Flagstaff Business News
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Jen Nordstrom and Cindy Payne honored with ATHENA Awards.
The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce’s 36th Annual Meeting and ATHENA Awards brought together more than 500 business leaders on Feb. 21 at the High Country Conference Center. The business gathering included a fireside chat with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and an instructive speech by Northern Arizona University Director of Career Development John Gartin. The ATHENA Awards capped the program that also included recognition of the past year’s Chamber honorees and volunteers.
Jen Nordstrom and Cindy Payne honored with ATHENA Awards.
Stateside Chat with Gov. Hobbs
Chamber President and CEO Julie Pastrick moderated the fireside chat with Governor Hobbs, who answered questions pertaining to Northern Arizona. “We have to address the problem of out-of-state investors buying up [housing] units,” said Hobbs regarding affordable housing. She recommended that the state give back control to local communities to regulate this practice.
When asked about childcare, she said, “Childcare is an issue for employers; it’s an issue for families. We knew we would have to engage employers as part of the solution.” So she has proposed Bright Futures AZ, a childcare program where costs would be supported equally by the employer, the state and the family.
“As governor of a border state, I know [border security] is a top priority for Arizonans; it’s not a partisan issue,” said Hobbs. She noted that she awarded more than $100 million for collaborative border security efforts with local law enforcement. “Task Force SAFE [Stopping Arizona’s Fentanyl Epidemic] has kept 9,000,000 fentanyl pills out of Arizona and out of the nation,” she added.
Other engaging fireside discussion topics included Prop 123, the education funding measure that is set to expire on June 30, 2025; state focus on the semiconductor and electric vehicle business sectors; health care (“It’s probably one of the things that keeps me up at night the most,” Hobbs said); and forest health.
Guest Speaker: AI 2025
In his instructive address, NAU Career Development Director John Gartin proclaimed, “We’re not going to lose jobs to AI, especially here in Flagstaff.” He encouraged businesspeople to “use AI now,” demonstrating how to implement AI and Generative AI into daily workflows. He directed Annual Meeting attendees to follow up with a video he created for the Chamber at www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0MjbI9YXdU.
Green Business of the Year
The Chamber’s Flagstaff Green Business Award recognizes local businesses for their outstanding environmental initiatives. This year’s nominees included the American Motor Hotel, which has implemented energy reduction and water conservation initiatives.
Habitat for Humanity was also recognized for its efforts in building Energy Star-certified homes, achieving platinum designations from the Coconino Sustainable Building Program and its ReStore landfill diversion efforts.
Mountain Line was another notable nominee, recognized for its green infrastructure development and the gold designation it received from the Coconino Sustainable Building Program for its new Downtown Connection Center. Additionally, Mountain Line has implemented an electric bus fleet, further contributing to its environmental credentials.
Nackard Pepsi was praised for its recycling and waste reduction initiatives, which have diverted more than 317,834 pounds of material and the backhaul of more than 15,000 pounds of food waste from the Grand Canyon South Rim.
The Toasted Owl Café was also a contender, thanks to its upcycling and eco-friendly practices.
The Flagstaff Green Business Award, presented by Desert Financial Credit Union, was ultimately awarded to Nackard Pepsi for its significant environmental impact, highlighting the company’s commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainability in its operations.
ATHENA Awards
The ATHENA Awards program is a global initiative that aims to empower women to reach their leadership potential and promote balance in leadership across communities. In Flagstaff, these awards celebrate local female business leaders who have excelled professionally, contributed to their community and supported other women’s career advancement.
The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce presents these awards annually in three categories: public, private and Shining Star Emerging Leaders. This structure allows for recognition of outstanding women across various professional domains and career stages.
By highlighting diverse accomplishments in these categories, the ATHENA Awards are designed to foster an environment that values leadership growth and civic engagement. The program underscores the significant impact of women in the business world and encourages continued progress toward gender balance in leadership roles.
Nominees were brought on stage and introduced by sector. Public sector nominees: Maggie Colletti, IDB Designs; Christine Farr, Coldwell Banker Northland; Ellen Jimenez, Embassy Suites; Suk Lowman, Restoration Forest Products; Jennifer Nordstrom, Jen Nordstrom Accounting; and Amanda Steavenson, Nestle Purina. After a drumroll, Pastrick presented the award to Jennifer Nordstrom.
Private sector ATHENA nominees included Sue Brown, Coconino County; Cody Half-Moon, Lowell Observatory; Cindy Payne, Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona; Nicole Tuchsherer, NAU; Tasha Vigil, Northern AZ Alzheimer’s Dementia Alliance/Angels Care Home Health; Amy Waltz, Ph.D., Ecological Restoration Institute at NAU; and Stephanie Washington, Flagstaff Unified School District. The ATHENA award went to Cindy Payne.
Both nominees for the Young Professionals/Shining Star Emerging Leaders, Kimberly Guttierez, The Bluffs of Flagstaff and Sarah Heemstra, Coconino Community College were awarded.
Volunteer Recognition
It’s worth noting that after Pastrick’s welcome, former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans, MBA, representing U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s office, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterward, Chamber officials honored the past year’s outstanding volunteers at the event sponsored by APS and others. New Chamber Board Chair Randon Cupp, the Regional President of Foothills Bank, recognized Immediate Past Chair Misti Warner of Warner’s Nursery and Landscape Co. with a keepsake memento. Ellen Jimenez of Embassy Suites by Hilton-Flagstaff accepted the Ambassador of the Year award. Mary West of Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise received the Chamber Champion accolade.
Other noted guests included Navajo Nation President Buu Van Nygren, Cónsul General of Mexico Jorge Mendoza Yescas and Officer at Consulate General of Mexico Gerardo Valenzuela-Buelna. FBN
By Stacey Wittig, FBN
Photo by Stacey Wittig: Cindy Payne with Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona received the ATHENA Award for the public sector. Jennifer Nordstrom of Jen Nordstrom Accounting received the ATHENA Award for the private sector in Flagstaff, Friday, Feb. 21.
Filed Under: Business, Local News
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