When Jim Ford retired as Scottsdale deputy fire chief, it ended a remarkable 47-year career of fighting fires and saving lives in the city. Most important, he was the man behind the city adopting an automatic sprinkler ordinance that has been a model for cities across the world. Jim may have retired from the Scottsdale department but he’s not done serving his community. Find what he’s doing to help Cave Creek establish its fire department and be treated to some fascinating stories that have marked his career.

Through 100-plus podcasts, we have featured people and organizations that contribute to making Scottsdale’s quality of life the best in Arizona. This week, we flip the mic to focus on our own podcast partner, Kevin Maxwell. In a few days Kevin will be honored with the Hodges Award from Scottsdale Leadership, and joins a list of some of the city’s most influential leaders, past and present. Tune in and discover a few things you might not know about Kevin … and find out why he’s so deserving of this award.

Go backstage with Arizona Musicfest CEO Allan Naplan and you will be amazed at the growth, the variety and scope of programming and the impact the organization has on Scottsdale. Allan, a former opera singer, has led the organization through a remarkable period of growth since his arrival in 2013. In addition to top-flight diverse concerts, from the Festival Orchestra to entertainers of all sorts, the organization has a full lineup of music education, youth performance and community engagement programs that benefit the city.

Sarah Kearney is leading the Blue Zones Project in Scottsdale, which has a goal to make the city a healthier and happier place for current and future generations. Early next year, she and her team will be unveiling plans to invite everyone in the city to play a part. Listen in for a preview of what that’s all about and to check on the progress the group already has made along the way.

Signature events, growing every year in attendance and programming. It takes a full-time, year-round effort to pull it all off. Meet Brian Passey, communications manager for Scottsdale Arts, which organizes the event. Learn how his group has achieved its success, highlights of this year’s event and aspirations for how this could grow even bigger in the years to come.

Caring for loved ones who need assistance can be a challenge. Bina Colman of Scottsdale discovered that when caring for her dad while working full time while being a mother and a wife. That sparked an idea and she created a business, Compassionate Callers. Her company provides services – from daily phone check-ins to virtual programs – that let families know their loved ones have a friendly voice to ensure they are getting the attention and care they need.

Shannon Easton did something no other woman had ever done before: become an official in the National Football League. Listen in to follow along her amazing journey, breaking through barriers in a male-dominated sport and setting a path for other women to follow. Shannon, now a director of officials for the Canyon Athletic Association, wrote a book sharing the struggles and victories she had along the way to the NFL. Shannon’s story is an inspiration for both men and women alike.

In November, Scottsdale voters will be asked to approve a Maintenance and Operations override measure for the Scottsdale Unified School District. Listen in as Libby Hart-Wells, governing board member, and Patty Beckman, co-chair of the Yes to Children’s Campaign, explain why it’s needed and how it will work. The measure supports the people and programs that have continued to make the district one of the best in Arizona.

Today & Tomorrow in Scottsdale has reached its 100th episode milestone. Over the past 2.5 years, we’ve interviewed 100 people and organizations that contribute to the unique fabric of our city. We invited a special group of them to join us in our centennial episode – a community stars’ reunion – as dozens more of our past guests watched in an event to celebrate all of their accomplishments. Our mission now carries forward as we look ahead to feature countless others in the coming year.

Few people have had a greater impact on our community than Sam Campana. From her role in helping to create Scottsdale Leadership to her stint on the city council and term as mayor to her support of the arts and our environment. Pick an important topic that’s been a boost for our community and it’s likely that Sam’s fingerprints are all over it! Listen in and learn a few new things about Sam, including what she is most proud of on her long list of achievements.

When you meet leaders like Jenna Kohl and Kris Cano you’ll understand why their group, the Women’s Collective, is such a positive force for our community. Both board members are passionate leaders and role models for the group’s mission to provide the support and funding to help more women advance to leadership positions in all professions. Another great example of leaders sharing their time and expertise in ways that make our city stronger.

From the potential of all that technology has to offer to the civility – or lack of it in today’s world – of how some people interact with each other, we share our hopes and aspirations of what it all means for our city. Kevin and Don go solo this week and sound off on those and other topics as they continue on their mission of shining a positive light on all that’s good about our community.

When it comes to Scottsdale’s commercial real estate scene, no one knows it better than Jon Rosenberg. Since cofounding his firm, LevRose Commercial Real Estate, 30 years ago, he has helped business people pursue their dreams throughout the city, especially downtown, where he’s been located all that time. Jon, a Scottsdale resident since 1978, has a professional and personal passion for working on ways to improve the city. Listen in for ideas on how you might do the same.

Few people have been as involved in shaping Scottsdale as Kurt Brueckner. He’s a founding partner in Titus Brueckner Spitler & Shelts, one of the city’s leading law firms. But that’s just the tip of the impact he’s had on the city. Kurt has had leadership roles across the city for several decades, from city boards and commissions to dozens of community groups and organizations. Listen in to discover what motivates this role model community champion and how he has a lot of fun doing it all.

When you get to know Lee Ann Witt, executive director of Scottsdale Leadership, you’ll learn why the organization continues to be such a valuable institution in the city. Lee Ann models what it takes to be a leader: a deep passion for the community, strong set of values and creative vision for what’s ahead. Soon she will introduce its 38th class and with new innovative programs and a full class ready for another year, it’s clear that the future of Scottsdale Leadership is in good hands.

Scottsdale’s Fashion Square is one of the most successful malls in the country, with new additions and improvements happening all the time. It clearly is one of the top destinations on the country’s shopping road map. Find out from two of their executives, Kate Birchler and Andy Greenwood, the strategy that continues to make the mall one of Scottsdale’s powerful tourism draws and a key contributor to the city’s economic well-being

Check out Sterling Smith’s amazing career path, which has taken him from the Navy to a banking career to becoming an award-winning barbeque pitmaster. He makes his home and business in Scottsdale and that adds to the city’s growing reputation as a center of culinary excellence. Sterling has developed a product line of spices and rubs; he teaches cooking classes across the country and he wins barbeque contests around the world. He has a big heart, too, helping service veterans along the way. He’s one of Scottsdale’s superstarsl

Spend a few minutes with superstar chef Beau MacMillan and you’ll discover more than just what drives his passion for all things culinary. You’ll also see a man whose passion for Scottsdale runs even deeper. Beau’s career journey would make for a great book or movie. He spent over 20 years at the Elements at the Sanctuary and now is running the show at Cala in Old Town Scottsdale. You don’t want to miss this segment. You’ll learn about what makes his cuisine delightful and pick up a few leadership lessons along the way, too.

Meet Casey Solem, a role model community servant for Scottsdale. By career he’s an emergency room doctor as well as the medical director for Scottsdale’s fire department. By passion, he’s the upcoming trail boss for the Charros and he supports the community through that group and his work with other worthy causes. Born and raised in Scottsdale, Casey is committed to making his hometown city shine.

For over two decades, Horsense, an alternative after-school program in Scottsdale, has been teaching kids about respect and character development. Thousands of children have been through the program, changing their lives as well as the lives of their parents and the volunteers who work with them. Meet Peter Rusin, one of the founders of the program, and Alan Rodbell, former police chief and longtime sponsor. When you hear from them, you may just want to saddle up and look for ways you can help them out.