Giving Back
1. The Make Waves Family Foundation has announced a $1M gift to the First Place Global Leadership Institute over the next five years, creating the Make Waves Center for Community Development. The Make Waves Center aims to fuel a new marketplace of supportive housing and community options through replicable, sustainable design, programming and development strategies. It seeks to raise the bar on the quality of life for people with Autism and other neurodiversities—and provide greater peace of mind for families, according to Denise D. Resnik, First Place AZ founder and president/CEO and mother of an adult son with Autism. The center is scheduled to release the Greater Phoenix Housing Market Analysis in February, which will inform the development of options responsive to population needs.
Boards & Commissions
2. The Arizona Builders Alliance has installed Suntec Concrete President and CEO Derek Wright as Board Chair for 2023. In his role, Wright will facilitate discussions with the board of directors, utilize their direction and support to ensure consensus on industry issues and challenges, and help the organization achieve success in 2023.
Company News
3. Neighborhood Ventures has announced that Neighborhood Ventures Real Estate Income Trust has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire its first property—the 20-unit Venture on Williams in Mesa—through an equity buyout valued at $5M. The asset was initially purchased by Neighborhood Ventures in 2020 with capital the company raised through investor crowdfunding.
4. Luxury custom homebuilder Cameron Custom Homes and Renovations announced it has commenced operations. Led by Cameron “Cammie” Beckert, Cameron Custom is a full-service custom home and renovation company founded by the family behind Camelot Homes.
5. Mark-Taylor Residential announced it has added the 72-unit Banyan at South Mountain and the 38-unit Banyan Preserve luxury Build-to-Rent communities to its management portfolio.
Promotions
6. The Goodyear City Council appointed Wynette Reed to serve as the new City Manager. Julie Karins, who has been Goodyear’s city manager since 2018, recently resigned to move to the Kansas City area to be closer to her children. Reed came to Goodyear in 2011 as the city’s Human Resources Director and was then promoted to Deputy City Manager. She has overseen every department in the city during her tenure.
7. The Town of Queen Creek has promoted Assistant Town Manager Bruce Gardner to serve as Town Manager following the retirement of John Kross. Gardner’s stated priorities include working with the Mayor and Town Council on infrastructure, economic development, public safety, growth and related issues.
8. City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department Assistant Director Joshua Bednarek will now lead the department as its new Director. Bednarek has been with the City for more than 20 years, 15 of those years with the Planning and Development Department.
9. Terracon Consultants, Inc. recently announced three promotions. Joseph Phillips and Ramon Padilla have been promoted to Senior Principal and Jennifer Tran has been named Principal.
New Hires
10. Larson Design Group has hired Bruce Preston as Senior VP, Federal Group.
11. David Porter has joined W.E. O’Neil Construction as Project Superintendent.
12. David Padron recently joined PIVIUM as the company’s Lead Audio Visual Technician.
Retirement
13. Jill Keimach has announced she will retire from her position as Paradise Valley Town Manager on May 12. Keimach has been in the position for four years.