by Peter Madrid | Mar 26, 2019 | News & Updates
GILBERT, ARIZONA (March 26, 2019) – Hunter Contracting Co. (Hunter) is proud to announce that Chuck English, who has been with the heavy site/civil construction company for more than 33 years, has been promoted to President.
English will oversee Hunter’s day-to-day operations focusing on planning for success, aligning Hunter’s resources with project requirements, and developing future business opportunities.
“I selected Chuck for his understanding of three things: familiarity of clients and market conditions in Phoenix and Tucson, deep understanding of contract requirements, and innate planning capabilities,” said Hunter’s CEO Max Taddei.
English has overseen construction operations for Hunter in both Tucson and Gilbert offices. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Arizona State University. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America.
He is also a Past President of the Arizona Transportation Builders Association (formerly TUCA) in Tucson.
English gives back to the community, supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs. When not working he enjoys traveling with his family, playing golf, and scuba diving.
About Hunter Contracting Co.
In 1947, William R. Hunter began constructing concrete lined ditches for farmers across the East Valley and he formed Hunter Ditch Lining (HDL) a year later. Armando Taddei joined HDL and after a few years of working for the company, Mr. Taddei purchased HDL in 1961. The same year, Mr. Taddei founded Hunter Contracting Co. (Hunter). The company is currently led by Max Taddei, Chairman of the Board, and Amy Ostwinkle, Corporate Secretary, as the third generation of the Taddei family to lead Hunter.
Hunter is a heavy site/civil construction company specializing in preconstruction and construction services in transportation, water and wastewater, parks and recreation, underground utilities and rehabilitation, site development, and irrigation and flood control. Hunter has offices in both Gilbert and Tucson to provide an outstanding project experience to public and private clients and industry peers throughout Arizona. Hunter continues to diversify through acquisition of a revolutionary product known as Con-Arch™. Con-Arch has made it possible for Hunter to construct concrete arches, substituting for box culverts, at reduced cost while offering improved aesthetics and increased structural integrity. For more information, visit www.huntercontracting.com.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 26, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 26, 2019) – Aeroseal America, which has provided a patented technology to seal ductwork for the residential housing industry for 3 years, has launched a commercial component to service a new line of clientele.
Aeroseal America’s new service line will provide testing and sealing of ductwork for HVAC systems in light commercial properties. Aeroseal America’s technology involves sealing ductwork from the inside.
Leading the company is Pat Farrell, whose experience includes owning and operating an energy assessment company, Power Down America. He founded it in 2009 after making improvements to his own home and realizing the immediate impact in comfort and savings.
“I quickly realized that duct leakage is a major problem in the Arizona housing market,” Farrell said. “The conventional way to seal duct systems is to have someone crawl through the attic, which can run 150-plus degrees during the summer, and seal all of the joints and connections with a paste called mastic.
“Because of space restrictions, ducts running through soffits, and flat roofs with no attic access, reaching all of those joints and connections can be impossible. Aeroseal solves that problem,” Farrell said.
Farrell said he was offering Aeroseal to his customers and using other contractors for the work. He was not pleased with the quality of work or the level of customer service so he made the decision to invest the time and money to acquire the training and equipment necessary to provide Aeroseal to his residential clients. He is eager to begin offering this service line to commercial clients.
“After seeing the need and immediate impact Aeroseal has on the comfort, indoor air quality and energy savings in your home, it just makes sense to offer the same great product and service to your schools, churches, or doctor’s office.”
For more information, visit www.aerosealam.com.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 21, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 21, 2019) – Stellar Residential hosted more than 50 industry partners and guests at a “glass-raising” ceremony yesterday to honor the commencement of construction for the highly-anticipated renovation and repurposing of One Camelback into an upscale apartment building.
The iconic 11-story, 215,245-SF structure has been part of the Uptown Phoenix landscape at Camelback Road and Central Avenue for three decades. Because the framework already exists, Stellar Residential chose to transform the traditional groundbreaking ceremony and raise champagne glasses to signify and celebrate the many changes to come.
With UEB at the helm of construction and the designs of Erwin Architecture & Development, One Camelback Uptown Apartments will be introduced to the highly sought after and changing Uptown Phoenix neighborhood in early 2020.
The event was part of Stellar Residential’s unveiling as a new management company, which has given property management a refreshing overhaul on how business is traditionally conducted. Its innovative platform is similar to the “ride-share” renaissance that took hold of San Francisco in 2009 when a company named Uber emerged.
Stellar Residential’s goal is to influence apartments owners’ assets personally without the diluting effects of backend office management.
“We have seen such an explosion of expertise-based companies launch in recent years, all surrounding the specific and unique facets of multifamily management,” said Jay Dassele, Vice President and Co-Founder of Stellar Residential. “Whether it’s accounting, HR, training or marketing, their wheels are already in motion and we hitch an economical ride.”
One Camelback will feature several high-end amenities including a rooftop swimming pool, yoga lawn deck, lounge-style clubhouse, and electric car-charging stations. It will comprise 163 units and offer 16 floor plans. It will feature studio, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. Demolition has begun on the upper floors of the former office building.
Stellar Residential’s platform is asset focused rather than its own management company brand. “This alone has resulted in substantial expense savings in the communities we have transitioned,” said Dassele, referring to management company related expenses.
Stellar Residential is eager to implement its platform at One Camelback. Its executives have conducted the lease-up of more than 60 new multifamily developments throughout Arizona. It strives to bring a fresh approach to each property it manages.
The repurposing of One Camelback from office to residential is undoubtedly the most aggressive design and construction undertaking ever performed in Phoenix.
“We are excited to be such an integral part of the process,” said Dale Phillips, President and Founder of Stellar Residential. “That’s why Stellar ‘moved into’ the building during the early stages of the demolition process. I feel a deep sense of responsibility on behalf of ownership to this iconic building and location. Immersing ourselves into the process allowed us to influence our vison for use of space, floorplan layouts, unit mix, amenities and services.”
Stellar Residential was founded by Phillips, Dassele and Tanner Bickelhaupt, who together possess more than 60 years of operational experience influencing more than 30,000 units under their leadership and delivering more than 15,000 new units to the market.
Stellar Residential operates in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Flagstaff and is poised to carve a national presence with a business model built for a new generation of multifamily management.
A view of Downtown Phoenix from the upper floors of One Camelback, an office building repurposed into a highrise apartment building.
About Stellar Residential
Stellar Residential is a provider of property management services for multifamily owners that encompasses all palates of ownership including institutionally owned, privately-held organizations and sole proprietorships of any assets more than 90 units. The company is focused primarily on Class A and Class B assets, both stabilized and new developments in lease-up, and value-add acquisitions. With keen attention to ethics, innovation, quality and service, Stellar Residential successfully recruits and retains the best and the brightest talent in the business. The combination of process and people have resulted in dramatic company success. In addition, Stellar prides itself in investing in people and technology – both designed to make the life of the residents more satisfying. For more information on Stellar Residential, visit stellarresidential.com.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 18, 2019 | News & Updates
GILBERT, ARIZ. (March 18, 2019) – The tremendous growth experienced by Earthworks Environmental LLC last year has carried over to 2019 as the woman- and minority-owned environmental compliance firm opened offices in two more states and hired two employees and promoted two specialists in its Arizona office.
The Gilbert-based company now operates in Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and Texas, where it signed its first contract in Houston last week.
Services provided include stormwater pollution prevention, Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, dust control, and construction safety compliances. The firm primarily serves land developers, vertical developers, commercial construction, and land-holding companies.
Cherie Koester
Earthworks Environmental Principal Cherie Koester said the firm is consulting on nearly 600 permits nationally. She hired two additional employees in the Arizona office.
“I’m eager to see what 2019 and beyond bring Earthworks,” Koester said. “Customer service is a dying skill and I intend to continually revive it. The culture we have created here strives for excellence. I’m prepared to go the distance with this team of elite. I have no plans of slowing down.”
Founded in 2014, Earthworks Environmental expanded its operations to Florida and added two employees at its Arizona office in late 2016. The office has since grown to 30 employees.
Within the Arizona office, Koester promoted Travis Fern to Executive Director and promoted Richard Howe to National Operations Manager.
“Travis has excelled in every role I have given him since Day One,” Koester said. “He started as a Compliance Manager, moved into Lead Compliance Manager, then Director of Compliance and now Executive Director.
“He is my right-hand man and is always cool, calm and collected. There isn’t a person I have met that doesn’t enjoy his company,” Koester said.
A proprietary program that Earthworks Environmental employs – ERX – has also played a key role in the expansion, Koester said. ERX is an environmental reporting software program that puts all aspects of environmental compliance into one program. This includes any permits and inspections. Koester said nearly 75 percent of the violations in her industry occur in the paperwork process.
A client can hire Earthworks Environmental to handle the entire process including ERX. A client may also decide to opt out of the consulting and use ERX themselves. In that case, Earthworks Environmental will apply a nominal fee for use.
To learn more about Earthworks Environmental visit earthworksenv.com.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 18, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (MARCH, 18, 2019) – A custom fabrication and welding business founded in 1909 in a historic downtown Phoenix building has been sold to RM Garrison, a precision fabrication shop.
NAI Horizon Associate Michael Gaida represented the seller, Valley Machine Works, Inc., of Phoenix. The business was purchased by Tyler and Tricia Williams of Goodyear, Arizona.
Michael Gaida
“An established operator saw the value in the 110 years of machine experience, job shop manufacturing, custom fabrication, and welding that Valley Machine Works provides to its customers,” Gaida said. “They saw the acquisition as an opportunity to increase services to the specialty manufacturing clients of Valley Machine Works while continuing to maintain the same professional level of service known by their local customers.”
Shane Williams and his son Tyler plan to combine and operate RM Garrison, All American Billet, Accutronix Motorcycle Products, and Valley Machine Works at a new location, a 24,000-SF building at 1138 W. Watkins St., in Phoenix.
The business was sold separately of the building and the assets will be moved into its new headquarters within the next 90 days.
“It was a pleasure working with Michael Gaida,” Shane Williams said. “He was very timely with our due diligence request and made for an easy acquisition. We were not looking to purchase another company, but when we researched the history of Valley Machine Works, we realized the value of it being a 110-year-old company, the value of its loyal customer base, and the value of its long-term employees.”
“We plan to continue the same family values that have made Valley Machine Works successful for so many years,” Shane Williams said.
The building, at 701 W. Jackson St., was originally a speak-easy bar. It has a rare basement under the offices and large, built-in overhead beam hoists. The exposed brick adds to the visual appeal. Phoenix Theatre Company purchased the property and will use the space for storage.
Valley Machine Works was founded in 1909 by C.F. Johnsen and was one of the first machining shops in Phoenix. Until the sale in February, it has been the longest operating machine shop in Arizona owned and operated by the Johnsen family.
They started with one 5-horsepower motor operating pulleys that turned belts that ran the early lathes and mills. Johnsen formed a friendship with a man named John C. Lincoln, who was perfecting never-before-seen welding techniques. He used the Valley Machine Works shop in the very early stages of developing the welding techniques that are used worldwide today.
Lincoln went on to form Lincoln Electric, one the largest manufacturers of specialized welding equipment sold worldwide. While Valley Machine Works was sold by the grandson of the founder, there is a fourth generation employee that continues the legacy working as a shop foreman and machinist.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 14, 2019 | News & Updates
TEMPE, ARIZ. (March 14, 2019) – A familiar face is rejoining engineering consulting firm Terracon. Tom “Mando” Kapita has been named Manager of Regional Services – GeoDesign.
Kapita worked at Terracon previously from February 2001 to April 2013 and last served as Geotechnical Department Manager. In his new role Kapita will be responsible for strengthening and expanding GeoDesign services within the Rocky Mountain Division.
He will collaborate with other key team members to identify capabilities throughout the company and develop marketing strategy as needed.
“We are very excited to have Mando back at Terracon,” said Brent M. Borchers, P.E., Regional Manager for Terracon and Tempe office Senior Principal. “Mando brings back a familiar face and will help us expand our GeoDesign Services to other regions in the Division.”
Kapita has performed geotechnical engineering services on a variety of projects including civil, mining, power plants, transportation, residential and commercial retail in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Turkey and Armenia. His expertise includes mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall, soil nail and other cantilevered and anchored wall designs. He has performed forensic evaluations and provided remedial solutions on numerous reinforced soil structures.
He joins Terracon after serving as Principal Engineer and Office Manager at SAECO from May 2017 to February 2019. He also served as Senior Engineer at Golder Associates for 4 years.
A native of Zambia, Africa, Kapita earned a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from the University of Arizona. He is involved with industry groups ASCE, SME, and APWA.
Kapita and his wife, Natalie Vlahakis, have two sons ages 13 and 12. He is an avid cyclist and plans to ride in the 2019 El Tour de Tucson. He and his family give back to the community volunteering with Feed My Starving Children in Mesa.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 11, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (March 11, 2019) – Arizona’s economy is growing at a rate not seen in more than a decade. The state averaged GDP growth of 3.4 percent in 2018 and a 3.2 percent increase is forecast for 2019.
How do those lofty numbers affect the state’s commercial real estate industry?
AZCREW, the leading organization for senior-level executive women in the Metro Phoenix commercial real estate field, will present an economic outlook presented by Kiernan “KC” Conway MAI, CRE, at its March luncheon.
The event is March 19 at the Phoenix Country Club, 2901 N. 7th St.
Conway is a nationally known economist, counselor or real estate, and industry speaker. As Director of Research and Corporate Engagement Alabama Center for Real Estate, Conway manages the center’s research division. It provides market trends research content and creates new organic and collaborative research initiatives.
He possesses a history of accurately forecasting real estate trends and changing market conditions across the U.S. Conway is also a nationally recognized subject matter expert on commercial real estate matters with specialized expertise in valuation, ports and logistics, housing economics, bank regulation and real estate finance.
AZCREW’s March lunch begins with networking at 11:30 a.m. The program starts at noon. Member registration is $45; non-member pre-registration is $65. Lunch is included. Registration ends March 14. Register here.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 6, 2019 | News & Updates
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (March 6, 2019) ‒ Liv Communities christened its third senior living community in the Valley last week, cutting the ribbon at LivGenerations Pinnacle Peak, 23733 N. Scottsdale Rd., in Scottsdale.
The 110-unit community joins senior living properties that Liv Communities already operates in Gilbert and Ahwatukee.
“As you can imagine, this building will probably win many awards for its design and layouts, but from our standpoint, we know it’s beautiful, but we would like to assume the prize is going to come later over time,” said Dennis Scalpone, Executive Director of LivGenerations Pinnacle Peak. “The true prize is the programming, the lifestyle, and the choices we provide to our seniors.
“At LivGenerations our brand promise is to create uncommonly positive experiences for all seniors. It’s a time for them to look forward, a time for them to make new friends, to accomplish new goals, and a time to create memories. This community becomes their new home and here we all become family.” Scalpone said.
LivGenerations Pinnacle Peak totals 170,000 SF and offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care apartment homes. The Terrace Apartments (independent living and assisted living) offer eight floor plans. Alla Vita (memory care) offers two floor plans.
“We are very happy to have a facility like this,” said Scottsdale Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp. “We are in a city that has a significant aging population. It’s great that this particular facility can be here today to serve those citizens who need it and those that are going to come in the future.”
The new community features a full range of luxury amenities including classes in the state-of-the-art Liv Fit Fitness Center; a heated saltwater pool; yoga and meditation; a walking club; non-denominational worship services; the Mosaic Art Studio; and the Orchid Salon and Day Spa.
Social amenities include wine tastings in the Infusions Wine Cellar; Barley’s Bourbon Bar; the Silk Tassel Tea Room; a movie theater; and a dog park.
Ryan Companies US, Inc., is the general contractor; Todd & Associates Inc. is the architect of record; and Thoma-Holec Design (LuAnn Thoma-Holec) is the interior designer.
“We’re here to celebrate a new beginning. Dennis and his team get to turn a beautiful community into an aspiring place to live, and a vibrant place to live,” said Liv Communities CEO Scott Brooks. “It’s a new beginning for those that will call this place their home. We’re excited to welcome them home here so they can live their lives to the absolute fullest.
“To accomplish this, it takes a lot of smart, passionate, hard-working people collaborating as one team. To everyone who helped touch this project, support us and our team through the process, we would not be here without you,” Brooks said.
Rendering of the exterior of LivGenerations Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 5, 2019 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (March 5, 2019) – The investment sale of an RV park in Mesa, Arizona, for $2.75 million highlights recent deals closed by NAI Horizon professionals.
Sale Transactions:
Barbara Lloyd, Lane Neville, and Logan Crum negotiated the sale of an RV park, representing the seller, 2052 Main Properties, LLC, for $2.75 million. The property is located at 2052 W. Main St., Mesa, AZ. The buyer, Treehouse Communities, LLC, represented itself.
Lease Transactions:
Laurel Lewis represented the tenant, Medicus IT, LLC, in a 77-month office lease for 7,303 SF at 2525 W. Frye Rd., Chandler, AZ. Mike Beale with Cushman & Wakefield represented the landlord, Frye Road Two, LLC.
Tyler Smith represented the landlord, Sun Grove Medical, LLC, in an 84-month office lease for 5,045 SF at 20470 N. Lake Pleasant Rd., Peoria, AZ. Randy Kicklighter with Green Street Commercial represented the tenant, T.E.A.M. 4 Kids, LLC.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the landlord, CP6MF, LLC, in an 87-month retail lease for 4,065 SF at 1840 E. Warner Rd., Tempe, AZ. Sean Bishop with Lee & Associates represented the tenant, Plato’s Closet.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the tenant, Top Laundry, LLC, in a 120-month retail lease for 3,000 SF at 3415 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ. Donna Reece with Zell Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. represented the landlord, Pro’s Ranch Market, LLC.
Jay Olson represented the landlord, Gerald M. Olson and Diane M. Olson, in a 61-month industrial lease for 7,850 SF at 2210 & 2218 E. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ. Max Schumacher with Rein & Grossoehme represented the tenant, Short Equipment, Inc.
Tyler Smith represented the landlord, Pacifica Palm Valley Center, LP, in a 38-month office lease for 2,342 SF at 1626 North Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ. Phil Tomlinson with Commercial Properties, Inc. represented the tenant, Libertas Real Estate, LLC.
Tyler Smith, Joe Pequeno and Troy Giammarco represented the tenant, Hynes Benefit Consulting, LLC, in a 66-month office lease for 1,584 SF at 3200 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ. Jimmy Cornish with CBRE represented the landlord, ROC III, DPC 3200 North Central, LLC.
Chris Gerow and Patrick Anthon represented the landlord, The Pendola Family Trusts Partnership, in a 72-month retail lease for 1,300 SF at 41620 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, Maricopa, AZ. Tom Wolf with West USA Realty Scottsdale represented the tenant, Troy and Kathy Mauser.
Tom Bean, CCIM, represented the landlord, Tempe CC, LLC, in a 36-month office lease for 2,780 SF at 4515 S. McClintock, Tempe, AZ. Matt Cummings with Keyser represented the tenant, Caerus Marketing Group, LLC.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the landlord, CP6MF, LLC, in a 60-month retail lease with To the Nines Barbershop for 1,100 SF at 1840 W. Warner Rd., Tempe, AZ.
Tyler Smith represented the landlord, Arrowhead 79th, LLC, in a 60-month office lease for 1,276 SF at 18001 N. 70th Ave., Glendale, AZ. Kristi Phelps-Miller with DPR Commercial represented the tenant, Rise Above Support Services, LLC.
Matt Harper, CCIM, represented the landlord, Grand Center Plaza, LLC, in a 37-month retail lease for 1,107 SF at 11001 N. 99th Ave., Peoria, AZ. The tenant, Jewel’s Hair, LLC, represented themselves.
Dylan Whitwer and Laurel Lewis represented the tenant, Edefi Solutions, LLC, in a 37-month office lease for 840 SF at 3240 E. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix, AZ. Michael Scott with MAS-9375 represented the landlord, Union Hills Centre c/o MAS-9375.
Matt Harper, CCIM, represented the landlord, Hillcrest Plaza, LLC, in a 37-month retail lease for 2,100 SF at 1241 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ. The tenant, Touch of Love Church, UHCA, represented themselves.
Dylan Whitwer and Laurel Lewis represented the tenant, Waste Technology Services, Inc., in a 36-month office lease at 2266 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ. The landlord, Regus, represented itself.
Joan Krueger represented the tenant, Regenerative Performance, PLLC, in a 62-month medical office lease for 2,200 SF at 201 W. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, AZ. Steve Berghoff with Menlo Group represented the landlord, GilbertAZ Properties, LLC.
Matt Harper, CCIM, represented the landlord, Semo Venture Group, in a 13-month retail lease for 750 SF at 4170 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix, AZ. The tenant, Latino Money Services, represented themselves.
Dylan Whitwer and Laurel Lewis represented the tenant, David Aitchison, in a 12-month office lease for 450 SF at 21640 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ. The landlord, Garden Acres Partnership, LLC, represented themselves.
Matt, Harper, CCIM, represented the landlord, Hillcrest Plaza, LLC, in a 12-month retail lease for 420 SF at 1241 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ. The tenant, Jorge Velasco Garcia & Esperanza Maqueda Ramon, represented themselves.
by Peter Madrid | Mar 4, 2019 | News & Updates
TUCSON, ARIZONA (March 4, 2019) – NAI Horizon is pleased to announce that Cheryl Eamick, SR/WA, has joined the Tucson office as a Right of Way Specialist.
Cheryl Eamick
Eamick possesses extensive experience in the right of way and land development industries, working in both the private and public sectors since 1992. She specializes in offering unique strategies to obtain necessary land rights and regulatory approvals that balance both the natural and man-made environments.
Eamick offers her clients a more cost effective and sustainable approach to land development and right of way projects. Her expertise is in land entitlements, right of way program management, land acquisition, as well as federal, state, tribal and local right of way approvals.
“We are excited to have Cheryl join NAI Horizon. She brings an expertise that will enhance the various strengths of our office,” said Ben Craney, Managing Director of the Tucson office.
Eamick holds a B.S. in computer science from the University of Arizona and completed relevant coursework at Northern Arizona University in community planning.
She holds the prestigious designation of Senior Right of Way Agent from the International Right of Way Association.
