by Peter Madrid | Jan 29, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (January 29, 2019) – Magnum Companies, a Phoenix-based designer, fabricator, and installer of metal components, is celebrating 40 years of crafting iconic masterpieces in Arizona and across the U.S.
Magnum was formed in 1979 when its founder, Glenn Brockman, an engineer with General Electric, started building weight-lifting equipment. From that humble beginning, Magnum now has 65 full-time employees, a 32,000 SF manufacturing building at 2439 S. 49th Ave., in Phoenix, and a 16,000 post-production building nearby.
Drive around the Valley and Magnum installations stand out. They include Impulsion, the stainless-steel horse by Arizona artist Jeff Zischke that graces the entrance to WestWorld in Scottsdale; Shadow Play, a series of sculptures along Roosevelt Row in Downtown Phoenix; and a major renovation of the Royal Palms Resort & Spa in the 1990s.
“The footprint that Magnum has made in the Valley the past 40 years is a great sense of pride,” said CEO Greg Brockman, son of the founder. “As our employees drive around town and see the projects, or take place in the ribbon cuttings, it connects the dots that this is what we do and this is your work. It helps in retaining employees because it brings their family into the mix.
“The horse at WestWorld was an epic project, and we made sure that every employee at the time had a hand in building it,” Brockman recalls. “We handed a tube to the office staff and that person passed it on. That was truly being a part of the fabrication and installation. Everybody talks about it; people still send me pictures when they pass by it.”
Grand Canal in Tempe.
Magnum won four Gold Awards at the 2018 Ernest Wiemann Top Job Competition for outstanding craftsmanship sponsored by the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA). The awards were presented at NOMMA’s 60th-anniversary dinner in Phoenix.
Magnum’s Gold Awards were at the Grand Canal, Tempe; Alliance Bank, Gilbert; Moebius/Cloud, Culver City, California; and Shadow Play, Phoenix.
“Magnum has been a fabricator on many of our projects over the years and we really appreciate their passion and ability to help us realize our concepts,” said John Kane, FAIA LEED, Architect | Founding Partner at Architekton. “We really appreciate their willingness to collaborate with us, bringing their expertise and skillsets to the table and helping find solutions that not only meet the budget, but exceed our aspirations.”
Longevity is key to Magnum Companies. Its third employee, Rod Bruns, is still with the company. He is celebrating his 37th year. Greg Brockman has been with Magnum from Day 1. While in high school and college he worked as a laborer, machinist, and painter. He assumed the helm when his father, now 88, retired at 75.
“Greg has done an admirable job communicating Magnum’s vision to his team,” said Joe Hitzel, Owner of Southwest Architectural Builders, Inc. “We have had great experiences working with Magnum in the delivery of projects. Magnum enhances our project partners as a great subcontractor. It is awesome to both work with his team and also see Magnum’s artesian quality work enhance our projects.
“Greg has successfully grown Magnum to a place where its work is part of the design community’s vocabulary. I’ve seen firsthand where architects have described Magnum’s work as a proprietary product on the same level as a building’s sophisticated fire alarm or energy management system,” Hitzel said.
In 1995 Magnum Engineering Inc. added a construction division, Magnum Architecture, Inc. It became a subcontractor and handled manufacturing and installation for its clients.
“Where steel was previously only seen as a structural element of a building to be hidden and concealed by framing and stucco, Greg has brought structural steel and Magnum’s work to be the focal point of a structure’s exterior elevations. Steel is now celebrated and a key element in a structure’s design,” Hitzel said.
Magnum Companies is now a “go-to” firm for the installation of public art projects. It currently is working on 12 public art installations in Arizona; El Paso, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Southern California.
“Our people have a passion for what they do,” Greg Brockman said. “This is true for the young welders we train and employ to those who have been around for years. Our employees are our greatest asset. They bring heart, passion and a great work ethic to the building every day. I can train other parts of the business, but not that. The strengths they possess come from within.”
Shadow Play on Roosevelt Row in Downtown Phoenix.
by Peter Madrid | Jan 29, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (January 29, 2019) – With their shared border, Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora have positioned themselves as one of the most competitive export manufacturing locations in the world.
This “mega region” is utilizing its collective resources, highly-trained work forces, and strategic ports of entry in sharing a vision aimed at attracting high technology global manufacturers in a wide array of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, defense, and mining.
The Phoenix chapter of Lambda Alpha International (LAI), in cooperation with the LAI Sonoran Desert chapter, will host the leading Mexican maquiladora and export manufacturing council, Consejo Nacional de la Industria Maquiladora y Manufacturera de Exportación (INDEX), Feb. 5 at Arizona Country Club. Javier Ortiz, Director of Foreign Trade for INDEX, will be the presenting official.
INDEX plays a critical role in supporting Mexico’s maquiladora and export manufacturing industry. Its mission is to represent with efficiency and professionalism the maquiladora and export manufacturing industry, through quality actions and services, to ensure that Mexico is a leader in the global economy.
The Feb. 5 lunch event at Arizona Country Club, 5668 E Orange Blossom Lane in Phoenix, begins at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Registration fee is $45 for LAI Arizona members and $65 for non-members. Lunch is included. Click here to register.
by Peter Madrid | Jan 28, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Jan. 29, 2019) – Pat Boyle, a Director at Cushman & Wakefield, has been named 2019 Chairman for the NAIOP Arizona Developing Leaders (DL) program, which serves commercial real estate professionals age 35 and under.
Boyle, an active DL member since 2012, began his career at CBRE in 2011 as a researcher. At Cushman & Wakefield, he focuses on agency leasing for institutional office properties.
“I am looking forward to the year ahead with the Developing Leaders,” Boyle said. “Our past three presidents – Cooper Fratt, Jenna Borcherding, and Chris Marchildon – all did amazing jobs during their tenures and have built a strong foundation for the DL program, which we will look to continue and expand on in the upcoming year.”
In addition to naming a new chairman, the Developing Leaders selected the 2019 Steering Committee. The other officers are Cooper Fratt, CBRE (immediate past chairman); Mike Strittmatter, CBRE (vice chairman); and Clare Lydon, Opus Group (treasurer).
Additional steering committee members are Ellen Boles, Phoenix Design One, Inc.; Liz Collins, Thomas Title & Escrow; Tim Colquhoun, National Bank of Arizona; Jack Czerwinski, Majestic Realty Co.; Megan Druding, Cushman & Wakefield; Phil Haenel, Cushman & Wakefield; Jenna Harrison; Matthew Krause, Krause Interior Architecture; Cullen Mahoney, Trammell Crow Company; Ashley Marsh, Tiffany & Bosco; Thomas Maynard, GPEC; Stirling Pascal, Lee & Associates | Arizona; Chelsea Porter, The Renaissance Companies; Kyle Seeger, JLL; Josh Tracy, Ryan Companies US, Inc.; Bryan Wright, Kimley-Horn; and Mollie Zemer, Barclay Group.
In 2019 the Developing Leaders will continue to refine the Young Professionals Group (YPG) mentorship program. It will also launch the inaugural NAIOP Arizona Connections program and host a full slate of networking and philanthropic events.
“We have a great group of people, and it will be a total team effort in 2019,” Boyle said.
DL events scheduled for 2019 include the award-winning mentor program, a bowling outing, a baseball spring training game, the signature Rookies & Rockstars evening, networking happy hours, a holiday party, and an educational speaker event.
All NAIOP members who are age 35 or under qualify to participate in the Developing Leaders program, whether they joined through the DL membership category or as part of a corporate membership.
by Peter Madrid | Jan 27, 2019 | News & Updates
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (January 28, 2019) – Iconic Design Studio, a full-service, woman-owned interior design firm, has announced the addition of a new team member. Katherine McCravey joins IDS as a senior design consultant, according to CEO/Principal Kelli Berry.
McCravey possesses extensive expertise and experience leading and managing multifamily and senior living projects from concept through procurement and installation. Previously to joining IDS, she led and managed more than 30 multifamily projects across the country, including ground up construction and renovations.
Past projects have earned national recognition including winning Grand Aurora Awards, Best of Design in Florida; and Golden Nugget Awards, known as the “Academy Awards” of the building industry.
“IDS is proactively expanding into the senior and multifamily facility markets, both of which are vibrant markets in the Valley,” Berry said. “Katherine is a great addition to our team. Her expertise in those property types will benefit IDS.”
Berry also announced that IDS has moved into a new office at 15455 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, Suite C-14, in Scottsdale.
McCravey earned a Bachelor of Science in interior design with a minor in business administration from Arizona State University. She also holds a certificate in commercial real estate development from Cornell University. McCravey is LEED AP and NCIDQ accredited. She is an active member of the design community through involvement with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
In her spare time, she enjoys floral design, a passion that has grown into a business. She also enjoys hiking, bowling, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two dogs.
by Peter Madrid | Jan 22, 2019 | News & Updates
TEMPE, ARIZ. (January 22, 2019) – The Tucson office of engineering consulting firm Terracon presented a $10,000 check from its foundation to the University of Arizona College of Engineering.
It’s the second grant from the Terracon Foundation Board this month. It recently presented a $5,000 grant to the Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF).
“The grant will be used to support graduate students studying Geotechnical and Civil Engineering Materials at UA,” said Derek Koller, Terracon’s Tucson Office Manager. “Specifically, the grant will go towards supplementing student research funding and to provide students with financial support.”
Terracon’s Tucson Office has a longstanding relationship with UA’s College of Engineering. Regional Manager Brent M. Borchers, P.E., has been an adjunct professor for the past 7 years and Terracon employees interact with the college through its involvement with the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE). Terracon Materials and Geotechnical Departments have employed several interns over the years.
“Our ability to award this grant to UA is a demonstration of our commitment to support such an important part of our community and the development of future engineers,” Koller said. “Terracon Foundation University Grants are competitive grants that allow employee-owners to advocate for the communities in which we work. We are to be a firm willing to invest in the future.”
The grant is the second the Terracon Foundation has awarded to UA in as many years. In 2017, Terracon provided a $5,000 grant for graduate students studying environmental health sciences at the College of Public Health.
“We are grateful for Terracon and the Foundation for their support,” said Dominic Boccelli, Department Head at, UA Civil and Architectural Engineering. “The grant funds will help to support our geotech graduate students and our future professional engineers.”
Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 4,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 140 offices with services available in all 50 states.
Terracon currently ranks 24th on the Engineering News-Record list of Top 500 Design Firms and is ranked No. 1 in Asbestos and Lead Abatement Design.
To learn more about Terracon visit terracon.com/offices/tucson/
by Peter Madrid | Jan 22, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (January 22, 2019) – Trends and innovations in the supply chain management industry and the nation’s first international air cargo hub will be key topics at the 13th Annual CSCMP Arizona Roundtable Symposium Feb. 21 in Downtown Phoenix.
Sponsored by the local chapter of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, the symposium is designed to bring together experts to discuss current issues in supply chain industry affecting the region.
This year’s event, “Innovation and Open Borders in Supply Chain Management,” begins at 8 a.m. at the headquarters of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), 2 N. Central Ave., Suite 2500, Phoenix.
“The supply chain industry is constantly challenged in the areas of transportation, logistics, and trade management,” said Jeff McCaulou, president of CSCMP’s Arizona Roundtable. “At our upcoming symposium, attendees will be able to hear from experts and innovators who are shaping the future through new approaches to cross border trade, workforce recruiting, and artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing tools applied to supply chain challenges. Participating in events like these is key to giving you and your company a competitive advantage.”
Symposium topics include recruiting millennials, an open borders study, and Intel’s award-winning supply chain innovation initiative. The event kicks off with an overview and economic outlook presented by GPEC.
Leading off the afternoon will be a panel discussion of SkyBridge Arizona, the nation’s first international air cargo hub to house both Mexican and U.S. Customs operations. Operated out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, it will enable e-commerce companies, manufacturers, and other commercial interests conducting business in Mexico and Latin America to more efficiently transport goods between countries, ensuring proper inspections and safety controls.
The symposium begins at 8 a.m. and concludes with a networking reception at 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Registration is $99 for CSCMP members; $125 for non-members. Register here.
Supply chain management is the broad range of activities required to plan, control, and execute a product’s flow – from acquiring raw materials and production through distribution to the final customer – in the most streamlined and cost-effective way possible.
by Peter Madrid | Jan 15, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (January 15, 2019) – The $14 million investment acquisition of Deer Valley Center in Phoenix and three land sales around the Valley totaling approximately $4.7 million highlight recent deals closed by NAI Horizon professionals..
Sale Transactions:
Lane Neville, Barbara Lloyd and Logan Crum negotiated the sale of a retail property, representing the buyer, 29 Bell, LLC, for $14 million. The property is located at 4123-4273 W. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, AZ. NAI Capital represented the seller, Deer Valley Center, LLC.
Lane Neville and Barbara Lloyd negotiated the sale of a 2.52-acre land parcel, representing the seller, Gilbert Growth Properties, LLC, for $1.937 million. The property is located at the SWC of Pecos & Market Street, Gilbert, AZ. Velocity Retail Group represented the buyer, Barkan Brothers and Friends, LLC.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega, Patrick Anthon and Horth Hong negotiated the sale of a 4.16-acre land parcel, representing the seller, United Group, LLC, for $1.7 million. The property is located at 706 & 724 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix, AZ.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon negotiated the sale of a 54,993 SF land parcel, representing the seller, The Market at Estrella Falls, LLC, for $1.05 million. The property is located at 1600 N. Pebble Creek Parkway, Goodyear, AZ. Max Bippus with CBRE represented the buyer, Navy Federal Credit Union.
Laurel Lewis, Barbara Lloyd and Lane Neville negotiated the sale of a 4,051 SF office property, representing the seller Troon, LLC, for $268,141.50. The property is located at 10031 E. Dynamite Blvd., Building E, Scottsdale, AZ. Danny Mikhail with D.E.N. Development Group represented the buyer, M Brothers Troon, LLC.
Laurel Lewis, Barbara Lloyd and Lane Neville negotiated the sale of a 1,931 SF office property, representing the seller, Troon, LLC, for $140,963. The property is located at 10031 E. Dynamite Blvd., Building E, Scottsdale, AZ. Dan Nickles with HomeSmart represented the buyer, Argyle First Realty, LLC.
Lease Transactions:
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the landlord, CC Fund I Northern, LLC, in an 84-month retail lease for 3,000 SF at 9494 W. Northern Ave., Peoria, AZ. Greg Saltz with GPS Advisors represented the tenant, ATI Holdings of Arizona, LLC.
Kevin Higgins represented the tenant, AllStaff Services, in a 63-month office lease for 4,499 SF at 340 E. Palm Lane, Phoenix, 85004. Lindsey Carlson with Colliers International represented the landlord, Brookstone Office Complex, LLC.
Laurel Lewis represented the tenant, MTI America, Inc., in a 50-month office lease for 2,771 SF at 1711 W. Greentree Dr., Tempe, AZ.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the landlord, Queen Creek Fiesta, LLC, in a 60-month retail lease for 1,700 SF at 21545 S. Ellsworth Loop Rd., Queen Creek, AZ. The property was leased to Schmear bagels.
Matt Harper represented the landlord, E Espino Investments, LLC, in a 60-month retail lease for 5,688 SF at 2647 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, AZ.
Mark Wilcke represented the landlord, Native Arizonan Acquisitions IX, LLC, in a 36-month retail lease for 966 SF at 331 E. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ.
Tyler Smith, Joe Pequeno and Troy Giammarco represented the tenant, OMNI Bioceutical Innovations, Inc., in a 39-month industrial lease for 3,227 SF at 7855 E. Evans Rd., Scottsdale, AZ. Mike Kane with Colliers International represented the landlord, Rainbow J Corporation.
by Peter Madrid | Jan 14, 2019 | News & Updates
TEMPE, ARIZ. (January 14, 2019) – The Tucson office of engineering consulting firm Terracon presented a $5,000 check from its foundation to the Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF).
The Terracon Foundation Board selected SARSEF as its grant recipient. Terracon’s Tucson Office Manager Derek Koller submitted the nomination. SARSEF is a 501 (c)(3) whose mission is to create Arizona’s future critical thinkers and problem solvers through science and engineering.
“We are so proud of the work SARSEF does in the Tucson community and Southern Arizona promoting science, technology, engineering, math, and critical thinking abilities to our youth,” Koller said. “You never know; there might even be some future Terracon engineers in that group.”
The Tucson office has been involved with SARSEF for years. Its employees have participated as judges for science fairs and have also volunteered with organizations that support SARSEF. The grant will be used to fund STEM outreach programs aimed at young people in the Tucson community.
“SARSEF is thrilled to receive the support of Terracon and its employees,” said SARSEF CEO Kathleen Bethel. “Our community’s future workforce will be taught critical thinking skills and problem solving; all made possible through this grant.”
Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 4,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 140 offices with services available in all 50 states.
Terracon currently ranks 24th on the Engineering News-Record list of Top 500 Design Firms and is ranked No. 1 in Asbestos and Lead Abatement Design.
To learn more about Terracon visit terracon.com/offices/tucson/
by Peter Madrid | Jan 9, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (January 9, 2019) – NAI Horizon represented the seller in the 1031 Exchange investment sale of an office building at 10240 W. Bell Rd., in Sun City, Arizona.
NAI Horizon Vice President Tom Bean, CCIM, and Associate Stan Matzinger, represented 10240 Bell Road Associates, LCC, a Washington limited liability company of University City, Washington, in the $2.195 million disposition.
The office building totals 18,258 SF and sits on 2.32 acres. Built in 1975, it features great access to the Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway with frontage on West Bell Road. It also provides a convenient Sun City/Arrowhead location.
“The seller was motivated to move the property in 2018 due to tax consequences from another disposition in the state of Washington,” Bean said. “Our team worked diligently for more than a year to lease the majority of the vacancy and increased the occupancy to 91 percent from 74 percent to facilitate the sale at market terms.”
The buyer, Vintage Garden Properties, LCC, a California general partnership of Denair, California, acquired this property via a 1031 Exchange and was represented by John Oushana of HomeSmart.
A 1031 Exchange allows an investor to sell a property, reinvest the proceeds in a new property, and defer all capital gain taxes.
by Peter Madrid | Jan 9, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (January 9, 2019) – Sharon Harper, whose development expertise and leadership have made an indelible mark on the Valley’s commercial real estate and business communities, will be honored with the NAIOP Arizona Award of Excellence.
Harper, President, CEO, and co-founder of The Plaza Companies, is the first woman to win NAIOP Arizona’s Award of Excellence. She will be presented the award at the 2018 Best of NAIOP on March 28 at the Arizona Biltmore.
The award recognizes an individual who has made a significant, positive impact on the commercial real estate industry in Arizona over a period of at least 15 years, along with direct volunteer contributions to the chapter.
“Sharon is a true leader, focusing on growing, and positively shaping our community in all she does,” said NAIOP Arizona Chairman Molly Carson of Ryan Companies US, Inc. “Her commitment to our state runs very deep, and NAIOP Arizona is proud to present her with the Award of Excellence.”
Harper oversees all facets of operations at the Plaza Companies, including the ownership, development, leasing or management of nearly 10 million square feet of medical office properties, senior living facilities, and biotechnology centers. Harper’s forward-thinking commitment to commercial real estate has helped Plaza Companies emerge as one of the premier real estate firms in the Southwest, earning numerous awards and designations under her leadership.
Harper has also been heavily influential in the widespread success of SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center of which Plaza Companies is the master developer. SkySong won two 2015 “Best of NAIOP” awards, including the “Economic Impact Award” for SkySong and an additional office building award specific to its Building 3. SkySong 4 was a Best of NAIOP finalist in 2017 as well.
“I am very pleased to receive this recognition from such a prestigious organization in the commercial real estate field,” Harper said. “NAIOP has defined a standard of excellence in our industry, and Plaza Companies has worked diligently since its founding in 1982 to uphold the highest quality and professionalism in all its developments and projects. On behalf of the Plaza team, I would like to thank NAIOP for this recognition.”
Plaza Companies is also the co-developer of the renovation of the Park Central Mall property into an innovative, modern new office and retail development that will once again serve as a hub for central Phoenix. Notable medical projects include the Banner Estrella Medical Center of Phoenix, a 300,000 SF ambulatory medical campus in the West Valley, and Paradise Valley Medical Plaza. Harper and Plaza Companies also played a prominent role in the development and management of many of Arizona’s premier senior-living facilities, including Vi at Silverstone and Vi at Grayhawk.
Harper’s personal business achievements have earned considerable praise as well. Honors include “Woman of the Year” by Valley Leadership; and she and her husband, Dr. Oliver Harper, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Phoenix Theatre.
She served as Chairman of Gov. Doug Ducey’s successful 2018 re-election campaign and was the Chairman of the Prop. 123 campaign in 2016. She also was the recipient of GPEC’s “Distinguished Service Award” in 2014. She currently serves on the Board of Governors for TGen and is Trustee for Creighton University.
Harper’s commitments extend far beyond business and include a variety of causes, volunteer efforts, and appointments, including service on the Trustees of ASU, Honorary Commander of Luke Air Force Base, and National Finance Chairman for Sen. John McCain during both his 2000 and 2008 presidential runs.
