Celebration to commemorate opening of new neighborhood park in Estrella set for Nov. 4

Celebration to commemorate opening of new neighborhood park in Estrella set for Nov. 4

News & Updates

by | Oct 16, 2023 | News & Updates

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (Oct. 16, 2023) – Estrella is hosting a celebration to commemorate the opening of a new park on Saturday, Nov. 4. The public is invited to the party.

The party in the park is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 15602 S. 180th Drive, just west of Estrella Parkway on Willis Road. The celebration will include food trucks, relay races, and games, and the opportunity to meet Estrella home builders and tour new models.

The park features picnic ramadas and BBQ grills, two lush lawns, and a shaded playground with a tot swing, slide, climbing structure, and pebble bridge stepping activity.

The park is in the Solvida neighborhood by Landsea Homes, which features 65 two-story single-family homes with front porches that open up to the park. Estrella’s homebuilders offer 19 models and 39 distinct floorplans. The park is in proximity to the Toll Brothers Beacon neighborhood, which will also be open for tours.

Visitors can tour additional neighborhoods including Beazer Homes Acacia Foothills I and II, William Ryan Homes Harmony at Montecito, and Taylor Morrison Discovery and CantaMia (55+). All will have models open to tour.

Estrella homebuilders will have tables for those wanting more information about the master-planned community.

Games at the party in the park include Giant Jenga, cornhole, sack races, a three-legged race, and egg-on-spoon relay. The sack races kick off the festivities at 1 p.m. A naming of the park announcement is set for 3 p.m.

About Estrella

Estrella is a 20,000-acre mixed-use master-planned community located in the City of Goodyear, approximately 17 miles west of Phoenix. Estrella features more than 500 acres of parks and open space including 50+ miles of paths and trails and 72 acres of lakes for boating and catch and release fishing, Starpointe and Presidio Residents Clubs, hiking trails, and basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and tennis courts. Estrella is also home to a Nicklaus-design championship golf course, The Golf Club of Estrella. For more information about Estrella, please visit estrella.com.

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by Oct 16, 2023
IFMA Greater Phoenix Chapter brings home pair of awards from the World Workplace Conference

IFMA Greater Phoenix Chapter brings home pair of awards from the World Workplace Conference

News & Updates

by | Oct 12, 2023 | News & Updates

     TEMPE, ARIZ. (Oct. 12, 2023) ‒ The Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, won two national awards recently at the IFMA World Workplace Conference & Expo held in Denver, Colorado.

IFMA Greater Phoenix won the Chapter Web Communication Award and the Student Chapter of the Year Award.

The Chapter Award of Excellence in Web Communication is presented to the chapter(s) that provide comprehensive web-based communication to their members that informs them of chapter activities, related events, and opportunities. The ability to meet the needs of the viewer, appearance, quality, resources, and continual improvement will be reviewed.

The Student Chapter of the Year Award is presented to the IFMA student chapter which best demonstrates an overall commitment to building a future in the facility management profession. This commitment can be demonstrated through the chapter’s educational activities, programs, and internships. Innovative ideas such as community outreach programs or assisting local companies to better plan, design and change their facilities will be considered.

Within the last year, the Phoenix chapter has established not only a reliable and active LinkedIn profile but also pages of integrity on Facebook and Instagram. Its directive is to reach all current and potential members, no matter their platform of choice, with details of available opportunities, upcoming events and more.

As of June, the chapter’s LinkedIn page reached the PRMC goal of 1,500 followers; a 64 percent increase from June 2021 through organic marketing management methods. Although Facebook and Instagram are not seeing near the activity that LinkedIn does, both are still inching closer towards the goals with Instagram seeing an increase of followers by 88 percent since June 2021.

“Beyond the major milestones for our chapter, there are plenty of other communication initiatives also ongoing,” said Kristy Schlesselman, Social Media Manager, Lead Management Institute and Co-Chair of the chapter PR and Marketing Committee. “They include prior installments such as weekly email campaigns with the goal to improve utilization, and chapter-specific group engagement and digitized member surveys.”

The student chapter initiatives significantly impacted chapter members’ lives and career advancement. Accomplishments include launching successful programs like G.R.O.W. (Get Ready for Opportunities at Work) and the Young Professional Mentorship program, providing hands-on experiences, exposure to industry professionals, and personalized guidance to students.

The chapter’s student membership has seen substantial growth, increasing by 200 percent from the previous year and an impressive 750 percent increase since 2019. The student chapter’s efficient organizational structure, including a constitution, responsibility matrix, and timeline guides, has been instrumental in its success and has served as a model for other student chapters.

“We have received accolades for our outstanding web communication efforts, recognizing our commitment to keeping our members informed and engaged. As someone who has seen our journey firsthand, I can attest to the dedication and hard work put in by our incredible team,” said chapter President Monisa (MJ) Nagarajan Gomathi, CFM, FMP, SFP, FMG, Facilities Project Manager with Terracon. “Additionally, winning Student Chapter of the Year is a testament to the passion, energy, and unwavering commitment of our student members and the leadership that guides them. These awards are not just acknowledgments; they are a heartfelt reflection of our chapter’s tireless pursuit of excellence and innovation.

“We are not only proud of our accomplishments but deeply humbled by the support and trust of our community and members. With immense gratitude, we look forward to continuing to serve our community and our members with the highest standards of professionalism and excellence,” Gomathi said.

Past chapter President Marshall MacFarlane, Facility Services Manager with C3 Engineering, was inducted into the 2023 Class of IFMA Fellows at the World Workplace Conference & Expo.

Rick Corea Scholarship

Student chapter members Sri Nayani Gajji and Sriram Posinasetty are each recipients of the chapter-sponsored Rick Corea Scholarship. The scholarship is in honor of Rick Corea, IFMA Fellow, a retired Director of Global Facilities at ON Semiconductor.

Corea was a member of IFMA and the Greater Phoenix Chapter from 2003 until he retired in 2020. He chaired Phoenix Chapter committees, served on the Board of Directors as Vice President, served as President twice, and was the catalyst behind the creation and success of the Greater Phoenix Student Chapter.

Dean Stanberry, SFP, CFM, Chairman of the IFMA Global Board of Directors (left) presents the Student Chapter of the Year Award to IFMA student chapter members Vinay Sekhar Reddy Karri and Krishna Chaithanya Goud Talla.

About IFMA

 Founded in 1980, IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, supporting more than 24,000 members in 105 countries. The association’s members, represented in 134 chapters and 17 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than $100 billion in products and services. IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition.

The Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, formed in 1985, is one of the top association chapters in the world and winner of IFMA’s Large Chapter of the Year in 2012. It is dedicated to continuous improvement of the facility management profession by providing relevant educational and networking opportunities for its membership while supporting the community as a whole. For more information about the Phoenix chapter ifmaphoenix.org.

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by Oct 12, 2023
Celebrated writer, business innovator Jill Donovan is 2023 AZCREW Woman Icon event speaker

Celebrated writer, business innovator Jill Donovan is 2023 AZCREW Woman Icon event speaker

News & Updates

by | Oct 12, 2023 | News & Updates

    PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Oct. 12, 2023) – Jill Donovan, a celebrated writer, speaker, business innovator, and the creator behind Rustic Cuff, is the 2023 AZCREW Woman Icon speaker.

AZCREW, the commercial real estate organization that exists to transform the industry by advancing women globally, presents its annual signature event, Woman Icon, on Oct. 25 at ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Donovan was the keynote speaker at the 2022 CREW Network Convention and her impact has been significant. Chapter leaders have expressed high praise for the valuable experience she delivers.

“Jill surprised me in the best way – motivational, funny, emotional, and engaging are just a few words that I would use to describe my experience listening to her speak,” said Jenny Liles, AZCREW president-elect and Director of Market Operations at CRESA. “I took away lots of philosophies to improve both my personal and professional life. I am excited to see her speak again.”

Donovan started her professional life as a practicing attorney and adjunct law professor at the University of Tulsa School of Law. Then her creativity and obsession with cuff bracelets and gift-giving led her in a new and unexpected direction – as the founder of a company called Rustic Cuff.

“Jill is a speaker you don’t want to miss. I had the chance to see her in person years ago, and her message still resonates,” said Heather Skinner, AZCREW past president, and Real Estate Business Partner at McKesson. “I look forward to attending the upcoming event and being inspired again.”

In the years that followed, Rustic Cuff became a nationwide movement based on joyful generosity, with countless women purchasing and spontaneously “regifting” meaningful cuffs to others. Today Rustic Cuff encompasses multiple showroom locations and more than 150 employees.

Donovan is also the author of “The Kindness Effect: Experience the Power of Irrational Giving.” She challenged herself long ago to master a new hobby every year, whether it’s learning a new language, tap dancing, ice skating, or simply setting a goal that seems unreachable.

AZCREW’s October event at ASU Kerr Cultural Center begins at 4:30 p.m. with registration and networking. The presentation begins at 5 p.m. The event wraps up with networking and a reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“This venue is truly unique. Set in the historic home of Louise Lincoln Kerr, ASU Kerr exudes vintage speakeasy vibes in an intimate theater setting,” said Michelle Rutkowski, owner of MOR Studio and AZCREW events director. “It is the perfect venue for an evening of inspiration and connection.”

Registration fee is $100 for members; $570 for a table of six (person booking the table must be a member); and $125 for non-members. Register here.

About AZCREW:

AZCREW is the local affiliate of CREW Network. CREW Network is the premiere business network dedicated to transforming the commercial real estate industry by advancing women globally.  Membership offers unparalleled business development, leadership opportunities and networking both locally and globally with over 12,000 professionals in 75+ markets worldwide, representing all disciplines of commercial real estate. Learn more and apply for membership at arizonacrew.org.

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by Oct 12, 2023
NAI Horizon facilitates medical office lease renewal for cardiovascular healthcare provider

NAI Horizon facilitates medical office lease renewal for cardiovascular healthcare provider

News & Updates

by | Oct 12, 2023 | News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZONA (Oct. 12, 2023) – The medical office market continues to sizzle in Metro Phoenix as NAI Horizon represented the landlord in a long-term lease renewal at Chandler Medical Plaza for a cardiovascular healthcare provider.

NAI Horizon Executive Vice President Lane Neville and Associate Cole Neville represented Chandler Medical Property Company, LLC, of New York, New York, in the 7-year renewal term for Xavier Heart Institute PLLC of Chandler, Arizona.

The lease renewal value was over $400,000. Xavier Heart Institute leases 2,197 SF at Chandler Medical Plaza, 655 S. Dobson Road, in Chandler.

“Our property is directly across the street from Dignity Chandler Medical Center, a 338-bed regional hospital. Dr. Xavier’s renewal is important to our property, maintaining our strong internal medicine synergy with the hospital. Chandler Medical Plaza location is also key to our leasing success. Our property has outstanding vehicular access to both Loop-101 and Loop-202 freeways,” Lane Neville said. “Our medical office tenant mix comprises internal medicine and OB/GYN practices.”

Xavier Heart Institute is a medical practice group led by Dr. Lyndon Xaiver, MD. His specialty areas include interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease, and internal medicine.

Karl Frye with Frye Practice Sales Healthcare Real Estate represented the tenant.

About NAI Horizon

Exceptional global commercial real estate solutions begin with local market leadership and expertise. Established in 1992, NAI Horizon is a full-service commercial real estate company serving Arizona with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. NAI Horizon is passionate about commercial real estate, providing Brokerage and Property Management Services for local, national, and international clients. NAI Horizon is a member of the NAI Global commercial real estate network providing real estate solutions to more than 300 offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.naihorizon.com.

About NAI Global

 Advisory Services, Leasing, Property Management, Property & Note Sales, and Tenant Representation

NAI Global is a leading global commercial real estate brokerage firm. NAI Global offices are leaders in their local markets and work in unison to provide clients with exceptional solutions to their commercial real estate needs. NAI Global has more than 325 offices strategically located in 65 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific, with over 5,800 local market professionals, managing in excess of 1.1 billion square feet of property and facilities. Annually, NAI Global completes in excess of $20 billion in commercial real estate transactions throughout the world.

NAI Global provides a complete range of corporate and institutional real estate services, including brokerage and leasing, property and facilities management, real estate investment and capital market services, due diligence, global supply chain and logistics consulting and related advisory services. To learn more, visit www.naiglobal.com.

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by Oct 12, 2023
Estrella neighborhood Acacia Foothills II features Beazer Homes Energy Series READY Homes

Estrella neighborhood Acacia Foothills II features Beazer Homes Energy Series READY Homes

News & Updates

by | Oct 11, 2023 | News & Updates

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (Oct. 11, 2023) – Positioning itself as a homebuilder dedicated to efficiency and performance, Beazer Homes is excited to announce the launch of its Energy Series READY Homes in the Acacia Foothills II neighborhood at Estrella.

Beazer prides itself not only on creating beautiful homes but also on building homes buyers feel good about owning. Beazer homes are built using materials that maximize efficiency and environmental responsibility.

For the past six years, Beazer Homes has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program as Partner of the Year for its commitment to creating energy-efficient homes. In addition, Beazer has recently elevated its efforts by including EPA Air-Plus systems in its homes, increasing energy efficiency, and improving air quality.

The most energy-efficient homes built by Beazer today, Energy Series READY homes are so energy efficient that all or most of their annual energy consumption can be offset with renewable energy. Each will be certified by the U.S. Department of Energy as a Zero Energy Ready Home.

“Every home we build is designed with cutting-edge, energy-efficient features,” said Ryan Johnson, Phoenix Division President for Beazer Homes. “With better home performance, customers can save money on energy bills, enjoy improved air quality for healthier living, and live more comfortably in their home.”

Beazer homes combine the highest levels of style, efficiency, and function. Every Beazer Acacia Foothills II home includes a great room concept creating comfortable living spaces for families of all sizes. That mindfulness, paired with the stunning views of the Sierra Estrella Mountains, results in a sanctuary homeowners cherish. Plus, each home is within walking or biking distance from neighborhood schools making them a great choice for growing families.

Beazer floorplans at Estrella include the Shiloh at 1,942 square feet, the Pinehurst at 1,842 square feet, and the Ellenton at 1,685 square feet. The single-story Ellenton offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage. Its spacious great room opens to a covered patio, making it perfect for backyard barbecues.

The larger Pinehurst floorplan is also single-story with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage with the option for a fourth bedroom and two kitchen designs to choose from. Larger still, the single-story Shiloh, at 1,942 square feet, is designed with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and options in both the kitchen and primary bath.

Additional floorplans include the Geneva, four bedrooms with an optional fifth, downstairs primary suite, 2 ½ bathrooms, 2,801 square feet; and the Forsyth, four bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, 2,449 square feet.

For more than 25 years, Beazer has been a leader in building homes ahead of current standards and beyond expectations. Beazer was the first U.S. national homebuilder to publicly commit that by the end of 2025, every home built will meet the requirements of the DOE Zero Energy READY Home program.

The program incorporates building science innovations and practices to achieve at least 40 percent to 50 percent greater energy efficiency than a typical new home. DOE Zero Energy READY Homes are verified and certified by a qualified third-party inspector.

Beazer homes include innovative, energy-efficient features to improve home performance and maintain ideal temperatures, giving homeowners control over their comfort. Each home is designed to filter indoor air, which reduces outside pollutants like mold and toxic chemicals. This means healthier living with improved air quality and comfort.

 

About Beazer Homes

Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH) is one of the country’s largest homebuilders. Every Beazer home is designed and built to provide Surprising Performance, giving you more quality and more comfort from the moment you move in – saving you money every month. With Beazer’s Choice Plans™, you can personalize your primary living areas – giving you a choice of how you want to live in the home, at no additional cost. And unlike most national homebuilders, we empower our customers to shop and compare loan options. Our Mortgage Choice program gives you the resources to easily compare multiple loan offers and choose the best lender and loan offer for you, saving you thousands over the life of your loan. For more information, visit beazer.com.

About Estrella

Estrella is a 20,000-acre mixed-use master-planned community located in the City of Goodyear, approximately 17 miles west of Phoenix. Estrella features more than 500 acres of parks and open space including 50+ miles of paths and trails and 72 acres of lakes for boating and catch and release fishing, Starpointe and Presidio Residents Clubs, hiking trails, and basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and tennis courts. Estrella is also home to a Nicklaus-design championship golf course, The Golf Club of Estrella. For more information about Estrella, please visit estrella.com.

 

by Oct 11, 2023
REIAC Southwest, Junior Achievement of Arizona collaborate to teach high school students about the built environment, real estate development

REIAC Southwest, Junior Achievement of Arizona collaborate to teach high school students about the built environment, real estate development

News & Updates

by | Oct 11, 2023 | News & Updates

PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Oct. 11, 2023) – In collaboration with Junior Achievement of Arizona, several volunteers presented the REIAC Southwest classes on the built environment to 32 high school seniors at Basis Chandler.

The classes introduce the students to the real estate development process and how the built environment is created by real estate developers.

Before the classes began, REIAC volunteers asked the teacher to have the students break up into teams of four to five students each. There were five classes followed by a team competition. The program had seven teams this session.

The first class was an introduction. The second class explained how developers identify a need for a particular type of building by doing market research to confirm supply and demand.

The third class concentrated on finance, debt, and equity. It examined the positive impact that using a mix of debt and equity as opposed to 100 percent equity has on a project’s returns.

The fourth class was on assembling the consultant team – architect, civil engineer, soils engineer, and general contractor – to build the project.

The last class involved finding tenants, managing the building after it is completed, and selling it after it is leased.

“The REIAC volunteers and the teachers who help introduce the built environment to young people are an inspiration for the industry,” said Mark Singerman, Vice President, Regional Director Rocky Mountain Development for The Rockefeller Group. “The goal is to one day see these young ladies in the field of commercial real estate.”

The students are given the choice of developing one of the following types of buildings: office, retail, or industrial. The student workbook provided by Junior Achievement gives the students budgets for each type of building, land sites from which to choose in and around Tempe, demographic information about the City of Tempe for their market research, a pro forma to complete depending on which type of building they select to develop and resumes of consultants and general contractors to select for their team.

For the competition, all the teams were required to present a PowerPoint of the building they chose to develop and the choices they made. Some of the teams added 3D models of their project in their presentations. Two of the teams did cardboard models of their buildings and parking lots.

The REIAC volunteers sat as the panel that judged and scored each presentation on a point system using score sheets provided by Junior Achievement. The winning team was awarded $750 to split between each team member and the teacher was given $250 to use in purchasing supplies in the classroom that many teachers normally take out of their own pocket during the school year.

About REIAC

The Real Estate Investment Advisory Council (REIAC) was established as a nonprofit trade association to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, concerns and experiences among senior executives who conduct real estate transactions. The invitation-only group limits its membership to senior-level executives at companies, who act as principals, and whose function is to develop, acquire, manage and/or finance real estate. Institutional quality programs and peer-to-peer relationship-building opportunities have established REAIC’s reputation throughout the national real estate investment community as one of its premier associations. www.reiac.org  The Power of REIAC

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by Oct 11, 2023
NAI Horizon rolls out inaugural agent trainee program as part of strategic initiative for growth  

NAI Horizon rolls out inaugural agent trainee program as part of strategic initiative for growth  

News & Updates

by | Oct 9, 2023 | News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Oct. 10, 2023) – A year-long program to train and mentor the next generation of commercial real estate agents is shaping the future at NAI Horizon. And it’s doing so largely with talent in its backyard – graduates from Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.

“Our strategic initiative for growth includes us providing institutional-quality training for young people that others in the market aren’t currently offering,” said Executive Vice President Lane Neville, who is spearheading the training program. “The goal is to build a deal pipeline and further our young agents’ industry knowledge and brokerage know-how, so after a year of training, they are each ready to join an NAI Horizon team of experienced brokers. That is our plan for organic growth.”

NAI Horizon began its efforts last fall, interviewing 25 college candidates nationwide. It narrowed its selection based on academics, degrees, and one-on-one personal skills. The inaugural group of agent trainees that began program work at NAI Horizon this past June 1st include:

  • Andrew Agresta has a Bachelor of Science in marketing and international business from the Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa; he also attended the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland.
  • Brandon Hall has a Bachelor of Science in finance from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, with minors in sustainability and real estate.
  • Whitney Heritage has a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, majoring in business communication and minoring in real estate.
  • Matt Westra has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, majoring in finance.

“All the new agents in our training class have strong connections to Arizona, either through family or growing up here,” Neville said. “Getting into commercial real estate is tough, and making it in the business is even tougher. We’re extremely confident our new agents will excel.”

The agent trainees spend time each week in a classroom-like setting, including instruction, role-playing, studying, financial modeling, and taking quizzes. They also participate weekly in one-on-one mentoring and training from senior agents in the firm, including conducting “out-in-the-field work,” according to Neville.

“We incorporate our senior brokers as mentors. The trainees shadow them to get out and apply what they are learning,” Neville explained. “This includes canvassing, soliciting, generating new leads, and working transactions. The goal is to build their pipeline and increase our trainees’ knowledge.”

How vital for NAI Horizon is its trainee program?

“This program is a key part of our overall strategic initiative for growth and is very vital to the firm,” Neville said. “Our first class of trainees are getting quality training and mentoring. Our brokers are doing a great job in helping them decide the best direction in which to go in their respective CRE brokerage careers.”

NAI Horizon will be recruiting five new individuals for the class of 2024 beginning June 1. Those interested in being considered for the next NAI training program should contact Neville at lane.neville@naihorizon.com.

About NAI Horizon

Exceptional global commercial real estate solutions begin with local market leadership and expertise. Established in 1992, NAI Horizon is a full-service commercial real estate company serving Arizona with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. NAI Horizon is passionate about commercial real estate, providing Brokerage and Property Management Services for local, national, and international clients. NAI Horizon is a member of the NAI Global commercial real estate network, providing real estate solutions to more than 325 offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.naihorizon.com.

About NAI Global

NAI Global is a leading global commercial real estate brokerage firm. NAI Global offices are leaders in their local markets and work in unison to provide clients with exceptional solutions to their commercial real estate needs. NAI Global has more than 325 offices strategically located in 65 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific, with over 5,800 local market professionals, managing in excess of 1.1 billion square feet of property and facilities. Annually, NAI Global completes in excess of $20 billion in commercial real estate transactions throughout the world.

NAI Global provides a complete range of corporate and institutional real estate services, including brokerage and leasing, property and facilities management, real estate investment and capital market services, due diligence, global supply chain and logistics consulting and related advisory services.

To learn more, visit www.naiglobal.com.

 

by Oct 09, 2023
Horses Help adaptive riding organization rolls out red carpet at its new ranch for annual Barn Bash

Horses Help adaptive riding organization rolls out red carpet at its new ranch for annual Barn Bash

News & Updates

by | Oct 9, 2023 | News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Oct. 10, 2023) – Horses Help is rolling out the red carpet at its new ranch as it hosts the 19th Annual Barn Bash fundraiser Nov. 4. The theme for this year’s event is “Blazing a New Trail.”

The event begins at 5:30 p.m., and ends at 10 p.m. The new ranch is located at 6525 E. Dixileta Drive in Cave Creek. Participants can take a tour of the ranch and meet the herd. The event includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, and casino tables.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to contribute to this great organization, and see what we are all about,” said Horses Help Executive Director Gregg Goodman. “Big things are happening here. We look forward to sharing them during the Barn Bash.”

The Barn Bash the largest fundraiser for Horses Help. Proceeds from this year’s event underwrite program expenses for all participants, help pay for food and hay for the organization’s horses. Proceeds also directly impact special needs individuals, military, and first responders, trauma survivors, and at-risk youth in Arizona.

​     Horses Help provides adaptive riding and horsemanship services designed to contribute positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of people with disabilities. The adaptive riding and horsemanship program promotes strength, increases flexibility, develops balance, improves coordination, and builds self-confidence.

Horses Help also provides equine-assisted learning (EAL), a form of human-equine interaction that provides a personal learning experience. EAL promotes the development of self-awareness, self-esteem and confidence, problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and self-control.

     Other services include therapy with equine movement and equine-facilitated psychotherapy.

     To learn more about Horses Help, visit horseshelp.org.

For more information or to purchase tickets or sponsorship packages for the Barn Bash, click here.

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by Oct 09, 2023
Industry expert, innovator Scott Rutkowski named president of locally-owned RestorationHQ

Industry expert, innovator Scott Rutkowski named president of locally-owned RestorationHQ

News & Updates

by | Oct 5, 2023 | News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Oct. 5, 2023) – RestorationHQ, a trailblazer in the commercial restoration industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Rutkowski as its new president.

With a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in the restoration sector, Rutkowski brings a wealth of experience and innovative vision to the company. Rutkowski has built an impressive track record in the industry, most notably on the East Coast where he pioneered several groundbreaking restoration initiatives.

He previously served as branch manager for Water Mold Fire Restoration in Boston, Massachusetts, prior to joining RestorationHQ. Rutkowski was born and grew up in the Boston area.

“I’m honored to take up this new challenge at RestorationHQ,” Rutkowski said. “This company has always stood for superior quality and unyielding dedication to customer satisfaction. I look forward to integrating my experiences and insights to further these commitments and lead the company to new heights.”

Rutkowski’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for RestorationHQ as it continues to expand its footprint in Phoenix, Tucson, and beyond. His leadership style aligns with the company’s mission of providing top-tier restoration services while prioritizing customer needs.

Rutkowski’s progressive outlook directly matches RestorationHQ’s mission and core values, reinforcing its joint dedication to top-tier commercial restoration services.

“We do not just restore buildings; we strive to rebuild trust in the vendor partner process, and peace of mind for our clients,” Rutkowski said. “Innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction will remain our guiding principles as we continue to grow and evolve.”

 About RestorationHQ:

RestorationHQ is a leading provider of comprehensive commercial-only restoration services. The company is dedicated to delivering top-quality solutions to its clients, ensuring their peace of mind in times of need- working on their behalf rather than for insurance companies. With a team of highly skilled professionals, RestorationHQ is committed to setting new standards in the commercial restoration industry. For more information visit RestorationHQ.us.

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by Oct 05, 2023
Arizona Masonry Council honors its best at 2023 Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards

Arizona Masonry Council honors its best at 2023 Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards

News & Updates

by | Oct 5, 2023 | News & Updates

PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Oct. 5, 2023) – The Arizona Masonry Council recently celebrated its 32nd Annual Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards for outstanding masonry design, workmanship, and creativity with the use of brick, block and/or stone.

The banquet honored this year’s finest at the Scottsdale Resort McCormick Ranch with more than 300 industry members in attendance.

“These awards honor architects, engineers, and the design community for their creativity and expression in masonry, and to recognize the builders and producers for their craftsmanship and innovation of masonry products,” said Arizona Masonry Council Executive Director Dawn Rogers. “These notable awards represent an achievement that is well respected between both the design and building communities.”

This year’s architectural jury panel was from Reno, Nevada. The jury panel included Angela Bigotti-Chavez, AIA, Design Principal, Van Woert Bigotti Architects; Jack Hawkins, AIA, hawkins & associates architecture and interiors; Max Hershenow, AIA, H+K Architects; and Tim Kawcak, President, Kawcak Masonry Inc.

The Craftsmanship Jury consisted of two retired masons from Arizona: Jan Hill retired from Roma Masonry, and Don White retired from Roma Masonry.

Top honor for 2023, the Gold Trowel Award, went to Ravenscroft. The winning team included Music Serving the Word, CRE Properties, owner; Architekton, architect; BDA Design, structural engineering firm; 180 Degrees Design + Build, general contractor; Sutter Masonry, major masonry contractor; and Our Block Co. and Superlite, an Oldcastle company, major masonry suppliers.

The Bart Del Duca Award went to Chris King, Summit Brick. The award is named after Bart Del Duca, who served his entire life in the masonry business. Winners are selected for outstanding performance, service, or significant achievement in the masonry industry.

Category winners:

  • Residential Perimeter Walls Citation Award: Alamar Perimeter Walls
  • Residential Citation Awards: Lot 16 Pinnacle Peak Vistas; Mountain Modern Retreat; The Artist’s Retreat
  • Residential Merit Award: Ebony and Ivory.
  • Non-Residential Honorable Mention: Greenlee County South Service Annex
  • Non-Residential Citation Awards: Avion Center; Ortho Arizona; ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management; Hilton Cavasson
  • Non-Residential Merit Award: Sahuarita Regional Library; Novel Midtown
  • Residential Honor Award: Compass Church
  • Craftsman Residential Award: Cameldale Estates, Lot 5
  • Craftsman Non-Residential Award: Queen Creek Fire Station #4
  • Monument/Entry Way Citation Awards: Jorde Farms North Entry Monument; Combs Ranch Monument/Entry
  • The Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards program is sponsored by the Arizona Masonry Council, a non-profit organization servicing the masonry industry in Arizona.Click here for a video and complete project teams of all the 2023 winners.

    Craftsman Non-Residential Award: Queen Creek Fire Station #4

    About the Arizona Masonry Council

    The mission of the Arizona Masonry Council is to create significant and lasting positive change for the Arizona masonry industry and to reinforce that our systems provide the premier building envelope solution in the minds of public and private owners, developers, architects, engineers, general contractors, and the general public. The Council and its members have played a significant role in economic development, new product and construction standards, enhanced safety policies and increased energy efficiency of masonry products. It has also been on the forefront of developing and implementing statewide education programs for the professional community as well as students from college to the high school level. The Arizona Masonry Council can be reached at (602) 265-5999 or visit azmasonry.org.

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by Oct 05, 2023