Season 6 Episode 4: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Hunter Manz, CEO of Eden Technologies, and Gabi Tellez, managing director of the Utah Innovation Fund. In December 2023, the Utah Innovation Fund invested $250K in Eden Technologies for their reverse osmosis centrifuge (ROC) technology. Manz shares his journey from Las Vegas to Utah, detailing his experiences as a Utah Tech University student entrepreneur and Eden Technologies inception. They explore the revolutionary technology behind the company, focusing on its potential to enhance water desalination efficiency and provide clean water solutions globally. Manz highlights the crucial role of persistence and community support in entrepreneurial success, emphasizing Utah's vibrant innovation and business growth ecosystem. Tellez shares her journey from Southern California to Utah, highlighting the state's allure with its stunning landscapes and career opportunities. She delves into the genesis of the Utah Innovation Fund, a $15 million venture capital initiative that supports early-stage companies based in Utah rooted in higher education. With a focus on sectors like aerospace, defense, biotech, and healthcare, Tellez emphasizes the fund's role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, catalyzing innovation, and retaining talent within the state.

Season 6 Episode 3: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Annalisa Holcombe, senior vice president of advancement at Western Governors University (WGU).

Holcombe shares her unique career journey, transitioning from law to higher education and eventually leading WGU's fundraising efforts. She discusses the university's unique approach to online education, focusing on competency-based learning and providing each student with a personalized, mentor-driven experience. Holcombe sheds light on WGU's mission to bridge the workforce development gap and its commitment to affordability and equity in education. She speaks on WGU's impact, providing flexibility for working learners and creating opportunities for adults with some college experience but no degree.

She also provides insights into WGU's efforts to address the changing education landscape, including developing skills-based transcripts and partnerships with organizations like the Open Skills Network. Holcombe shares her thoughts on work-life balance, the significance of creating meaningful experiences in the workplace, and much more.

Season 6 Episode 2: In this podcast, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah.

Freedman shares his journey from founding Downeast Outfitters in the early 90s to leading World Trade Center Utah. Born and raised in New York, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a successful business venture in Utah, a state he grew to love for its outdoor activities and business opportunities. Freedman details his experiences in the retail industry, international business, and his role as the honorary consul for Ukraine in Utah.

He highlights World Trade Center Utah's mission to make Utah the crossroads of the world, emphasizing its role in fostering global connections for Utah-based businesses. Freedman discusses upcoming initiatives, trade missions, and partnerships to expand international opportunities for Utah companies. He discusses the state's supportive business environment, recognition as the best state to start a business, and the significance of Utah's global engagement.

Season 6 Episode 1: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Cuthbertson, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah).

Cuthbertson reflects on his first year as president and CEO, emphasizing the importance of getting to know stakeholders, maintaining the organization's positive trajectory, and implementing changes outlined in its five-year strategic plan. He delves into the role of EDCUtah in corporate recruitment and emphasizes the organization's focus on both recruitment and retention of companies.

The duo discuss Utah's economic evolution and the need for a recalibrated approach to corporate recruitment, considering factors such as quality of life, workforce development, and social responsibility. Cuthbertson provides insights into the challenges of Utah's growth, highlights the state's diverse and young workforce, its growing economic sectors that make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs, and much more.

Season 5 Episode 38: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Rob Hitchcock, president and CEO of SelectHealth.

They discuss Hitchcock's journey from being born and raised in Utah to his 25-plus-year career in the healthcare industry. He reflects on his transition from wanting to attend law school to finding his niche in the health insurance industry. Hitchcock emphasizes the unique approach of SelectHealth, a community-focused nonprofit health plan owned by Intermountain Health, and the company's integration of clinical services and financing to align incentives aiming to improve overall community health.

Hitchcock discusses the company's mission to improve the health of the communities and highlights its commitment to providing services to diverse populations. He shares his vision for the organization's future, focusing on SelectHealth's long-term sustainability, commitment to affordability, maintaining a high standard of quality, and more.

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.