AAAME Graduates Gain Skills For Success
Arizona Businesses Complete 2-year Mentoring Program

August 18, 2010

Thirteen companies representing the best of small business in Arizona were honored last night for completion of the 11^th class of the APS Academy for the Advancement of Small, Minority and Women Owned Enterprises (AAAME).

They join more than 150 Valley businesses that have utilized the academy’s intensive curriculum to help reach a next level of business success.

Launched in 1997, AAAME is a two-year mentoring program that combines business skill training with one-on-one advising. AAAME is about the successful implementation of solid business practices, utilizing a wide variety of delivery methods and the continual assessment of each AAAME participant’s progress in the program.

 “APS realizes that the health and vibrancy of our Arizona economy starts with the businesses that frame our communities,” said Rena Huber, director of AAAME. “Class 11 has triumphed in overcoming the intense business environment of the past two years. They have succeeded with hard work, courage, innovation and strong bonds with each other.”

AAAME is a collaboration of many individuals and community partners. The AAAME participants – or CEOs – receive peer-to-peer networking, resources and training in such areas as strategic planning, finance, management/operations and marketing. The academy is free to those accepted. The graduating companies represent various industries from across the Valley.

The graduates were honored last night at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix. They included:

• ABC Glass, Phoenix; owner: Dennis Rusk
• Angel Dentistry, Phoenix; owner: Dr. Amber Angel
• Arizona Air Boutique, Phoenix; owners: Angela and Mario Lepore
• Arizona Doppler Specialists, Phoenix; owners: Eric and Nicole Feigenbutz
• AWE Corporate Interiors, Phoenix; owner: Andrea Moseley
• The Back Rub Company, Phoenix; owner: Tiffany Richards
• Digital Bridge Business Solutions, Tempe; owners: Les Ticey and Michael Hicks
• DRAFTEK, Scottsdale; owner: Donna Overton
• Integrity Tree Service, Phoenix; owners: John and Kim Eisenhower
• Joy C. Cervantes CPA, P.C., Scottsdale; owner: Joy C. Cervantes
• Nyla Simone Home, Tempe; owners: Maria Benson and Katherine Alford
• Souvia Tea, Phoenix; owners: Bret and Kerstin Wingert
• Your Guide to Green, Phoenix; owner: Greg Peterson

“APS is proud to be associated with such an outstanding graduating class, and we look forward to following their success for years to come,” said Huber.

In 2006, APS was awarded the Freedom to Compete award by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission in recognition of AAAME’s excellence in equal-employment opportunity practices that promote access and inclusion and which can be emulated by other employers or organizations.

 For more information about this program, visit www.pinnaclewest.com/AAAME or call (602) 250-4712.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).

Jenna Shaver
(602) 250-4403