This week we talk with Max Hansen, the CEO of Y Scouts, a purpose-based executive recruiting firm.  Max grew up in Glendale, Arizona and went to Northern Arizona University thinking football would be his future.  He discusses that change in plan and what ultimately led him to the field of recruiting.   Max covers a…

This week we talk with Justin Gray, the CEO and founder of LeadMD, co-founder of PaidSuite,  co-owner of Greyson Organics (an organic farm in rural Missouri), and co-founder of Six Bricks. Justin, who grew up in Fountain Hills and attended the University of Arizona, talks with us about his passion for entrepreneurship and modern-day marketing – topics he has written…

Todd Belfer is the managing partner of the venture capital firm Canal Partners.  Todd shares his early entrepreneurial days when he bused fraternity and sorority students to Laughlin and later found himself founding software companies, restaurants (Ra Sushi Bar), and supplement and herbal tea companies.  Today, he and his partners focus on helping entrepreneurs and…

Ambassador Barbara Barrett joins us for this week’s conversation.  She currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Aerospace Corporation and as the CEO of Triple Creek Ranch.  Ambassador Barrett has served as the US Ambassador to Finland, the Deputy Director of the Federal Aviation Administration, the President of the Thunderbird…

Heidi Jannenga is the president and co-founder of WebPT, a SaaS company providing support to physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. WebPT has been on the INC 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the US for five years straight and is one of Arizona’s fastest growing companies. Our conversation takes us from Heidi’s…

This week Jeffrey Pruitt, founder and CEO of Tallwave, joins us for a fascinating conversation about his journey from accountancy to entrepreneurship and from “running through walls” to leading smarter. An Arizona native, Jeffrey explores taking ideas to market, finding capitol for those ideas, and building a strong organization based on values and strategy.  You…

This week, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack returns for the second installment of our conversation.  When she last joined us in Season One, we left her in Colorado, and today we hear the rest of the story. In addition to her journey, Colleen addresses topics each of us can learn from.  Those range from mentoring, to life-long learning,…

Jason Pistillo is the president of the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona.  Our conversation takes us from Jason building his first computer game at the age of eight, to becoming a network engineer at 21, to his 23-year career at UAT.  He has been recognized as a leader in business and was most…

  Greg Head has spent most of his professional life in the world of software, including being part of the startup and growth stages of two major Arizona companies and as the chief marketing officer for Chandler-based Infusionsoft.  Today, Greg consults founders and CEOs, curates Gregslist (an active list of Arizona-based software companies…over 300 strong),…

Welcome to Season 2 of the Arizona Originals podcast! Our first guest of the new season is Brian Mueller – Chairman, President and CEO of Grand Canyon University.  Our conversation begins in Milwaukee, WI where Brian grew up along with his parents and seven siblings.  We then look at his years as a teacher and…