Giving Back
1. Capstone Advisors is celebrating 30 years of owning, operating and developing commercial real estate across the country. Since its founding in 1996, the Carlsbad-based company has completed more than $4B in strategic investments. To commemorate the milestone, Capstone is committing $150K to 30 nonprofit organizations across the communities it serves, including Phoenix. Founder and President Alex Zikakis leads the company.
2. The Terracon Foundation awarded $22K in spring 2026 grants to four Arizona organizations supporting education, workforce development, STEM outreach and student scholarships.
- Grand Canyon University received $5K for its Next Level Lopes Program, championed by Sabrina Perez, Desert Southwest Client Development Manager.
- The Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation received $4.5K for STEM education and outreach, championed by Briana Li-Vidal, Environmental Project Manager.
- The Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society received $5K for its student scholarship fund, championed by Derek D. Koller, Tucson Operations Manager.
- Arizona State University received $7.5K for the Terracon Scholars Program, championed by Joe Phillips, Senior Engineering Consultant.
Awards & Accolades
3. The Arizona Multihousing Association named the winners of the 2026 Tribute Awards, sponsored by AMA & Cox Communities, on Aug. 7. Recipients include:
- AMA Volunteer of the Year, Outside the Valley: Wendi Munsey, Bryten,
- AMA Volunteer of the Year, Metro Phoenix: Christina Valencia, Chamberlin + Associates,
- Assistant Manager of the Year: Calvin Witmer, Jr., Biltmore on the Lake, Asset Living,
- Best Community Team of the Year, 1-199 Units: Hampton Edison, RangeWater Real Estate,
- Best Community Team of the Year, 200-299 Units: The Core Scottsdale, Founders Property Management,
- Best Community Team of the Year, 300+ Units: The Place at Silverbell Gateway, Founders Property Management,
- Best Community Team of the Year, Outside the Valley: ENVii, Greystar Real Estate Partners,
- Best Renovated Community of the Year: The Post at Fort Whipple Quarters, Gorman & Company,
- Community Manager of the Year, 1-199 Units: Steve Austin, Sobremesa Villas, Bryten,
- Community Manager of the Year, 200-299 Units: Tara Mettes, Ironwood at Happy Valley, Mission Rock Residential,
- Community Manager of the Year, 300+ Units: Abel Ortiz, Sahara & Playa Palms, Chamberlin + Associates,
- Community Manager of the Year, Outside the Valley: Jim Juvera, The Landmark, Asset Living,
- Corporate Employee of the Year: Jacqueline Musto, Mark-Taylor Residential,
- Developers Award for Best Community Design Affordable Community: Milagro on Oracle, Developed by City of Tucson and Gorman & Company,
- Developers Award for Best Community Design Build to Rent: Yardly at Verrado, Developed by Yardly by Taylor Morrison,
- Developers Award for Best Community Design Garden Style: Encantada La Estancia, Developed by HSL Construction Services,
- Developers Award for Best Community Design Low/Mid Rise: Optima McDowell Mountain, Developed by Optima,
- Housekeeper of the Year: Berenice Barcelo Gomez, Canyon Oaks, HSL Asset Management,
- Housing Heroes: Portico Property Management,
- Industry Partner of the Year, Outside the Valley: Lauren Furnas, Avalanche Security Solutions,
- Industry Partner of the Year, Metro Phoenix: Rhonda Wooder, Chadwell Supply,
- Leasing Consultant of the Year: Hallie Crandell, Havenly Superstition, Cushman and Wakefield,
- Property Supervisor of the Year: Tiffany Mulkey, Avenue5 Residential,
- Regional Service Supervisor of the Year: Miguel Silva, Mark-Taylor Residential,
- Service Supervisor of the Year, 1-199 Units: Marcus Gabaldon, Bungalows on Village Way, RPM Living,
- Service Supervisor of the Year, 200-299 Units: Terry Gatlin, Avilla Mystic, Bryten,
- Service Supervisor of the Year, 300+ Units: James Mackey, Gila Springs, P.B. Bell,
- Service Supervisor of the Year, Outside the Valley: Joseph Fioretto, Sparro, Greystar Real Estate Partners and
- Service Technician of the Year: Bill Hill, Roadrunner on McDowell, Portico Property Management.
4. Awake Window & Door Company was ranked No. 2,255 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 after achieving 50,604% revenue growth over four years. Founded in 2021, the Gilbert-based manufacturer grew from 13 employees to more than 100 while expanding U.S. production of luxury aluminum windows and doors. More than 60% of the company’s employees have a justice-involved background. Founder and CEO Scott Gates leads the company.
5. Hunter Contracting Company achieved Platinum STAR status through NUCA National’s Safety Training Awareness Recognition Program, the program’s highest level of recognition. The award recognizes the company’s commitment to safety, leadership and a strong safety culture throughout its organization.
6. Phoenix Business Journal has released its 2026 Class of 40 Under 40 honorees. Recipients of particular interest to AZBEX readers include:
- Alex Boles, ViaWest Group;
- Susan Cherian, Gensler;
- Alexis Matt, Newmark;
- Kaya Orona, The PENTA Building Group;
- Tracie Riggs, Maricopa County Department of Transportation;
- Michael Rosas, Keyser Commercial Real Estate, and
- Bryan Silverstein, Clayco.
Company News
7. Dream Finders Homes, Inc. and Beazer Homes USA, Inc. announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Dream Finders will acquire Beazer in an all-cash transaction at an enterprise value of approximately $2.2B. Upon closing, the combined company will operate in 26 markets and approximately 520 active communities.
8. Azori is expanding outside of the Pacific Northwest by entering the Phoenix market. The company, previously known as MN Custom Homes, is currently working on four homes with DesignTank and Grady Olsen Design.
Promotions
9. Cawley Architects recently promoted Lynette Dreitz Fort and Rafael Macias. Dreitz Fort was promoted to CEO after serving as CFO for more than 13 years. Macias was promoted to President. He has worked with the company for 12 years and most recently was the Director of Construction Administration and Quality Assurance.
10. Harvard Investments announced the promotion of Roger Theis to the role of VP of Harvard Communities. Theis will oversee all master-planned community and land development initiatives, guiding strategy, execution and growth across Harvard Investments’ expanding residential platform.
11. Clarrissa Hill was promoted to West Region Talent Acquisition Manager at JE Dunn Construction, supporting offices in Santa Clara, Phoenix, Denver, Colorado Springs and Portland. Hill brings a decade of experience across multiple industries and previously partnered with the company’s Advanced Facilities Group, supporting Mission Critical and Industrial Manufacturing teams.
New Hires
12. Tim Thielke has joined Layton Construction as VP for the Arizona market. Thielke brings more than 25 years of industry experience with expertise in planning and entitlements and design-assist and design-build delivery. He will support the company’s growth by fostering early collaboration, reducing project risk and ensuring successful client outcomes.
13. Jodi James was hired as Area Director of Business Development at Tanner Company.
14. Jeffrey Garza Walker has joined Cushman & Wakefield as Managing Director in the firm’s Phoenix office. Garza Walker specializes in global portfolio services for industrial clients with requirements in North and Latin America. His brokerage team includes Ivan Garcia, Senior Associate; Heather Rio, Associate; and Brenda Walker, Brokerage Coordinator. The team will serve clients across the region.
15. Catherine Curtis is joining HNTB as its new Mountain West Office Leader. Curtis has more than 20 years of transportation experience. In her new role, she will guide HNTB teams throughout Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Utah.
16. Trevin Adair has joined Achen-Gardner Construction as the company’s newest Assistant Project Manager.
17. Aiden Bronska and Danny Haber have joined LevRose Commercial Real Estate as Junior Advisors. Bronska will focus on industrial sales and leasing, while Haber will specialize in retail tenant and landlord representation and investment sales. Bronska recently graduated from the University of Arizona and is a member of ULI Arizona. Haber also earned his degree from the University of Arizona and previously served as VP of Philanthropy for his fraternity.