Giving Back
1. Terracon Consultants Inc. awarded a $6K grant through the Terracon Foundation to the University of Arizona to support undergraduate and graduate geotechnical engineering students in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics. The funding will enhance research opportunities and provide financial assistance. Priority will be given to students in the Accelerated Master’s Program, though all geotechnical-focused students are eligible.
Boards & Commissions
2. The National League of Cities Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee recently welcomed its new appointee, Laura Kaino of the Goodyear City Council. Her first day with NLC was Feb. 20.
Company News
3. Sumitomo Forestry Co. agreed to acquire Tri Pointe Homes in a $4.5B all-cash transaction, a 29% premium to the company’s prior closing stock price. The deal was unanimously approved by both companies’ boards and is expected to close in the second quarter, pending shareholder approval. Since its founding in 2009, Tri Pointe has delivered more than 58,000 homes. The transaction will take the publicly traded builder private while maintaining its existing management and operations and further expand Sumitomo’s U.S. homebuilding platform as it targets selling 30,000 homes annually in the U.S. by 2030.
4. FlatironDragados integrated its Texas operations with its Pulice Construction subsidiary to form Pulice – a FlatironDragados Company. The operation will be led by Victor Jimenez as President and Kurt Knebel as VP of Operations. The integration will consolidate operations across Texas, Arizona and the Southwestern U.S and combine heavy civil infrastructure capabilities in transportation, aviation, water and resiliency projects. Roadway Electric LLC and McNeil Brothers, subsidiaries of the legacy organization, will continue operating under the new company structure.
5. Microreactor innovator NuCube Technology announced it closed a $13M funding round to develop and deploy next-generation nuclear energy solutions in the U.S. Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the company is expanding its strategic footprint in Arizona. Financing was led by Arizona Nuclear Ventures, reflecting a broader strategy to position Greater Phoenix as a national hub for advanced nuclear innovation and deployment. The round includes major investments from Emission Reduction Corporation, and Rob Walton and Jordan Rose Walton.
New Hires
6. Suffolk recently appointed Clem Wood as its new Executive VP of Advanced Technology. Wood has more than 30 years of experience in design, offsite manufacturing and program management.
Retirements/In Memoriam/Departures
7. Chairman of the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission, Morris Mennenga, announced his resignation on Feb. 19. His resignation was due to an arm injury sustained last summer that requires additional surgery. Vice-Chairman Robert Klob has since stepped into the role of Chairman.