Awards & Accolades
1. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office announced Rayva in Gilbert and Solar Tech Collective in Tucson have advanced to the semifinal stage of the multi-million dollar American-Made Solar Prize Round 8. Semifinalists receive $50K and proceed to the next round. Four of the 20 semifinalists will receive a $25K cash bonus prize for winning the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Contest. Rayva was also announced as a winner of the JEDIcontest.
Boards & Commissions
2. The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Boardmet on Jan. 9 and administered an oath of office to the CAWCD Board Member Rudy Fischer. The meeting also welcomed the return of board members Lisa Atkins, Terry Goddard, Heather Macre and April Pinger-Tornquist. During the meeting, the Board also approved a construction contract for a Water Education Center at CAP Headquarters to Mortenson Company.
Company News
3. Clayco announced the launch of Clayco Compute, an integrated data center delivery business unit focused exclusively on highly specialized construction of advanced technology centers. Ryan McGuire, a 20-year industry veteran, will serve as president of Clayco Compute.
4. A merger was announced between VBFA and BNA. The two will merge in 2025. The companies are holding an open house on Jan. 30 in Utah to celebrate the merger.
5. Greenlight Communities celebrated a record-breaking 2024. The company constructed 696 new attainable rental units. It also surpassed its previous benchmarks for community giving, donating more than $50K to charitable organizations.
Promotions
6. Cannon & Wendt promoted Operations Manager Toby Howardto VP of Operations. Howard has 24 years in the industry. In his new role, he will oversee procurement, prefabrication, tools, warehouse, equipment, cellular communications and building maintenance.
7. DFDG Architecture announced the addition of two new Principals to its leadership team: Mike Gibson and Ryan Schmitt. Gibson joined DFDG in 2019, specializing in healthcare, commercial, municipal, and industrial projects. Schmitt started his career 12 years ago as an intern with DFDG and returned to the firm in 2019 to lead the Tucson office. His primary client focus has been in higher education, municipal and commercial projects.
8. Eric Bell has been promoted to Managing Director of Kidder Mathews’ Phoenix office. Bell brings 24 years of experience specializing in the sale, leasing and development of industrial properties in Greater Phoenix. Since joining Kidder Mathews in 2016, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth in the region.
9. The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development announced Franklin Adams has been promoted to Economic Development Project Manager. His responsibilities will include business attraction, retention, expansion projects and workforce development.
New Hires
10. Lukrom hired Merriah Harkins as its new Chief Sales Officer. Harkins has more than 23 years of experience in real estate, venture equity and debt, private equity and life insurance industries. As CSO, Harkins will be responsible for the daily management, organization, guidance and growth of Lukrom’s sales division.
11. Clayco announced the hiring of Byron Bartloas Senior VP of Operations for Clayco Compute. Bartlo has more than 20 years of experience in construction. He will be responsible for overseeing project operations, delivery, safety and client satisfaction.
12. Chris Irwin has joined Colliers as Senior VP in the company’s Phoenix office. Irwin has more than 20 years of experience and completion of more than 750 retail lease and sale transactions. He relocated to Phoenix from Chicago.
13. Opus announced the hiring of Kevin Curleyas Senior Director of Real Estate Development, Ben Pobudaas Senior Manager of Real Estate Development, and Mike Georgeas Manager of Real Estate Development in its Phoenix office. Curley will oversee site selection, entitlement and the development process through lease-up and sale. Pobuda will oversee market research, financial analysis and land acquisition, development, marketing and leasing. George will be in charge of industrial and multifamily developments in Arizona.
14. Cushman & Wakefield announced the hiring of Jack Stamets as Director and Madeline Warren as Associate. The two will serve in the Capital Markets Team in the Mountain West. Stamets previously worked at Clarion Partners in Dallas for more than eight years as VP. Warren previously worked as a Senior Analyst at Eastdil Secured in Dallas. Both new hires are originally from Phoenix.
15. Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod Waterfall hired Jennifer Bommarito as an Attorney. Bommarito was recently admitted to the State Bar of Arizona. She previously worked with the Orange County, CA District Attorney’s Office Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit.
16. CRE8 Advisors announced the hiring of Kevin Smith as Advisor. Smith was formerly an infielder for the New York Yankees. This is his first role in a brokerage.
Retirement
17. Mesa City Manager Chris Brady announced he will retire on May 31. Brady has been part of Mesa’s leadership team for 19 years. In his retirement, he will transition to a new role as a mission leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.