Nine Mesa businesses honored in Sun Devil 100 Class of 2025


Sun Devil 100 Class of 2025 plaques

Nine Mesa businesses were honored at the Sun Devil 100 recognition luncheon on Friday, April 25. Photo by Tim Trumble

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Nine Mesa-based businesses led by 13 ASU alumni have been named to the prestigious Sun Devil 100 Class of 2025, collectively generating an impressive $315.6 million in revenue in the 2023 fiscal year. These alumni-led businesses are driving economic and social changes across the region, fueled by purposeful missions and a passion for service.

Meet the alumni entrepreneurs behind this revenue impact: 
 

Bradley Bettencourt – owner
’11 BS agribusiness, ’14 MS agribusiness

During his time at ASU, Bradley Bettencourt made it a priority to embrace new experiences and seize opportunities.

“Choosing ASU opened up a multitude of doors that I wouldn't have even known existed otherwise,” Bettencourt says.

A standout moment came when one of his professors invited him to attend two international business conferences. These events led to friendships with people from around the world, many of whom he still keeps in touch with today. ASU, he says, taught him that taking risks can lead to great success, or at the very least, valuable lessons.

Today, Bettencourt is a two-time Sun Devil 100 honoree and the owner of Bettencourt Investments, LLC. His company focuses primarily on real estate investments, trust management and property management services, while identifying creative financing opportunities.

Inspired by the strength and perseverance of his grandfather and father, Bettencourt is driven to build on his family’s legacy and create one of his own centered on growth and professional excellence.
 

Jaime Leija – CEO, co-founder, president 
’03 BS management
Bob Maguire – founder, chairman of the board
’13 MBA 

Bob Maguire enjoyed a successful career in the telecommunications industry before co-founding Biolab Holdings, Inc. At the age of 50, he pursued an MBA at ASU to sharpen his leadership skills and expand his knowledge, which prompted self-reflection about how he was using his talents.

Then, on his final day of graduate school, Maguire was involved in a rollover car accident on Loop 202, and walked away without a scratch. That moment was a turning point and made him realize he wanted to do more to help others.

In 2017, Maguire and his partner, Jaime Leija, founded BioLab Holdings, Inc. with the goal of changing lives. The regenerative medicine company develops wound care bandages designed to optimize body performance.

Since 2022, BioLab Holdings has experienced a remarkable 689% increase in revenue. Both Maguire and Leija are two-time Sun Devil 100 honorees and attribute the company’s rapid growth to a clear strategy and a strong vision.

“I think the key is that we’ve been laser-focused,” Leija says. 
 

Torrie Taj – CEO
’91 BS psychology
EJ Hughes – COO
’01 BS political science

“ASU laid the foundation for the leader I’ve become,” Torrie Taj says.

While earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology at ASU, Taj cultivated three core values that continue to guide her work as a nonprofit leader today: empathy, resilience and a relentless commitment to impact.

Together, with fellow Sun Devil and COO EJ Hughes, Taj leads a dedicated team at Child Crisis Arizona committed to serving Arizona’s most vulnerable children, youth and families. Their mission is to create safe environments for youth by building strong, successful families through a range of services, including emergency shelter, foster care, adoption, counseling, early education and parenting support.

Taj’s connection to ASU runs deep. Two of her own children are ASU graduates, and she has been recognized in the Sun Devil 100 for five years. For her, this recognition is more than an honor, it’s a moment to reflect on the shared impact of ASU alumni. 

“This award shines a light on the incredible influence ASU alumni have—locally and globally—and I’m proud to be among them,” Taj says. 
 

Jasen Meece – owner, president, board member
’94 BS purchasing and logistics management, ’04 MBA

Clutch Solutions is an IT solutions company specializing in IT modernization, performance optimization and cybersecurity. The company’s team is equipped to efficiently design, orchestrate and manage comprehensive IT support and infrastructure tailored to business needs.

“As a Native American-owned business, we are driven by a commitment to integrity, innovation and creating opportunities, particularly in underserved regions. Building a legacy of trust and impact fuels my dedication every day,” Jasen Meece says, president of Clutch Solutions.

Under Meece’s leadership, Clutch Solutions has experienced significant growth in size, revenue and community involvement. A proud Sun Devil, he credits his time at ASU with helping to shape his strategic vision and leadership in the technology sector. Meece is two-time Sun Devil 100 honoree and says the recognition shows the impact of Clutch Solutions and his commitment to excellence as an ASU alumnus.

“It signifies the alignment of my values with ASU’s legacy of fostering transformative leaders, and I am honored to join a distinguished community of innovators driving meaningful change,” Meece says.
 

Shar Najafi-Piper – CEO
’02 BA psychology

Shar Najafi-Piper’s experience at ASU was more than just academic – it was a journey that helped shape her professional aspirations and personal values.

During her time at ASU, Najafi-Piper found mentorship and inspiration in thoughtful, dedicated professors whose guidance laid the groundwork for her career in psychology and business. Their leadership and empathy left a lasting impression, influencing her own approach as a mission-driven business leader.

Today, Najafi-Piper serves as the CEO of Copa Health, a private non-profit organization that provides educational, therapeutic, rehabilitative and social services to individuals with developmental, intellectual or behavioral challenges throughout Arizona.

“Knowing that our efforts contribute to improving the quality of life for those who are vulnerable and often overlooked motivates me every day,” Najafi-Piper says.

Now in her second year as part of the Sun Devil 100 program, Najafi-Piper takes great pride in the recognition, viewing it as a powerful reminder to lead with integrity, service and compassion.

“I believe that everyone deserves access to safe housing and quality health care, and as a Sun Devil, I am inspired to continue advocating for these essential resources,” she says. 
 

Chris Ko – CEO, co-founder
’03 BS finance

One element stands out above all else as Chris Ko reflects on what drives his work: people.

“Every day is an opportunity to encourage anyone we come in contact with,” Ko says.

Ko is the CEO and co-founder of ER2, an IT asset management company dedicated to creating environments where clients, team members and the broader community feel valued and empowered to use their unique talents. One way the company fulfills this mission is refurbishing clients’ old laptops and donating thousands of them to under-resourced groups around the world.

After initially pursuing biochemistry and pre-med at ASU, Ko shifted to finance to jumpstart his career. There, he learned how businesses operate and developed skills to invest in private companies and eventually launch his own. Ko is now a four-time Sun Devil 100 honoree.

“I’m extremely grateful to be honored as a Sun Devil 100, as I believe ASU was the catalyst for the success we have had,” Ko says. 
 

Michael Warren – president 
’89 BS finance

“I have a passion for helping businesses and individuals reach their financial goals, which ultimately leads to living better lives,” Michael Warren says.

Warren’s passion is evident in his commitment to guiding clients through complex financial situations, helping them realize that there’s always another way to approach and solve problems.

After graduating from ASU and earning his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, Warren has devoted his career to supporting his clients in achieving their highest financial success. He is now president of Audit Group PLLC, an Arizona-based CPA firm with over 20 years of experience in providing high-quality financial services.

As a six-time Sun Devil 100 honoree, he expressed how special it is to be recognized by such a prestigious program, as it reflects his firm’s commitment to integrity and exceptional service. 
 

Errol Berry – CEO
’02 BS supply chain management
Jesse Berry – CIO
’07 BS computer information systems
Klint McInturff – vice president 
’10 BS marketing
Christopher Van Egmond – director of customer experience
'11 BS marketing

While studying at ASU, Errol Berry, now CEO of Print.Save.Repeat., took a few key classes in supply chain and marketing that proved to be foundational for his entrepreneurial success. He became enamored with the concepts of customer experience, customer lifecycle marketing and learning the essentials of negotiation – principles he’s applied in his life and business to achieve win-win outcomes.

Today, Berry leads Print.Save.Repeat, a toner cartridge manufacturing company trusted by over 100,000 businesses across North America. More than just a supplier, the company positions itself as a true print partner, committed to making printing affordable, sustainable and repeatable. Their specialties include remanufactured toner cartridges, thermal labels, scale labels and custom label solutions.

This year marks Berry’s 10th recognition in the Sun Devil 100 program. He is joined by fellow honorees: three-time recipient and CIO Jesse Berry; four-time recipient and director of customer experience Christopher Van Egmond; and four-time honoree and vice president Klint McInturff.

“It's a great honor to represent our company alongside some remarkable and talented ASU alumni. I am thrilled that I get to participate and be included with such an impressive cohort,” Berry says. 
 

Traci Beagley – CEO, founder
’02 BIS

Sunland Home Care delivers certified, personalized in-home care designed to enrich the daily lives of its clients. Each care plan is tailored to meet individual needs, with services that include personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping and more. The organization’s trained caregivers are dedicated to helping seniors maintain independence and safety in the comfort of their own homes.

Founder and CEO Traci Beagley, a fourth-generation Mesa native, carries on a proud family tradition of service. Her great-grandfather and grandfather developed the East Valley’s first 55+ active adult community in 1958. Today, Beagley continues that legacy, committed to compassionate care and enhancing the lives of seniors in her community.

"Being recognized as a Sun Devil 100 honoree is deeply meaningful. As a proud ASU alumna, it validates the hard work and dedication we've poured into Sunland Home Care, knowing that our foundation is rooted in the values and education I received at ASU," Beagley says. "This recognition has reinforced my commitment to excellence and has also connected me with a powerful network of fellow Sun Devil entrepreneurs, opening doors for collaboration and growth."


Recognition in the Sun Devil 100
The Sun Devil 100 is an annual business recognition program hosted by the ASU Alumni Association that honors the fastest growing alumni-owned or -led organizations. To be considered, companies must have been in business for at least three years, have revenues of $250,000-plus for the past three years and operate in a manner consistent with the ASU Charter.

This year’s cohort includes a record-breaking 145 organizations led by 206 exceptional alumni, collectively reporting a total revenue of $70.7 billion for the 2023 fiscal year and employing nearly 257,000 full-time professionals across 14 states and two countries. View the official Sun Devil 100 Class of 2025 revenue rankings.