Southwest Job Network – SJN

 

SJN Board Elects New President

Christine Vicari to step down; David Thompson, Corporate Secretary, elected to succeed Christine Vicari as President 

PHOENIX, March 02, 2010 – – Christine Vicari, President and Executive Director of Southwest Job Network (SJN), today announced that after more than seven years she is stepping down as President of the organization she founded. David Thompson, a member for six years and a current Board member, will succeed her in the position of President.

Ms. Vicari intends to stay active in the organization. She will remain on the Board of Directors as a Director at Large.

“After considerable thought, I’ve decided that this is the right time for me to move over and allow someone else to take the helm at SJN,” said Ms. Vicari. “David has made significant contributions to the organization since joining in 2004. He has the knowledge, experience and skills to take SJN to the next level. I am confident that I am leaving SJN’s leadership in very capable hands.”

David Thompson has a long history with SJN     

Mr. Thompson has been involved with Southwest Job Network in a variety of roles during his tenure, most recently serving as Corporate Secretary. His professional background is broad and extensive, including many years’ experience as an information technology executive for multi-billion dollar companies in the retail, distribution and manufacturing industries.  In addition, he has provided consulting services in the telecommunications, financial services and hospitality industries.  He more recently served as the Chief Administrative Officer at Catholic Charities Community Services.

“Following Chris Vicari is an enormous responsibility,” said Mr. Thompson. “Due primarily to her efforts, SJN has become a major job transition resource, a source for job search training, personal contacts and overall support for so many in our community. She leaves a huge legacy, which I plan to continue and build upon. I will do my very best to live up to the high standards she has set.”

 SJN’s roots date back to 2002 

SJN’s roots date back to 2002 when Christine Vicari co-founded a church employment ministry out of compassion for those affected by the 2001 economic downturn. In 2007 the organization had grown so large that Christine moved it to meeting facilities donated by Temple Chai in Northeast Phoenix, changing its name to the Scottsdale Job Network and establishing it as a 501(c)3 organization, a designation pending under the new name. With the severe economic crisis of 2008, membership grew so large that SJN expanded in 2009 under Christine’s direction to serve the Southeast and West Valleys and was renamed Southwest Job Network.

Christine has successfully operated the organization without compensation, planning programs, developing the curriculum, overseeing expansion efforts and developing strategic partnerships. There are no paid employees at SJN, which currently has over 2,600 members, including several hundred supporters and volunteers who perform all training and organizational functions. Membership is free; new supporters and volunteers are always welcome.

In addition to Ms. Vicari and Mr. Thompson, other directors are Dawn Nowatzki, Business Operations Services and Consulting; Raoul Encinas, Vice President of Preod Corporation; Lynn Moran, CEO at Sonoran Life Transition & Performance Coaching; Jason Bressler, Executive Director, North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce; and Rick Gould, Vice President, Gould Intelligent, LLC.

Photos of Christine Vicari and David Thompson: 

 

For more information about SJN, contact 480-513-1491, email info@southwestjobnet.com, or visit www.southwestjobnet.com.

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Southwest Job Network Adds Three New Directors

 

The New Board Now Numbers Eight Volunteers

PHOENIX, January 06, 2010 – Christine Vicari, Founder, Corporate President and Executive Director of Southwest Job Network (SJN), today announced the addition of three new directors to its board:

Bob Neckes, Corporate Director of Human Resources, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen, Phoenix

Jason Bressler, Executive Director, North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce

Rick Gould, Vice President, Gould Intelligent, LLC

Current Directors are Chris Vicari, David Thompson, former Chief Administrative Officer at Catholic Charities Community Services; Dawn Nowatzki, Business Operations Services and Consulting; Raoul Encinas, Vice President of Preod Corporation; and Lynn Moran, CEO at Sonoran Life Transition & Performance Coaching. Jennifer Rue is leaving after serving six months on the board. Among her accomplishments, Jennifer opened up the West Valley location with the support of Al Walsh, site events coordinator.

“I am so pleased to add Bob, Jason and Rick to our Board,” said Ms. Vicari. “I am sure they will make substantial contributions to our organization” she added. “Our all-volunteer Board is the linchpin of our success. We are fortunate to have the help and support of these knowledgeable, experienced business people, who selflessly volunteer their time and energy to support us and I’m sure that Bob, Jason and Rick have much to contribute.”

The SJN mission

The mission of the Southwest Job Network, previously known as the Scottsdale Job Network, is to provide job transition training, personal connection, access to resources and moral support for job seekers through a Valley-wide network of passionate volunteers. (The Scottsdale Job Network is a 501(c)3 organization, a designation pending under the new name.) The organization now has more than 2,000 members. Professional volunteers have developed a state-of-the-art training curriculum which is presented in six meetings every month at its three locations: the northeast Valley at Temple Chai, Phoenix; the Southeast Valley at Mesa Community College or Chandler/Gilbert Community College; and the West Valley at Glendale Community College. There are no membership dues to join SJN. The organization is funded solely by contributions and is run completely by volunteers.

For more information about SJN, contact Christine Vicari, 480-513-1491, or email chris.vicari@southwestjobnet.com or info@southwestjobnet.com and the website is www.southwestjobnet.com

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Doug Bruhnke to be Honored by SJN at AZIGG

July 21, 2009 · Published By Editor

PHOENIX – Christine Vicari, Founder and President of the Southwest Job Network (SJN), previously known as the Scottsdale Job Network, will present a Certificate of Appreciation to Doug Bruhnke on August 3rd at a luncheon of the Arizona International Growth Group™ (AZIGG™). The luncheon will be held at Greekfest Restaurant in Phoenix, 1940 E. Camelback. The Certificate acknowledges Mr. Bruhnke’s enormous contribution as a founding board member of SJN.

Mr. Bruhnke is Founder and CEO of Growth Nation™ (www.growthnation.com), a full-service marketing company that helps business owners with under $40 million/year revenue and involved with technology, healthcare, professional services or international markets reach their growth potential by developing and implementing successful marketing strategies. He is also Founder and President of AZIGG™ (www.azigg.com) which provides information and resources to Arizona-based business owners seeking to grow internationally.

“With this designation we acknowledge Doug’s service in the marketing, branding and growth of SJN,” said Ms. Vicari. “Doug has made a real difference not only for his colleagues on the SJN Board but also for thousands of our neighbors in career transition. As a local, grassroots nonprofit organization, the volunteer board of SJN has been and remains the lynchpin of our success. We are honored to have Doug as a resource and friend.”

Previous recipients are Jim O’Hara, Steven Wild, Patrick Hanley and Maria Wojtczak. All are members of the SJN Emeritus Board, established to honor the service of past board members.

Published on behalf of Scottsdale Job Network

The Scottsdale Job Network (SJN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides training, personal connections, access to resources and moral support for individuals in career transition. SJN leaders and trainers are volunteers who come from various industries including technology, healthcare, government, finance and human resources. Members represent the entire career spectrum of the metro Phoenix area. For more information, visit www.southwestjobnet.com.

Article from AZ Living: http://www.evliving.com/2009/07/21/8514/doug-bruhnke-to-be-honored/

AZ Central 7/2/09 SJN Expands Curriculum Article

Southwest Job Network expands curriculum Jul. 2, 2009 04:35 PM

Scottsdale-based Southwest Job Network submitted this information about its expanded curriculum.

The Southwest Job Network (SJN), previously known as the Scottsdale Job Network, is rolling out its new Curriculum for the Job Search Process.

The new curriculum reflects the latest developments and strategies for today’s job market. Among other things, it incorporates adult learning theory and instructional design concepts with the goal of dramatically increasing retention among participants.

So far in 2009, SJN has sponsored 16 educational events with an average of 125 attendees each. SJN board member and Curriculum Chair Raoul Encinas explains, “Our original curriculum was developed several years ago by smart and dedicated volunteers. It is a testament to their work that it has stood the test of time. More than 40 SJN members contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to build on their efforts and incorporate recent developments in social media, the new workplace, and adult learning to make the curriculum even more relevant and useful for our attendees.”

Benefits of SJN’s new curriculum include:

• Fewer modules, which allow for the content to be delivered in a more timely manner.

• The development of a companion workbook, to allow participants to better follow along during the session.

• Capability for SJN to deliver the content in multiple locations with certified SJN trainers.

• Hands-on workshops associated with each module.

The new curriculum launches Tuesday at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. The meeting will include a new-member orientation, fast networking and resume reviews, followed by sections on managing the emotions of career transition and developing your vision.

On July 21, in addition to the new-member orientation and networking and resume sessions, SJN will offer sections on marketing yourself and your resume through LinkedIn and other tools. An afternoon session will be offered from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on using the Internet for job searches.

Information: Raoul Encinas at 623-236-0038 or raoul@scottsdalejob

net.com, or SJN at 480-513-1491 or info@

scottsdalejobnet.com.

Help for the unemployed Valley woman helps unemployed get back in the workforce

October 23, 2008 – 5:28PM
East Valley Tribune
Full article and photos at http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/128750

Scarp: Meet the pope? Free money? Better: A job
Mark Scarp, Tribune

How often lately have you sat with dozens of others listening to a 90-minute presentation and not one cell phone rang? Or, no one even got up to go to the restroom?

Maybe if the speaker was the pope, or was drawing names at random and handing those people free $1,000 bills.

Neither was going on as about 125 people seeking a “landing” – unemployed-speak for getting a new job – were at Tuesday’s semimonthly meeting of the Scottsdale Job Network. The 10-year-old nonprofit unemployed workers’ group met at a northeast Phoenix synagogue.

Those in attendance treated what they were hearing like extras in an old E.F. Hutton commercial: ears bent and leaning forward.

Pope? Free money? Nope. When you’re out of work, you want to get work as soon as possible, but need to learn how to accomplish that the best way.

Being out of a job in Scottsdale isn’t much different than anywhere else: More people are lately.

Arizona Department of Commerce figures reported last week in the Tribune showed September’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the Phoenix metro area at 5.3 percent, up two-tenths of a percent from August. Arizona’s rate for the same month was 5.9 percent, up three-tenths of a percent from August.

SJN’s presentation that day was about networking, how to do it, with whom and how to get the most of doing it. Networking specialist George Fleming said 75 to 80 percent of all jobs in the Valley were found through networking, rather than through job postings.

MORE PEOPLE SHOWING UP

Attendance was up at this session from the last one, said founder and director Chris Vicari, who said it has been steadily increasing throughout most of the past year.

Vicari moved west to the Valley a decade ago after a career developing business training programs for a consulting company. She also found herself with few business connections in her new home.

She did contract work for about a year, but couldn’t find a permanent job other than as an administrative assistant or secretary, Vicari said. “They paid money, but they weren’t very challenging,” she said.

Low pay and few contacts led her to come up with the idea of a job-networking organization to put people seeking work together and give them tools and skills to help them find new employment.

Now retired, Vicari spends at least 35 hours per week as SJN’s director, an unpaid position. She was honored Oct. 16 as a recipient of the annual Frances Young Community Heroes Awards, a volunteer-recognition program sponsored in part by the Tribune.

Despite its name, Scottsdale Job Network attracts people from all over the Valley, and Tuesday’s turnout included job-seekers from the south East Valley and as far away as Peoria and Glendale.

A basket placed at the entrance requests $5 donations from each participant. The money pays for the coffee, bagels, banana bread and fruit laid out for a continental breakfast, Vicari said. Most don’t give the whole $5, she said; the average is around $1 or $2, but it’s enough.

GENIAL BUT BUSINESSLIKE

The atmosphere is genial and casual, but businesslike. People are friendly, but many acted assertively in talking with one another. Lots of “I know somebody who …”

Fleming emphasized that unemployed people don’t lose their contacts when leaving their previous jobs. They still know people in business, he said, and have usefulness to them and those they meet at SJN meetings.

Sara Klug, 66, of Chandler, first appeared at an SJN meeting in 2004 after losing her job in human resources at Intel Corp. The group helped her find work since as a consultant, working for the city of Phoenix and the Arizona State University Foundation before becoming jobless again.

She returned to SJN and now is consulting once more. She said she is one of many who landed jobs through the group who returns to meetings to speak and give support to the currently unemployed.

But she was back Tuesday to find a “new direction” yet again.

“I have no idea what I’ll be doing,” she said. “But when you’re in transition, you have to be positive and surround yourself with positive people.”

Which is what the meetings do for her.

‘LIGHTS A FIRE UNDER ME’

Frank Hale, 52, of Phoenix, has been in the Valley less than two years and has been going to meetings for about two months in hopes of combining jobs in several areas into a new career in economic development.

Hale said that the perspectives he gets from others in the same situation are important.

“It lights a fire under me and gives me the energy to go out and do what I need to do,” he said.

Peoria resident Dianne Johns, who said she is in her late 50s, spent 30 years in human resources work before retiring. Now, she’d like to go into sales. At her first meeting Tuesday, she said the group made her feel comfortable quickly.

“What’s surprised me was how natural and easy it appears to be and you’re not self-conscious,” Johns said.

Caroline Eggert, of Glendale, is only 18 and seeking her first permanent full-time job. But she came with some other students from the West Valley to learn the skills needed for her to find work in early childhood education.

“I have to learn a lot of job skills. I didn’t know about networking but it was really interesting,” she said of Fleming’s presentation.

MORE JOBS IN NEW YEAR?

And the news was encouraging. Fleming said that despite the recession, many employers, particularly small to midsize ones, are gearing up to hire, particularly in early 2009.

Vicari said the synagogue, Temple Chai, donates the meeting space. Each meeting’s turnout looks like everyone’s neighbors, she said, saying retirees are being sought as volunteers to help with meetings. Plenty of out-of-work people volunteer to do that, too, she said, but most tend to no longer be around after they find jobs.

While SJN doesn’t guarantee that participation will land you a job, she said the group tends to bring people through its front door who are rather motivated.

“People are attracted to networking groups because they understand the need for it,” she said.

With any luck, and the right job-hunting skills, they’ll be showing up to work soon at an office near you.

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Scottsdale Job Network
Meetings: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., first and third Tuesdays. Free admission.
Where: Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix
Info: www.scottsdalejobnet.com
E-mail: info@scottsdalejobnet.com
Voice mail: (480) 513-1491

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Scottsdale Tribune Columnist/Blogger Mark Scarp published a story on 10/17/08 about this week’s ceremonies honoring the 2008 Scottsdale Community Heroes, including SJN Founder Chris Vicari. His article applauds them and calls on others to also volunteer for their community, especially during our current economic crisis. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/128249

Scarp: Community Heroes worthy of recognition

Mark Scarp mailto: mscarp@aztrib.com Tribune

We live in times where we feel the very ground beneath us shudder and the natural instinct to withdraw one’s money and oneself from general circulation often takes over.

And while it may be difficult to evoke any sympathy for the declining incomes of the larger entities among us – such as those with “Inc.” at the end of their names – another result of tough times is a decline we may not think of right off.

When the climb becomes steeper, we may feel the urge to take fewer sojourns off the main path to extend an arm to pull another uphill, just at a time when such help might be needed the most.

Scottsdale once again honored people who gave of themselves to others Thursday with the Frances Young Community Heroes awards, co-sponsored by this newspaper.

Thoughts like this come to mind when the praises were sung about this year’s honorees. The spotlight was turned upon them in part because their efforts were destined to be only their own reward until being noticed by this program.

Volunteering always comes at a sacrifice. But volunteering these days, when one’s own dollars may not go as far, requires even more sacrifice.

Former Maricopa County Attorney Richard Romley, the morning’s keynote speaker, recalled a situation when a volunteer went beyond what might usually be expected.

The story is often told that Romley was a Marine during the Vietnam War who in 1969 stepped on a land mine, resulting in the loss of his legs.

Today he uses a cane and prosthetics.

But he didn’t mention those injuries Thursday, only that his stomach was also ripped by the mine’s shrapnel and that he was unable to eat or drink for a month, resulting in a massive weight loss.

When the doctors agreed he needed to eat to gain some of it back, he was finally allowed to try a bit of food, he said. But he couldn’t keep anything down, due in part to its being hospital food, he said.

With a shot-up stomach, it’s not hard to imagine anything unsettling about what’s being given to you to eat is going to be difficult to swallow. He said that the milk he was offered was warm, for example

A Red Cross volunteer, using money Romley said she probably couldn’t afford to spend, went outside the hospital, to buy and bring to him some real food.

Romley’s voice broke when he said he will never forget what she brought him.
It was a steak dinner with all the trimmings.

Romley concluded his remarks with a quotation from the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. I looked it up. It was from a speech Kennedy gave in South Africa at the University of Cape Town on June 6, 1966. At the time, of course, apartheid was firmly gripping the oppressed black majority there.

Most speeches that are memorable are often given a name. It helps to be an orator to start with.

Daniel Webster, for example, gave one known only by its date: the “Seventh of March” (1850) speech in opposition to Southern succession.

President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in 1863 to commemorate a Pennsylvania battlefield near that town. President Franklin Roosevelt gave his “Day of Infamy” speech referring to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The following is not a speech with a name, but a paragraph from a speech.

Kennedy’s words are known as the “Ripple of Hope” paragraph, historians say. You’ve got to say quite a bit in a mere paragraph for historians to give it a name. But that’s what Kennedy did, and in only 74 words, when he talked about sacrifices, large and small:

“It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

To repeat a well-known axiom Romley also quoted, you make a living from what you get, but you make a life from what you give. At some times the opportunity to serve comes when it will be a greater sacrifice to give than at other times.

But we are still called upon by the circumstances of the moment to give more than by the degree of our comfort.

It’s a blessed thing to give, of course, but even more so when the giver who is also in need, gives nonetheless.

As Scottsdale has honored its giving souls this week, so are the rest of us called to do likewise to better shoulder our collective duty to one another.

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Volunteer goes ‘above and beyond’ to help jobless
By Ryan Pronk
For the Tribune

OUTREACH SUPPORT: Chris Vicari oversees the board of directors at the Scottsdale Job network, a nonprofit organization that provides guidance for people who lost their jobs.  10/12/08

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SJN CELEBRATES SUPPORT OF OVER 300 JOB SEEKERS IN 2007

One-of-a-Kind Training Curriculum Being Announced on December 18th

(Scottsdale, Arizona – December 10, 2007) SJN continues to expand its support of job seekers in the Valley, and in recognition of the continued success, a celebration for current members and alumni is schedule for December 18th at 11:30 am. On the 18th a special announcement will be made concerning new job transition training curriculum available for job seekers: it will be rolled-out by SJN early in 2008.

“Our vision of providing all job seekers a well-rounded support system including training in key skills areas is being fully-realized”, said Chris Vicari, founder and head of SJN.

The SJN curriculum is designed to provide training and practice in the job search process that job-seekers need to be successful. Unlike other programs, there is little or no cost at SJN, and participants get to network with other job seekers and key members of the business community to help in their search. The training areas will be:

1. Understanding the emotions of a career change
2. Creating your vision
3. Creating your personal marketing plan
4. Developing your resume
5. Creating leads and networking skills
6. Interviewing skills
7. Managing job offers

The workshops will be offered at the SJN monthly meetings throughout 2008. Job seekers can start at the beginning of the curriculum and work their way through the entire process or come to workshops of particular interest. The new program will launch in February, 2008 and feature a variety of local businesspeople as workshop facilitators. The announcement will follow the regular meeting of SJN on December 18th. We’ll also have a celebration luncheon with door prizes and gifts to thank the many volunteers who have made it possible. All are welcome to celebrate our best year ever in 2007, and look forward to helping the job-seeking community in 2008.

Meetings of SJN are held at Temple Chai, which is located at 4645 East Marilyn Road just east of the Piestawa Freeway (Route 51) and south of the loop 101, west of Tatum Road between Thunderbird and Greenway.

About SJN
SJN provides job transition training, personal connections, access to resources and moral support for job seekers through a Valley-wide network of passionate volunteers. Membership is open to people who are unemployed or under-employed, and those who are willing to network, share their skills and help others. Programs are supported by volunteers, sponsors and donations. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month 9:00-11:30 am. Visit www.scottsdalejobnet.com.

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JOB NETWORK MOVES TO LARGER QUARTERS

http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/0224sr-jobcenter0224Z8.html

Shea Drefs The Arizona Republic
Feb. 24, 2007 12:00 AM

A year-old Scottsdale group that helps the unemployed develop job-searching skills is holding an open house to celebrate its move to a larger location. The Scottsdale Job Network is moving to Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix.

It’s hosting an open house at 9:30 a.m. March 6. The event features presentations on the emotional toll of switching careers and resources for support, said Chris Vicari, founder of the network. “Job seekers often sit behind the computer and are very isolated,” Vicari said. “They need to be out with other business people and stay active and feel a sense of control.”

Vicari said she started the Scottsdale Job Network last February after heading a similar group at a local church. The non-profit organization offers training in resume writing, developing marketing plans and other skills needed to secure jobs.

The group initially held its meetings at Mountain Valley Church in Scottsdale. But when that space became unavailable, Temple Chai, a synagogue, offered to donate its premises, Vicari said. The larger space was desirable because the group’s attendance for its bimonthly meetings has doubled to about 30 people, she added.Starting March 6, the Scottsdale Job Network meets at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesdays at Temple Chai.

Details: (480) 513-1491 or www.scottsdalejobnet.com.
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Scottsdale Job Network
www.scottsdalejobnet.com
Contact: Chris Vicari, Director and Founder
Office: 480-513-1491
info@scottsdalejobnet.com

SCOTTSDALE JOB NETWORK EXPANDS FOR JOB SEEKERS

Job support group relocates to the Shalom Center on March 6th at 9:30 am

(Scottsdale, Arizona – February 6, 2007)

“It feels like home, and I believe it will be a place of great comfort for job seekers”, said Chris Vicari, founder and head of the Scottsdale Job Network. After out-growing first-year facilities at Mountain Valley Church in North Scottsdale, it was time for a change.

“We needed a home with more space that was warm and inviting. The facilities and the people at the Shalom Center at Temple Chai in North Phoenix impressed me from the start, and our board wholeheartedly agreed.”

The Scottsdale Job Network is a group of job seekers and others volunteering their time to help them in their career transitions. The group attracts speakers from all aspects of industry, technology, recruiting and education to discuss job search fundamentals including developing a marketing plan, writing a resume, networking and interviewing.

The first meeting of the Scottsdale Job Network at the Shalom Center is Tuesday, March 6th at 9:30am. It will be an “Open House” of special presentations, introductions and surprises for members, past speakers and guests. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Meetings will be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Katie Pushor, President of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, is the planned speaker at the group’s second meeting at the Shalom Center on Tuesday, March 20th.

“We welcome the Scottsdale Job Network to Temple Chai starting March 6th,” said Sharona Silverman, Director of the Shalom Center. “They provide a valuable service, and we welcome job seekers and volunteers to the twice-monthly Tuesday meetings.”

Temple Chai is centrally located at 4645 East Marilyn Road, just east of the Piestawa Freeway (Route 51) and south of the loop 101. The Shalom Center at Temple Chai is just west of Tatum Road between Thunderbird and Greenway Roads.

About Scottsdale Job Network
The Scottsdale Job Network is a non-ecumenical group of community-minded business, government, education and non-profit professionals who volunteer their skills, experience and time to support the job and career transitions of others. Membership is open to people who are unemployed or under-employed, and those who are willing to network, share their skills and help others.