About Us

For more than 25 years, we've been bringing news to the state's business community through Arizona Business Magazine. But in today's world, Arizona's business community needs its information in a multimedia form. We've got the magazine part covered, so now we're tackling the multi part of multimedia.

After a few months of gathering information and holding lively meetings, AZNow.Biz was born. This new website is not a replacement for Arizona Business Magazine — it's a companion.

On this site you'll find magazine articles from the past, tools for business, information about the state, up-to-date business news and a shared environment for communication between businesses professionals and the community. If you live or work in Arizona, this is your platform to have your voice heard.

  • Mike Atkinson
  • President & CEO
  • Mike.Atkinson@azbigmedia.com

  • Mike Atkinson began his career in publishing in 1985, when he purchased the Office Guide to Phoenix. Initially, Atkinson was the sole employee of the publication. Today, the company has increased to more than 30 employees and publishes an additional six titles, including AZRE: Arizona Commercial Real Estate, Ranking Arizona, Experience AZ, Top People to Know, Creative Designer and Scottsdale Home & Design. In 1991, the company launched its first Arizona Home & Building Expo. In March 2009, the company held its inaugural Southwest Build-it-Green Expo & Conference. AZ Big Media’s newest venture, the Home & Design Idea Center, opened in October 2009. A long-time resident of the Valley, Atkinson is a graduate of Arizona State University.

  • Audrey Webb
  • Vice President of Operations
  • Audrey.Webb@azbigmedia.com

  • VP, Operations at AZ BigMedia Interests: Anything technology and pugs!

  • Cheryl Green
  • Publisher
  • Cheryl.Green@azbigmedia.com

  • Cheryl Green has worked in advertising, media and publishing for over 20 years. She began her career working at a local radio station and has since then worked in newspapers, magazines and digital media. She was the founder and President of an Internet Service Provider and design firm “Cyber Surf Communications” for ten years. She was the Publisher of AZ Parenting Magazine and AZ House & Home Magazine. Today she is the Publisher of AZ Big Media and oversees the staff and management of 7 magazines: AZ Business Magazine, AZRE Magazine, Scottsdale Living Magazine, Ranking AZ, People to Know, Play Ball and Experience AZ. She has lived in the Valley for over 30 years and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising from Arizona State University.

  • David Harken
  • Senior Account Manager, Arizona Business Magazine
  • David.Harken@azbigmedia.com

  • Michelle McBay
  • Account Manager, Arizona Business Magazine
  • michelle.mcbay@azbigmedia.com

  • Michelle McBay brings more than 20 years experience in advertising sales, public relations, marketing, special event planning, promotion and management to AZ Big Media. Michelle began her career with the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in 1990 as an Events Coordinator. Her duties included coordinating seven large events for Arizona’s largest statewide festival. Michelle gained further experience at the State Bar of Arizona as a CLE program coordinator handling and promoting continuing legal education. In 1994, she started her family and soon thereafter opened McBay Advertising in 2001 as a sole independent contractor. Michelle’s clients included Arizona Multihousing Association (AMA), Arizona Society of CPAs (ASCPA), Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA), and Sweat Magazine. In October 2011, Michelle joined the AZ Big Media team as account manager to promote and advertise for AZ Business Magazine.

  • Shannon Spigelman
  • Account Manager, Arizona Business Magazine
  • shannon.spigelman@azbigmedia.com

  • Shannon comes to AZ Big Media from Clear Channel Communications, as an account executive for 95.5 KYOT and AM 1230 KOY. She worked closely with direct and agency clients to create comprehensive marketing campaigns, specializing in sponsorships and partnering with many local community groups to create effective cause marketing campaigns. She is thrilled to bring that knowledge to AZ Business Magazine and help Arizona businesses partner together, as well as help rebuild Arizona’s economy and global awareness. While she is not feverishly working, she is utilizing her multi-tasking skills at home, with her husband, Brett, and four daughters.

  • Eric Shepperd
  • Web Developer
  • Eric.Shepperd@azbigmedia.com

  • Melissa Gerke
  • Web & Graphic Designer
  • Melissa.Gerke@azbigmedia.com

  • A passion for art and design has influenced Melissa's life since grade school. In 2006, she earned her Master's degree in Commercial Art concentrating in Web and Graphic Design. Melissa then went on to pursue a full-time career in the advertising agency world. Currently, Melissa is using her experience and passion for clear design to effectively communicate AZ Big Media's message across web, email marketing, and print projects.

  • Whitney Fletcher
  • Marketing, Sales & Promotions
  • whitney.fletcher@azbigmedia.com

  • Whitney Fletcher is Marketing/Events Manager for AZ Big Media. A graduate from Arizona State University with a B.S. in political science and history, it wasn't until her last semester of college that she discovered her love for the marketing and events world. She has a passion for events and takes great joy in referring to her position as the "manager of fun & games." In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and most importantly her dog, Dexter Taco.

  • Michael Gossie
  • Managing Editor
  • Michael.Gossie@azbigmedia.com

  • Michael Gossie is an award-winning journalist who has earned more than 50 awards for writing, editing and design. He studies economics at Elmira College in Elmira, N.Y., and put his entrepreneurial spirit to work when he launch his own Italian sauce company in 2007. He is most proud of being the founding president of the Steuben Arc Foundation in upstate New York, which serves individuals with developmental disabilities, including his sister. In his spare time, he is a competitive marathon runner and triathlete and completed his first Ironman - 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run - at Ironman Arizona in 2008.

  • Peter Madrid
  • Editor, AZRE Magazine
  • Peter.Madrid@azbigmedia.com

  • Peter Madrid is Associate Editor for AZRE Magazine. He has more than 30 experience in the newspaper industry as an editor and reporter at USA Today, Kansas City Star, Tucson Citizen, and Arizona Republic. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico.

  • Kristine Cannon
  • Associate Editor
  • kristine.cannon@azbigmedia.com

  • Kristine Cannon is the associate editor for AZ Big Media. A graduate from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in journalism, Kristine has always had a passion for writing, editing, the magazine industry and live music. And on her downtime, she dabbles in lomography and videography, and loves to hike and travel.

  • Chris Gangi
  • Sr. Graphic Designer
  • Chris.Gangi@azbigmedia.com

  • Mike Mertes
  • Graphic Designer
  • mike.mertes@azbigmedia.com

  • Kathy Mutschler
  • Executive Assistant
  • Kathy.Mutschler@azbigmedia.com

  • Cindy Johnson
  • Database Solutions Manager
  • Cindy.Johnson@azbigmedia.com

  • Driven by a desire to organize information and help people manage data, Cindy Johnson has pursued FileMaker database development in the business world. "I really enjoy creating a script that will combine several processes together by simply clicking a button, converting a task that usually takes hours into one task that takes minutes," says Cindy. "Creating a script is like working on a puzzle, when you put all the pieces together, it creates a beautiful picture." Enjoying every aspect of life is Johnson's personal goal. Having found the fun in her work, Johnson also finds funs in helping others learn how to keep themselves healthy, sharing her knowledge of sign language, and doing an occassional gig as an extra in films. You can see her in the background of the movie "Away We Go."

  • Lenore Grobstein
  • Vice President / Sales & Marketing, Ranking Arizona
  • Lenore.Grobstein@azbigmedia.com

  • VP Sales & Marketing of Ranking Arizona. I enjoy solving challenging crossword and Suduko puzzles...in ink.

  • Steve Koslowski
  • Account Manager, AZRE Magazine
  • Steve.Koslowski@azbigmedia.com

  • Anita Weldon
  • Account Manager, Scottsdale Living Magazine
  • Anita.Weldon@azbigmedia.com

  • Susan Harken
  • Account Manager, Scottsdale Living Magazine
  • Susan.Harken@azbigmedia.com

  • Bobbie Darzes
  • Exhibit Director, Super Expos
  • Bobbie.Darzes@azbigmedia.com

  • Bobbie comes from the commercial and residential mortgage business in California where she owned her own company: Your Home Mortgage for 20+ years. After moving back to her home state in 2008 she became the managing partner and sales director for The Wedding Chronicle magazine here in Phoenix, and developing the annual Sedona Bridal Show. Her expertise sales: teaching sales via coaching clients to help them maximize their advertising investment.

  • Kerri Blumsack
  • Exhibit Director, Super Expos
  • Kerri.Blumsack@azbigmedia.com

  • I am currently the Exhibit Director for the Super Expos and have worked for AZ Big Media for over 14 years! I am a mom to two little ones and one big furry guy and enjoy spending my down time with my entire family!

  • Sheri King
  • Exhibit Director, Super Expos
  • Sheri.King@azbigmedia.com

  • Sheri has worked with AZ Big Media since 2005 as the sales director for the Home & Design Idea Center, Scottsdale Living Magazine and the Super Expos. Sheri enjoys assisting her clients in achieving extraordinary results with their marketing goals!

  • Tina Robinson
  • Exhibit Director, Super Expos
  • Tina.Robinson@azbigmedia.com

  • Tina has been with AZ BIG Media since 2007 and is the Exhibit Director of the Super Expos and Director of the BIG Green Awards. She is an active member of USGBC-Arizona, has developed partnerships with various membership organizations and can often be found at one of the many "green" events around the Phoenix area.

  • Sara Fregapane
  • Special Projects Manager
  • sara@azbigmedia.com

  • I was born and raised in Mequon Wisconsin and of course am a Green Bay Packer fan. After a terrible winter in 1999 I decided there had to be a better place to live. I packed up my car and drove to Phoenix and have never regretted my move. I spent the next 25 years in the mortgage lending industry. When the economy started to change in 2007 I changed careers and came to work for Arizona Business. I presently do a variety of jobs and help out where ever I can.

  • Joanne Stanley
  • Showroom Manager, Home Design & Idea Center
  • Joanne.Stanley@azbigmedia.com

  • Marianne Avila
  • Account Manager, Home Design & Idea Center
  • Marianne.Avila@azbigmedia.com

  • Marianne is an experienced, talented sales leader in the field of advertising -- with a passion for launching new ventures, building sales teams and increasing profits through relationship selling and old-fashioned "hard work." She is Google and Yahoo ad certified. Marianne's specialties include print media sales, online media sales, Web design, branding, networking and building & motivating sales teams.