Awards & Accolades
1. The International Economic Development Council recently reaccredited the Queen Creek Economic Development Department. The department originally received its accreditation status in 2018 and has now been reaccredited twice.
Boards & Commissions
2. Valley Partnership announced its 2026 Board of Directors, led by Nicholaus Fischer, Executive VP of Merit Partners, who will serve as Board Chair. Board Officers consist of:
- Chuck Carefoot of Ryan Companies as Vice Chair;
- Todd Weiss of ViaWest Group as Treasurer;
- Kate Kaminski of Howard Hughes as Secretary;
- Jay Kramer of FENNEMORE as Counsel, and
- Rob Bassett of Pederson Group as Immediate Past Chair.
Valley Partnership also welcomed these new board members:
- Jay Donnelly, Genesis Capital;
- Brandon Dillingham, Rockefeller;
- Nguyen Lam, Colliers Engineering & Design;
- Barbara Lloyd, ASU Development;
- Taylor Pallan, Okland;
- Patrick Paul, Snell & Wilmer;
- Zach Schira, Maricopa County and
- James Senften, Gammage & Burnham.
Company News
3. Trammell Crow Residential opened a Phoenix office and named Tom Lewis Jr. Managing Director to lead its Valley multifamily development efforts. Lewis will oversee market-rate Class A multifamily projects from site selection through disposition. He brings more than 10 years of experience delivering large-scale multifamily and mixed-use developments in the region and previously served as Managing Director at Alliance Residential Company for 13 years.
4. Andrew Call partnered with Reza Amirrezvani to create RAI Holdings Development and serves as Executive VP. Call will focus on real estate development in the Phoenix MSA and brings 25 years of experience across retail, industrial, mixed-use and residential development. He will oversee new development initiatives, strategic acquisitions and growth throughout the Southwest.
5. Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman recently launched its inaugural season called “Sparks in the Desert.” Season One of the podcast features candid conversations with politicians, commercial real estate executives, engineers, entrepreneurs and other influential voices. The podcast is available here.
Promotions
6. Corbins announced two leadership promotions. David Pollard advanced from Senior VP of Operations to COO Operating Officer and will oversee operational discipline, workforce performance and field safety across mission-critical projects. Pollard has more than 16 years of experience in craft operations and field execution. Adam Chini, who advanced from Senior VP of Mission Critical to President of Corbins, will oversee strategy, operations and project delivery for the company’s data center and semiconductor work.
7. Cannon & Wendt Co. promoted three longtime team members as part of its leadership expansion in Arizona:
- Geordie Wendt was promoted from Controller to CFO after nearly two decades in the role.
- Chuck Celaya was promoted from VP of Construction Services to Senior VP, advancing after beginning his career with the company as an apprentice in 1988.
- Sean Goneau was promoted from VP of Service and TEGG to Senior VP, following his leadership of the company’s Service and TEGG departments since joining in 2015.
8. PK Associates announced the advancement of several leaders within the firm, collectively representing more than 130 years of combined experience. The promotions include:
- Bob Halliday, as Partner | Director;
- Armando Aguirre, as Partner | Studio Director:
- Dane Henry, as Partner | Studio Director;
- Tyler Koehler, as Partner | Studio Director;
- Harsh Pagare, as Principal | Studio Director;
- Evan Hales, as Partner | BIM Director;
- Mike Gallivan, as Partner | Senior BIM Manager, and
- Vi Duong, as Partner | Director of Quality Assurance.
9. Chad Schultz advanced from Senior VP of Strategic Growth to Chief Strategy Officer at Nox Group. With more than 20 years of experience, Schultz will guide company strategy supporting disciplined growth across the firm’s expanding industrial portfolio, including hyperscale data center, semiconductor and waste and wastewater facilities.
10. SmithGroup promoted three leaders in its Phoenix office:
- Tim O’Dowd was promoted to Principal. He is a registered architect with more than 16 years of experience, including 11 years at SmithGroup. O’Dowd brings expertise in generative design concepts and project leadership across mixed-use, commercial, higher education and science sectors.
- Amy Dooley was promoted to Principal. Dooley brings 23 years of experience, including seven years at SmithGroup, and has led interior design projects across corporate, hospitality, education and science sectors.
- Stephanie Hertzberg was promoted to VP. A leader in SmithGroup’s Southwest Region, Hertzberg has driven regional growth across higher education, health, science and technology and commercial markets.
11. Rivers Anderson was promoted to District Manager of Dick Anderson Construction’s Arizona operations. Anderson most recently served as a Project Manager in Arizona and previously worked across the company’s commercial and civil divisions, including wind energy, education and hospitality projects. In his new role, he will lead DAC’s Arizona operations with a focus on higher education, hospitality, healthcare and airport construction projects.
New Hires
12. Steve Kaiser was hired as CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association. Kaiser previously served in the Arizona Legislature, including as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and is a former small business owner.
13. Jeff Katen joined Säzän Group as a Mechanical Associate. A licensed Professional Engineer with 25 years of experience, Katen specializes in HVAC systems across healthcare, education, laboratory, commercial, office and retail facilities.
14. Jason Wunschel joined Terracon as Industrial Hygiene Program Manager in the firm’s Tucson office. Wunschel has 14 years of industry experience and will focus on growing Terracon’s industrial hygiene and regulatory compliance practice throughout the region.
15. Big-D Construction announced three new hires:
- Jason Jordan was hired as Director of Operations. Jordan has more than 26 years of experience in construction operations, including leading operations for a national firm with offices in Arizona.
- Rachel Landry was hired as Senior Project Manager. Landry has more than 11 years of experience managing multi-million-dollar commercial construction projects across education, hospitality, government, affordable housing and entertainment sectors.
- Brandon VerSteeg was hired as Senior Superintendent. VerSteeg has led large, complex projects as a Senior Superintendent and has experience overseeing large project teams with a focus on safety, quality and schedule performance.