March 2008
Bank Note$ - News You Can Bank On
ACB Volunteer of the Month
ACB's Volunteer of the Month recognition program wants to know who you think should be recognized for their volunteer work or community service. If you know a volunteer who should be recognized, please submit your nominee's name, photo and a brief bio to Arlene Kulzer at arlene.kulzer@arrowheadcommunitybank.com.
Later this year we will select ACB's volunteer of the year and award that person a $1,000 check payable to the non-profit organization of his or her choice.
Introducing James L. Hughes
Bill Smith, Sr. V.P., and manager of the Arrowhead Community Bank mortgage loan department is pleased to announce James L. Hughes has joined the bank as Vice President of Residential Lending. For six years prior to joining ACB, James was in mortgage lending and was a multi-million dollar producer and top loan officer. His extensive sales experience reaches back 28 years and includes a variety of industries and services. However, perhaps one of his most interesting past experiences is that of being a professional clothier serving well-known personalities, professional athletes, news anchors, and politicians. James has received a number of awards for excellence and achievement.
Among his ongoing interests are music and sports, particularly softball which he has both coached and played for the past 25 years.
ACB is pleased to bring James' residential lending expertise to you, and urges you to contact him at 623-776-3806 for assistance in navigating today's residential real estate market.
Little Company at the "Big Game"
At the Super Bowl tailgate party in February, VIPs feasted on treats like mini bread bowls with Southwestern corn chowder courtesy of local caterer All About Catering Co. Along with supplying the 3,000 bread bowls, the company also provided food for other events, including some for country stars Sara Evans and Willie Nelson and their crew. The presence of All About Catering Co. at the Super Bowl even made the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
How did such a small operation get in on the "Big Game"? It was a result of the National Football League's Emerging Business program which provides a chance for small minority- and women-owned firms from the Super Bowl's host city to bid on contracts for services. All About Catering of Goodyear, Ariz., which has 12 full-time and 30 contracted workers, was awarded four contracts totaling more than $65,000.
Ginny Solis, co-owner of All About Catering Co., says, "The Super Bowl has gotten our foot in the door and it's opening up future business for us when the NFL does come back, and for existing businesses to use our services."
All About Catering Co. was founded in 2000 by Chef Julia Aldana and Ginny Solis. For additional information, visit www.allaboutcateringco.com.
Highways and Hickman's Team Up
Building on a combined history of nearly 150 years in Arizona, award-winning Arizona Highways magazine and Hickman's Family Farms, Arizona's only commercial egg supplier, launched a partnership in January. For the rest of the year, scenic images from Arizona Highways will be featured on the top of Hickman's egg cartons with a magazine subscription offer printed inside each carton's lid.
"This is a unique partnership between two 'home grown' organizations in the state," said Win Holden, publisher of Arizona Highways. "We're pleased to be partnering with another local company to highlight our history and commitments to the community."
The promotion will feature four different full-color images from various regions of Arizona, and can be seen on all Hickman's eggs cartons purchased in such stores as Albertson's, Sprouts, Bashas' and other grocery outlets. The subscription offer will direct people to Arizona Highways' website, www.arizonahighways.com.
"We couldn't think of a better organization in Arizona to be partnering with," said Clint Hickman, vice president of sales for Hickman's Family Farms. "We want to support Arizona Highways and other local businesses while also giving people a little something extra to enjoy with their morning eggs." For more information visit www.hickmanseggs.com.
Mr. Handyman of the West Valley
Goodyear resident and Arrowhead Community Bank client, Nancy Herrington, recently opened Mr. Handyman of the West Valley, a professional residential repair and maintenance service. Mr. Handyman is a franchise member of Service Brands International, which was founded in March 2000 as part of a group of service companies that provide a variety of timesaving services ideally suited for today's active consumer. The January 2008 issue of Entrepreneur magazine recognized Mr. Handyman as one of America's fastest growing, service-oriented franchise systems and the number one handyman service.
Nancy Herrington is a member of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Litchfield Park Rotary Club and is a long-time fan of the West Valley. Following the lead of Arrowhead Community Bank's commitment to community service, Nancy and Mr. Handyman of the West Valley employees are already involved in with the Tres Rios Nature Festival, the New Life Center, and Eve's Place.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 623-444-4416 or visit www.myhandyman.com. If you mention this article when booking your appointment, the company will extend a special Arrowhead Community Bank discount of $15 for a minimum two-hour service call.
San Diego Fire's Impact Still Felt
ACB client Bonnie Lucas has undertaken a project to benefit the victims of one of the San Diego fires - the Witch Creek Fire which burned many homes in Ramona, California. Among the structures lost were two owned by In His Steps that housed people in recovery from substance abuse. As a result of the fire, 20 at risk women were left homeless. With the help of local church and community volunteers, housing was found for each woman. Currently, the women are in a home purchased by In His Steps as it was less costly to purchase housing through the government than renting would have been. Once the women's homes are rebuilt, the men will move into the new facility. However, the program's housing resources have been drastically reduced, and funds are needed to rebuild the 5,000 square feet of livable space that was lost.
Bonnie says, "I am told that insurance will only pay $100 per square foot, but it will actually cost close to $180 per square foot to build. They are exploring every option available to them. Therefore, I am trying to raise $10,000 to help defray the cost of getting this valuable resource restored."
For additional information, contact Bonnie Lucas at bonnieleaz.com, or call 623-825-6717.
(Henry Ford)
