Giving Back
1. The 2nd Annual Ellen Kirton Memorial Charity Fundraiser, presented by the Arizona Association for Economic Development Southern Committee, is scheduled for Nov. 9 at the Lodge on the Desert, 306 N. Alvernon Way in Tucson. The event raises money for Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona. Representatives of the organization will be present to talk about their charity. Proceeds from a raffle will benefit Mobile Meals as well.
2. More than 40 students attended the second annual CCIM/GCU Mentorship Speed Networking Event held recently at the Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University. CCIM Central Arizona Chapter mentors and GCU Finance Club members connected on all aspects of the commercial real estate industry.
Awards & Accolades
3. The Arizona Association for Economic Development presented five Golden Prospector Awards and 10 Awards of Merit to recognize excellence, innovation and creativity in economic development at its annual Fall Forum.
Golden Prospector Awards:
- Deal of the Year: City of Mesa for Meta;
- Multimedia Promotion: Prescott Discover Business Unusual;
- Multimedia Promotion Website: ChooseOroValley.com and ASU Office of Economic Development;
- Marketing Brochure: Connect Tucson.
Awards of Merit:
- Deal of the Year: VIAVI Locates Global Headquarters in Chandler;
- Multimedia Promotion: Open for Business – Every Entrepreneurs Dream Peoria and #PeopleAreOurWhy Social Media Campaign for Economic Development Week Surprise;
- Multimedia Promotion Website: VisitQueenCreekAZ.com;
- Community Economic Development: Discover Avondale Sales Kit; Chino Valley Open for Business; Eloy Intersection of Value, Location, and Opportunity; and Goodyear Mom and Pop Food Stops;
- Economic Development Program: Surprise-BNSF Certified Sites, City of Surprise;
- Special Event: GPEC Convening the Community.
4. CBRE‘s Evan Koplan recently earned the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation from the CCIM Institute.
Boards & Commissions
5. AZCREW has elected the officers and directors for 2023. AZCREW exists to transform the commercial real estate industry by advancing women globally.
The 2023 leadership comprises:
- Samantha Pinkal, VP, Business Development, Greater Phoenix Economic Council: President;
- Jenny Liles, Director, Market Operations, Cresa: President-Elect and Membership Director;
- Heather Skinner, VP, Global Real Estate, JPMorgan Chase & Co.: Past President;
- Lynette Dreitz, Partner/Director of Finance & Administration, Cawley Architects: Treasurer;
- Nicole Solar, Business Consultant, Olsson: Secretary;
- Michelle Rutkowski, Owner/Architect, MOR Studio: Programs Director;
- Savannah Gadberry-Carbine, Account Manager, Climatec: Sponsorship Director;
- Kristin Singletary, Digital Marketing Manager, RED Development: Communications Director;
- Lindsey Brist, VP, KeyBank Clean Energy Finance: Chapter Champion Director, and
- Camille Patterson, Property Manager, Whitestone REIT: Chapter Historian.
Company News
6. Fresh off the celebration of its fifth anniversary, Wakeman Integrity is now Integrity CRE.
7. Two banks have entered the Phoenix market and hired local finance experts to help with their expansions. Columbia Bank has expanded its commercial lending division to the state and hired Ryan Summers to handle its operation. American Momentum Bank has come to Arizona and hired Tim Collins to head its Small Business Administration lending.
8. Cavco Industries, Inc. will pay $93M to purchase fellow manufactured home builder and retailer Solitaire Homes, Inc. The move will add Solitaire’s 950 employees and 22 locations to Cavco’s operation.
Promotions
9. City of Surprise Assistant Water Resource Management Director Michael Boule will begin serving as Water Department Director on Nov. 27 when current Director Lee Lambert retires. Boule has been in his current position for two years and has worked for the City for 14.
New Hires
10. Integrity CRE recently announced three new hires. Joining the firm are: Marketing Coordinator Kathleen “Kat” Soberano, Operations Consultant Tami Conradson and Real Estate Assistant Cassandra “Cassie” Harmon.
11. Bryce Horner has joined Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR. His practice will focus on capital markets and commercial investment ownership in industrial, office and retail properties.
12. Jaime Allison has been hired by Harvard Investments to serve as the firm’s Corporate Controller.
13. The Agency – Scottsdale recently made two new hires. Kevin Owens has joined the firm as a Realtor® and Anthony Turco has joined as an Agent.
In Memoriam
14. Margaret Larsen – Co-owner and Associate Broker at Larsen Baker – has passed away. In addition to assisting in the leadership of her commercial real estate firm, she was extensively involved with various charities and community improvement organizations.