Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, GateWay Community College to offer facility management training

Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, GateWay Community College to offer facility management training

News & Updates

by | Aug 1, 2023 | News & Updates

     TEMPE, ARIZ. (August 1, 2023) ‒ GateWay Community College and the Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, are launching facility management essentials training classes this fall.

Facility managers oversee functionality, maintenance, grounds, and security of buildings and large complexes such as hospitals, apartment buildings, and event venues. Facilities managers are leaders trained to use the latest technology and support healthy environments through sustainability and pollution reduction design. No experience is necessary, although facility managers may have experience in construction trades, project management, business, IT, architecture, engineering, or sustainability.

IFMA’s facility management introductory course is geared toward those that want to learn more about the field of facility management and are new to the profession. Classes include hands-on challenges and competitions within the facilities management field, membership to IFMA’s student chapter, networking and connections with local employers, mentorship from IFMA members, and an invitation to IFMA’s international conference.

In the spring, the Facilities Management Professional class will be offered as well as the next step towards earning certification.

The fall 2023 class schedule is on Saturdays, from September 9 to November 18, 8:30 a.m. to 12:3 p.m.; and Tuesday/Thursday, from September 12 to November 14, 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Classes are held at GateWay Community College, 108. N. 40th St., Phoenix (the Washington campus).

Registration closes the day prior to the start of class. Cost of the class is $1,250 which includes all books and materials. Register here.

For more information, call Maureen Hannon at (602) 238-4323 or email her at maureen.hannon@gatewaycc.edu.

 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 Aug 01, 2023
Sigma Contracting celebrates 40 years of building relationships, diverse projects in the Southwest

Sigma Contracting celebrates 40 years of building relationships, diverse projects in the Southwest

News & Updates

by | Aug 1, 2023 | News & Updates

     SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (August 1, 2023) – An elephant ‘squeeze’ at the Phoenix Zoo.  Renovation of the exterior surface of the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. A 155-acre camp for The Salvation Army plus numerous other projects for them.

Surgery centers. Hospital renovations. Construction for more than 30 Arizona school districts. More than 75 CVS/pharmacy drug stores. More than 50 Auto Zone automobile parts stores. Renovations to Phoenix Symphony Hall.

As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Sigma Contracting, Inc., continues to show its diversity in building and renovating projects around Arizona and the Southwest.

     “Over the past 40 years we have forged lasting relationships with a great number of diversified owners that we have come to respect and admire within the industry,” said Sigma President Dan Hinkson. “We have partnered with both large and small corporations; those that do ongoing and repetitive projects as well as those who only have the need to build once.

“To the national companies, we have become their local partner. And when a project has not fit our expertise, we have partnered with many other larger and occasionally smaller general contractors to bring the best resources to our clients,” Hinkson said.

Sigma Contracting was founded in 1983 and is licensed in nine Southwestern states. As a premier commercial general contractor, Sigma has established a broad footprint in the region with an extensive portfolio of projects in a variety of sizes, industries, and property types.

For 40 years, Sigma has been the turnkey contractor or project manager for more than 1,000 construction projects including hospitals, medical office buildings, multi-family, schools, public venues, retail, industrial, banks, office buildings, and municipal facilities.

Recent projects exemplify the diversity of Sigma’s work which includes: another Potato Barn furniture store in Goodyear; a new build of the Tempe Dance Center West in Laveen; a new build of the Arrowhead Endoscopy Center in Glendale; the renovation of Athens on Easy Street Greek restaurant in Carefree; Papago Marketplace (formerly Papago Plaza) site and shops; and retail centers.

As the market continues to evolve, Sigma has continued to keep pace with the ever-changing markets. It was recently awarded a new retail project in Gilbert and a 560-unit multi-family housing project with various amenity buildings in Phoenix. Other recent projects include new retail buildings for Verizon and Bosa Donuts as well as an infill multi-family project in the heart of Phoenix.

Yes, Sigma Contracting built an elephant squeeze – where the pachyderms are groomed and given their medical exams – at the Phoenix Zoo as well as several other habitats for a variety of animals. Dan Hinkson and his wife Melinda Hinkson even hired a crane and an 18-wheeler flatbed to donate 50-foot eucalyptus trees from their own backyard for climbing structures for the zoo’s jaguar enclosure.

“How many general contractors can say they’ve built an elephant squeeze?” said Melinda Hinkson. “When we built the jaguar enclosure, the zoo mentioned natural trees last longer than artificial trees, so we told them they could have trees from our backyard. Now when we visit the zoo with our grandkids, we can also visit our trees.”

One project that exemplifies the true diversity of Sigma Contracting is The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in South Phoenix. Stemming from a 20-year relationship of building for and serving on boards with The Salvation Army, Sigma Contracting was a key team player.

From helping to write the grant letter to the Kroc Foundation and raising matching funds to collaborating and assisting in the design and build of the center, it was a 20-year journey in partnership with The Salvation Army. The center won AZRE Magazine’s 2012 RED Award for Best Public Project.

“Like so many others in the world of construction, our journey has been very diverse in what we have built but also extremely rewarding. We have met and worked with so many wonderful people. Most importantly, it is the legacy we have created over the years for families and generations to enjoy and have new experiences that they may never have gotten if we didn’t construct the structure as the home for the end user,” Dan Hinkson said.

Sigma Contracting 40-year notable highlights:

  • General contractor for the multi-story Studio 5c mixed-use development, Tempe;
  • Project manager for 150,000 SF The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, Phoenix;
  • Tenant improvements for Katerra’s 200,000 SF manufacturing space and 30,000 SF office, Phoenix;
  • Camp Ponderosa, a 155-acre camp in Heber, Arizona, for providing kids from urban environments an experience of outdoor living and recreation;
  • Deer Valley Rock Art Center in Phoenix, where families can learn about the heritage of Native Americans through petroglyphs they left behind on stones as they traveled throughout Arizona;
  • Numerous repeat clients over the years include CVS/pharmacy and Armstrong Development, more than 70 buildings in various locations throughout Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico; multiple store and fuel projects with Circle K, Fry’s/Kroger Company, QuikTrip, Safeway, Costco and Sam’s Club;
  • Long-term industry relationships and multiple builds with Gammage & Burnham, Potato Barn, KS State Bank, Zell Engineering, Lance Baker at Synectic Design, DFDG, Upward Architects, AKAII, and Fonce Architects.

Sigma Contracting is active in numerous industry groups including the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED), AZCREW, CCIM, CRENAB, ICSC, LAI, ULI Arizona, and Valley Partnership.

For more information visit www.sigmacontracting.com.

Sigma Contracting provided tenant improvements for Katerra’s 200,000 SF manufacturing space and 30,000 SF office in Phoenix.

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by Aug 01, 2023
NRS Logistics completes purchase of 40 acres of rail-served land in Casa Grande, Ariz., for $7M

NRS Logistics completes purchase of 40 acres of rail-served land in Casa Grande, Ariz., for $7M

News & Updates

by | Jul 27, 2023 | News & Updates

 Land Advisors Organization facilitates the deal on behalf of the seller; the sale includes 4 acres of rail right of way for the buyer, a provider of chemical and gas logistic services.

Scottsdale, Ariz. (July 27, 2023) – NRS Logistics America Inc., a national provider of chemical and gas logistic services, closed on 40 acres in Casa Grande, Arizona, for $7.05 million.  The sale includes 4 acres of rail right of way.

Land Advisors Organization Pinal County Specialists Kirk McCarville, CCIM, and Trey Davis facilitated the deal on behalf of the seller, Auza Ranches. The land is in proximity to the rail-served West Industrial area in Casa Grande, a 1,200-acre future industrial region entirely represented by Land Advisors Organization.

Auza 650 is the largest shovel-ready, rail-served, single-owner industrial park in Casa Grande. The Union Pacific main line runs directly through Casa Grande and connects directly to the Auza 650 property through the Casa Grande Yard. In addition to the transportation benefits of being on the main line, Auza 650 has Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 each within 3 miles of the property.

“Proximity to Phoenix. Proximity to its suppliers in the semiconductor industry. Land price. Housing affordability for employees. This deal made sense on so many levels for NRS Logistics,” McCarville said. “It features unmatched highway and rail access for logistics. It also will experience a positive development environment at the city and county levels. The speed to market and rail service will be unmatched.”

This sale represents a huge leap for the Casa Grande West Industrial area. The development will bring rail across Ethington Road, allowing shovel-ready rail service and other utility services to the rest of the West Industrial area.

The City of Casa Grande and Pinal County have partnered on the development of the area in which the Auza 650 is located by committing more than $50 million to the surrounding infrastructure that is currently under construction.

Casa Grande is no stranger to massive undertakings and is renowned for its record time of being able to get the Lucid Motors facility fully up and running in just one year from initial approvals.

Over the past two years, Casa Grande has received significant attention at the national and international levels with announcements by major manufacturers expanding or relocating to the market. Land Advisors Organization has facilitated bringing many companies to the area, such as Lucid Motors, Kohler, Chang Chun Chemical and Air Products. There is tremendous interest from manufacturers, semiconductor supply chain and electric vehicle manufacturer suppliers and others with rail distribution needs to have facilities in the area. Casa Grande’s population has doubled since 2000, making it the largest city and tax base in Pinal County.

About NRS Logistics America


Headquartered in White Plains, New York, NRS provides chemical and gas logistic services to companies seeking safe and reliable handling of their international supply chain needs. Founded in 1946 offering railroad tank cars dedicated to the petrochemical industry, over the next 74 years NRS has undergone organic growth along the supply chain services vertical, offering packaging, liquid and dry storage/warehousing as well as domestic and international distribution. This portfolio of services allows NRS to offer end-to-end services dedicated to the chemical industry. For over 70 years NRS has been a leader in providing transport, storage and distribution, and asset leasing for the chemical and industrial markets. With approximately 1,000 employees worldwide, NRS operates in more than 100 countries. Through NRS GROUP companies the firm can offer a global single source supplier to clients.

About Land Advisors Organization

Founded in 1987, Land Advisors Organization is the nation’s largest land brokerage firm specializing in providing deep market insights to landowners and purchasers for the most comprehensive and effective evaluation of land in markets across the country. By integrating current local market information with cutting-edge technology and geographically specialized professionals, Land Advisors Organization advises clients in identifying and capitalizing on valuable land opportunities in all economic environments. Land Advisors Organization serves landowners and purchasers from offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Casa Grande and Prescott, Arizona; Irvine, San Francisco, Century City, Pasadena, Roseville and San Diego, California; Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Kansas City, Kansas; and Seattle, Washington. Stay connected with Land Advisors Organization on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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by Jul 27, 2023
AAED announces newly elected, re-elected Board of Directors for Arizona’s rural and metro areas     

AAED announces newly elected, re-elected Board of Directors for Arizona’s rural and metro areas     

News & Updates

by | Jul 20, 2023 | News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZ. (July 20, 2023) — The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) has elected new members to its Board of Directors that represent both rural and metro communities across the state.

The new board members representing rural Arizona include Jack Fitchett, AZED Pro, Business Attraction Manager at the City of Flagstaff; and Maggie Tidaback, AZED Pro, Economic Development Manager at the Town of Chino Valley. Richard Hernandez, AZED Pro, Executive Director of Government Relations at Yavapai College was re-elected to the board of directors to represent rural Arizona.

Jaye O’Donnell, Assistant Economic Development Director with the City of Mesa was newly elected to the board of directors to represent metro Arizona. Re-elected members include Suzie Boyles, AZED Pro, Economic Development Director at the City of Buckeye; Amanda Bruno, AZED Pro, Government Relations Representative with Tucson Electric Power; and Rebecca Timmer, AZED Pro.

Continuing as advisors to the board of directors are Mackenzie Fitz-Gerald, AZED Pro, Economic Development Associate at Arizona Public Service; Jamie Kerr, Vice President of Rural Economic Development at the Arizona Commerce Authority; and Chad Schleicher, Economic Development Program Manager with the City of Tempe.

Newly appointed to one-year terms as advisory members are Melissa Johnson, AZED Pro, Director of Business Development and Marketing with Danson Construction; Richard Wilkie, CEcD, AZED Pro, Economic Development Director with the City of Casa Grande; and Curt Woody, AZED Pro, Economic Development Director with the Town of Marana.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these seasoned economic developers to our Board of Directors,” said Skip Becker, President of the Executive Committee. “As the voice of economic development throughout the state, AAED, under the leadership of these committed volunteers, will be in good hands under their direction as we continue to grow our economy.”

About AAED

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) was founded in 1974 with a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration. The Association works to promote economic development in the State of Arizona through an exchange of information and educational opportunities among its members, to act as a liaison with outside groups, to influence legislation affecting economic development, and to empower members to create relationships to improve the economic outlook for Arizona. For more information on AAED, visit aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

 

 

 

by Jul 20, 2023
Industrial, office, and land sales totaling $8.7M highlight recent deals by NAI Horizon brokers

Industrial, office, and land sales totaling $8.7M highlight recent deals by NAI Horizon brokers

News & Updates

by | Jul 19, 2023 | News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZONA (July 19, 2023) – Six sales that include industrial buildings, an office, and land highlight recent transactions closed by NAI Horizon professionals. The sales total more than $8.7 million.

Sale Transactions:

Mark Wilcke and Larson Wilcke negotiated the sale of a 16,140 SF multi-tenant industrial building for $3.2 million, representing the seller, JRJ Hacienda, LLC. The property is located at 712 S. Hacienda Drive, Tempe, Arizona. The buyer, Clear Sky Acquisitions, LLC, was self-represented.

Chris Gerow, Gabe Ortega and Shelby Tworek negotiated the sale of 2.77 acres for $2.25 million, representing the seller, Bell Road and 303, LLC. The property is located at 16531 W. Bell Road, Surprise, AZ. The buyer, Thrive Real Estate Holdings, LLC, was self-represented.

Jeff Adams negotiated the sale of a 6,140 SF industrial building for $1.2 million, representing the seller, Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. The property is located at 1545 N. McQueen Road, Gilbert, AZ. The buyer, Old Republic Exchange Co., was represented by Todd Hamilton & Adam Shteir with City Wide Commercial Real Estate.

Michael Myrick negotiated the sale of a 3,900 SF office building for $675,000, representing the buyer, Gustavo Gonzalez-Gustavo Gonzalez Rentals, LLC. The property is located at 2375 W. Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ. The seller, Michael Dragon-Dragon Family Enterprises, was represented by Juan Cabrera, Business Broker of Arizona.

 Troy Giammarco and Joe Pequeno negotiated the sale of a 3,105 SF industrial building for $625,000, representing the seller, Nawa Family Trust. The property is located at 9299 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, AZ. The buyer, LV 209 Olive, LLC, was represented by Jonathan Levy with SVN.

Mark Wilcke negotiated the sale of a .863-acre industrial lot for $757,500, representing the seller, Fiesta 18, LLC. The property is located at 1376 W. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, Arizona. The buyer, Phoenix EV Holdings II, LLC, was represented by Alex Wentis with CBRE.

Lease Transactions:

Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek and Gabe Ortega represented the landlord, SIMONCRE CSH II, LLC, in a 120-month retail lease for 12,016 SF at 1142 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ. The tenant, Five Below, Inc., was represented by Dan Gardiner with Phoenix Commercial Advisors.

Isy Sonabend and Drew Eisen represented the tenant, US Med-Equip, LLC, in an 85-month industrial lease for 12,480 SF at 808 W. Geneva Drive, Tempe, AZ. The landlord, EastGroup Properties, L.P. was represented by Shawn Dooley with Ross Brown Partners.

Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek and Gabe Ortega represented the landlord, Queen Creek Fiesta, LLC, & JW Duke Enterprises, LLC, in a 60-month retail lease for 1,891 SF at 44460 W. Edison Road, Maricopa, AZ. The tenant, Clarence Z. Fisher and LaQuinta Marie Fisher were self-represented.

Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek and Gabe Ortega represented the landlord, The Vanderhout Family Limited Partnership, in a 60-month office lease for 1,664 SF at 10679 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ. The tenant, Joliet Aesthetics, LLC, was represented by Phillip Wurth with Colliers International.

Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek and Gabe Ortega represented the landlord, Dove Valley, LLC, in a 63-month retail lease for 2,261 SF at 4705 E. Carefree Highway, Cave Creek, AZ. The tenant, Tangles Salon and Boutique, LLC, was self-represented.

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 300 offices in 43 countries strategically located throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific, with 5,100 local market professionals managing over 1.1 billion square feet of property and facilities. Annually, NAI Global completes more than $20 billion in commercial real estate transactions and gross revenue of $1.5 billion.

NAI Global professionals achieve extraordinary results for clients locally and globally through creativity, collaboration, and the consistent delivery of exceptional knowledge and service that only market-leading firms can provide. NAI Global provides a full range of corporate real estate services, including brokerage and leasing, property and facilities management, real estate investment and capital market services, due diligence, global supply chain, logistics consulting, and related advisory services.

To learn more, visit www.naiglobal.com.

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by Jul 19, 2023
SDB Contracting Services Golf Classic to once again benefit Disabled American Veterans

SDB Contracting Services Golf Classic to once again benefit Disabled American Veterans

News & Updates

by | Jul 18, 2023 | News & Updates

More than a half million dollars raised in the past 15 years.

      TEMPE, ARIZONA (July 18, 2023) – For the past 15 years, SDB Contracting Services has hosted a charity golf tournament raising more than $538,000 to benefit the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Arizona.

SDB has once again selected DAV as its dedicated charity for the SDB Golf Classic. The nearly sold-out tournament is scheduled for October 13 at Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix.

DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It assists more than 1 million veterans annually by helping them access the benefits they’ve earned.

DAV helps veterans to achieve personal victories, great and small, such as being able to provide for their families, overcome homelessness, finish their education, access vital funds, and even gather with their fellow veterans to share good times.

“A big part of the SDB culture is our commitment to the community and we look forward to the SDB Golf Classic each year,” said Angie Schmidt, CEO of SDB. “This is an opportunity for SDB staff, subcontractors, and other industry partners to come together and make a difference for Disabled Veterans in Arizona. We are grateful to our sponsors, tournament participants, and the many SDB team members that come together to make this happen, including this year’s title sponsor ABC Supply Co. Inc.”

The proceeds from the SDB Golf Classic help to fund vans for DAV to transport disabled veterans to medical appointments and other programs.

“I have golfed in almost every one of the SDB tournaments over the past 15 years. On behalf of the Arizona Department of DAV, we are so grateful for the support,” said Senior Vice Commander Kevin Cooper of DAV. “The vans purchased with the proceeds enable us to provide transportation to veterans to VA Hospitals for appointments.”

For more information or to support this cause through raffle prizes, monetary donations, or participation, please contact Richelle Kikuji at SDB at (480) 967-5810.

About SDB Contracting Services

Local to Arizona, SDB Contracting Services also has offices in Texas and Oregon. SDB has provided general contracting services for more than 40 years with a focus on healthcare, advanced technology, higher education, municipal and private commercial projects. Committed to providing solutions through service, SDB provides comprehensive preconstruction as well as design-build services to benefit our clients. Delivery methods include targeted value design-build, CMAR, hard bid, and JOC projects. www.sdb.com

About DAV

 DAV is a nonprofit that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families. AZ-DAV.org

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by Jul 18, 2023
NAI National Self-Storage Investment Group continues its growth with new hire in the West

NAI National Self-Storage Investment Group continues its growth with new hire in the West

News & Updates

by | Jul 18, 2023 | News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZONA (July 18, 2023) – The Nunez Self-Storage Group, A National Self-Storage Investment Team, continues its growth in the West with the hiring of self-storage sales specialist Andrew Agresta in the Phoenix office of NAI Horizon.

Denise Nunez, Executive Managing Director of the National Self-Storage Investment Team, also recently announced the addition of Edward Milton, an investment sales specialist since 2015, to the group.

A native of Blacksburg, Virginia, Agresta previously served as Business Development Manager for OpenTech Alliance, a tech/software company for the self-storage industry. His primary duties consisted of generating, managing, and executing revenue opportunities for the Mountain territory of the U.S. and Canada.

Prior to that, Agresta was Director of Business Development for Joseph Studios, a digital marketing firm. He was responsible for the generation of all sales revenue and for a team of 10 sales development representatives.

He joins the Nunez Self-Storage Group as an Investment Sales Associate.

“Andrew has established relationships working with self-storage owners and operators on a local and national basis. His focus at NAI Horizon will be to continue to foster those relationships, providing that same level of customer service and expertise in his new role as a commercial real estate agent – specializing in the sales and acquisition of self-storage assets,” Nunez said.

Nunez is actively building out a national self-storage practice under the NAI Global brand. New York-based NAI Global is one of the most recognized brands in commercial real estate and operates more than 300 offices worldwide with more than 5,100 professionals. Annually, the company generates more than $20 billion in transaction fees and commissions.

Agresta earned a bachelor’s degree 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.

His hobbies include traveling with his family and skiing. He is currently working on getting his private pilot’s license. He is active in the community, volunteering time to the Hunger Task Force and assisting in the construction of a home in 2022. He also helped raise more than $5,000 for the Ames Animal Shelter in 2018.

About the NAI National Self-Storage Investment Group

Prior to getting licensed to sell real estate, Denise Nunez was a media publisher in the self-storage industry. Once she shifted her career focus to real estate, specializing in self-storage investment advice and sales was complementary to her life and work experience, and it was only a few years before she became one of the top-producing brokers in the Southwest, regardless of the property sector. Her grasp, understanding, and knowledge of the financial aspects of self-storage development and investment sales are key to her success, and she is the most sought-after expert to help developers, owners and investors with strategic insights, valuations, and market competition. In addition to sales and acquisitions, the National Self Storage Investment Group advises developers on new, ground-up projects, performs broker opinions of value, works with value-add opportunities, creative positioning, 1031 and 721 Exchanges, and marketing properties to stabilization. Contact Denise Nunez, a Principal with NAI Horizon and the Executive Managing Director of the National Self Storage Investment Group at (602) 697-8869 or denise.nunez@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 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 300 offices in 43 countries strategically located throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific, with 5,100 local market professionals managing over 1.1 billion square feet of property and facilities. Annually, NAI Global completes more than $20 billion in commercial real estate transactions and gross revenue of $1.5 billion.

NAI Global professionals achieve extraordinary results for clients locally and globally through creativity, collaboration, and the consistent delivery of exceptional knowledge and service that only market-leading firms can provide. NAI Global provides a full range of corporate real estate services, including brokerage and leasing, property and facilities management, real estate investment and capital market services, due diligence, global supply chain, logistics consulting, and related advisory services.

To learn more, visit www.naiglobal.com.

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by Jul 18, 2023
Fidelity National Title Agency grows its senior administrative team with hiring of industry expert Taylor Mize as Commercial Sales Manager

Fidelity National Title Agency grows its senior administrative team with hiring of industry expert Taylor Mize as Commercial Sales Manager

News & Updates

by | Jul 13, 2023 | News & Updates

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (July 13, 2023) – Fidelity National Title Agency is pleased to announce that it has added an industry expert to its senior administrative team with the hiring of Taylor Mize as Vice President, Commercial Sales Manager.

Mize will be responsible for leading and managing the growth of Fidelity National Title’s commercial market share through the growth of its relationships in the Arizona market, development, oversight, and management of the commercial sales team.

Born and raised in Arizona, Mize previously managed sales and operations within the homebuilding industry for PulteGroup for more than 17 years in Arizona and the Pacific Northwest Divisions. He left the company as Vice President of Sales for the Pacific Northwest Division.

“We are thrilled to have Taylor join our Fidelity family,” said Diane Day, Fidelity National Title President/County Manager. “He brings a wealth of experience in the home building industry with a strong history of sales management experience. I am confident that he will make a positive impact on our commercial team and operation.”

Mize’s experience in the home building industry included a primary focus on sales and account management with SunPower. In his role, he established relationships with homebuilders to help incorporate the benefits of solar energy in the construction of their homes.

Mize holds a BS in management from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Away from the office, he enjoys an active outdoors lifestyle including hiking, exploring the state, and playing golf.

 About Fidelity National Title

With a proud history of more than 165 years, Fidelity National Title Agency (NYSE-FNF) is the nation’s premier real estate service providers. FNF has $1.7 + billion in claims reserves, 32.2% market share, and is the highest-ranked title insurance company on the Fortune 500. Through its nationwide network of direct operations and agents, Fidelity National Title Agency provides title insurance, underwriting, escrow and closing services to residential, commercial and industrial clients, lenders, developers, attorneys, real estate professionals, investors and consumers. Let Fidelity demonstrate why customers nationwide rely on its experience, service and financial strength for real estate transactions across the country. For more information visit www.fntarizona.com/ 

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by Jul 13, 2023
AAED announces new Executive Committee members, Vincent ‘Skip’ Becker of Lake Havasu, Arizona, tabbed as incoming president

AAED announces new Executive Committee members, Vincent ‘Skip’ Becker of Lake Havasu, Arizona, tabbed as incoming president

News & Updates

by | Jul 13, 2023 | News & Updates

      PHOENIX, ARIZ. (July 13, 2023) — The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) is pleased to announce the election of five members to serve on the Executive Committee of its Board of Directors.

The committee includes President Vincent “Skip” Becker, President-elect Karla Moran, Vice President Jennifer Lindley, Secretary/Treasurer Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, and Immediate Past President Wendy Bridges.

The members of the new Executive Committee bring a combined more than 80 years of experience in economic development.

Becker serves as the President of Becker Development and Consulting LLC. He provides the resources and knowledge to help companies with site selection, project management, agribusiness development, and consulting needs. Based in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Becker serves his local community and those across the state. Becker is a nationally certified economic developer and was named the 2015 Developer of the Year by AAED.

“It’s an honor to serve as president and work alongside so many of my talented colleagues. We are eager to collaborate with others and create new initiatives to grow economic development in Arizona,” Becker said.

Moran is an Economic Development Principal with Salt River Project (SRP) and brings more than 15 years of economic development experience, including roles with the Arizona Department of Commerce, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Town of Gilbert.

Lindley is the Downtown Development Manager with the Town of Queen Creek and has more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and economic development. Lindley is responsible for co-founding AZ Downtowns, a group that was created to ensure there is better statewide collaboration and legislation for downtown development and redevelopment. She was recently named one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award winners for 2022.

Vescovi-Chiordi is the Director of Economic Development for Pima County. In his role he focuses on economic development and workforce development initiatives. Vescovi-Chiordi was previously with the Town of Marana as an Assistant to the Town Manager.

As the Immediate Past President, Bridges will remain on the Executive Committee and will assist the board in its continuing efforts. Bridges is the Economic Development Director for the City of Goodyear. Bridges has more than 25 years of experience in county and municipal government and has served communities throughout Arizona.

The Executive Committee members were approved at AAED’s Annual Spring Conference, which was held on April 28 in Tucson. They began their positions on July 1.

 About AAED

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) was founded in 1974 with a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration. The Association works to promote economic development in the State of Arizona through an exchange of information and educational opportunities among its members, to act as a liaison with outside groups, to influence legislation affecting economic development, and to empower members to create relationships to improve the economic outlook for Arizona. For more information on AAED, visit aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

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by Jul 13, 2023
Harvard Investments announces retirement of longtime CFO Kathe Astrom; recent Harvard FirstStreet, Estrella, and professional hires

Harvard Investments announces retirement of longtime CFO Kathe Astrom; recent Harvard FirstStreet, Estrella, and professional hires

News & Updates

by | Jul 11, 2023 | News & Updates

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (July 11, 2023) – Harvard Investments announces the departure of longtime senior executive Kathe Astrom and welcomes recent Harvard FirstStreet, Estrella, and professional hires.

Leadership Team Departure

Katherine L. Astrom, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Treasurer

After 35 years at Harvard Investments, Katherine (Kathe) Astrom announced her retirement effective June 30. Astrom served as the CFO at Harvard Investments, guiding the financial well-being and growth of the firm. Astrom is a Certified Public Accountant experienced in finance, accounting, audit, and tax reporting.

She began her career as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche, joining Harvard Investments in 1988. Astrom has been a steady and insightful financial leader for Harvard through multiple recessions and the many challenges of the real estate development industry.

Through her work and contributions to the team, she played a pivotal role in Harvard’s achievements and laid the foundation for its future success. Astrom is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Arizona Commercial Real Estate for Women, Urban Land Institute, the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Construction Financial Management Association. She leaves Harvard Investments to pursue her personal interests.

New Personnel

Tiffany Greene

Greene joined Harvard Investments in May as Real Estate Legal Coordinator. Her primary roles include supporting and facilitating real estate, loan and business transactions, the formation and annual servicing of project entities and partnerships, and managing an array of legal, title, and corporate documents.  Her prior work experience includes positions as an escrow officer at Premier, Landmark, and Orchard Title Agencies as well as the Portfolio Assistant for L. Roy Papp & Associates. Greene is an active Notary Public for the State of Arizona.

Harvard — FirstStreet Division
Harvard Investments continues to grow personnel for its Harvard FirstStreet division, which develops build-to-rent (BTR) communities in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Nevada.

Robert Trujillo

Robert Trujillo

Robert Trujillo joined the Harvard team as Vice President – Harvard FirstStreet in August 2022. Trujillo’s primary responsibility is to provide day-to-day leadership of the Harvard FirstStreet Division. Trujillo brings to Harvard more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, primarily in multifamily development. He has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Architecture from the University of New Mexico.

Over his career, Trujillo held development and leadership roles in multifamily companies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the southeastern U.S., and most recently in Phoenix at Hines. He brings experience across the development spectrum including site acquisition, financing, construction, and property management. Trujillo’s experience, leadership, and vision for the future of the BTR market fit well with the existing FirstStreet team and Harvard’s future goals.

Janelle Humphrey

Janelle Humphrey joined Harvard Investments in November 2022 as Controller – Harvard FirstStreet Division. She leads the division’s accounting team, overseeing the accounting, financial reporting, and construction financings. Humphrey received her degree in finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Prior to joining Harvard Investments, Humphrey worked as the Controller for Garrett Walker Homes in Phoenix and as Director of Finance/Controller for Landsea Homes of Arizona following Landsea’s acquisition of Garrett Walker.

Nathan Shooks

Nathan Shooks joined Harvard Investments in February as Senior Development Associate – Harvard FirstStreet Division. His primary roles include financial analysis, development planning and execution, and asset management for BTR communities. Shooks earned his degree in finance from Northern Arizona University.

He holds his FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Prior to joining Harvard Investments, Shooks worked for several real estate companies including VEREIT, CIM Group, MOVID, and Urban Communities.

Estrella Development Company
Estrella is one of the largest master-planned communities in the U.S., located in Goodyear, Arizona. Purchased in partnership with Värde Partners and Toll Brothers, Harvard Investments serves as the managing partner.

Aaron Pederson

Aaron Pederson joined Estrella in May as Director of Finance. He is an experienced finance and accounting professional with extensive real estate experience including loan consummation/negotiation, land underwriting, and homebuilder finance/accounting.

Most recently Pederson was director of finance at New Home Co. Prior to that he was at Macerich (a national retail mall owner and operator) for 10 years.  Pederson grew up in northern Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a double major in accounting and finance and a minor in risk management/insurance.

Rebecca Palacio

Rebecca Palacio joined Estrella in November 2022 serving as Contracts Coordinator. Her focus is contract oversight and associated accounting functions, along with project coordination. Prior to joining Estrella, Palacio worked for several real estate-related companies including the Velocity Retail Group, The Opus Group, and Cushman & Wakefield.

About Harvard Investments  

Harvard Investments, Inc. is a real estate investment and development company with real estate holdings throughout the western United States. Harvard combines experience, integrity, and financial stability to create high-quality, environmentally sensitive, profitable communities including both large-scale master-planned communities and build-to-rent neighborhoods. Harvard’s Canadian parent, the Hill Companies, is a privately held diversified company involved in real estate development including construction and leasing of commercial office buildings and retail properties, oil and gas production and distribution, broadcasting, surety bonding, and insurance. The Hill Companies celebrated its 120th year of continuous family ownership and operation in 2023. To learn more visit harvardinvestments.com.

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by Jul 11, 2023