Giving Back
1. The PICOR Charitable Foundation held its 30th annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser and surpassed expectations. The Foundation raised $188K for youth programs in southern Arizona. The original goal was to raise $150K. The Foundation served pancakes to approximately 1,200 people.
2. Estrella collected the most donations for the 2024 West Valley Heart Walk at the City of Goodyear Civic Square, which supported heart disease research. Estrella, comprised of Team Estrella and Team Harvard Investments, raised $20.5K, the most among the 70 participating companies. Estrella led the Top 5 teams list with a $12.8K raise. Harvard Investments ranked fifth with $7.3K raised.
3. The Terracon Foundation announced two grants to Arizona State University and one grant to University of Arizona, totaling $18.5K. At ASU, a $5K grant will help fund a new program for undergraduate students in the university’s School of Human Evolution and Social Change in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. A $7.5K grant will fund Terracon scholarships. UA received a $6K grant to support the Terracon Foundation Funds for UA’s Geotechnical and Civil Engineering Student Stipends program.
4. For the month of November, Gensler Phoenix is collecting necessities for Arizona Small Dog Rescue. AZSDR is a local, volunteer animal shelter that helps save, foster and shelter hundreds of dogs across the Valley. Gensler is collecting everything from harnesses, leashes, soap, training pads, blankets, beds, food and monetary donations.
Boards & Commissions
5. CCIM Technologies, Inc. announced Craig Finfrock has been elected VP of the 2025 CCIM Technologies Inc.’s Board of Directors. Richard Juge was elected President and Mike Armanious was elected Treasurer. Finfrock also serves as a member of the CCIM Institute Board of Directors and the CCIM Foundation Board of Directors. Finfrock will be the 2025 Chair of CCIM’s Ward Center Subcommittee.
Company News
6. Willmeng announced it has transitioned to become a 100% employee-owned firm. The company launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which makes it the second largest Arizona-based employee-owned general contractor and eighth among all construction-related ESOP firms. With more than 350 employees, Willmeng was also named the fifth largest private company in Arizona, recognized at the Arizona Corporate Excellence awards.
7. A new architecture firm named Räkkhaus has launched in Phoenix. Jordan Taylor, Jason Merck and Zac Cohen partnered to launch the company, with Sean Ragudo as Principal Architect. The Phoenix office is located at 829 N. 1st Ave. and has nine employees.
Promotions
8. MBJ (Meyer Borgman Johnson) has promoted Lindsey Schultz to Principal. Schultz joined the firm in 2014 and has served as a leader in the Arizona Office since 2018.
New Hires
9. Big-D Companies announced Bryan Dunn as Senior VP of Big-D Construction Southwest. Dunn has previously worked for W.E. O’Neil Construction Company, Kitchell Construction and Adolfson & Peterson Construction. He has more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
10. VanTrust Real Estate hired Craig McCuistion as Director of Development Services. McCuistion will plan, direct, coordinate and oversee construction projects throughout the region and will manage the 300KSF VT101 development in Glendale.
11. W&W Structural Inc. announced it has named Jacey Sutton as Business Development Director. Sutton has 16 years of experience in the industry.