Giving Back
1. The 4×5 Suicide Prevention Program is hosting a charity golf tournament on April 17 to raise funds to end construction suicides in Arizona. The event will be held at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, and all proceeds will directly support the program’s efforts to train construction professionals in Mental Health First Aid, a technique that equips workers to engage and provide life-saving resources to their peers facing mental health challenges.
Boards & Commissions
2. Horizon Strategies CEO and former Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels is the new chair of the Arizona State Transportation Board, which is tasked with prioritizing transportation needs, projects, and funding while advising the Arizona Department of Transportation. Daniels follows Cochise County leader Richard Searle, who served as chair throughout 2024. Searle has represented Cochise, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties on the board since 2020. Pima County leader Ted Maxwell will serve as the Board’s Vice Chairman. He is President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and was appointed to the State Transportation Board in 2021 to represent Pima County.
3. Jason Fort of HDR was recently chosen to serve as a Board member for ACEC Arizona. Fort has a background in water and wastewater and will aid in the diversification of ACEC’s value.
4. The Arizona Masonry Council has announced the election of its new officers and Board of Directors, each serving a two-year term. AMC’s new leaders are:
- Melonie Leslie, G&G Masonry LLC, Chair;
- Matt Montgomery, Best Block, Vice Chair;
- Mike Summers, Top Quality Masonry, Secretary, and
- Ben Hazelton, Paragon, Treasurer.
Company News
5. VBFA and BNA Consulting Engineers, two well-established MEPT+F firms with 52-year histories, have announced their merger. This partnership combines the two industry leaders, uniting their shared experience and collaborative strengths to better serve clients from offices in Tempe, Utah and Washington. A new name and brand will be unveiled in early 2025.
Promotions
6. Dustin Liljehornwas promoted to West Region President at JE Dunn Construction. Liljehorn has 28 years of experience at JE Dunn and has led the Rocky Mountain Business Unit for six years. In his new role, he will oversee offices across Phoenix, Denver, Colorado Springs, Portland and Santa Clara.
7. LSW Engineers announced the promotion of Anthony Calvo to Associate VP. Calvo joined the firm in 2022.
8. SmithGroup announced promotions for Dustin Simmons, Holly Dezinski, Doug Nielsen and Mark Koechling. Each employee was promoted to Principal. Simmons focuses on mixed-use, multifamily, streetscapes, sports, student housing, senior living and community worship. Dezinski focuses on interior design for science/technology, forensics and higher education projects. Nielsen focuses on corporate developments, healthcare and municipal projects. Koechling focuses on healthcare, science/technology and campus planning.
9. Geoff Tucker has been promoted to Division Manager of Southern Arizona at B&F Contracting. Tucker most recently served as a Senior Project Manager at B&F and brings more than 20 years of construction experience to his new role. He will operate from the company’s Tucson office. As he steps into this new role, Tucker will continue to lead business operations from B&F’s Tucson office.
10. Sundt Construction, Inc. announced Amy Mitchell has been promoted from Senior Project Engineer to Field Superintendent, serving Sundt’s Building Groupin Tempe. In her new role, she will lead field operations on assigned projects, ensuring the highest levels of safety, quality and efficiency throughout the construction process.
New Hires
11. Suntec Concrete hired Kevin Neill as CFO. With more than 30 years of experience in construction and engineering finance, Neill is charged with directing the firm’s fiscal strategy and reinforcing its stability as Suntec continues a trajectory of growth and expansion in markets across the West.
12. SDB announced the hiring of Robert Hullinger as its new CFO. Hullinger has extensive experience in financial leadership and strategic planning.
13. Chris Bridges recently joined ACEC Arizona as its new Executive Director. Bridges has 26 years of industry experience. He has served in government management, executive director roles and as a practitioner.
14. Greg Martin has been hired as Clayco’s new Senior VP for Clayco Compute National Accounts. Martin has almost 20 years of experience in construction. As Senior VP, he will oversee strategic accounts, ensure client satisfaction and drive growth.
15. PCL Construction hired Chris Allen as its new Director of Business Development for its Industrial and Manufacturing Water Group. Allen has 25 years of experience in the water industry.
Retirements
16. W. M. Grace Companies’ Senior VP Jim Stamatis has retired. Stamatis began at the company in 1984. He helped the development of numerous grocery-anchored commercial centers and retail projects. The various projects he worked on totaled millions of square feet.
In Memoriam
17. A memorial service was held for Brian Mee, the Executive Director of the Arizona Association of School Business Officials on Jan. 27 after he passed away on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 17. Brian’s contributions to AASBO and public education were profound, leaving a legacy of service, leadership and compassion. Mee will be remembered for his kindness, humor and ability to connect with everyone he met. He approached every challenge with grace, strength, compassion and integrity.