Gallagher & Kennedy announces its newest shareholder
Gallagher & Kennedy announced that Kenneth N. Ralston has been elected to shareholder effective January 1, 2024.
Ken is a seasoned litigator handling complex commercial litigation, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death matters. Ken’s dedication to his clients’ causes and steadfast support of their rights have resulted in numerous victories in state and federal courts. In 2022, Ken was a core part of the G&K trial team which secured the State of Arizona an $85 million settlement in its consumer fraud case against Google.
Ken has also handled environmental disputes related to hazardous waste disposal, cleanup, cost recovery, pesticide use, and regulatory compliance. Ken has also provided litigation support on environmental cases before the Federal Courts of Appeal for the Ninth and Tenth Circuits.
Ken earned his Juris Doctor summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 2017 and his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Washington in 2013. Ken also earned the third highest score in the 2017 Fall Bar Examination.
DunRite Windows & Doors opens new showroom Jan. 13
After more than 20 years of serving the Phoenix metro area, Scottsdale-based DunRite Windows & Doors is expanding to a second location, with its first showroom in Phoenix at 4626 E. Thunderbird Rd., Suite 105. A grand-opening celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. The event will feature product demonstrations, snacks, music, a grand prize drawing for $1,500 towards any purchase of replacement windows or doors and giveaways.
DunRite is an authorized dealer for Arizona window replacement, with manufacturer brands carefully screened for their quality and warranties. The new 6,000-square-foot warehouse and showroom features brands such as Anderson, Pella, Anlin, Milgard, Thermatru, Provia, and Arcadia.
Sal Sucato, DunRite’s owner, started the company in 2001 in a spare bedroom and learned the business from the ground up. He cultivated a talented, ethical team, including his wife Tyler, and the firm’s growth exploded. In 2015, DunRite bought a small building in North Scottsdale for operations. The new Phoenix showroom is DunRite’s first retail space and is designed to give customers a chance to see products up close and explore their options for home windows and door replacements.
“Whether you are looking for an energy efficient upgrade, or you want a trendy, new look for your windows or doors, our DunRite team is committed to making your experience a positive one,” Sal Sucato said. “We’ll work hard to make a happy customer.”
DunRite has been the recipient of 10 Angie’s “Super Service Awards” and the firm was a BBB Torch Awards Finalist in 2021. They’ve also won Nextdoor “Neighborhood Favorite” for two years in a row, along with other assorted awards.
New Energy Star Requirements
Sucato said the timing is right to upgrade windows and doors for energy efficiency, especially since the new Energy Star 7.0 requirements went into effect in late October. The goal of Energy Star, as a government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, is to foster the use of more energy-efficient products, while diminishing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. This is the first change to Energy Star requirements since 2006, and a significant stride towards a greener future.
“Under the new standards, your windows and doors will be more energy-efficient, keeping it more comfortable indoors during the summer months while using less electricity,” Sucato said. “Because there are many different product options and rules regarding federal tax credit programs, meeting with a DunRite team member can truly help you make an informed decision.”
Helping Neighbors in Need
During its grand-opening event, DunRite Windows & Doors will collect nonperishable goods to benefit Harvest Compassion Center, a neighboring nonprofit that provides food and clothing in a hope-filled environment to the underserved in the greater Phoenix area.
“We’ve always been community-minded, and we recently learned that January is a challenging time for Harvest Compassion Center. Since it’s right after the holidays, many of their shelves are empty. We hope those coming to celebrate our grand opening will help us replenish their inventory. Any help will be greatly appreciated,” Sucato said.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit www.azwindowreplacement.com or call 602-875-0517.
Suntec names Tom Oertel director of business development
Suntec Concrete, the largest concrete subcontractor in the Southwestern United States, bolstered its business development team with the naming of industry veteran Tom Oertel as Director of Business Development. Based in Denver, Oertel will be an integral part of Suntec’s growing presence in the Denver market. In this role, Oertel will lead the business development efforts for Suntec in Colorado.
“This was a great opportunity for me to join a company like Suntec that is one of the best in the country at what they do,” Oertel said. “Suntec has a great reputation in the industry and it’s exciting to be a part of the team. I hope to build on the relationships I have established during my career in Colorado and help Suntec continue to grow.”
Oertel has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, most of that time in the western US. He worked in a variety of roles in his career, including superintendent and project manager, before transitioning into business development. Oertel earned his degree in construction management from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He enjoys the Colorado outdoors with his wife spending time camping, fishing, and skiing.
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