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.
![5da267aa9f468.image](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5da267aa9f468.image_.jpg)
![luncheon17](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luncheon17-scaled.jpg)
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](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Picture1.jpg)
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](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Picture2.jpg)
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](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lyndsay.jpg)
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](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Michelle-Britton-Team-page-cropped.jpg)
Michelle Britton
Investor Account Manager
mbritton@greateryuma.org
(928) 782-7774
(720) 240-6159
(720) 240-6159
![Stephany Turner](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Stephany-Turner-Team-page-cropped.jpg)
Stephany Turner
Chief Factotum
scrowe@greateryuma.org
(928)782-7774
(928)580-6027 Cell
![Mariana Apperson](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mariana-Apperson-Team-page.jpg)
Mariana Apperson
Data Exploration Specialist
mapperson@greateryuma.org
(928)782-7774
![insultech-yuma](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/insultech-yuma-scaled.jpg)
![luncheon21](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luncheon21-scaled.jpg)
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
![luncheon11](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luncheon11-scaled.jpg)
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.
![DSCN0011 (1)](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSCN0011-1.jpg)
Board of Directors
![Elizabeth Carpenter](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Elizabeth-Carpenter-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Elizabeth Carpenter
Chair
Member
Von Verde Development LLC
Industry Sector: Service
Term Ends: June 2026
![Wayne Gale](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Wayne-Gale-picGYEDC-Board-scaled.jpg)
Wayne Gale
Vice Chair
President and CEO
1st Bank Yuma
Industry Sector: Financial
Term Ends: June 2028
![Daniel Ortega](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Daniel-Ortega-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Daniel Ortega
Secretary/Treasurer
Southwest Division Manager
Arizona Public Service
Industry Sector
Term Ends: June 2024
![Mario Jauregui](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mario-J-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Mario Jauregui
Past Chair
Member
San Luis Industrial Park
Industry Sector: Logistics
Term Ends: June 2024
![Deborah Aders](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Deb-Aders-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
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](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Gerry-Anaya-GYEDC-Board.jpeg)
Gerardo Anaya
Member
Mayor
City of Somerton
Industry Sector: Public
![Daniel Bazua](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Daniel-Bazua-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Daniel Bazua
Member
Customs Broker
RL Jones Customhouse Brokers
Industry Sector: Food Production
Term Ends: June 2026
![Scott Blitz](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Scott-Blitz-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Scott Blitz
Member
Mayor
Town of Wellton
Industry Sector: Public
![Reetika Dhawan](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Reetika-D-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
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
Member
Senior Vice President of Operations
Datepac LLC
Industry Sector: Agriculture
Term Ends: June 2026
![Josh Finkbeiner](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JoshFinkbinder-GYEDC-Board.jpeg)
Josh Finkbeiner
Member
Commercial Banker
The Foothills Bank
Industry Sector: Financial
Term Ends: June 2026
![Mary Ellen Finch](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mary-Ellen-Finch-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Mary Ellen Finch
Ex-Officio Member
Community Liaison Officer
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Industry Sector: Public
![Tanya Hodges](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr.-Tonya-Hodges-.png)
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](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Supervisor-Jonathan-Lines-Board-page.jpg)
Jonathan Lines
Member
Supervisor
Yuma County
Industry Sector: Public
![Ian McGaughey](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ian-McGaughey-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Ian McGaughey
Ex-Officio Member
Administrator
Yuma County
Industry Sector: Public
![Art Morales](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Counclemen-Art-Morales-Board-page.jpg)
Art Morales
Member
Council Member
City of Yuma
Industry Sector: Public
![Douglas Nicholls](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Douglas-J-Nicholls-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Douglas Nicholls
Member
Mayor
City of Yuma
Industry Sector: Public
![Tom Pancrazi](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tom-P-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Tom Pancrazi
Member
President
A.T. Pancrazi Real Estate Services
Industry Sector: Service
Term Ends: June 2024
![Martin Porchas](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Martin-PorchasGYEDC-Board.jpg)
Martin Porchas
Member
Supervisor
Yuma County
Industry Sector: Public
![Mark Schauer](https://hype928.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mark-Schauer-GYEDC-Board.jpg)
Mark Schauer
Ex-Officio Member
Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground