Join GPEC’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Logan Newman for a deep dive into one of Greater Phoenix’s most celebrated traditions, the Fiesta Bowl. In this episode, Logan sits down with Brad Smidt CEcD, GPEC’s Senior Vice President of Business Development and longtime member of the Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee, to explore how this iconic event blends world class hospitality, economic impact and community pride.

Listen as Brad shares the Bowl’s storied history, from its roots in showcasing West Coast teams to hosting national championships, and the behind-the-scenes coordination that makes it one of the nation’s premier sporting events. You will hear about the meticulous planning, memorable moments with players and coaches, and how the Fiesta Bowl’s charitable initiatives like Wishes for Teachers are making a lasting difference across Greater Phoenix. More than just a game, it is a celebration of sports, community and the unique spirit of the region.

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About Brad Smidt, CEcD — Brad has been a member of the Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee since 2015, supporting game-day operations, team hospitality and community programming for one of Greater Phoenix’s most iconic events. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development at GPEC, where he leads efforts to attract large industrial, office and data center projects to the region.

A native Arizonan with nearly 30 years of experience in economic development, Brad has helped more than 250 companies relocate or expand in Greater Phoenix. He was awarded the prestigious William Lampkin Award for Long-Term Excellence in Economic Development by the Arizona Association for Economic Development in 2025 and serves on the University of Arizona Eller MBA Industry Advisory Board.

Connect with Brad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradsmidt

About your host, Logan Newman — Logan has been with GPEC since 2020, leading media engagement, digital content strategy and website development. He’s contributed to award-winning initiatives like the #AZFreeToBe campaign, while also expanding the organization’s media reach across Arizona and the Asia-Pacific region.

Prior to joining GPEC, he worked for USA Today Sports Media Group, KTAR News and ArizonaSports.com, and interned at the Arizona Republic and Jerusalem Post. An Arizona native, he graduated from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2017 with a degree in journalism.

Connect with Logan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-newman-584022b5/

Follow GPEC for the latest Greater Phoenix news:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/greaterphx
• X: twitter.com/GPEC
• Facebook: facebook.com/GreaterPHX
• Instagram: instagram.com/GreaterPHX
• YouTube: youtube.com/GreaterPHX
• LINE: https://bit.ly/49mMBd2

GPEC’s Art Director, Stefanie Carson sits down with Megan Greenwood, owner and founder of Greenwood Brewing, for a fresh pour of inspiration. As a woman-owned microbrewery in Downtown Phoenix, Greenwood Brewing is redefining what it means to brew with purpose.

Listen in as Megan shares her unconventional journey from industrial engineer to beer entrepreneur, the challenges she faced as a woman in the brewing industry and how she’s created a welcoming, community-first space rooted in creativity, inclusivity and local pride. From infusing her beers with desert botanicals to launching art markets and trivia nights, Megan’s story goes beyond brewing — it’s about inspiring others to transform their passions into community-driven purpose.

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About Megan Greenwood — Founder and owner of Greenwood Brewing, Megan is an engineer-turned-brewer who left a decade-long career in manufacturing to pursue her passion for craft beer. What started with a homebrew kit in her garage has grown into a self-funded taproom and beer garden in Downtown Phoenix, now distributing to more than 300 locations across Arizona. Megan serves on the board at the Arizona Brewers Guild, as well as the Arizona Talks Foundation, and was named an Outstanding Woman in Arizona in 2024.

Connect with Megan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-greenwood001/

About your host, Stefanie Carson — Stefanie has been with GPEC since 2015, leading internal design, branding, and photography where her visionary event work has earned a Spectrum Award from the American Marketing Association, and a Gold MarCom Award. As a passionate advocate for the arts and local creative community, Stefanie curates GPEC’s rotating art exhibit, which showcases hundreds of regional artists each year and champions partnerships that strengthen the connection between arts and economic development.

Connect with Stefanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-carson-a2b34350/

Follow GPEC for the latest Greater Phoenix news:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/greaterphx
• X: twitter.com/GPEC
• Facebook: facebook.com/GreaterPHX
• Instagram: instagram.com/GreaterPHX
• YouTube: youtube.com/GreaterPHX
• LINE: https://bit.ly/49mMBd2

In this special episode of Arizona Through Their Eyes, we’re shaking things up! GPEC’s VP of Bioscience Business Development, Allie Bakovic, hands over the mic to her mentee and episode host, Kenzy Moustafa—a neuroscience undergraduate at ASU. Together, they explore Allie’s remarkable career journey, from conducting groundbreaking lab research to driving innovation in Greater Phoenix’s bioscience ecosystem.

Listen in as they discuss pivotal career transitions, the bridge between biosciences and economic development, and the exciting opportunities emerging within the sector across Greater Phoenix. Whether you're a student, researcher or simply curious about where science meets business, this episode offers valuable insights on career growth, mentorship and making an impact beyond the lab.

About Allison (Allie) Bakovic, Ph.D. — Allie has been with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council since December of 2023 and serves as the Vice President of Bioscience Business Development. Allie earned her Ph.D. from George Mason University, where she conducted mutagenesis studies in biosafety level-3 laboratories. She holds a BioMolecular Engineering degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is passionate about translating complex scientific principles for broad audiences.

Connect with Allie Bakovic

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakovica/

About Kenzy Moustafa — Kenzy is a Neuroscience student in her senior year at ASU. Kenzy has been interested in the study of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, and hopes to build her career to aid in the development of cures for these diseases. Kenzy is currently an undergraduate research assistant in a Visual Cognition Laboratory, assisting in data collection and analysis, and identifying relevant research literature to contextualize findings.

Connect with Kenzy Moustafa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenzy-moustafa-224029318/

Follow GPEC for the latest Greater Phoenix news:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/greaterphx
• X: twitter.com/GPEC
• Facebook: facebook.com/GreaterPHX
• Instagram: instagram.com/GreaterPHX
• YouTube: youtube.com/GreaterPHX
• LINE: https://bit.ly/49mMBd2