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Ms. Gruden has been a serial entrepreneur, business and community leader since 1974, when she founded her first travel agency. Over the next two decades, she grew that company into a successful chain, eventually selling it in 1999. Ms. Gruden also co-founded and was subsequently CEO of an innovative software and manufacturing equipment company. While CEO she was responsible for driving the company�s substantial growth.
Ms. Gruden�s community leadership began with her election as the first woman president of a chamber of commerce in Arizona. She has served on the board of directors of National Small Business United (NSBU), a leading national business organization, and was president of the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA). Ms. Gruden was selected to represent Arizona at the White House Conference for Small Business, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her community service and business leadership. | 