Enterprise Bank & Trust welcomes Karah Gagnon
Enterprise Bank & Trust, the banking subsidiary of Enterprise Financial Services Corp.), announced the hiring of commercial banking expert Karah Gagnon to the position of Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Team Lead.
Gagnon will lead Enterprise’s commercial banking team in Arizona, focusing on strategy, lead generation, strengthening current client relationships and supporting the execution of clients’ financial success. With more than two decades of commercial banking experience, Gagnon will serve as a trusted expert and resource for the commercial banking team.
Gagnon has an established track record of cultivating strong client relationships and collaborating with executives from various departments to solve businesses’ intricate financial needs. Her deep experience spans owner-occupied and investor real estate acquisitions and refinancing, equipment financing, managing and monitoring lines of credit and deposit allocation.
“Commercial banking remains an ever-expanding opportunity here in Arizona, and we are thrilled to welcome Karah to the team,” said Brian Crisp, Regional President, Arizona. “With her unique expertise and experience, she will play a pivotal role in expanding our commercial banking success and continuing our approach to delivering tailored financial solutions for our clients.”
Healthcare expert Philip Wurth joins CBRE in Phoenix
Philip Wurth has joined CBRE as a senior vice president in Phoenix. He brings over two decades of commercial real estate experience, specializing in healthcare and life science properties. Mr. Wurth will focus on representing discerning tenants and landlords in the acquisition, disposition and leasing of medical office buildings, surgery centers, hospitals, behavioral health and senior housing facilities.
Mr. Wurth arrives at CBRE after serving as executive vice president for Colliers in Phoenix. During his 15-year tenure with the company, Wurth completed over 1,000 transactions worth $375 million and totaling over 4 million sq. ft. His expertise in medical space requirements has propelled him to be consistently considered one of the top healthcare brokers in metro Phoenix and utilized by some of the Valley’s most prominent healthcare providers.
“Phil brings extensive knowledge of the healthcare and life science real estate market,” said Paul Komadina, senior managing director for CBRE in Phoenix. “We’re thrilled for Phil to join and collaborate with CBRE’s elite team of healthcare experts across the U.S. who have proven themselves as experts in their respective geographies, executing transactions on behalf of some of the top providers in their market. Locally, Phil will continue to drive CBRE as a leading healthcare expert across the Valley.”
Before joining Colliers, Mr. Wurth served as vice president at Sperry Van Ness, specializing in owner-developer and tenant representation. He started his real estate career at Logan Commercial in 2003.
“Joining CBRE allows me to access the most comprehensive resources in the industry with a clear vision to deliver best-in-class service to the entire healthcare and life sciences ecosystem,” added Mr. Wurth. “I am excited to join the company and look forward to the resources I can provide my clients.”
Mike Higgins joins CBRE in Phoenix as SVP
CBRE announced that Mike Higgins has joined the company as a senior vice president and will partner with the institutional multifamily team based in Phoenix. Mr. Higgins will focus on sourcing joint venture and development equity for multifamily developers and owners.
Most recently, Mr. Higgins served as a senior director for JLL, where he worked with private and institutional principals, resulting in over $1.1 billion in transactions across multifamily investment sales, land sales and equity placements.
“Mike’s expertise and knowledge of Arizona’s institutional multifamily product make him an excellent addition to the team,” said Paul Komadina, senior managing director for CBRE in Phoenix. “His focus on sourcing joint venture and development equity will make him an exceptional asset to CBRE and our clients.”
Mr. Higgins relocated with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler (HFF), which later merged with JLL, to Phoenix, where he led the firm’s efforts to start an institutional multifamily business in Arizona. Before relocating, Mr. Higgins worked in HFF’s Chicago office in the student housing business, closing over $1.6 billion in transactions across numerous states. He had previously worked in Phoenix under Higgins Development Partners, where he was the development manager overseeing the SkySong development in Scottsdale.
Decibel Blue is sold to long-time partner
David Eichler, founder of Decibel Blue Creative Marketing & PR, is pleased to announce the sale of the agency to long-time partner, Tyler Rathjen. This transfer of ownership ushers in a new generation of leadership and positions the firm for continued growth.
Under Eichler’s direction since 2005, Decibel Blue has established itself as one of the nation’s leading strategic marketing and PR agencies, providing advertising, design, media relations, social media, digital marketing, and brand management services to an impressive roster of clients. Notable accounts include My Sister’s Closet, whose iconic “Sell Your Sole/One Night Stand” advertising campaign was personally developed by Eichler and Rathjen. Others include Tide Cleaners, Dunkin’ Donuts, Elements Massage, Amazing Lash Studio, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Denver Metro Association of Realtors, Kentwood Real Estate, and Dress for Success Phoenix.
Eichler knew there was only one person to entrust with his legacy. “Tyler is immensely talented. He has had a hand in virtually all our most complex accounts. We share a common vision, the same ethics and values. I can’t imagine anyone else carrying the torch into the future.” Rathjen began his career at Decibel Blue after attending Arizona State University. Instrumental in the agency’s expansion from Phoenix to Denver, Rathjen was named partner in 2016.
“David and I have worked hand-in-hand for nearly two decades. I simply would not be where I am today without David’s mentorship. I am honored and humbled by this opportunity,” shared Rathjen. Our team will continue focusing on retail, multi-unit franchise brands, and real estate companies ranging from individual brokerages to large-scale developers.”
The Journey Venture Studio adds 4 board members
The Journey Venture Studio announced today the appointment of the first four members to its board of directors. Each board member was sought out as a mission-aligned partner as the studio prepares to launch its first Founder in Residence Cohort this September.
The first four board members include:
- Heidi Jannenga, WebPT Co-founder & Chief Clinical Officer
- Jason Wood, Managing Director of the Morgan Stanley Next Level Fund
- Andy Lombard, CEO of Arizona Venture Development Corporation (AVC)
- Justin Bayless, Former CEO of Bayless Integrated Healthcare, Founder & CEO of Ten Figures, and Founder & President of The Journey Venture Studio
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