S2. Ep.34- Luke Arbizo – Growth, Recreation & the Future of Safford

S2. Ep.34- Luke Arbizo – Growth, Recreation & the Future of Safford

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354526/fan_mail/new] This week on the Who is this? podcast we sit down with lifelong Safford resident, retired law enforcement officer, and current Safford City Council member Luke Arbizo. With over 27 years in law enforcement and deep roots in the Gila Valley, Luke shares his journey from serving the community behind the badge to serving it from City Hall. We discuss his experiences with Safford, Thatcher, and Douglas police departments, his passion for mentoring youth, and what led him to run for city council. Luke also gives an inside look at some of the biggest topics facing Safford today, including: ✅ Community growth and future development ✅ Recreation, youth sports, and plans for a sports complex ✅ Housing and economic development opportunities ✅ Public safety and Flock camera discussions ✅ Local government, city council responsibilities, and community involvement ✅ How the city honored hometown UFC star Justin Gaethje ✅ Why investing in quality-of-life projects matters for the future of the Gila Valley Whether you're interested in local leadership, community development, public safety, or simply getting to know one of the people helping shape the future of Safford, this episode offers a candid and informative conversation. 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments: What would you like to see in the future of Safford and the Gila Valley? 🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with the people, businesses, and leaders making an impact in our community. #WhoIsThisPodcast #LukeArbizo #SaffordAZ #GilaValley #LocalLeadership #CommunityGrowth #ArizonaPodcast #PublicSafety #EconomicDevelopment #SmallTownStories #JustinGaethje #SaffordCityCouncil #WhoIsThisPodcastSeason2 Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/whoisthispodcast41]

S2. Ep 33 - From Mortgage Loans to Gourmet Pizza | Ben & Jess, The Story of Fancy Pizzeria in Safford

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354526/fan_mail/new] On this episode of the Who Is This Podcast, we sit down with Ben and Jess, the owners of Fancy Pizzeria in Safford, Arizona. Ben shares his incredible journey from working in the mortgage industry and luxury resort kitchens to completely renovating an abandoned building and transforming it into one of the Gila Valley's most unique dining experiences. Along the way, he discusses culinary school, learning from mentors, rebuilding a vacant property, creating a chef-driven menu, and building a restaurant centered around family, community, and great food. The conversation dives into the philosophy behind Fancy Pizzeria, their handcrafted menu, community initiatives like Pay-It-Forward pizzas, open mic nights with live musicians, and why they've invested heavily in technology and convenience through their ordering app. If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a successful restaurant from the ground up, this episode is for you. Be sure to following the delicious journey! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557938024904] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fancy_pizzeria/] Episode Highlights 🍕 Leaving the mortgage industry to become a restaurant owner 🏗️ Renovating a vacant building from the ground up 👨‍🍳 Culinary school and working in luxury resorts 🍝 The story behind Fancy's famous pasta dishes 🎵 Open Mic Nights and supporting local talent ❤️ The Pay-It-Forward Pizza program 📱 Why the Fancy app is changing the customer experience 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Building a family-centered restaurant culture 🌵 Why Safford was the perfect place to start a business Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/whoisthispodcast41]

S2. Ep.32-Copper Mine to College Finance: Journey Through Risk, Numbers, & Community | Troy Ainsworth

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354526/fan_mail/new] On this episode of the Who Is This Podcast, brought to you by Double R Communications and Southwest Mortgage Partners of Union Home Mortgage, We sit down with Troy Ainsworth, Controller and Finance Director at Eastern Arizona College. Troy shares his incredible journey — from aspiring major league pitcher to public accounting, then navigating the high-stakes world of mining finance across Arizona, Colorado, and beyond. Along the way, he’s faced multi-million-dollar challenges, fraud exposure, bankruptcies, and the lessons that only experience can teach. We talk about: ✅ His path from ASU accounting graduate to mining companies across the U.S. ✅ Underground audits, slope mines, quarries, and the realities of mining finance ✅ Managing risk, spotting fraud, and surviving industry downturns ✅ How the 2008 crash shaped his approach to money and leadership ✅ Transitioning from mining to public finance at Eastern Arizona College ✅ Property taxes, state funding, and financial transparency in higher education ✅ Balancing emotion vs. math in tough financial decisions Troy explains why “math will tell you what to do — but emotion often gets in the way.” From firing a mining blast to managing millions in public funds, this episode is packed with practical career lessons, financial wisdom, and personal stories about finding home and purpose in the Gila Valley. If you’ve ever wondered: • How junior mining companies really operate • Why businesses go bankrupt • How public colleges handle finances • Or why numbers don’t lie This episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping our community. #WhoIsThisPodcast #MiningFinance #CopperMining #EasternArizonaCollege #PublicFinance #CareerJourney #FinancialWisdom #GilaValley #AccountingTips #Leadership #SmallTownSuccess #HigherEducationFinance #MiningIndustry #FraudPrevention #BankruptcyLessons Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/whoisthispodcast41]

S2. Ep. 31 - THS: Leadership, School Safety & Building a Culture That Wins | Ryan Conrad

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354526/fan_mail/new] ✅In this episode of Who Is This, we sit down with Ryan Conrad, Principal of Thatcher High School, to talk about leadership, school culture, and what it truly takes to build a thriving educational environment in today’s world. Ryan shares the mindset that has shaped his career and his school: What do you want—and what are you willing to do to get it? From launching the All-In Initiative to recognizing students and teachers for effort and character, Ryan explains how intentional culture-building can transform a campus. The conversation also dives into: ✅ The All-In Initiative and community partnerships ✅ Leadership lessons learned the hard way ✅ Supporting students beyond academics ✅ Trades vs. college pathways and real-world readiness ✅ A candid discussion on school safety, preparedness, and leadership under pressure ✅ Why Thatcher High School’s culture stands out across Graham County This episode highlights what happens when educators, students, parents, and the community work together with purpose. 🎧 Whether you’re an educator, parent, student, or community member, this is a conversation about leadership, resilience, and doing things the right way. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping our communities. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/whoisthispodcast41]

S2. Ep. 30 - Building a Landscaping Business in a Small Town | GWR Landscapes

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354526/fan_mail/new] On Episode 30 of the Who Is This Podcast, we sit down with Ben Dike and Brenden Wahl of GWR Landscapes to talk about building a landscaping and construction business in a small town and why skilled trades are a real, long-term career path. Ben and Brenden share how they got started in landscaping, how GWR Landscapes evolved from Great Western Reclamation into a full-service landscaping and construction company, and what it takes to manage residential and commercial landscaping projects across Arizona while staying rooted in the Gila Valley. We dive into: ✅ Why landscaping is often more affordable than people expect ✅ DIY vs. hiring a professional landscaping crew ✅ Commercial vs. residential landscaping projects ✅ Hiring locally and growing skilled trade careers ✅ Running a local branch with the support of a larger company ✅ Community involvement and small-town business growth The episode wraps with how to contact GWR Landscapes, hiring opportunities, upcoming local events, and a fun conversation about Gila Valley Idol. If you’re interested in local business stories, entrepreneurship, skilled trades, or landscaping careers, this episode is for you. 📍 GWR Landscapes – Find them on Google Maps: https://share.google/z2fSCGg6I72FF3N4U [https://share.google/z2fSCGg6I72FF3N4U] 📞 Call or text the number on their trucks for a quote 🛠️ Now hiring | Visit them at the EAC STEAM Career Fair Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/whoisthispodcast41]