72Sold hires local TV host
72SOLD, considered the #1 real estate brand in Arizona, and recently recognized as the leading home selling program in America, welcomed former 12News Arizona Midday Host Destry Jetton to its team. Jetton joins the 72SOLD leadership team as Vice President of Communications.
In her new position Jetton will head up the 72SOLD community communication team, focusing on growing the firm’s voice and involvement in communities and neighborhoods throughout Arizona. “We are excited to welcome Destry to our leadership team,” said 72SOLD Founder, Greg Hague. “Destry is known and respected throughout the state. She has a special love for this remarkable place and the people who live here and will help ensure that 72SOLD is a shining example of a good corporate citizen.”
Jetton, an Arizona native, worked in broadcasting for the past 25 years. She attended Tempe High School and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Education. During her time in the broadcast industry, she worked in all aspects of television, from shooting video and producing to anchoring evening, midday and morning shows.
Mesa Fire and Medical Department selects assistant fire chief
The Mesa Fire and Medical Department announced today that Deputy Chief Forrest Smith has been selected as the new Assistant Fire Chief replacing Assistant Chief Mike Dunn, who is retiring in July.
Smith is the first African American to serve as an Assistant Chief for the Fire and Medical Department.
“Forrest is a visionary leader. He has consistently proposed new program models and developed award-winning initiatives for the department,” Fire Chief Mary Cameli said. “Forrest has established great relationships with our Mesa community as well as with our sworn and civilian staff. I look forward to what he will accomplish in this new role.”
Smith joined the department in 1999 and has served the residents of Mesa for 23 years, rising through the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Captain/Paramedic, and Deputy Chief. He oversees the Departmental Communications-Public Information Division, Community Education Division, and the Social Services Division. Forrest earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations from California State University at Fullerton.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino honors team members
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino hosted its annual Years of Service Event on June 7. In addition to celebrating 203 team members with tenures from five to 35 years, the occasion made a special nod to the 2022 Caesars Founders Award recipients.
“Our Years of Service event is usually an annual event, but the COVID-19 pandemic put in-person celebrations on hold,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager Michael Kintner. “We’re so happy to get together once again and celebrate the milestones, achievements and efforts of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino’s team members. Especially one lucky award winner that went on to represent our team in the national Caesars Founders Award competition.”
The 2022 Caesars Founders Awards recognize the outstanding achievements and exceptional contributions of exemplary team members. This year’s awards recognized individuals who regularly and consistently delivered best-in-class service to Harrah’s Ak-Chin guests while demonstrating Caesars core values in three categories:
Blaze The Trail: Team member exemplifies leadership, integrity and ownership
All in One Service: Team member exemplifies fun, service and connection
Together We Win: Team member exemplifies inclusion, care and teamwork
The 2022 Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Founders Award winners recognized at the annual Years of Service Event included:
Blaze the Trail
- Jose Garcia, Compliance Manager
- Andrea Toth, Assistant Manager Food Operations
Together We Win
- Bobby Zikic, Senior Graphic Designer
- Cody Hansen, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager
All In On Service
- Mellitta Benning, Senior Executive Casino Host
- Derek Dutra, Slot Attendant Host Lead
One winner from each property goes on to compete at the regional level. Benning was selected and won the regional All In On Service Award. She also continued to the national competition and was one of 18 selected for the national recognition.
Added Kintner, “Mellitta is a one-of-a-kind team member. She displays the value of teamwork, approaches each day with a positive ‘will-do’ attitude, builds authentic relationships and strives to create personalized, memorable experiences that our guests cherish and her colleagues’ respect.”
The 2022 Years of Service Event also recognized team members from the past three years who have reached significant employment milestones: 1 team member with 35 years of service, one team member with 30 years of service, 19 team members with 25 years of service, 25 with 20 years of service, 35 with 15 years, 40 with 10 years, and 82 with five years of service.
“It gives me such a sense of pride to see so many of our team members who have been with us for so long,” added Kintner. “We have a great culture so when people come to work here, they stay. It feels like family.”
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