Business Elevated

Season 5 Episode 27: In this episode of Business Elevated, host Pete Codella speaks with Robert Spendlove, senior vice president and economic and public policy officer at Zion's Bank. He offers an insightful analysis of Utah's economy, combining his extensive experience in the financial sector and Utah Legislature. From navigating the complexities of interest rates, inflation, and employment trends to discussing Utah's economic resilience and its ranking as the top state in the U.S.; the conversation covers a broad spectrum of topics. Housing challenges, Zion's Bank's 150-year legacy of community service, and Utah's exceptional quality of life in Utah are also explored, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the state's economic dynamics and vibrant spirit.

Season 5 Episode 26: In this podcast episode, Ashley Okawa, public information officer at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews Troy Tortorich, general manager of the Chevron Salt Lake City refinery. He shares insights about Chevron's history in Utah, starting in 1948 when Standard Oil built a refinery in the state. Tortorich discusses the refining process, including the production of Tier 3 fuels, which help reduce tailpipe emissions and contribute to better air quality. Chevron's commitment to education, the environment, and community inclusion is highlighted, showcasing partnerships with various organizations to support student STEM programs and protect critical wetlands habitat. The episode also delves into Chevron's two-pronged approach to carbon reduction, emphasizing a future with lower-carbon energy solutions like renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture.  To learn more about Chevron, listeners are invited to attend the Community Tour Day in the fall, celebrating Chevron's 75 years in Utah.

Season 5 Episode 25: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, discusses the challenges faced by women and girls in Utah with Dr. Susan Madsen, founder of the Utah Women and Leadership Project. They cover topics such as workplace inequality, sexism, domestic violence, and educational disparities. Dr. Madsen emphasizes the need for men's allyship and collaboration to create a more inclusive society. They also introduce the Bolder Way Forward initiative, a seven-year project aimed at empowering Utah girls and women. They highlight the importance of engaging various stakeholders, including PTAs and businesses, in driving positive change. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to join the movement and contribute to a more equitable future. Listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges faced by women and girls in Utah and the significance of collective efforts to promote gender equity. The episode inspires action and highlights the importance of collaboration in creating a more inclusive society. For more information about the 100 Companies Championing Women please refer to this Research and Policy brief and learn more at inutah.org/inspire.

Brian Torgersen, director of Provo Airport, and Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, discuss Provo Municipal Airport, its history, expansion plans, benefits of flying out of Provo, and efforts to attract airlines and establish connections. They also express their appreciation for Utah and its people.

Season 5 Episode 23: This episode features a conversation with Derrick Porter, CEO of Beauty Industry Group, and Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The governor’s Spring 2023 One Utah Summit has a long-standing tradition of presenting awards to honor individuals and companies contributing to Utah’s economic opportunities, local communities, and industries. The One Utah International Business of the Year is Beauty Industry Group. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Beauty Industry Group sells products in 165 countries to over 100,000 stylists and salons worldwide. Its impressive and continued growth has created hundreds of jobs in Utah and thousands worldwide. The company embraces BIG® ideas to increase opportunities and deliver true beauty to the world. Porter discusses how his nontraditional approach to education prepared him for his current role and describes the company and its product lines. He also shares what it was like when the company started to do business internationally and how his experiences with World Trade Center Utah helped Beauty Industry Group jump-start its international expansion. Porter informs listeners of the lessons learned as an entrepreneur, what receiving the 2023 Utah International Business of the Year means to him, and much more. 

Season 5 Episode 22: This episode features a conversation with the finalists of the 2023 One Utah Summit Startup Pitch competition. Listen as Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews the three award winners – Pam Sitterud, co-founder of Dentacōr (first place and people’s choice), D.J. Potter, CEO of Sawtooth (second place), and Greg Scott, CEO of SRT Labs (third place). The governor-sponsored Startup Pitch competition is an entrepreneurial speed-pitch challenge where judges rank the best ideas, and the audience selects a people’s choice award recipient. The Utah Innovation Center, part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, presents the Startup Pitch annually. Kinect Capital powers the competition in partnership with Weber State University’s Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center. Sitterud, co-founder of Dentacōr, a company that brings dental exams to the workplace or home, informs listeners what led her to start the company, what piqued her interest to enter the Startup Pitch competition, and the mentoring she received to prepare her for competition. She also discusses the importance of entrepreneurs being able to listen, the status of trademarking Dentacōr’s equipment, and much more. Next, Potter, CEO of Sawtooth, a company that provides high-quality, durable truck Tonneau covers, tells listeners why he decided to participate in the competition and what he gained from the experience. He elaborates on the company’s intellectual property, his aspirations for the company, its challenges, how he plans to use the prize money, and much more. Scott, CEO of SRT Labs, a service robotics and technologies company, explains what the company’s software does and the impetus for creating it. He also tells listeners about his experience participating in the competition, why he decided to start his business in Utah four years ago, his one piece of advice for entrepreneurs, and much more.      

Season 5 Episode 21: This episode features a conversation with Kenneth Boggs, the recipient of the Cameron Russell Williams Rising Impact Award, and Ashley Okawa, public information officer at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.  The Kenneth Boggs Group received the Cameron Russell Williams Rising Impact Award at the 2023 One Utah Summit for its philanthropy work. The award is given by the Cameron Russell Williams Foundation to honor Cameron’s lasting impact and legacy characterized by his rallying cry of, “Dream big. Then bigger than that.” The award honors black business and technology entrepreneurs poised to unite diverse people and provide opportunities that create prosperity for Utahns. Boggs discusses the importance of family and the selfless and giving culture he has witnessed in Utah since moving from California. He also tells listeners about the story behind every art-inspired Kenneth Boggs suit. The fashion architect gives listeners suggestions for turning their passion into a career and the important role social media played in founding his company. Boggs describes his passion for working with children, why he chose Utah to start his business, what it means to him to receive the Cameron Russell Williams Rising Impact award, and much more.

Season 5 Episode 20: This episode features a conversation with Brock Blake, founder and CEO of Lendio, and Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. In this episode, we talk with Blake, the recipient of the 2023 One Utah Business of the Year. Founded in 2011 with headquarters in Lehi, Lendio is a marketplace for small business loans where lenders compete for business. It partners with over 75 lenders to offer small business owners access to working capital to start or grow their businesses. In 2021, Glassdoor ranked Lendio the No. 8 Best Place to Work. Blake discusses earning a degree in entrepreneurial finance from Brigham Young University and entering an eight-week boot camp competition, how he founded Lendio to give small business owners access to capital, and what differentiates his company. He discusses his experience contributing to the small business sections on Forbes.com and the company’s designation as one of 100 Companies Championing Women. Blake also talks about how work has changed since the pandemic, what receiving the 2023 One Utah Business of the Year award at the recent One Utah Summit means to him, and much more.

Alex Dunn, managing partner at The Larry H. Miller Company, talks about the company's next business areas, including investments, sports/entertainment, senior health, and real estate. He also discusses the possibility of bringing Major League Baseball to Utah and the company's recent designation as one of 100 Utah companies championing women. They also explore the importance of philanthropy and the best things about living and working in Utah.

Season 5 Episode 18: This episode features conversations with recipients of the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. The three medal winners are Lora Gibbons (K-12 education), Dr. Julie Valentine, Ph.D., RN, SANE-A, FAAN (Academic/Research), and Dr. David Bearss (Industry). Listen as Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews the award winners as they discuss their background, experience, and what it means to be recognized this year by Gov. Cox with the Governor’s Science Medal. Gibbons informs listeners about how she became involved in STEM education in elementary schools and her experiences helping students assemble science fair projects. She also elaborates on how the gender gap in STEM has narrowed, how more women are earning degrees than men, and what receiving the 2023 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology in the K-12 education category means to her.  Next, Valentine tells listeners how her experience as a nurse and her groundbreaking research on sexual assault is influencing statewide improvements to address sexual violence and shares what changes she has seen in Utah due to her research. She also discusses how Utah compares to other states regarding sexual assault and what being recognized with Gov. Cox’s Medal for Science and Technology in the academic and research category means to her. Bearss explains how he became involved in researching and developing new therapeutics that enhance lives and what area of his research has been most impactful. He also tells listeners what lessons he learned from participating in clinical studies, details his work with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and shares what receiving the Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology in the industry category means to him.