Business Elevated

Season 5 Episode 37: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Chad Linebaugh, president and general manager of Sundance Resort.  Linebaugh shares his Utah story, discussing his love for the state and his passion for outdoor activities like skiing and hiking. He details his journey in the resort industry, starting as a waiter at Sundance in 1994 and eventually becoming the general manager. Linebaugh also mentions the history of the resort, its founder Robert Redford's vision, and its commitment to environmental preservation. Linebaugh also discusses different aspects of Sundance, from its seasonal activities and the impact of early snowfall to challenges such as climate change and transportation issues. He discusses the resort's response to unfavorable weather, emphasizing its significant investment in snowmaking technology, provides insights into Sundance's visitation trends, and much more. 

Season 5 Episode 36: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Vanessa Quigley, co-founder and chat booker-in-chief of Chatbooks. Quigley shares insights into her journey of building a successful business and her unique challenges as a woman entrepreneur. She discusses her unexpected entry into the business world, highlights Chatbooks’ mission to strengthen families, and shares the company’s evolution.   Quigley shares the company's unique culture, team structure, and initiatives supporting work-life balance, mental health, and family-oriented benefits. She also discusses its commitment to keeping a small company culture by focusing on individual team members' well-being and much more.

Season 5 Episode 35: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Julie Edwards, the owner of TowPro. Edwards shares her entrepreneurial journey and inspiration for starting TowPro, a software company that streamlines the dispatching of tow trucks for 911 dispatchers. She discusses the challenges she faced, how the company simplifies the process and saves dispatchers valuable time, and emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with technology that differentiates your business. Edwards also shares her journey as a woman entrepreneur in both the towing and tech industries, details lessons she learned along the way, highlights the supportive and collaborative nature of the Utah business community, and much more. 

Season 5 Episode 34: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Edward Bennett, the director of business development for the Suazo Business Center.  Bennett explains the Suazo Business Center’s mission and work, including its focus on entrepreneurship, economic development, and helping individuals succeed in their business endeavors, especially in underserved communities. He details the center’s programs, including one-on-one mentoring, marketing and outreach, curriculum-based education, and access to capital. Bennett also shares the significant impact it has on Utah communities, highlights success stories, expands on the center's recent certification as a Community Development Financial Institution, and much more. 

Season 5 Episode 33: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Nathan Rich, the founder and CEO of IsoTruss, Inc. They discuss Rich's background and milestones of his business journey, the unique properties of IsoTruss' composite materials, and the company's growth plans. The company’s support for women in business and its recent recognition at the JEC World Innovation Awards in Paris are also discussed. Rich shares insights into the business, including its focus on innovation and sustainability in infrastructure, key benefits of the company’s lightweight and strong materials, and its efforts to expand its global presence. He also emphasizes the importance of partnerships and relationships in the success of IsoTruss, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company's operations, the balance between remote and on-site work, and more.

Season 5 Episode 32: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Aaron Starks, president and CEO of 47G Aerospace and Defense Association (47G), formerly known as the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association.  Starks discusses his background growing up in Utah, pursuing a career that took him to different corners of the world, and the crucial role that Utah plays in the aerospace and defense industry, highlighting the state's legacy in innovation and technology. He emphasizes the importance of attracting talent to the industry, which he believes is the key to success, and 47G's dedication to promoting and supporting Utah's aerospace and defense sector. Starks also shares his insights into the organization’s recent agreement with the Ukrainian government and its mission to help Ukraine rebuild and strengthen its defense capabilities, and much more.

Season 5 Episode 31: In this episode, podcast host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Chris Stewart, former Congressman and the chair of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association.  Stewart shares insights into his military service, his transition to politics, and his experiences in Congress. He also discusses his decision to run for Congress and reflects on his 10 years in office. Stewart emphasizes the significance of the aerospace and defense industry in Utah and how it is contributing to national security and economic growth; he talks about his new role as the chair of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association, where he promotes and supports the industry and its innovations, and much more.

Season 5 Episode 30: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Judd Cook, Dominion Energy vice president and general manager of western gas distribution.  The duo discusses various aspects of Dominion Energy's operations and initiatives, its long-standing history in Utah, and its role in providing natural gas services to over 1.2 million customers.  The episode delves into the company's sustainability initiatives, including blending hydrogen into the gas distribution system to reduce carbon emissions and the recent completion of a liquefied natural gas facility in Magna, Utah, which is designed to ensure supply reliability during extreme weather conditions. Cook highlights Dominion Energy's philanthropic efforts. The company donated nearly $2 million to nonprofits in 2022, supporting women in the workplace, and emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Season 5 Episode 29:  In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews Christina Lux, a certified arborist and founder of Tree Lux, a tree care services company. Lux shares her journey from being a single mother and former massage therapist to becoming an arborist and professional tree climber. Lux discusses her passion for trees, the importance of proper tree care, and why it's essential to hire certified professionals to ensure the health and safety of trees. She discusses the challenges and rewards of running her own business and balancing work with family life as a single mother. Lux also talks about the unique beauty of Utah's landscape, the variety of trees in the state, and the importance of preserving and caring for these natural resources.

Season 5 Episode 28: In this episode, host Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with guests Ryan Starks, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, David Carlebach, managing director of international programs at World Trade Center Utah (WTCU), and Ike Ikeme, vice president of investments and strategic partnerships at RevRoad about the state’s recent trade mission to the UK and France. They discuss Utah's economic development, international investment, and the significance of trade missions. Starks emphasizes Utah's unique position as a state with strong infrastructure and cooperative collaboration. Carlebach highlights WTCU’s role in connecting Utah companies globally and enhancing trade opportunities. Ikeme highlights the vibrant Utah ecosystem for startups and the impact of trade missions in fostering international relationships and investments.