SAFFORD — Three counties came together Tuesday to celebrate the best of the business world.
Eastern Arizona College’s Small Business Development Center presented the Small Business Women of the Year for Graham, Greenlee and Gila counties.
Graham County’s the Small Business Women of the Year for 2023 is Dr. Susan Jones, owner of Gila Valley Clinic.
Jones joined the practice in 1984 and became the sole owner in 1995. She’s grown the practice from two doctors — including herself — to seven physicians, four nurse practitioners, one physician’s assistant and two behavioral health counselors.
She has served as the local hospice director, director of physicians for local nursing homes and served on the hospital board. Plus she was a driving force in the recent development of Samaritan Home, a respite and information center for the local homeless population.
In accepting the award, Jones spoke about how all the nominees are providing inspiration to the next group of female entrepreneurs.
“I think all of us who strive to do well and our successful — sometimes we fail but then hopefully become successful — is an inspiration to young people, realizing they can do it, too,” Jones said.
Joyann Hernandez, owner of Sunflower Environmental, was named the 2023 Greenlee County Small Business Woman of the Year.
Hernandez started her environmental consulting business in 2020, and despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, has grown it to list some of the largest companies in America as her clients, including Freeport-McMoRan, Raytheon, Tucson Electric Power and Arizona State University.
She provides STEM grants to teachers in Greenlee County, conducts Earth Day presentations for local school children, and sponsors children and adults being active in running and cycling events.
Hernandez was not able to attend Tuesday’s presentation, as she was a featured speaker at the Society of Women Engineers Conference in Los Angeles.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Amanda Haas was chosen as the first Gila County Small Business Woman of the Year.
Haas has owned Animal Magnetism, a dog-grooming business in the Globe-Miami area for 30 years. She is also an AKC Star certified canine behavioral specialist and a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.
She also volunteers with Globe Police, Gila County 4-H, Canines for Christ, Alliant Healthcare, Miami Library and has served as a volunteer firefighter.
“I never, in a million years, would have through someone would nominate me,” Haas said, “because we have so many women in Globe who are amazing hard workers, that do so much for our community.”
Following the death of her adult son, Jacob, in 2022, Haas’ family turned her son’s property into Jacob’s K9 Field of Dreams, a canine training facility for local 4-H youths in the canine program.
Each Business Woman of the Year received $1,000, a trophy donated by Trophies ‘N Tees, a gift bag, a certificate of recognition from Congressman Juan Ciscomani, and the Graham and Greenlee county winners received a $500 marketing package donated by Double R Communications.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
There were 20 nominees from Graham County, including:
● Amber Richards — A&A Design Co.
● Aunalisa Haynes — Creative Custom Cakes
● Brittney Rossow — Bark Avenue Paw Spa
● Cathie Hawkins — Meg’s Place
● Dawn Norton — Encouragement Coaching
● Destini Munoz — Skin Studios/D Lux Esthetics
● Dr. Gail Guerrero — Gila Valley Clinic
● Jessica Penrod — Enchanted Boutique
● Jojo Schroder — Thriftee Food and Drug
● Lindsey Ortega — GLO Designs
● Marcia Bothman — Marcia’s Garden
● Norma Brown — Pollock’s Western Outfitters
● Royce Hunt-Bell — Roycycled Treasures
● Ruth Dannenbrink — Cottage Bakery
● Sarah Henderson — Sarah’s Bullpen
● Shelby Wiltbank — Shelby Cake
● Dr. Susan Jones — Gila Valley Clinic
● Taylor Banks — Gila All-Star Cheer
● Tricia Garrett — Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co
● Valerie Hernandez — Essential Patient Care
Greenlee County’s nominees include:
● Briana Madrid — BMad Customs LLC
● Joyann Hernandez — Sunflower Environmental
● Mary Merino — Con Carino Salon
● Samantha Orr — Person Pet Care & Services
● Stasha Barlow — Jars & Lace
Nominees in Gila County include:
● Alma Smith — Consign Your Design
● Amanda Cooper — Shear Oasis Salon
● Amanda Haas — Animal Magnetism
● Amanda Moors — Moors Wildlife Management
● Cassie Hendricks — Forest Properties Inc.
● Deanna Viggiani — Arizona Wildflowers & Gifts
● Emily Brice — Lovern’s Bakery
● Erika Flores — Zona Ice & Pretty Kind Boutique
● Hannah Lusk — Hannah & Hooch
● Irma Braham — Serendipity
● Joanna Lee Twenty-Three — Miami Art Works
● Leigh Pendergraft — The Rusty Pine Cone
● Linda Corso — KRDE 94.1 FM
● Rebecca Matthews — Land of Wild Designs
● Thea Wilshire — Acorn Consulting LLC
Speakers on the evening included EAC SBDC Director Eric Bejarano, Graham County Supervisor John Howard, 2019 Graham County Small Business Woman of the Year Margo Henrie, Vicki Seppala of Freeport-McMoRan, and Fiona DeYoung, representing U.S. Rep Juan Ciscomani.
Sponsors included Freeport-McMoRan, Double R Communications, Trophies ‘N Tees, Fizek Fitness, Zone Ice, Farmers Insurance Dallin Haws Agency, Bloom Asian Concept, National Bank of Arizona, Bruzzi Vineyard, Forest Properties Inc., Ginaveve’s Marketplace, Pretty Kind Boutique and Eastern Arizona College.
Small Business Woman of the Year:
2013 — Janet Quinn, Trophies N’ Tees
2014 — Kally Efros, Indigo Mountain Wellness, Toys & Gifts
2015 — Dr. Debbie Chapman, Desert Cross Veterinary Hospital
2016 — Sheryl Goodman, Taylor Freeze
2017 — Graham County, Jenny Rogers, Safford Dance Academy
Greenlee County, Susan Snyder, Chase Creek Marketplace
2018 — Graham County, Jenny Howard, Ginaveve’s Marketplace
Greenlee County, Meghan Wagley, Chaparral Mini-Mart and Motel
2019 — Graham County, Margo Henrie, Fizek Fitness
Greenlee County, Jackie Norton, PJ’s Restaurant
2023 — Graham County, Dr. Susan Jones, Gila Valley Clinic
Greenlee County, Joyann Hernandez, Sunflower Environmental
Gila County, Amanda Haas, Animal Magnetism
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:11 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, to correct the spelling of Haas in the headline.
