Business Elevated

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Sharlene Wells, senior vice president of public relations and organizational communications at Mountain America Credit Union. Wells shares her career path, which includes being Miss America, working at ESPN, and serving with the Department of Defense. She delves into the evolution of Mountain America Credit Union, noting that while the core principle of providing fair loans and building savings remains, it now offers a more holistic support system — from free financial guides to a strong emphasis on financial education. She highlights the credit union's strong commitment to supporting small businesses, citing its long-standing status as a top SBA credit union lender and sharing a successful client story. Wells emphasizes the importance of building relationships with members to provide support during economic challenges. She also discusses the credit union's approach to local engagement, which includes partnerships with organizations like the Hale Center Theater and active involvement with various Chambers of Commerce. Wells explains that the credit union's growth strategy is driven by listening to its members' needs, leading to initiatives like translating documents into Spanish and creating a director of multicultural engagement position to better serve diverse communities.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Corissa Webster, founder of Executives Cup. Webster founded the Executives Cup after realizing the need for a more meaningful and dynamic networking experience. Drawing from her background in venture capital, she reimagined the traditional networking event by combining it with the energy of a golf tournament. The result is a curated experience where business leaders are intentionally grouped to foster connections and open doors to future business opportunities.    Webster highlights the Executives Cup's multiple tournaments held each year across Utah, including events in both the northern and southern parts of the state. She shares her experience with Utah's supportive business community, which features a "win-win" approach that encourages entrepreneurs to help each other succeed.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Wayne Aston, CEO of Invictus Sovereign.  Aston discusses his career as an entrepreneur and his company's role in Utah's energy sector. His background in construction, the Marine Corps, and a church mission to Russia — combined with his passion for team-building and high adventure — have contributed to his current work. He explains how his company, Invictus Sovereign, focuses on developing land and managing the complex financing for major projects, aiming to pioneer in the transition from traditional utility monopolies to privately developed energy. Aston also details his work in central Utah, where his company leads a multi-year project focused on next-generation energy production. He explains that this effort aligns with Gov. Cox's Operation Gigawatt initiative to add a gigawatt of power to the state, which is vital for Utah's rapid growth and the increasing energy demands of artificial intelligence and data centers. Aston highlights that his projects are focused on creating high-paying jobs in central Utah to prevent young people from leaving the area. He also notes that Invictus Sovereign is working with the Utah Inland Port Authority to enhance rail and airport infrastructure. Its work focuses on long-term partnerships and a "Utah first" mentality to improve the state's economy and quality of life.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Bryan Phelps, CEO of Big Leap. Phelps discusses his digital marketing career, highlighting his journey through prominent Utah-based digital marketing companies like OrangeSoda and SEO.com before founding Big Leap in 2008. He emphasizes Big Leap's focus on foundational marketing principles, understanding customer journeys, and the importance of a strong brand in an evolving digital landscape. Phelps also touches on the company's culture, which prioritizes high-quality work over flashy tactics, and its commitment to employee well-being — especially for working mothers — through flexible remote work policies. He shares his insights on the impact of artificial intelligence on digital marketing, seeing it as a tool for efficiency and enhancement rather than replacement. Phelps believes Utah has a unique advantage in the digital sphere due to its history in the industry, talented workforce, and a supportive entrepreneurial community eager to mentor the next generation of business leaders.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Anil Singh, founder and president of Saras AI Institute.  Singh shares his journey, from growing up in a small village in India to becoming a successful entrepreneur, highlighting how education transformed his life and inspired him to establish Saras AI Institute. The institute offers fully online AI education, including certificate, associate, and bachelor's degree programs, with a unique project-based learning approach that eliminates traditional exams. Singh discusses the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Saras AI Institute and the Indian Institute of Technology to advance AI education in India. He emphasizes that AI is not here to replace humans but to augment them, creating millions of new jobs and solving humanity's greatest challenges. Singh encourages anyone interested in AI to embrace it as a tool and offers advice on how to get started, recommending readily available tools like ChatGPT. He also highlights Saras AI Institute's beginner-friendly "Powers of AI" course, designed to help individuals confidently enter the AI field, regardless of their background.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Emily Ashby, program manager for Utah's Own. Ashby shares insights into her passion for local industries with Utah's Own, a state-branded program promoting Utah's agriculture and food business. She discusses the vital function of Utah's Own in bridging the gap between consumers and local producers, highlighting the program's efforts to support and uplift the state's food and farming sector.  Utah's Own, which became membership-based five years ago, offers benefits like online directory presence, using Utah's Own logo for product differentiation, and promotional opportunities through social media and newsletters. Ashby emphasizes the economic impact of supporting local businesses, noting that increasing local spending by just 10% could retain an additional $1.3 billion annually within Utah's economy. Ashby also addresses challenges facing Utah's agriculture, such as land development, water issues, and the need for succession planning in family farms, while also noting the positive trend of agritourism as a way for farmers to diversify their income and keep their farms viable.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Chris Baird, CEO of OptConnect. Baird discusses his journey from sales and operations before becoming CEO of OptConnect. The company began by providing temporary cellular connectivity for ATMs at an outdoor festival and has since evolved into a full-service provider of managed wireless solutions for a wide range of unattended machines like kiosks and digital signage — meeting growing demand as major retailers began requiring vendors to bring their internet solutions. Baird explains that OptConnect’s solutions involve purpose-built hardware, extensive software development by 50 engineers, and redundant cellular connectivity across major carriers. The company has grown to nearly 200 direct employees, with additional contractors, and has expanded globally with offices in Europe and Latin America, serving over 1.1 million devices. Baird discusses OptConnect's consistent growth and recognition on lists like Utah Business's Fast 50 and Inc. 5000, attributing it to a relentless focus on customer satisfaction, which stems from prioritizing employee well-being and fostering a strong company culture, including a dedicated annual day of service for all employees.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Stephanie Frohman, associate director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air at Utah State University. Frohman shares her career journey and the critical work the institute is doing in Utah. With 27 years of experience as an engineer in medical devices, she transitioned into economic development, spending two decades at the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. Her passion for mission-based work led her to focus on natural resources, leading her to her current role, where she is pursuing a master's degree in natural resources to better understand Utah's unique environmental challenges and opportunities. Frohman highlights the institute's mission to connect decision-makers with high-quality research, providing evidence-based support for environmental and economic solutions. It produces an annual report for the governor and Legislature, translating complex research into accessible insights and serving as a resource for policymakers on land, water, and air issues. Frohman highlights the institute's proactive and reactive approaches, including its work with the Great Salt Lake Strike Team to baseline scientific understanding and its Bear Lake needs assessment to prevent future problems. It also engages students, offering professional development opportunities and involving them in policy discussions.

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Thomas Laakso, senior vice president of DPS Skis. Laakso highlights Utah's unique advantage of outdoor access, which allows him to combine his career in skiing with living in the mountains. His material science and composite engineering background led him to work for brands like The North Face before joining Black Diamond and eventually co-founding an avalanche safety company. He oversees product and operations at DPS Skis, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is the largest ski producer in the United States. Laakso emphasizes DPS Skis' commitment to using 90% domestic materials, which proved beneficial during supply chain disruptions. He details the company's 18-month design, manufacturing, and testing process, highlighting the strategic advantage of its Salt Lake City location for rapid iteration and testing on nearby mountains. DPS Skis, known for its carbon fiber construction and focus on freeride, recently launched a new Pisteworks line for hard snow carving. Laakso also discusses its Revive program, which refurbishes and resells used skis, including those from other brands, promoting sustainability by extending product lifespan.

Season 7 Episode 22: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Brian Cassil, principal director of communications, and Jeffrey Tuft, principal partner at Architectural Nexus.  Cassil discusses his 28-year career with Architectural Nexus, bringing a unique film and media arts background to his role, focusing on storytelling in design. Tuft shares his 20-year career with the firm and his role as a principal partner and LEED-certified professional, emphasizing sustainable building practices. They highlight the company's transition to a 100% employee-owned company with offices in Salt Lake City, Sacramento, and remote locations, primarily serving the Western United States.  The conversation delves into pressing issues like housing affordability in Utah. Tuft discusses the need for more condominiums to address the challenges faced by first-time homebuyers and how liability concerns deter developers from building them. The duo shares their pride in working on impactful projects such as the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and the National Ability Center in Park City, which underscores the firm's commitment to community and philanthropy. They also expressed optimism about Utah's continued growth, partially driven by events like the 2034 Winter Olympics, which they believe will further fuel the state's prosperity and attract diverse opportunities.