President’s Message

FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO

The Greater Yuma Arizona region is made up of four states and two countries, serving a population of over 1.5 million people. Our unique location and assets allow for easy access to international and southwest markets with the ability to deliver goods in a single day truck haul. Our growing defense and aerospace industry thrive in our optimum climate and state of the art infrastructure support for research and development, testing and manufacturing. This region is entering the Space Launch sector due to our enviable controlled airspace and facilities that support the needs of companies launching to lower earth orbit, as well as the companies needing to launch and test ballistics. Growing companies needing a dedicated skilled workforce and easy access to their customers and supply source have found the Greater Yuma Region to be the answer to all their wants and needs.

This region is leading the research and deployment of robotics, drones and laser technology that will change the way our food is grown, harvested and processed, while constantly striving for food safety guidelines that will be the example for the country and the world. The region is second in the nation for leafy green and produce production and is home to the nation’s largest food producers.

Many companies chose Yuma County as the place to grow their business. Their success is evidenced by their continued growth in this market. We invite you to visit Yuma and meet the Managers of General Motors, Johnson Controls, Shaw Diversified, Associated Materials, Northwestern Industries, International Paper, Gowan Company, Tanimura and Antle, Dannon/Whitewave, Driscoll Foods, Michael’s Foods, Datepac, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and Pratt Whitney to glean first hand why they are thriving in Yuma County.

Consider all of us at Greater Yuma EDC an extension of your team. We are your arbitrator with all local and state public agencies. We are Grantee of Foreign Trade (FTZ) 219 and will partner with you to obtain FTZ status if applicable. We are prepared for every size project.

Thank you for your interest in the greater Yuma Region and I look forward to meeting you.

About Us

GYEDC is a team of economic development and marketing professionals committed to proving Yuma County, Arizona is a great place for businesses like yours to grow. General Motors, Johnson Controls, Insultech, Associated Materials, Northwestern Industries, International Paper, Tanimura and Antle, Dannon/Whitewave, Driscoll Foods, Almark, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce, and Pratt Whitney all chose Yuma over California or Phoenix. Let us show you why. Our team is organized to provide the facts you need to thoroughly evaluate the Yuma metro area. We can save you countless hours of research and analysis at no cost or obligation to you.

Meet The Team

Yuma County, Arizona is a great place for business. A large part of Greater Yuma EDC’s mission is to create awareness of the business opportunities and resources that are available to companies around the world. As a part of that mission, it is our commitment to see that interested companies and executives have a central location to gather pertinent, up-to-date information on the Yuma County economy.

Our team of economic development professionals is organized to help you obtain the facts you need to thoroughly evaluate the Yuma metro area. We can save you countless hours of research and analysis by providing a full complement of services, all at no cost or obligation to you.

In addition, our staff can also arrange custom site and building tours, schedule meetings with community officials and arrange introductions to necessary business contacts. Contact us today.

Greg Levann

Greg Levann

CEO

In his tenure, Greg has assisted companies in creating over 3,726 new jobs with $3.8B in capital investment and the fulfillment of 1.9M square feet of industrial/commercial space. He has successfully helped local companies acquire $19 million in grant funding for the purpose of business expansion and infrastructural development.

glavann@greateryuma.org

(928)782-7774 x11

(928)580-0088 Cell

Amber Shek

Amber Shek

Chief Innovation Officer

Amber has 6 years of experience supporting economic development efforts in Greater Yuma specializing in research, digital marketing, and grant writing. Since 2019, Amber has secured over $1 million in grant funding to the region for studies and infrastructure development.

ashek@greateryuma.org

(928) 782-7774 x13

(910) 330-7087

Lyndsay Wisneski

Lyndsay Wisneski

Digital Marketing Officer

Lyndsay has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and brings several years of experience to the team.. At GYEDC, Lyndsay is expanding marketing efforts designed to attract business and talent to the region. She is a military spouse who has lived in Yuma off and on for 15 years.

lwisneski@greateryuma.org

(928)782-7774

Michelle Britton

Michelle Britton

Investor Account Manager

mbritton@greateryuma.org

(928) 782-7774

(720) 240-6159

(720) 240-6159

Stephany Turner

Stephany Turner

Chief Factotum

scrowe@greateryuma.org

(928)782-7774

(928)580-6027 Cell

Mariana Apperson

Mariana Apperson

Data Exploration Specialist

mapperson@greateryuma.org

(928)782-7774

Who We Are

The Greater Yuma Arizona region is made up of four states and two countries (US and Mexico), serving a population of over 1.5 million people. Businesses have access to international and southwest markets, and the ability to deliver goods in a single day truck haul. Growing companies can find a dedicated skilled workforce and easy access to their customers and supply source thanks to Yuma’s unique location.

Since 1995

Consider all of us at GYEDC an extension of your team. We have established relationships with all local and state public agencies, as well as workforce development organizations in the community. There are many cost saving benefits of operating a business in Yuma including a foreign trade zone.

Yuma FTZ#219 has been granted authority under the Foreign Trade Zone Board as an Alternate Site Framework (ASF) boundary. The major benefits of ASF status allow companies to site their location anywhere within the Yuma County borders and the reduction of application timelines down to 30 days.

The other great benefit to locating within Foreign Trade #219 is the very unique 80% reduction in property taxes within the activated space. Arizona has enacted special legislation that re-classifies real and personal property within foreign trade zones from a Class 1 to Class 6.

Board of Directors

Elizabeth Carpenter

Elizabeth Carpenter

Chair

Member

Von Verde Development LLC

Industry Sector: Service

Term Ends: June 2026

Wayne Gale

Wayne Gale

Vice Chair

President and CEO

1st Bank Yuma

Industry Sector: Financial

Term Ends: June 2028

Daniel Ortega

Daniel Ortega

Secretary/Treasurer

Southwest Division Manager

Arizona Public Service

Industry Sector

Term Ends: June 2024

Mario Jauregui

Mario Jauregui

Past Chair

Member

San Luis Industrial Park

Industry Sector: Logistics

Term Ends: June 2024

Deborah Aders

Deborah Aders

Member

Vice President Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer

Yuma Regional Medical Center

Industry Sector: At Large

Term Ends: June 2024

Gerardo Anaya

Gerardo Anaya

Member

Mayor

City of Somerton

Industry Sector: Public

Daniel Bazua

Daniel Bazua

Member

Customs Broker

RL Jones Customhouse Brokers

Industry Sector: Food Production

Term Ends: June 2026

Scott Blitz

Scott Blitz

Member

Mayor

Town of Wellton

Industry Sector: Public

Reetika Dhawan

Reetika Dhawan

Member

Associate Vice President for Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education

Arizona Western College

Industry Sector: At-Large

Term Ends: June 2024

Juan Guzman

Juan Guzman

Member

Senior Vice President of Operations

Datepac LLC

Industry Sector: Agriculture

Term Ends: June 2026

Josh Finkbeiner

Josh Finkbeiner

Member

Commercial Banker

The Foothills Bank

Industry Sector: Financial

Term Ends: June 2026

Mary Ellen Finch

Mary Ellen Finch

Ex-Officio Member

Community Liaison Officer

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

Industry Sector: Public

Tanya Hodges

Tanya Hodges

Member

Regional Academic Programs Manager- Yuma Distance Campus

Executive Director of Business Initiatives and Grant Development

Lecturer, Agriculture Education & Plant Science

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA-Yuma

Industry Sector: Agriculture

Term Ends: June 2024

Jonathan Lines

Jonathan Lines

Member

Supervisor

Yuma County

Industry Sector: Public

Ian McGaughey

Ian McGaughey

Ex-Officio Member

Administrator

Yuma County

Industry Sector: Public

Art Morales

Art Morales

Member

Council Member

City of Yuma

Industry Sector: Public

Douglas Nicholls

Douglas Nicholls

Member

Mayor

City of Yuma

Industry Sector: Public

Tom Pancrazi

Tom Pancrazi

Member

President

A.T. Pancrazi Real Estate Services

Industry Sector: Service

Term Ends: June 2024

Martin Porchas

Martin Porchas

Member

Supervisor

Yuma County

Industry Sector: Public

Mark Schauer

Mark Schauer

Ex-Officio Member

Public Affairs Officer

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground