Flagstaff children and donates musical instruments to support the performing arts in the city.
“I believe the greatest challenge Flagstaff faces is the needed expansion and funding of programs designed to assist in the positive development of children,� he says.
Moehr is a big supporter of mentoring relationships, which have benefitted him over the years. He credits his former supervisor, Jim Bushnell, and the owners, Patrick and Julie Packard, of the Packard Companies, for the business coaching he received while working as director of human resources for the company.
“My knowledge of business management, leadership skills, problem solving abilities were refined because of the mentorship.�
His dedication to work and community service has earned Moehr a place among the 20 under 40 citizens we recognize this year.
Dr. Rachel O’Connor
Updated
Dr. Rachel O’Connor
Podiatrist and Owner at Flagstaff Foot and Ankle Specialists
For more than 40 years Dr. Rachel O’Connor’s uncle, Eward Wiebe, worked as a podiatrist in Flagstaff. At a young age, O’Connor was inspired his work and the care he showed to his patients.
“My uncle emphasized that you should never stop building meaningful relationships with patients,� she explains. “It is important to gain patients� trust and learn as much as possible about their medical issue so as to provide the best treatment options.�
O’Connor carried that philosophy through her education, receiving a bachelor’s degree in physiological sciences and a doctor of podiatric medicine degree from Midwestern University
In 2010, O’Connor took up a three-year residency at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Administration Hospital in Phoenix.
“My husband is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and I wanted to serve those that sacrificed so much for our country.�
Her experience in Phoenix taught O’Connor that a foot and ankle issues can be deeper than just physical pain, that each patient’s issues are complex and unique.
“I have a patient-centered practice philosophy,� she says. “I want to ensure that all my patients� medical issues are resolved as quickly, painlessly and effectively as possible.�
After moving to Flagstaff, she began work at Flagstaff Foot and Ankle Specialists in the same office as her uncle until he retired last year, where she now works as the sole podiatrist and owner.
What drew O’Connor and her husband to Flagstaff was more than just a job opportunity; it was because Flagstaff was “unlike anywhere else in the world,� notes O’Connor.
“I am convinced that the friendliest and most caring people in the world reside here. My patients disclose their work/life experiences and I am always amazed at how much diversity of experience we have in our community.�
Along with its history, culture and natural beauty are organizations and community partners such as Northern Arizona University, Lowell Observatory and the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, which give Flagstaff the “potential to become a hub for Bio-Medical Sciences.�
With compassion and a wealth of experience, O’Connor brings innovative and up-to-date care to the Flagstaff community. She is honored among our 20 Under 40 professionals.
Dianna Sanchez
Updated
Dianna Sanchez
Executive Director of The Literacy Center
“When I was in college trying to decide on a major, I would ask myself, ‘How do I get a job where I can stay in school forever?’� recalls Dianna Sanchez, executive director of The Literacy Center.
She taught English to high school and college students before taking a break to stay home and raise her family, “making the commitment to educate the most important people in my life,� she says.
When she returned to the workforce in 2016 as The Literacy Center’s program director, she took great pride in the organization’s mission and it didn’t take long for her to step into her new role with more responsibility in March of this year.
“This career has let me share my belief that education truly has the power to change the world and it is incredibly gratifying coming to work every day to help provide a service that can change our learners� lives,� she says.
The Literacy Center offers GED programs, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, literacy programs for inmates and more. Sanchez sees how low literacy levels create a barrier to success and hopes to elevate members of the community who are stuck in a rut.
“Many Flagstaff residents are not aware that 13 percent of the population in Coconino County lacks a high school credential,� she explains, also noting that many are forced to work multiple low-paying jobs in order to afford the high cost of living here.
“We address this challenge every day by giving our learners the necessary skills to obtain higher paying jobs, to be stronger educational role models for their children and to give them the confidence to become empowered, active members of our community.�
The Literacy Program works with over 350 people each year to increase their reading and writing skills.
A Flagstaff native, Sanchez says that the best advice she’s received is to always surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you and that’s what she aims to do within the community. For her inspiration and dedication, we honor Sanchez among this year’s 20 Under 40.
Skyla Savitch
Updated
Skyla Savitch
Account Manager at Aerotek
Sometimes finding a job can be a grueling task. Perhaps nobody understands that better Skyla Savitch, an account manager for the global staffing and recruiting firm Aerotek.
“The challenge of the job market is consistently a topic of conversation,� says Savitch. “Businesses are having trouble finding the right candidate, yet individuals have a hard time finding work. Bridging that gap between employers and candidates has been a primary focus of mine.�
As an account manager, Savitch works with businesses in Northern Arizona including Flagstaff, Sedona and Prescott to assist and consult in acquiring appropriate and well-suited personnel for their organizations. In short, she finds the right person for the right job. Sometimes, though, a business might require specific certification within in a trade, so it might be hard to find a good fit. Savitch’s role is to find a creative solution.
“If the person they need isn’t here in Flagstaff, how can we either get them here or what transferrable skills will work for someone who is already local? It’s challenging, but the most rewarding when a creative solution works out.�
Growing up in Washington state and attending high school in Bellingham, Savitch felt a connection with Flagstaff that she didn’t have in Phoenix working as an engineering recruiter. After three years in the Valley, she moved to Flagstaff, where Aerotek entrusted Savitch to start a new recruitment operation.
“What was nothing one year ago is now an operation that is growing and providing jobs for people in Flagstaff that weren’t there before,� she says. “I love how active and giving the community is, how supportive Flagstaff is of local organizations and how easy it is to get involved and help make a difference at a local level.�
In addition to her role at Aerotek, she serves on the Flagstaff Women’s Leadership Network and volunteers with the Denim and Diamonds Gala hosted by the American Cancer Society.Â
Savitch may be fairly new to Flagstaff, but, because of her dedication to expanding and bringing opportunities to the city, her impact will last for years. We are proud to have Skyla Savitch among our 20 Under 40 honorees. Â
Jason Shafor
Updated
Jason Shafor
Real Estate Agent at Remax Peak Properties
Not all of our 20 Under 40 honorees are Flagstaff natives, but Remax Peak Propterties real estate agent, Jason Shafor, is.
“Flagstaff has always been home to me,� he says. “There is no better place to raise a family, be outdoors and [live] the lifestyle that Flagstaff provides.�
In his teenage years, Shafor began working for his father’s construction company, Shafor Concrete. He worked on high-end homes and commercial buildings in Northern Arizona.
“Working in a family business was difficult and construction was taking a toll on my body after nearly 20 years. � Wanting to change fields completely, I chose real estate.�
As a born-and-bred Flagstaffian who has spent almost 20 years in the construction business, Shafor sets himself apart by using his past experience to provide his customers with a high level of service and knowledge when planning to buy or sell property. His dedication to helping customers and improving his business has made him a strong entrepreneur and professional at the young age of 35, and the advice he carries with him is something he practices on a day-to-day basis.
“Don’t worry about perfection; focus on progress.�
Shafor, like many real estate professionals in the area, sees big challenges for Flagstaff in terms of the high cost of living and diminishing developable land.
“I am always trying to help buyers for homes find a place.�
In addition to being one of the foremost names in Flagstaff real estate, Shafor juggles the role of husband, father, coach and community leader. He and his wife Calli have two boys, and he volunteers at multiple sporting clubs where he coaches baseball and football. He’s a board member for Flagstaff’s Continental Little League.
From coaching our youth in Flagstaff to assisting his customers with his experience and professionalism, Shafor has stood out as a leading figure in Northern Arizona, and we are proud to have him in our 20 Under 40 honorees.Â
Dr. Joel Terriquez
Updated
Dr. Joel Terriquez
Medical Director of Infectious Disease at Northern Arizona Healthcare
Some people love Flagstaff for its natural beauty and its proximity to Phoenix, Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Some people love Flagstaff for its thriving arts scene. And some people love Flagstaff for its infectious diseases.
“Flagstaff is quite a unique geographic location,� says Dr. Joel Terriquez, director of infectious disease at Northern Arizona Healthcare. “We have several infections you don’t see anywhere else in the country.�
Growing up in Mexicali in Baja California with parents who were both physicians gave Terriquez a unique childhood, often spending late nights in the pediatrics department of the hospital where his mother was an anesthesiologist.
“Infectious disease and microbiology have always been extremely interesting and one of my favorite subjects. It was quite a simple decision to get into this specialty of medicine.�
Terriquez received his medical degree from the University of Baja California. Shortly after, he began a residency and fellowship at the University of Arizona in Tucson where he was awarded “Best Overall Resident Performance.� In 2010, during his residency, he was also awarded the National Hispanic Medical Association Resident Leadership Fellowship and went to Washington D.C. to discuss health care issues affecting the Hispanic population.
When he was offered the position at Northern Arizona Healthcare, Terriquez jumped at it, knowing he wouldn’t find another position like it in a community unlike any other.
“What makes Flagstaff so special is the sense of community,� he says. “While at work, and throughout Northern Arizona Healthcare, we try to make everyone feel like family.�
While Terriquez� practice is patient care, he also heads up the Flagstaff Medical Center’s infection prevention efforts as well as the antimicrobial stewardship program to prevent the overuse of antibiotics. In addition, Terriquez has developed the hospitals first fecal transplant program to treat severe infections. His dedication to his patients, as well as his commitment to educating his team and improving the hospital’s infection disease program have earned him the 2017 Flagstaff Medical Center’s Nathan Avery Physician of the Year award.
The accolades keep coming, and we are delighted to have Dr. Joel Terriquez among our 20 Under 40 honorees this year.
Peter Van Wyck
Updated
Peter Van Wyck
Regional Director of First Things First
First Things First regional director Peter Van Wyck didn’t always want to work in education. His passion for addressing the needs of communities brought him to volunteer with the Peace Corps. He wanted to contribute to big humanitarian projects. Instead, while on assignment in Mongolia, he worked as a social worker in a rural vocational high school.
“I was initially frustrated with this change in my focus from developing an entire community to what I felt was the more limited scope of a smaller school, but as my work progressed I was able to witness the critical role education and children have on a community,� he says.
“By working to improve the quality of their education and supporting them in achieving their goals, I was able to see the direct, tangible impact children and education can have on strengthening and developing a community while also improving the lives of our students and their families.�
His experience inspired him to continue along this path to ensure that children in the community are able to take the best opportunities available to them.
First Things First partners with families and communities throughout Arizona to support the healthy development of young children. The organization reaches the Hopi, Havasupai and the Kaibab Band of Paiute people, as well as others in the Coconino region.
“Each of the communities in this region have different histories, cultures, needs and assets, all of which need to be adequately understood and incorporated into our work,� Van Wyck says.
He’s worked hard to build facilitation skills, form and maintain relationships with community members and collaborate with partner agencies.
“While these have been the biggest challenges of being a regional director, they are also the most exciting and rewarding aspects of this position,� he says.
His best business advice, which came to him from a high school vocational teacher, is to always arrive five minutes early to work � when it comes to your job, “early is on time.�
For his dedication to education, families and communities, Peter Van Wyck is a 20 Under 40 honoree.
Kari Watson
Updated
Kari Watson
President and Owner of Over the Rainbow Butterfly Garden
When Kari Watson’s son passed away, she took her grief and turned it into something beautiful.
“I needed something positive to focus on to get me through that time and to keep me busy so that I could keep moving forward and get out of bed each day,� she says.
As president and owner of Over the Rainbow Butterfly Garden, Watson supervises over 50 employees and oversees each aspect of the nonprofit business.
The organization has three areas of focus. First, in honor of Watson’s son, who attended speech and occupational therapies, it offers scholarships for students in need of the same services during the summer when school provided therapies are absent. Over the past five years, the nonprofit has awarded more than $12,000 in scholarships.
Second, the organization works to provide in-home care to adults and children with developmental disabilities. Their focus is on family members that are providing care for another family member such as a child or sibling. Watson says they are able to provide pay rates up to $13 an hour, “which makes a significant difference in the financial wellbeing of these families.� Thirty-two families currently participate in the program and more are on a waiting list.
And finally, Over the Rainbow runs The Garden thrift store (previously Full Circle Trade & Thrift) in the Southside neighborhood on Beaver Street. Watson and her husband Cameron purchased the store from Bill and Barbara Packard at the beginning of the year and have continued the tradition of donating each month’s proceeds to a different local nonprofit. In four months they’ve distributed $34,000 from The Garden.
Watson says each of these focuses encompasses the organization’s overall mission of creating a legacy where children are surrounded by magic and education is inspired by beauty.
“We have truly been welcomed into this community and we received more support than we could have ever imagined during our darkest moment,� Watson says. “Flagstaff is more than just a home to us, it is our family.�
In addition to her charity works, Watson is a board member of the Flagstaff Leadership Program.
Kari Watson is a 20 Under 40 honoree for bringing beauty, color and help to children and families in Flagstaff.
As featured on
We pulled some Google analytics and put together the Top 11 most viewed collections that hav…
