Business Elevated

Season 7 Episode 6: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Catherine Raney Norman, board chair of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games. Raney Norman discusses her journey to Utah as a four-time Olympic speed skater, her appreciation for the state’s landscapes, and her career transition from sports to leadership roles in development and fundraising. She highlights the significance of Utah hosting the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, emphasizing its impact on the local economy, community engagement, and future generations. Raney Norman also underscores the importance of resilience, inclusivity, and the role businesses, volunteers, and young people can play in making the Olympics successful.  Raney Norman highlights Utah’s strong position as a future host, citing its existing infrastructure, favorable climate, and engaged community. She also emphasizes the Kearns Olympic Oval’s impact on local pride, economic growth, and world-class athletic performance. The conversation covers the successful bid for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the transition from the bid committee to the organizing committee, and the ongoing efforts to engage all 29 counties in Utah. 

Season 7 Episode 5: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services, talks with Romney Williams, CEO of DRYOUT.  Williams shares his extensive entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the crucial support of his wife, who encouraged him to pursue his startup dreams full-time, even when faced with financial uncertainty. His career path involved learning from successes and failures, including a significant role in bringing digital camera technology to market as an "ingredient brand," akin to GORE-TEX. This experience shaped his preference for team-based ventures, leading him to join founders who needed a CEO to drive their vision. Williams details the invention of DRYOUT, a product designed to remove moisture from hard goods, and its scientific superiority to traditional methods like rice. DRYOUT, initially a consumer product, has evolved into a B2B model, partnering with other brands to embed its patented moisture-wicking technology in various products, from consumer electronics and military gear to hunting equipment and musical instruments. He also highlights DRYOUT’s commitment to social responsibility, aligning with Utah’s strong philanthropic values by supporting mental health initiatives — especially those focused on children and veterans.

Season 7 Episode 4: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Cassie Michael, founder of Food and Meat Co-op. Michael discusses how she launched the business during the 2020 supply chain crisis to help communities access affordable, high-quality proteins and other food items. With a background in wholesale food and a passion for budget-friendly meal planning, she leveraged her industry connections to secure bulk pricing directly from producers, eliminating the need for traditional retail markups. Committed to quality and affordability, the co-op offers additive-free products through an online ordering system, delivering via refrigerated trucks to pickup locations across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, with recent expansions into home delivery in select areas.  Michael shares insights on running a community-driven food distribution business and how the cooperative model supports partnerships with local businesses for distribution. She emphasizes the importance of passion-driven entrepreneurship and the challenges of balancing business and family life. Additionally, Michael discusses the co-op’s recognition for championing women in business and its plans for expansion into Nevada and beyond. 

Season 7 Episode 3: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Opportunity, talks with Loren McClure, chief executive officer of FuelUp.  McClure shares his entrepreneurial journey with FuelUp, an innovative gas delivery service that offers convenient and cost-effective refueling for vehicles, boats, and equipment by price-matching local gas stations and operating lean with Utah Department of Transportation-certified trucks. The service, modeled after a Middle Eastern concept, caters to business owners and high-net-worth individuals and recently surpassed 200 cars serviced. He shares insights into the service's growth, emphasizing its word-of-mouth marketing strategy and potential for expansion. McClure highlights the challenges of co-founding the business with family, the role of Utah’s supportive entrepreneurial community in accelerating growth, and the company’s goals to achieve $10 million in revenue and expand offerings to include snacks, drinks, and mobile convenience store services. 

Season 7 Episode 2: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Robbyn Scribner, co-founder and director of outreach at Tech-Moms.  Scribner discusses her career journey, Tech-Moms’ mission, and its impact. She shares her experience of reentering the workforce after a 15-year break and her passion for empowering women through meaningful careers. She explains how Tech-Moms addresses barriers women face by providing accessible, affordable, and flexible technical training, including advanced cybersecurity and data analytics programs. Since its founding during the pandemic, it has trained over 600 women, equipping them with skills that boost their confidence, job readiness, and earning potential while fostering a supportive community. Scribner emphasizes the need for systemic change in gender pay equity, flexible work options, broadening tech industry culture to include diverse perspectives, and much more. 

Season 7 Episode 1: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Mark Giles and Domeda Duncan, co-founders of Our Sundays. Giles and Duncan discuss their backgrounds in communications and marketing, their transition to Utah, and their shared passion for creating inclusive spaces. They emphasize the importance of fostering a sense of belonging, particularly for Utah's growing Black population and transplants. Giles and Duncan highlight how Our Sundays bridge social connections, showcase Utah's natural beauty, and contribute to community retention efforts. They also reflect on Utah's evolving demographics and the importance of inclusivity in adapting to these changes. Our Sundays host numerous events, such as karaoke, holiday gatherings, and service projects, promoting the retention of Black professionals in Utah through consistent, inclusive, and joy-filled experiences. They emphasize the state's supportive entrepreneurial environment, which has been pivotal in their journey to cultivate community and foster belonging in Utah.

Season 6 Episode 42: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with three World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) team members: Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO; Jared Anderson, senior director of global business services; and Anna Maidon, director of grants administration; and two Utah company representatives, Michael Gray, general manager of Intermountain Technologies, and Aaron Edwards, CEO of Mil Agro. Freedman discusses Utah’s recent governor-led trade mission to South Korea and Japan. He details the mission’s key achievements, including a new nonstop Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Seoul to enhance connectivity for Utah businesses in East Asia. The delegation, comprising 47 business representatives, held 119 individual meetings, projecting nearly $77 million in new trade opportunities. The conversation also previewed upcoming trade missions to Canada and Australia in 2025, emphasizing their strategic alignment with Utah’s priority industries.  Anderson and Gray highlighted Utah’s global trade initiatives and entrepreneurial culture. The conversation covered a recent WTC Utah-led business trip to Peru involving Utah mining companies and legislators, which fostered international connections with Peruvian leaders. Anderson and Gray detail the trip’s successes, including strategic partnerships, cultural exchanges, and new opportunities in Peru’s mining industry.  Maidon and Edwards explore Utah’s involvement in the federal State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, explaining the STEP grant’s role in assisting small businesses with global expansion by reimbursing costs for international trade shows, website development, and market analysis. The conversation highlights Utah’s success in securing a significant portion of STEP Grant funds, enabling local businesses to access resources for global market engagement. Companies interested in applying are encouraged to contact WTC Utah for personalized guidance. 

Season 6 Episode 41: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Cully Cavness, co-founder, president, and CEO of Crusoe Energy Systems Inc. Cavness discusses his company's mission to address wasted natural gas emissions, describing how Crusoe captures flared natural gas at oil sites and converts it into energy to power data centers for AI computing and Bitcoin mining. He highlights Utah, particularly the Uinta Basin, as a significant operation hub due to its high energy capacity. Sharing his journey from geothermal energy to co-founding Crusoe, Cavness explains the environmental and economic benefits of their Digital Flare Mitigation technology, which reduces methane emissions while creating valuable computing power.  Cavness explores Crusoe's employment of mobile, satellite-connected systems to provide flexible, environmentally aligned power solutions without relying on traditional infrastructure. He showcases the company's evolution from Bitcoin mining to AI-focused GPU computing through its Crusoe Cloud product. It has driven significant growth and led to a $3.4 billion venture to build state-of-the-art liquid-cooled AI data centers in Texas powered by renewable energy. Recognized as Utah’s 2024 Rural Business of the Year at the 2024 Fall One Utah Summit, Crusoe emphasizes community engagement and sustainable practices as key drivers to Crusoe’s success. 

Season 6 Episode 40:  In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Stubbs, chief financial officer at Extra Space Storage. Stubbs reflects on his 20+ years at Extra Space Storage, from starting as a corporate controller to overseeing its evolution into an industry giant with over 3,800 locations across 42 states. Stubbs highlights key milestones, including the company’s 2004 initial public offering, transformative acquisitions, and strategic expansions into diverse markets. He elaborates on managing investor relations and navigating challenges like regulatory compliance, environmental impacts, and scaling operations.  Stubbs emphasizes the role of strong partnerships, consistent performance, and an employee-focused culture as major contributors to Extra Space’s sustained success as the largest publicly traded company in Utah. He highlights the company's transition to in-house investor relations, its leadership as a top-tier Real Estate Investment Trust, and its innovative strategies, including internet visibility, prime locations, and exceptional customer experience. Stubbs also shares insights into navigating rising interest rates and the company’s commitment to sustained growth in a dynamic real estate market.

Season 6 Episode 39: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Claudia Loayza, Magnify Utah program manager at the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs. Loayza describes her background as a child of Latin American immigrants and her focus on creating generational wealth and community engagement. She explains her work with Magnify Utah, a project that connects and celebrates Utah’s diverse communities by highlighting resources, stories, and cultural landmarks. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive urban planning, equitable resource access, and intentional storytelling in strengthening Utah’s multicultural reach. Loayza highlights the mission and impact of Magnify Utah's website, designed to highlight personal stories, community profiles, and resources that promote inclusivity and community building in Utah. The website serves as a central hub to help residents — including immigrants, veterans, and corporate transplants — integrate and thrive. She also emphasizes the state’s rich heritage of welcoming newcomers and the growing diversity that shapes its future. Loayza highlights Utah’s strong sense of community and shared values, making it attractive for entrepreneurship.