2019 Rural Policy Forum Presentations
Keynotes
Ines Polonius, “Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”
Kimber Lanning, “Resiliency in Rural Arizona: Strategies to Build Community Self-Reliance“
Vision Sessions
Travis Barnum, ADEQ Brownfields | Brownfields Are Closer than they Appear
Robert Theobald, Arizona Commerce Authority | ACA & SBDC Partnership
Julie Engel, Greater Yuma EDC | Rural Workforce Legislation
Evelyn Casuga, Center for Future of Arizona | Community Progress Meters
Kal Mannis, Rural Activation & Innovation Network | Informal STEM Programs
Angela Fernandez, GeekiTek | Rural WiFi
Craig Sellers, Yuma’s Complete Count Committee, Rural Census Representation
Jon Canyon, Axolotl Biologix | STEM Regeneration on Tribal Land
Eric Marcus, SEDI | Funding Sustainable Classrooms
Danny Knee, Pima Community Investment Corporation | Creative Finance Models
Business Development Sessions
Business Development: Business Development & Growth
Rob Page, Bisbee Coffee
Chuck Hoisington, Open Loop Energy
Keith Watkins, Arizona Commerce Authority
Bennett Bratley, City of Kingman Economic Development
Workforce + Education | Cultivating Talent Pipeline Collaboration – Q&A
Richard Hernandez, Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center
Katherine Pappas, Pipeline AZ
Katy Cavanagh, Beat the Odds Academy
Liza Noland, Talent Pipeline Management
Preparing for the New Workforce
Brian Watson, Proximity Space
Melanie Banayat, WingSpace
Tiffany Ochiltree, GO Admin Solutions
Maintain Your Legacy Beyond Silver Tsunami (Baby Boomer Retirement)
Kevin Fort, Central AZ College SBDC
Josh Gallagher, GO Admin Solutions
Alex Walsh, Arizona Business Transitions
Community Activation – Thinking About the Big Picture
Liza Noland, AZ Rural Development Council
Lauren Haggerty, AZ Rural Development Council
Tourism & Marketing Sessions
Engaging Small Business to Develop a Community-Wide Brand
Aaron Cooper, International Sonoran Desert Alliance/Only in Ajo
Julie Brooks, Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce
Cameron Davis, Razor Thin Media/Adventure Gila County
Tourism & Marketing WORKSHOP: Rewriting the Rural Narrative
Bryan Seppala, Resolution Copper
Liza Noland, AZ Rural Development Council; Worksheet
Lauren Haggerty, AZ Rural Development Council
Strengthening Community Through Arts & Culture
Moderator: Brad Debiase, AZ Commission of the Arts
Jamie Stehly, Kingman Main Street
Isaac Russell, Littlewood Fine Art & Community Co-Op
DiAnn Butler, Colorado Creative Districts
Gayle Berry, Willcox Theater
Getting Your Community on the Map
Kimber Lanning, AZ Rural Development Council
Ben Stewart, Arizona Office of Tourism
Rand Jenkins, Mountain Mojo
Matthew Nelson, Arizona Trail Association
Healthcare as an Economic Driver
Julie Brooks, Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce
Evelyn Vargas, Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center
Cindy Head, Bullhead City Chamber of Commerce
Food Systems & Healthy Communities Sessions
Food Systems & Healthy Communities: Growing Health Through Heritage Foods
Jonathan Netzky, Local Alternative Link
Velvet Button, Ramona Farms
Pam Roy, Farm to Table NM
Growing a Healthy, Local Marketplace
Adrienne Udarbe, Pinnacle Prevention
Elyse Guidas, Farm Express
Stacy Raneri, Oracle Patio Cafe & Market
Nina Sajovec, Ajo CSA
Prioritizing Food Systems Collaboration
Kate Radosevic, Local First Arizona Foundation
Emily Bell, Local First Arizona Foundation
Mila Besich, Town of Superior/CCEDC
WORKSHOP: Inspiring a Healthy Community
Sally Holcomb, Arizona Complete Health
Stewardship & Sustainability Sessions
Sustaining Open Space in an Era of Growth
Chuck Budinger, AZ Department of Transportation
Janeen Rohovit, Salt River Project
Wick Butler, X Diamond Ranch
Waste as an Economic Driver
JB Shaw, AZ Recycling Coalition Board
Jill Bernstein, Keep AZ Beautiful
Ryan Smith, Recyclops
The Battle for Main Street
Todd Pryor, Town of Superior
Larry Harmer, Town of Florence
Travis Barnum, ADEQ Brownfields
Understanding a Changing Climate in Rural Arizona
Gregg Garfin, University of Arizona
McKenzie Jones, City of Sedona
Helene Tack, Local First Arizona
