Giving Back
1. The Mazzon Foundation held its second scholarship award ceremony, recognizing its six newest Mazzon Scholars: Henry Corado, Pauline Swai, Tena Soto, Pedro Cirne Calixto, Nichole Cline and Grace Portale. Since May, The Mazzon Foundation has awarded $13K and 13 merit-based scholarships to property managers, building engineers, maintenance technicians, facilities managers and students pursuing professional designations, licenses, certifications and trade education. The foundation also has helped local IREM and IFMA chapters grow their membership by paying for eight new members to pursue designations.
Awards & Accolades
2. AZ Big Media has published its 2026 list of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies. Firms relevant to the A/E/C community include:
- Air2O,
- BPR Companies,
- CHASSE Building Team,
- Canyon State Electric,
- Concord General Contracting,
- Creation,
- Cresa,
- DBSI,
- Howard Hughes Communities/Teravalis,
- Keyser Commercial Real Estate,
- Kovach Building Enclosures,
- LGE Design Build,
- Nox Group,
- P.B. Bell,
- PPS,
- Prologis,
- Sunland Asphalt,
- The PENTA Building Group and
- Willmeng Construction.
3. AZ Big Media recently released its list of Top 10 Homebuilders in Arizona for 2026. Recognized companies were:
- Morgan Taylor Homes,
- Cullum Homes,
- Camelot Homes,
- Lennar Homes,
- Meritage Homes,
- DR Horton,
- Fulton Homes,
- Shea Homes,
- Taylor Morrison and
- Ashton Woods Homes.
4. The Arizona Chapter of the Society of Marketing Professional Services recently announced the 2026 winners of the Phelix Awards:
- Joy Melita, WSP USA Inc. – Firm Leader of the Year,
- Krista Dossey, Canyon State Electric – Business Developer of the Year,
- Vince DiGuglielmo, Canyon State Electric – Up & Comer of the Year,
- Melissa Johnson, Roers Companies – President’s Choice Award and
- Graphic Ideals – The Grand Phelix.
Company News
5. ABC Supply Interiors, formerly L&W Supply Corporation, has opened a new location in Chandler. Daniel Arreola was promoted to Branch Manager at ABC Supply Interiors’ new Chandler location. Arreola brings 25 years of drywall distribution industry experience and previously held roles including Inside Sales Representative, Delivery Services Manager, Quote Coordinator and Branch Manager in Yuma.
6. Brennan Investment Group has expanded to Phoenix from Chicago. Matt Field has been appointed Senior VP at Brennan Investment Group and will lead the company’s expansion into the Phoenix market. Field has 15 years of commercial real estate experience, including eight years in Phoenix serving in VP roles at Bridge Investment Group and Ryan Companies US, Inc. He will focus on growing Brennan’s Phoenix portfolio, with an emphasis on industrial properties ranging from 50KSF to 300KSF.
7. A partnership consisting of commercial real estate investment firm Dansons Capital Group, Accrual Equity Partners and Hydro Construction LLC has acquired Shasta Pools. Shasta will maintain its name. The company had 2024 revenues of more than $105M and has more than 200 employees. Shasta will move into Dansons’ office in Scottsdale, which is being renovated to accommodate the additional staff, and will also launch Shasta Home Services to expand its line of offerings.
Promotions
8. Kevin Curley has been promoted to VP and General Manager of Real Estate Development at Opus’ Phoenix office. Curley joined Opus in 2025 and will lead the Phoenix-based development team and oversee Arizona operations. He brings a background in finance and development and has worked on projects including 59Bell Technology Park, Envision56 and Ari on Fourth.
9. Robert “Rob” Cortazzo has been promoted to Senior VP, Arizona, at Alcorn Construction. Cortazzo brings more than 35 years of construction and executive leadership experience, including 20 years in the Phoenix market. He will lead the company’s Arizona strategy and operations, including project performance, client relationships, team development and market growth.
10. Chris Kelly has been promoted to VP of Trench at Sunstate Equipment Co. Kelly brings more than 20 years of equipment rental industry experience and joined Sunstate in 2016. He most recently served as Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for the West Region. In his new role, Kelly will lead Sunstate’s trench business operations and drive organizational growth and customer success.
New Hires
11. Todd Geer has joined Alcorn Construction as Senior PM. Geer brings more than 25 years of construction leadership experience and will lead projects from preconstruction handoff through closeout.
12. Advanced Drainage Systems announced the hiring of two new members. Jenny Marks was hired as the ADS Regional Engineer and Connor Aycock as Territory Sales Representative. Marks has a background in land development on the consultant side while Aycock has a background in site design, land development and stormwater management solutions.
13. Kristen Howard has joined Kitchell Contractors as Director of Business Development. Howard has more than 20 years of experience in the AEC industry and will lead strategic growth and client development efforts across Arizona.
In Memoriam
14. Jeff Donkersley, who dedicated 54 years to the construction and materials testing industry, has passed away. Donkersley began his career as a Quality Control Technician in 1972, later rising to VP at CIT before finishing his career training the next generation at ACS Services. He was known for his knowledge, integrity and mentorship, and he leaves a legacy through the professionals he trained and inspired.