This month, Benefit Logic, Inc. is poised to celebrate its 15th year in business. That makes owner Ed Gussio pause for a moment to reflect on the past and future of his independent insurance agency that specializes in health insurance. “I guess you can say we are preparing ourselves for another 15 years of growth,” he said. Gussio believes his business is a success because of its philosophy, which is: Do what is right for the customer, no matter what. “Unlike other agencies, we are not on … [Read more...] about Choosing Flagstaff for Business and Family
Community Profile
Audiologist Grounded in Helping People
Dr. Karon Lynn thought she would become an Air Force pilot. After all, she spent her youth in the Civil Air Patrol in Louisiana, flying planes on search and rescue missions. She loved all the dials, equipment and technology that go along with piloting a plane. So, she said, it was all the dials, equipment and technology that launched her career in audiology and kept her enthralled for more than 30 years. As an audiologist, Lynn experiences how lives can be changed in very positive ways. … [Read more...] about Audiologist Grounded in Helping People
Local Doc Opens Door to House Calls
When Dr. Neal Mogk began practicing medicine more than 25 years ago, his mission was to help people and take care of his patients. But, through the years, the practice of medicine has changed. Now, instead of devoting his time to his patients, he has mountains of paperwork at the end of the day and his medical decisions are second-guessed and overseen by insurance companies. Dr. Mogk decided things had to change, at least for him, so he could get back to what he originally set out to do: … [Read more...] about Local Doc Opens Door to House Calls
President – Leading from the Heart
Growing up as a cost-conscious child, Leah Bornstein, Ph.D., learned to cut paper napkins in half to make them last twice as long. It is a lesson she called on when Coconino Community College was studying efficiencies and ways to cut money from the budget. Bathroom paper towels were replaced with hand blowers for a $14,000 annual savings. As President of CCC, Bornstein utilizes her many life skills, including her knowledge that there is always light at the end of dark tunnels. Bornstein’s … [Read more...] about President – Leading from the Heart
Williams Saddlery Offering ‘Real Deal’
It has happened more than once. Someone sees a person with a gun entering DeBerge Saddlery and Western Wear and calls police. “They come and tell me they know what happened, but they want to come check on me anyway,” said the store’s owner, Tamera Bloomberg. “I appreciate that.” “But,” she added, “how am I supposed to make a holster for a customer if I don’t see their weapon?” Bloomberg said she makes and sells “a whole lot of holsters,” at her shop on Route 66 in Williams, but … [Read more...] about Williams Saddlery Offering ‘Real Deal’
Ohly Introduces Flagstaff to Mountain Dog
There is a bright new lunch spot in downtown. Look for it under the red umbrella outside the Route 66 Mini Market on Birch and San Francisco streets where you will find owner Mick Ohly serving up hot dogs at Mountain Dog. Opened on June 5 to serve the diverse population and food preferences of Flagstaff residents, Mountain Dog offers high quality Nathan’s brand regular hot dogs and also veggie and gluten-free alternatives. Of course, to accompany the dog of choice, there is an assortment … [Read more...] about Ohly Introduces Flagstaff to Mountain Dog
Embracing the Unexpected
Rhonda Brose has a lot of experience being one of the guys. That experience has served her well, both professionally and personally. As chief executive officer of Four Corners Environmental, Brose has a background of digging in the dirt. “Basically, I love being in nature and geology. I call it the natural sciences. I was able to put together a lot of understanding going from physics to chemistry to looking at a mountain and seeing why it exists,” said Brose. On the first day of her … [Read more...] about Embracing the Unexpected
Divine Calling Serves Inmates and Artists
“I just want to say thank you for this good life!” This is how Jill Divine finished her acceptance speech after winning the Literature Award on March 2 in the Flagstaff Cultural Partners Fifth Annual Viola Awards. “I have lots of loves – I love art, poetry, wine and people.” In fact, it is the people factor that got her thinking it was time to open an art gallery – right in the middle of one of the worst recessions in decades. “Writing is a very solitary profession and one reason I … [Read more...] about Divine Calling Serves Inmates and Artists
Nourishing Skin in the High Desert
Most people believe the desert is a hot, rough, tough, indestructible environment, but Connie Birkland knows better. She knows that the high desert environment has cryptobiotic soils that are very fragile and are made largely of micro living organisms. “You don’t want to step on and destroy these fragile biological soils. You want to keep them intact so that plants can exist. Once you see it you would recognize it,” she said. Birkland says if these soils are disturbed, the rain and wind … [Read more...] about Nourishing Skin in the High Desert
Discovering Sustainability on the Vine
Sit down and enjoy a glass of Kind Vines wine. And relax. You’re actually reducing your own carbon footprint. This is a sustainable wine for eco-imbibers because of its zero waste reusable bottles and reduced transportation costs to get that glass into your hand. If it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t. Flagstaff resident Dave Williamson, the owner of Kind Vines, has a good idea whose time has come. “I sell my wine to different retail outlets and restaurants. If you buy my wine at … [Read more...] about Discovering Sustainability on the Vine