“Plan the work…work the plan” became the model for the professional career and personal life of Christine (Christy) Shaft, a partner in Spooner and Shaft Physical Therapy.

The clinical director of the business and a prime investor in the Fountain Hills Medical Campus is the Chamber of Commerce’s first candidate for 2013 Business Person of the Year.

Chamber vice chair Teresa Russo-Cox announced Shaft’s nomination at the June 20 dinner meeting in FireRock Country Club.

Shaft was not present because she was on vacation. She will be introduced to Chamber members at the July 18 breakfast.

Three additional candidates will be chosen for Business Person of the Year. The winner will be announced at the annual gala dinner in January. Euro Pizza café owner Merita Kraya is the current Business Person of the Year.

Shaft was born, raised and educated in Minnesota where she received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in physical therapy from the University of Minnesota.

One week after her marriage to Judd Shaft, the couple moved to North Scottsdale. She met her future business partner, Tom Spooner, in 1993. Their practice quickly expanded through hard work and team building, said Russo-Cox.

In 2007, Shaft, Dr. Matthew Hummel and Rod Owen envisioned a medical campus in town. They converted the former town governmental offices into a three-building medical complex, home now to more than 20 medical and health facilities at 16838 E. Palisades Blvd. Spooner and Shaft is a major tenant, occupying most of Building B.

Two sons, Keegan and Ryan, and their sports activities keep Shaft busy when she is not working. In her limited spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities or kickboxing.

“Christy has always supported the Chamber and has proven her dedication to the community time and time again,” commented Russo-Cox.

Shaft told Russo-Cox that she attributes her success to “not what she has done, but to the people who have helped her accomplish her goals along the way.”