Guiding Growth

Jolean Fleck, vice president of people and organizational development, joined Delta Dental of Arizona in 2019. In this role, she works to shape the company’s culture and create an enriching experience for employees. With a focus on building a strong, high-performing team, Fleck is also responsible for leadership development and employer branding.

Before joining Delta Dental of Arizona, Fleck was the chief talent officer for the Town of Gilbert, Arizona. As an experienced talent manager, she has spent over 20 years delivering HR solutions across diverse industries that align with business strategy and improve the employee experience.

Fleck has an undergraduate degree in business with a human resources concentration from Austin Peay State University and a master’s degree in business from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Fleck holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and a Society of Human Resources Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation. In addition, she is a member of the board of directors for Save The Family, a Mesa-based organization and leading provider of housing, case management, and supportive services to more than 650 homeless and impoverished families annually throughout Maricopa County.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Cindy Packard and her husband Blair are the founders of Care for Life, an NGO in Africa that, for the past 24 years, has seen unprecedented success in alleviating suffering, promoting self-reliance, and instilling hope for those families and villages living in extreme poverty.

Cindy helped research and create a unique program using local people to offer comprehensive training and mentoring in health and hygiene, sanitation, food security, home improvement, income generation, literacy, psycho-social well-being, and community participation.

Since its beginning, Care for Life has helped over 100,000 people, and according to Cindy, they are just getting started to help the 1 billion people still living in desperate poverty. “We don’t give handouts or create dependency – we share knowledge and create sustainable self-reliance. And we have the data to prove it.”

• Care for Life was chosen as one of the ten “Best Practices in Global Health” for 2010 by the US State Department.
• Cindy presented “The Family Preservation Program: Empowering Communities” at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2013.
• Care for Life started in Mozambique, Africa, and is currently focused on sharing The Family Preservation Program with other organizations working to help those in extreme poverty.

Cindy has served 24 years on the Care for Life Board and is an advisor. She has been a Licensed Midwife in private practice in Arizona for 45 years.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Brimage holds the top leadership position for the University’s Gilbert Campus and is a member of the University’s executive leadership team. She is responsible for leading the strategic growth and operations of the campus, including academic programming, market development, community relations, fundraising, enrollment growth, student services, student academic support, student engagement, and athletic program development and growth. 

Most recently, Brimage has been the principal and owner of Brimage Consulting in Tucson, Ariz., which specializes in working with educational, health care and small businesses to prepare their workforces with competency-based skill development. 

Brimage is not a stranger to higher education in Arizona. For nearly four years (August 2014 to June 2018) she served as vice president of student affairs and engagement at Pima Community College’s downtown campus in Tucson. She also served a variety of roles with Maricopa Community Colleges for 14 years, including vice president of student affairs at Phoenix College from 2010-14, and associate dean of enrollment services (2000-05), dean of student affairs (2005-09) and acting vice president of student affairs (2009-10) at Scottsdale Community College. Brimage began her career in higher education at Arizona State University, serving nine years in undergraduate admissions for various campuses, as well as in student affairs for the ASU East (now Polytechnic) Campus. 

She has been active in the Tucson community, having served as a liaison with the Tucson Urban League and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member with the University of Arizona Campus Christian Center, Wesley Fontera, Paiute Neighborhood Center Scottsdale, Chandler-Gilbert ARC, and most recently House of Refuge, Gilbert Talks, Phoenix East Valley Partnership and Educational Partnership. 

Brimage is working to earn her Doctorate of Education degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University (expected to graduate in Spring 2024), following the completion and successful defense of her dissertation on “Latina Leadership in Community College.” She earned a Master of Education degree in educational leadership and policy studies from NAU and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and communications from ASU.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Tim Hovik is an Executive and Philanthropist residing in Arizona. He’s the Owner & Operator of San Tan Ford in Gilbert, Arizona. 

Mr. Hovik is the leader among his colleagues. Tim’s greatest asset is his ability to make the right decisions at the correct times. The evidence is in the results.

He’s also past President of the F.D.A.F. and current Chairman of the influential Ford National Dealers Council. 

Tim’s passion for all things Ford is a wonderful bond. He’s led his team to the greatest of achievements. Presidents Award, Ford Top Dealer Challenge, and Premier Club Protect. The winner of Partners in Quality, Ford Top Volume Dealer Challenge, Premier Club Parts, Sales Leadership, Certified Pre-Owned Leadership Award.

And the winner of the coveted ONE Ford Elite recognition.

Outside of the office, often at 30,000 feet, his yardstick of achievement takes a different form. Tim’s drive for Success, Growth and Happiness are rooted in his mission for a thriving community. Vibrant communities with robust local economies are his path forward. And it’s for real. Less talk, more action is a mantra.

San Tan Ford has become more than the automotive leader. It’s a bonified brand as measured by outside marketers. Not an easy feat and “there is no finish line”. 

Another key to Tim’s formula is meaningful relationships with Live & Local Sports. Crafted relationships include the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State University, Arizona Diamondbacks, The Phoenix Open, Fiesta Bowl, and the Charles Schwab Championship. Countless public schools and organizations. And wouldn’t you know it, all the Big Names do their automotive business at Tim Hovik’s place. 

He’s much more than a “proud sponsor” kind of guy. Tim deep dives into these relationships and shares his experiences wrapped in a unique marketing sincerity. 

Tim is a master marketer in a noisy world. 

Mr. Hovik is known as The Go-To-Guy-To-Get-Things-Done. Tireless advocacy and business acumen combined with that well-placed sense of humor are his fundamentals. Tim drives revenue and beats accelerated goals

He’s a magnet for recruiting and retaining the best employee talent available. 

That’s why they say: “If you have Tim’s cell phone number, you’ve really got something!”

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Owner of Garage-East Winery here in Gilbert, Arizona, since 2016. Married with three children living in Gilbert, the best town ever. Retired hero.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Dr. Maria Hesse serves as a Professor of Practice in the higher education program at Arizona State University. She was Vice Provost for Academic Partnerships at Arizona State University for a decade. Prior to joining the ASU administration in 2009, Dr. Hesse served as President and CEO for Chandler-Gilbert Community College, one of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Before her 25 years in the Maricopa Community Colleges system, she was a high school principal and teacher. Dr. Hesse holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from Arizona State University. She has s Master's and Doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and is a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management.

Maria has lived in Gilbert for more than 30 years. Nowadays, she spends a considerable amount of time serving as a board member or volunteer for nonprofit organizations such as Positive Paths, Boost a Foster Family, Assistance League of the East Valley, 100+ Women Who Care, and others.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

David is the Arizona Regional President for Meadows Bank, a community bank specializing in financial services for businesses and real estate. He was born and raised in Louisiana and moved to Arizona in 2004. David previously served as a Director in Bank of the West/BNP Paribas’ commercial banking office in Phoenix. Prior to that, he was a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase Bank’s Middle Market Banking Group for 12 years. David has worked as a commercial banker covering markets in Southern California, Arizona, and the southeast US.

David serves on the Central Arizona Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Arizona and is the chair of the committee responsible for JA's annual Stock Market Challenge event. He also serves on a task force through Valley Leadership that is focused on early childhood literacy. David leads a Men's ministry through his church and is a supporter of many local charitable organizations, both personally and professionally. David has been married to his wife Jessica for 13 years and is the proud father of Isla and Euan. He enjoys playing guitar, weightlifting and cooking, and is an avid reader of history, theology and psychology.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Dana Berchman is the Chief Digital Officer in Gilbert, Arizona, where she manages all internal and external communications, public relations, marketing and digital government initiatives, government innovation, and open data and storytelling efforts. She leads a digital team responsible for developing forward-thinking policies on social media, digital communications, web initiatives, and other tools to better serve the public. Dana created Gilbert’s award-winning Office of Digital Government, named the “Civic Engagement Program of the Year” by Smart Cities Dive and the recipient of the “Sharman Stein Award for Storytelling Changemakers".

Previously, she spent eight years working in New York City as a producer and director at MTV and a producer and writer for Andrea Mitchell at MSNBC. Dana earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Arizona State University and her master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Leticia Barwick, with an illustrious 35-year career in the industry, is the owner of Meritum, a credit card processing company. Proud to be a local and family-owned business, Meritum stands as a testament to her commitment to her community. Beyond her professional success, Leticia's heart belongs to travel, her creative passion for scrapbooking, cherishing precious moments with loved ones, and her unwavering love for the Dodgers. She also has a passion for cigars, which she enjoys in her leisure time. She's a distinguished member of the Gilbert Leadership Class 23. Leticia's six-year tenure on the Gilbert Leadership Board underscores her commitment to fostering growth and unity within her community.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Meet Andrew Augustyniak: a guy who wears many hats and owns them all with a smile. Dad to four awesome kiddos, partner-in-crime to his amazing wife, and once upon a time, a golf pro turned loan magician. He’s the brain behind the Augustyniak Lending Team and the top 1% of the nation, according to the folks at Mortgage Executive magazine.

Growing up in sunny Arizona, Andrew was all about numbers and people. Tempe was his playground, and boy, did he play well. After snagging a Business Management degree from the University of Nevada with a golf scholarship in his back pocket, he traded in his golf clubs for mortgage spreadsheets. And he's never looked back.

Andrew didn't just build a team; he assembled a squad ready to change lives and hand out financial wisdom like candy. But don't think for a second that he's all work and no play – this guy knows how to live it up with his family (shoutout to Anderson, Fitz, Finnley, and Maverik!) or sink a birdie on the golf course when he's not hustling.

Boredom? Oh, that's Andrew's arch-nemesis. Blame it on his mom, who kept him knee-deep in sports to keep him out of trouble back in the day. That's where he picked up the knack for hard work and the drive to conquer goals like a champ. But wait, there's more! Besides running the mortgage show, he's got a hand in all sorts of cool projects like PuttTek, building his rental portfolio, Desert Studio AZ, Arizona Rental Response, Modern Canopy Co, and the Fueled by Why Podcast.

Andrew's mantra? That luck surrounds itself around everyone, one must be fearless to recognize and jump into any opportunities to allow that luck to come to fruition….. He lives by this, day in and day out.

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul.

Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders.

This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy