214. Matthew Sanders and Erik Mikkelsen — Elevating Hospitality by Investing in People
Release Date: 04/18/2025
225. Emily Ashby — Connecting Utahns To Local Agriculture and Food Industries
Business Elevated
In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Emily Ashby, program manager for Utah's Own. Ashby shares insights into her passion for local industries with Utah's Own, a state-branded program promoting Utah's agriculture and food business. She discusses the vital function of Utah's Own in bridging the gap between consumers and local producers, highlighting the program's efforts to support and uplift the state's food and farming sector. Utah's Own, which became membership-based five years ago, offers...
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224. Chris Baird — Providing Connectivity Solutions With OptConnect
Business Elevated
In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Chris Baird, CEO of OptConnect. Baird discusses his journey from sales and operations before becoming CEO of OptConnect. The company began by providing temporary cellular connectivity for ATMs at an outdoor festival and has since evolved into a full-service provider of managed wireless solutions for a wide range of unattended machines like kiosks and digital signage — meeting growing demand as major retailers began requiring vendors to bring their internet...
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223. Stephanie Frohman — Utah's Proactive Approach to Environmental Challenges
Business Elevated
In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Stephanie Frohman, associate director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air at Utah State University. Frohman shares her career journey and the critical work the institute is doing in Utah. With 27 years of experience as an engineer in medical devices, she transitioned into economic development, spending two decades at the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. Her passion for mission-based work led her to focus on natural resources,...
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222. Thomas Laakso — Bringing Innovation and Sustainability to Utah's Slopes
Business Elevated
In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Thomas Laakso, senior vice president of DPS Skis. Laakso highlights Utah's unique advantage of outdoor access, which allows him to combine his career in skiing with living in the mountains. His material science and composite engineering background led him to work for brands like The North Face before joining Black Diamond and eventually co-founding an avalanche safety company. He oversees product and operations at DPS Skis, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary...
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221. Brian Cassil and Jeffrey Tuft — Looking Beyond the Blueprints With Architectural Nexus
Business Elevated
Season 7 Episode 22: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Brian Cassil, principal director of communications, and Jeffrey Tuft, principal partner at Architectural Nexus. Cassil discusses his 28-year career with Architectural Nexus, bringing a unique film and media arts background to his role, focusing on storytelling in design. Tuft shares his 20-year career with the firm and his role as a principal partner and LEED-certified professional, emphasizing sustainable building practices. They...
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220. Mark and Sally Dietlein — 40 Years of Magic, Drama, and Stunning Performances at Hale Centre Theatre
Business Elevated
Season 7 Episode 21: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Mark Dietlein, president, CEO, and co-founder, and Sally Dietlein, artistic director, executive producer, and co-founder of Hale Centre Theatre. Mark and Sally Dietlein share their journey of building a thriving theater company in Utah. They discuss how their shared background in performing arts at BYU led them to join forces with Mark's grandparents, Ruth and Nathan Hale, to establish the theater in 1985. Over nearly 40 years, Hale...
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219. Natalie Kaddas — Powering Innovation, Employees, and Wildlife Outage Protection
Business Elevated
Season 7 Episode 20: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Natalie Kaddas, CEO of Kaddas Enterprises. Kaddas discusses her journey from hospitality to leading a second-generation family business. She highlights the company's evolution from making aviation components to its innovative BirdguarD™ product, which prevents animal-caused power outages and mitigates wildfires. Kaddas emphasizes the importance of domestic sourcing, the company's global reach in 15 countries, and its strategic use of...
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218. Ryan Wedig — Making Digital Transformation Attainable With Vasion
Business Elevated
Season 7 Episode 19: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Ryan Wedig, CEO and co-founder of Vasion, opens in a new tab. Wedig shares his journey of co-founding PrinterLogic — now Vasion — in St. George in 2012. He recounts meeting the founder and recognizing the potential of his print server elimination technology as the IT landscape shifted towards private clouds. Wedig, with a background in systems engineering and an MBA, partnered to build the business, initially focusing on eliminating print...
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217. Scott Holmes — Building Better Through Value-Driven Entrepreneurship
Business Elevated
Season 7 Episode 18: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Holmes, founder and CEO of Teton. Holmes discusses his career path, which unexpectedly pivoted from biology and medical school after being mentored by an entrepreneur in the import business. This experience ignited his entrepreneurial spirit and laid the foundation for his future. He recounts the genesis of Teton, born from a "to-don't" list of business practices he observed and wanted to avoid. Holmes explains how Teton...
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216. Ryan Starks — Reflecting on the Road So Far and What's Ahead
Business Elevated
Season 7 Episode 17: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), talks with Ryan Starks, GOEO's executive director. Starks shares his deep appreciation for the innovative spirit and strong work ethic of Utah's diverse communities. Reflecting on his recent visits to all 24 rural counties, he emphasizes the heart of GOEO's mission to create economic opportunities for all Utahns. He highlights the prevalent family and caring culture throughout the state. He reflects on key accomplishments during his tenure,...
info_outlineSeason 7 Episode 15: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Matt Sanders, founder and CEO, and Eric Mikkelsen, vice president of product, at Longitude.
Sanders and Mikkelsen delve into their professional backgrounds, which both involve building new enterprises alongside existing organizations, including their time together at Western Governors University. They discuss the genesis and operation of Longitude, a company focused on managing luxury short-term vacation rentals, second homes, and full-time residences primarily in the Wasatch Back region of Utah.
Sanders explains the company's unique model, which blends employees with licensed service partners, empowering individuals, particularly Latin American immigrant women, through training and entrepreneurial opportunities. Mikkelsen emphasizes Longitude's commitment to investing in its people, fostering a high level of service, and attracting talent in a competitive hospitality market. They also discuss their marketing strategies, the importance of guest reviews, and their positive experiences within Utah's collaborative and entrepreneurial business community, expressing optimism for future growth while prioritizing their local base.