Alerus adds Derek Holt as Arizona market president
Alerus announces Derek Holt has joined the company as senior vice president and Arizona market president.
In this role, he will lead the Arizona commercial and industrial banking team in delivering high-touch, personalized service to existing clients, develops new business relationships, and ensures seamless access to Alerus’ comprehensive financial solutions to support clients’ long-term success.
Derek brings more than 20 years of financial industry experience to his role, with a deep understanding of all aspects of financial services. He began his banking career as a teller and advanced through various roles throughout his career, building expertise in commercial banking, consumer and agricultural lending, and team leadership. His commitment to client service and strong financial acumen have been key drivers throughout his career.
Passionate about community involvement and servant leadership, Derek serves as an alternate member of the Arizona Bankers Association board of directors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a basketball coaching certificate from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He also attended the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado.
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REDW Advisors & CPAs taps Christopher Tyhurst to lead fast-growing Phoenix office
REDW Advisors & CPAs, a national advisory and accounting firm with more than 375 professionals across the country, has named longtime principal Christopher Tyhurst, CPA, as Phoenix Office Leader. In the role, Tyhurst will serve as the executive leader for REDW’s Phoenix office, strengthening the firm’s relationships throughout Arizona’s business and broader community, and supporting professionals working in the office as well as those in remote and hybrid settings.
Tyhurst will also help create and advance processes that support REDW’s continued evolution as an integrated, multidisciplinary advisory firm providing traditional accounting services as well as software solutions, wealth management, human resources consulting, forensic and dispute advisory, business valuation and cybersecurity services.
In addition to leading the Phoenix office, Tyhurst will continue to serve as a principal in REDW’s Audit & Assurance practice, where he has developed specialized expertise serving Tribal organizations, nonprofit health systems and government enterprises. His work includes audit and assurance services, strategic consulting, governance training, financial forecasting, federal grant compliance and internal controls.
Tyhurst’s history with REDW dates back to 1996, when he joined Albuquerque-based Erickson Allen before the firm became part of REDW the following year, beginning a professional relationship that has spanned nearly three decades. He was named a principal in 2008.
“The Greater Phoenix area has become one of REDW’s most strategically important growth markets, and strong local leadership is essential as we continue deepening our presence and relationships throughout Arizona,” said Maxwell Kagan, chief financial officer of REDW Advisors & CPAs. “Chris brings a unique combination of technical expertise, business acumen and collaborative leadership, along with a 30-year history with REDW. He understands our people, our clients and where we see opportunity, making him the right person to help expand our impact in Arizona while connecting organizations with the full breadth of our advisory, tax, audit and wealth management capabilities.”
In 2013, Tyhurst relocated to the Valley and joined REDW’s growing Phoenix office. Since that time, the office has grown to more than 120 professionals as the firm has continued to broaden its capabilities and geographic footprint.
Phoenix has also become a key hub for REDW’s commercial growth, industry expansion, talent recruitment and broader presence across the Southwest. As the region continues to grow, the firm sees significant opportunities to expand relationships with privately held and middle-market businesses, healthcare organizations, construction and real estate companies and nonprofits—particularly as demand increases for services that range from accounting to technology, cybersecurity, outsourced accounting and strategic advisory.
“I have been fortunate to spend a significant amount of my career with REDW, and one of the things I value most is that we are constantly evolving,” Tyhurst said. “There is tremendous opportunity ahead in Phoenix, both because of how quickly the market is growing and because the needs of organizations here increasingly align with the capabilities we have built across REDW. My role is to support our people, strengthen our connections throughout Arizona and ensure our teams have the processes, resources and relationships they need to bring the right expertise to clients as their businesses and organizations evolve.”
Throughout his tenure with REDW, Tyhurst has played an active role in the firm’s nationally recognized work with Tribal Nations and enterprises. For nearly a decade, he served as chair of REDW’s Tribal Finance & Leadership Conference, helping develop the event into a leading educational gathering for Tribal governments and enterprises. In 2016, he also helped facilitate REDW’s partnership with former PGA Tour professional and Native American leader Notah Begay III, strengthening the firm’s longstanding connections throughout Indian Country while supporting the philanthropic work of the NB3 Foundation.
Community involvement will also be central to Tyhurst’s responsibilities as Phoenix Office Leader. He is a longtime supporter of REDW Rising, the firm’s newly rebranded and expanded community impact platform designed to encourage team members to volunteer, lend their expertise and serve in leadership roles with nonprofit, civic, business and professional organizations. Tyhurst has personally supported organizations including Sojourner Center and Naomi House and has participated in efforts to improve financial literacy among children and teens, particularly those living on Tribal lands.
“An office is more than what happens within its walls, especially today when our teams may be working in person, remotely or in a hybrid setting,” Tyhurst said. “It is about being part of the community around us. I look forward to finding new ways for REDW and our people to build relationships, share our expertise and make a meaningful contribution throughout Arizona.”
Two litigators join Spencer Fane in southwest offices
Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome two associates to the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Cricket Beeson joins the firm’s Phoenix office and Christine Fox joins the Las Vegas office.
As former Dane County (Wisconsin) Assistant Corporation Counsel, Beeson gained her foundation in trial preparation and litigation by managing a wide range of municipal and civil matters for the county. In private practice, she develops creative, proactive solutions for complex problems.
“We look forward to welcoming Cricket, whose unique professional experience will contribute a new lens to our collaborative work in Phoenix and across our national litigation footprint,” said David E. Funkhouser III, office managing partner for Spencer Fane in Phoenix.
Fox helps individuals and businesses navigate business disputes and matters related to employment law, business litigation, and corporate law. She also boasts experience in appellate venues, where she employs her high attention to detail to support in-depth case analyses and form thorough written and oral strategies. She formerly served as a deputy public defender for civil and criminal matters in the Washoe County (Nevada) Public Defender’s Office.
“Christine’s experience in trial and appellate settings brings well-rounded talent to our team,” said Tom Edwards, office managing partner for Spencer Fane in Las Vegas. “We are excited to bring her on board.”
Beeson completed her undergraduate studies at Fordham University before earning her master’s from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London and, later, her Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Before attending law school, she worked as a coordinator for the London Art Fair and The Mob Museum in Las Vegas.
After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Colorado Boulder, Fox earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law. While at CU Boulder, she worked as a professional figure skater with Disney on Ice and Rand Entertainment. She also represents Team USA through the U.S. Aerial Federation.
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