As the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Senior Area Manager for Southern Arizona, Stephen Hart oversees federal efforts to help entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed in small business. He coordinates SBA’s marketing and outreach efforts, works with lenders and with SBA’s resource partners - SCORE, Small Business DevelopmentCenters, Women Business Centers, and ASBA. He has experience from both the private sector and government. In government, Hart held senior management positions in the White House, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of State. His private sector work includes stints in the telecommunications industry and with America’s major freight railroads. He resides in Tucson with his wife and two sons.
Cristie Street is Managing Partner of Tucson-based Information Technology firm: Nextrio, LLC.  The “work hard, play hard” company culture motivates Nextrio’s award-winning team of 30+ computer consultants to help hundreds of small and medium-sized companies realize their business goals using technology.  She is an accomplished writer, product manager and marketer, whose vision and expertise in business performance has driven enterprise growth with companies in the telecom, software manufacturing and IT consulting industries.  A graduate of UA’s first Eller E-MBA program, Cristie’s passion is bridging the communication gap between “techies” and “non-techies” and demystifying technology.  Phone: 520-545-7110, Email: cbs@nextrio.com.
Gaya Zeiter has owned Premier Printing and Mailing since 1992. A full service printing and bulk mailing company, Premier serves small to medium sized businesses across the southwest.  As an active member and corporate partner of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Greater Tucson chapter, Gaya has served as President, Vice-President and Treasurer as well as board member at large and member of many committee groups.

Maricela Solis de Kester is the first woman President of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber - an organization representing over 700 businesses in Tucson.  She assumed that role in January 2008She also is this year's Board Chair of Greater Tucson Leadership (GTL). Prior to joining the THCC, Maricela served as an executive at Carondelet Health Network in the Public Policy Department. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Arizona. Maricela has proven herself to be able to bring diverse groups and people together and to form coalitions and collaborations - to Better serve the communities of Southern Arizona. Maricela Solis de Kester knows how to bring people together, to make individuals feel part of a team.  Yet, she also knows how to hold individuals accountable. For instance, she graduated from GTL in 2005. One year later was asked to join the GTL Board, and is now its Chairperson.Maricela's leadership goes well past good management and excellent communication skills (she is bi-lingual). She motivates others and is an effective leader because she has a passion for community and service to others.  Her commitment to excellence and integrity is beyond reproach. Her professional accomplishments are balanced with strong family-centered values. She is married to her husband Daniel, an Air Force reservist (recently back from a tour in Iraq) and has one lovely little boy named Phoenix.