After nearly 3 decades in the manufacturing business and countless trips overseas, Jeff Carlberg gave his passport a rest and decided to purchase his family’s favorite pizza restaurant. Photo by @jasonmyersphoto

ARIZONA SINCE 1988

Jeff Carlberg moved from his home state of New Mexico to Scottsdale in 1988. He’s called ‘The Valley’ his home ever since. For 29 years, Jeff traveled back and forth to Asia visiting his manufacturing partners. “I manufactured electronics for the cell phone and car stereo market for 13 years, then office furniture for 5 years which I sold to stores like Sam’s & Staples. Then for eight years I owned a swimwear company and sold our products primarily through our website and social media direct to consumer.”

Although he’d travel to the Far East between six to nine times a year, for 2-3 weeks each trip, Jeff and his Joyce, his wife of 29 years, found time to raise three children. In 2017, he sold his swimwear company and gave retirement a try. It didn’t last long. “Retirement sucked,” he said. “I got bored.” On February 4th, 2019, Jeff and his business partner, John Dorsey, purchased his family’s favorite pizza restaurant, Il Bosco. Within a year, Jeff & John increased revenue 25%, and they haven’t looked back. Il Bosco is regularly voted as one of the best pizza restaurants in the Phoenix area. They’re known for their delicious crust which gets its unique taste from being baked in a hand-tiled Valoriani wood-fired oven.

Support the cause and get the - JEFF CARLBERG 'IL BOSCO PIZZA' TWILL CAP (100% of the proceeds to to support Level III NICU at Scottsdale Shea Medical Center)

Carlberg now talks of plans to expand the Il Bosco concept, adding new brick-and-mortar restaurants, as well as delivery & pick-up locations. But the recent COVID-19 Pandemic has put development on the back burner for the time being and brought community-involvement to the forefront of Jeff & John’s focus as business owners. “The local community has done so much for us, reaching out to help us and our employees during this crazy time,” said Jeff. “We want to take the opportunity to pay it forward as much as we can.” Il Bosco has donated dinners to local fire stations, EMT locations and hospitals, focusing their giving on First Responders. “I wouldn’t say I’m proud of it...I see it as our duty as a community to help in any way we can,” says Jeff. “I don’t make masks or protective equipment, but I do make a damn good pizza.” Carlberg says they’ll continue to look for more opportunities to give free meals to first responders in the Phoenix area.

Jeff and his wife, Joyce, live in Scottsdale. They have 3 children and 1 grandchild.

For more information about Il Bosco Pizza and the complete menu, visit ilboscopizza.com.

Follow Il Bosco Pizza on Facebook and Instagram.

100% of the proceeds from the hat sales will go to the Level III NICU at Scottsdale Shea Medical Center - help make a difference!

Support and get your 'IL BOSCO' HAT