Having completed more than 500 projects including single-tenant and shopping center developments in more than 175 municipalities across the United States, Phoenix-based Evergreen Development Company has made changes to its executive leadership structure as it expands to new markets.

Effective this April, Laura Ortiz will take the helm as the company’s new president. Ortiz has been a key member of Evergreen’s executive and leadership team since 2001 and assumes the role previously held by Bruce Pomeroy, who will now serve as executive chairman. The executive team consists also of CEO Andrew Skipper, Executive Vice President Tyler Carlson and CFO Doug Leventhal.

Pomeroy, who will continue his full-time involvement and ownership at Evergreen for the next decade, announced the appointment. He said, “Laura is an exceptional leader. She has played a pivotal role in our growth and has earned the team’s deep respect — forged over many years and hundreds of projects — as a consummate real estate professional. She has my complete trust and I know she embodies the principles of honesty and integrity that are vital elements of our company’s culture.”

“Bruce has done an outstanding job guiding our company for over 40 years through its remarkable growth, and I’m excited to build on this legacy,” said Ortiz. “I am privileged to lead the exceptionally talented team of men and women at Evergreen as we continue our strategic growth and expansion.”

Evergreen’s expansion into new markets includes Utah, Idaho and Nevada. With a strong reputation for new development of shopping centers and multi-family communities in the West, Evergreen is focusing on additional lines of business including value-add retail and value-add apartments.