| E-Update |
December 2011 |
| Our Environmental Legacy, Your Sustainable Future |
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| PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: YEAR OF CHANGE |
| I never really thought when I took the job that I’d see my 20th year anniversary at Valley Forward. That’s not to say I expected to leave my post sooner. For the past two decades, it’s been pretty automatic – I got out of bed every morning and found my way to the office without much thought about doing anything differently.
And for that I have no regrets. Serving this 42-year-old environmental public interest organization is an honor and a privilege but even more, a passion that has enriched my life in many ways. For that I thank all of you – the members and lifeblood of our impressive and diverse association.
This has been a year of significant change and transition as we’ve taken our mission statewide through a new initiative, Arizona Forward. Through it all we’ve managed to present all of Valley Forward’s signature events without a hitch and made significant progress on our Issue Committees, releasing two primers this year, one on energy and the other on parks and open space.
That’s more than a lot! It’s also what drives my enthusiasm for this organization – it’s ever changing, never static, always moving and anything but boring. I look forward to continued work with you in 2012 as we develop a roadmap for the future, bridging our varied interests towards a common vision.
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| BOARD OF DIRECTORS RETREAT |
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Valley Forward’s 2011 leadership met for a half-day retreat at the Desert Botanical Garden in November to discuss short- and long-term goals for the association and begin development of a 2012 Strategic Agenda.
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| MEMBERSHIP TIP OF THE MONTH |
| 2012 membership renewals will be sent out at the beginning of January. We truly appreciate your continued support and look forward to another successful year together! If you have any questions or need your invoice prior to January, please contact Jhenifer Krutz at jkrutz@valleyforward.org.
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| WELCOME NEW MEMBERS |
Blooming Rock Development
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Blooming Rock Development is an architecture and development company that focuses on fine-grain renovation and adaptive reuse projects in Central Phoenix and also curates the Blooming Rock Blog that raises public awareness about architecture, urban development and sustainability issues in Phoenix.
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Natural Power and Energy
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| Natural Power and Energy is a community solar provider, serving homeowners, companies and institutions with installation of turnkey solar systems and consulting services. The company has worked with school districts, non-profits and corporations on over 10 megawatts of solar installations in Arizona in the last year. |
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| DIRTT |
DIRTT — Doing It Right This Time — creates unique workspace interiors with responsive, agile architectural solutions. Mass customization, technological integration and high performance combine to produce a flexible, sustainable, one-of-a-kind, strategic space.
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| SPONSORED MEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
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Pixel Effects began as a boutique web design and development firm in 1997. From the outset, its priority was to provide clean, simple, sales-driven web portals for each of its valued clients. As the internet evolved, the firm experienced a bit of an evolution itself. To maintain its edge as a leading provider of online business services, Pixel Effects adapted its own business model to incorporate a growing list of e-commerce solutions available to those companies willing to embrace the rapid expansion of internet commerce.
Today, Pixel Effects offers a full range of internet-based business tools designed to simplify the business process for clients and their customers. The company not only provides web design and development services, but custom web application development, search engine marketing and optimization services, a variety of payment gateway programs and even unique shopping cart applications tailored specifically for client products.
The firm sincerely believes continued and unwavering commitment to the success of its clients coupled with its keen understanding of technology fuels its ability to provide the best possible business solutions for each of its valued clients.
Pixel Effects offers a host of internet driven solutions specifically designed to cut operating costs, attract new customers and simplify nearly every aspect of day-to-day operations. The firm can create custom web-based applications offering an improved methodology for managing critical projects, organizing valuable data, and monitoring inventory, sales and customer behavior. Pixel Effects is proud to provide clients with measurable customized marketing solutions for long-term initiatives.
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| 2012 ISSUE COMMITTEES |
| PUBLIC EDUCATION Chair: Penny Pfaelzer, PfaelzerDean&Partners Vice Chair: John Godec, Godec Randall & Associates
ENERGY Chair: Rob Wanless, Solon Corporation Vice Chair: TBD
LAND USE/OPEN SPACE Chair: Tim Conner, City of Scottsdale Vice Chair: Chris Brown, SmithGroupJJR
CANALSCAPE SUBCOMMITTEE Chair: George Pasquel, Individual Member Vice Chair: Stephen Thompson, Thompson + Pollari Planning Architecture
TRAILS SUBCOMMITTEE Chair: Michael Park, EPG
TRANSPORTATION/AIR Chair: Craig Hughes, Total Transit/Discount Cab Vice Chair: Brigitte Bavousett, U-Haul
WATER Chair: Crystal Thompson, Central Arizona Project Vice Chair: Margaret Galloghy, Fennemore Craig
To register your participation on an Issue Committee for 2012, click here and login to your individual profile page using your email address and password.
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| RECENT EVENTS & HAPPENINGS |
| THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
Valley Forward's October Luncheon featured an interactive program on the economic and environmental impact of Arizona’s aviation sector. Featured speakers included: Danny Murphy, aviation director for Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport; Lynn Kusy, executive director of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport; and Gary Mascaro, aviation director for Scottsdale Airport. Cary Pfeffer, owner of ClearComm Consulting, moderated the program.
EARTHFEST EDUCATORS NIGHT
Our seventh annual EarthFest Educators Night, made possible by Central Arizona Project, along with University of Phoenix, our official education partner, and others was a huge success. Nearly 400 teachers attended the event, which included exhibits, activities and displays on environmental education resources for Arizona teachers. Each teacher received a classroom-size recycling bin donated by Republic Services.
MEMBER MIXER
Valley Forward's "Just for the Fun of it Mixer," hosted by Orcutt | Winslow, featured networking, beer/wine, tacos from Ticoz, ping pong and foosball tables.
ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Our 42nd Annual Luncheon featured Richard Picciotto, FDNY Chief and highest ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse. Attended by 450+ community, business and civic leaders, the event demonstrated the power of the human spirit, revealing a nation united and tenacious, saddened but resilient after the 9/11 tragedy.
Additionally, be sure to mark your calendars for Valley Forward's inaugural 2012 Quarterly Luncheon Series event on Wednesday, January 25.
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| ARIZONA FORWARD |
| Following the highly successful launch of a parks and open space primer communicating the economic impact of Arizona’s natural assets, Arizona Forward convened a meeting of stakeholders to explore ways to address funding issues impacting our state’s public lands. More than 30 directors of state, county and municipal agencies attended to share their thoughts on how best to advance practical solutions to solve our parks crisis.
Through this ongoing process we hope to identify where our commonalities and differences lie with the ultimate goal of reaching consensus on advocacy efforts and a work program for 2012. Let us know if you’d like to get involved.
Demonstrate your leadership and join today! Click here for membership information. Click here to download the membership application. To discuss your involvement, call Diane Brossart at (602) 240-2408 or email dbrossart@arizonaforward.org.
Charter members of Arizona Forward include: Arizona Community Foundation, First Solar, Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold, National Bank of Arizona, Solon Corporation, Sundt Construction, The Nature Conservancy, Total Transit and Wells Fargo.
Be sure to like our Arizona Forward page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
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| IN THE NEWS... |
| Diane Brossart is a regular guest blogger for KTAR 92.3 News Talk Radio and AZ Big Media. Check out our her recent postings:
KTAR Guest Blog
EARTHFEST PROVIDES FREE RESOURCES TO TEACHERS
AZ Big Media Guest Blog 
9/11 FIREFIGHTER RICHARD PICCIOTTO TO SPEAK AT VALLEY FORWARD LUNCHEON
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY, PHOENIX SKY HARBOR
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| VFA GUEST BLOGGERS |
| Check out our latest guest blog submissions:
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MOVING THE VALLEY FORWARD Founded in 1969, Valley Forward is a non-profit public interest organization that brings business and civic leaders together to convene thoughtful public dialogue on regional issues and to promote the livability and sustainability of Valley communities. For more information, call (602) 240-2408 or visit valleyforward.org.
EDITOR'S NOTE
We are seeking sponsors for the 2012 E-Update, which is distributed to more than 1,000 business and civic leaders throughout the Valley and State. For a minimal cost of $100, you’ll receive a short story (250 words) about your organization, inclusive of a photo, logo identification and live link to your website. To reserve space, contact: Jhenifer Krutz at jkrutz@valleyforward.org. Telephone: (602) 240-2408 Fax: (602) 240-2407 Email: info@valleyforward.org.
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| GET CONNECTED |
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| 2012 EVENT CALENDAR |
QUARTERLY LUNCHEON SERIES 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wed., Jan 25 Thurs., March 29 Wed., May 2 Thurs., Oct 11
ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS Sat., Sept 29
EARTHFEST EDUCATORS NIGHT Thurs., Oct 25
ANNUAL LUNCHEON Fri., Dec 7
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We will continue to reinforce Valley Forward as the top-of-mind resource for environmental issues including transportation/air, water, land use/open space and energy, for years to come. |
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