MCbiz : About Us
About Us
Andres Chagolla
Andres Chagolla, who was recently promoted from MaricopaCounty's Workforce Development Division, is serving as Maricopa County's new Small Business Enterprise Manager. He is charged with facilitating County procurements and promoting growth for the small business community. Some of his early recollections, which include roots of entrepreneurialism, follow:
I recall one of Peoria's first fast-food burger joints named Hensleys. It was a family-owned business, which was housed in a miniature, log cabin-like edifice on the corner of Monroe and Grand Avenue near downtown Peoria . Its existence is significant not only because the burgers were so tasty, but also because my Abuelitos (grandparents) would purchase a couple-dozen, at least weekly. Hensleys would wrap the burgers in mustard-colored paper, placing each half-dozen order in a rectangular-shaped, white, flexible paper box. My uncles, my two brothers, and I would buck bales of hay for Abuelito's hay-hauling business every summer. When working at various farms in Peoria and communities throughout the Southwest, Grandma and Grandpa would drive up in their favorite El Camino, carrying a few of those white boxes accompanied with a few cold drinks. I looked forward to those boxes from ages 10-18. Unfortunately, Hensleys closed down before I graduated from high school, and sometimes I wonder if it ever logged memories elsewhere. Nevertheless, I will always remember how much my Abuelitos loved us, and how much they expressed their appreciation for our work. To this day, whenever I see log cabins, mustard-colored wrapping, white, rectangular-shaped boxes, stacks of hay, or I inhale the distinct smell of a dairy farm, I am reminded of the fruitage of hard labor, close family ties, the challenges of running a small family business, and the love garnered from my parents and Abuelitos.
As a native of Maricopa County and the West Valley , Andres was afforded the opportunity to work under the Valley of the Sun's infamous sunlight and heat by way of his Abuelito's entrepreneurial spirit. He realized that his parents and Abuelitos had executed a plan, which served a grand purpose - it convinced him to choose a different way of earning a buck other than having to buck hay. Hard labor induced Andres to attend evening college courses for many years; subsequently, he earned a BA in Integrative Studies/International Business from Arizona State University , and he is currently undertaking a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters of Science in Leadership. He has earned a good ole buck from stints in the airline industry, the public school/public service sectors, the electric utility industry, the domestic engineering industry, and the IT industry, while moonlighting in graphics, marketing, and writing for the fun of it.
In addition, he has volunteered his time to mental health and disability issues, multicultural enrichment activities, religious activities, and a myriad of community service initiatives.
He looks forward to working with the small business community, and he enjoys the challenge of meeting the goals set before MCbiz by Maricopa County's Board of Supervisors.
Nelson G. Mitchell III
Nelson Mitchell is an Arizona native who marvels at how much the Valley has grown over the past 25-plus years. Having played in cotton fields, cow pastures, and on canal banks during his early childhood, he is witness to the changes that occur when a lazy, semi- rural town morphs into the fifth largest city in the U.S.
While Nelson enjoys the benefits of the big, buzzing metropolis of Phoenix , he also finds solace in such activities as snow skiing, golf, photography and travel. He was educated in Arizona having received an undergraduate degree from ASU in Education/Communication. He also received a Masters degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix .
Most of Nelsons early career was spent at Salt River Project where he worked in the Public & Communication Services Department. During his 24 years with the utility he served as a writer and editor, community relations professional, and supervisor in Educational Services. He promoted SRP and its resources by interacting and providing outreach to K-12 grade students, educators, educational administrators, community leaders, residents, parents, and various professionals. Under his leadership, the Educational Services unit implemented more than 50 community outreach and educational programs.
More recently, Nelson spent time at the Phoenix Zoo where he served as the manager of the Volunteer Program. His department supported such events as Zoo Brew, ZooFari and Zoo Lights by recruiting more than 650 episodic volunteers yearly. He was responsible for directing the activities of 350 day-to-day adult volunteers and more than 100 youth week-end volunteers.
Nelson's career took an exciting new turn when he began employment with the MaricopaCounty in October of 2006. As a business account representative in the Business Services Unit of Workforce Development, he supported the efforts of businesses to connect with job seekers. Recently, he was promoted to serve as the coordinator of the Small Business Enterprise Program, MCbiz, where he is assisting small businesses connect their commodities and services to the procurement needs of Maricopa County.
No stranger to community involvement, Nelson serves on the boards of directors of the United States Academic Decathlon Association, East Valley Childrens Theatre and Anytown America, Inc. Nelson is also a graduate of Valley Leadership.