Giving Back
1. The Arizona Builders Alliance 15th Annual Community Service Board’s 2024 Toy Drive began collecting toys, gifts and donations for seven nonprofit organizations serving thousands of children across the state. The ABA will use monetary donations to purchase toys from a wholesaler, then sort and wrap all the gifts for children at Sunshine Acres Children’s Homes, Arizona Sunshine Angels, Santo Niño Catholic Community, Sequoia Charter School, and Agape Adoption Agency of Arizona, as well as Tucson based Arizona Baptist Children’s Services and TMM Family Services. A variety of Christmas events are being held Dec. 13-Dec. 18. More than 100 Valley construction companies—including Rosendin, Hensel Phelps, Big-D, Sundt, IMCOR, Kortman and TDIndustries—will team up with ABA to make the toy drive a success.
2. The DRS Foundation and Phoenix Children’s Hospital are teaming up to collect gifts from Nov. 19-Dec. 13. The drop-off location is at 1200 N. 52nd St. in Phoenix.
3. The Valley Partnership ADVOCATES program is accepting applications. The program is designed for members 35 years of age and younger to learn from industry experts and network with peers. The program includes monthly learning sessions that focus on various topics including industrial, retail and mixed-use high-rise infill development covering acquisition, capitalization, development, design, construction and disposition. The ADVOCATES Class of 2025 will run from January 2025-December 2025. The program costs $500 and will have up to 25 participants. The deadline to apply is Dec. 18.
4. Achen-Gardner Construction provided 35 turkeys to food drives throughout the Valley this Thanksgiving to honor its 35th anniversary.
5. Achen-Gardner Construction participated in the Litchfield Park Touch-A-Truck event on Nov. 16. The free family event provided kids the opportunity to explore construction equipment up close and learn about the industry.
6. Achen-Gardner Construction held trench safety and rescue training over the last several weeks for local fire departments. The on-site trench is 16 feet deep.
7. Achen-Gardner Construction employee-owners recently volunteered at the Chandler Water Festival to help teach children about water use. Achen-Gardner has stated, “We’re proud to sponsor and support educational outreach in partnership with the communities we work in.”
New Hires
8. Expand Consulting Group announced the hiring of Derek Downey as Senior Mechanical Engineer. Downey has more than 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering design, construction oversight and commissioning.
9. SCS Engineers announced the hiring of Coreyn Roman. According to Roman’s LinkedIn profile, her title is Sr. Environmental Project Manager. Roman will conduct environmental investigations and compliance assistance, along with supporting monitoring landfills and preparing environmental reports and providing services in other areas, such as with stormwater and industrial compliance.
10. JLL announced the hiring of Nikolas Rieser to its Value and Risk Advisory Team. Rieser will focus on appraisal and valuation services within the multi-housing sector throughout the West Coast. Rieser has more than 16 years of experience in real estate appraisal and consulting.