Greater Phoenix Chamber and Foundation announces 2027 board and chair
The Greater Phoenix Chamber announced new leaders within its board of directors to lead the organization in its mission to catalyze regional prosperity through forward-thinking public policy, intentional economic growth, and diverse, prepared talent in fiscal year 2027.
Francis McAllister, Vice President of Liability Management and Land & Water, Freeport-McMoran, will serve as the fiscal year 2027 Board Chair, succeeding Stacy Derstine, Vice President of External Affairs, APS. Rob Taylor, Associate General Manager/Chief Public Affairs Executive, SRP, will serve as Chair-Elect.
Serving on the Executive Committee of the board of directors are the following officers:
Board Chair – Francis McAllister, Freeport-McMoRan
Chair-Elect – Rob Taylor, SRP
Legal Counsel – Ryan Curtis, Fennemore Craig
Audit and Governance Committee Chair – Kris Newman, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Finance Committee Chair – Guy Berry, Redirect Health
Human Resources Chair – Shannon Butler, CVS Health
Investment Committee Chair – Chet Samuelson, BOK Financial
Nominating Committee Chair – Jennifer Carusetta, Phoenix Children’s
Public Affairs Committee Chair – Susan Anable, Cox Communications
Strategic Direction Committee Chair – Michelle Walker, SSC Underground
Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation Chair – Jay Kaprosy, Veridus
Member at Large – Kelsey Lundy, Compass Strategies
Member at Large – Laura Lynn Smith, ADP, Inc.
The Chamber has the following business leaders complete its board of directors for fiscal year 2027:
Justin Anthony, Rocket Mortgage
Emily Breuker, University of Phoenix
Bob Buddecke, Honeywell Aerospace**
Johnathan Buxton, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association
Peter Chuchro, Cigna Healthcare
Craig Culy, Musical Instrument Museum
Joanna Dwyer, PetSmart
Joel Eberhart, Ideas Collide
Lorraine Field, Sonora Quest
Allen Fore, Kinder Morgan, Inc.
Chris Gaskill, Carlisle Companies Incorporated**
Sonia Bradley Gleason, LocaliQ/USA TODAY Network
Joe Grossman, EPCOR, Inc.
Helen Heiden, Southwest Gas
Kim Ho, evolvedMD
Joe Hughes, American Airlines
Carla Vargas Jasa, Valley of the Sun United Way
Dillan Knudson, Columbia Bank**
David Lakin, Phoenix Suns**
Chuck Lehn, Banner Health**
Aaron Lemke, Wells Fargo Bank – Corporate
Eric E. Lynch, Polsinelli
Jim Macdonald, JPMorgan Chase & Company
Cullen Mahoney, Trammell Crow
Grenee Martacho, Concord General Contracting Inc.
Tamala McBath, Dress for Success Arizona
Paul Penzone, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Amilyn Pierce, Arizona Diamondbacks
Ron Price, Visit Phoenix
April Rhodes, The Stile Group
Genevra Richardson, UnitedHealth Group
Dr. Doug Ross, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital
Chad Sampson, Arizona Board of Regents
Chris Sarver, National Bank of Arizona
Jeff Schelter, Western Alliance Bank
Andi St. John, CBRE
James Stover, Arizona Complete Health
Donna Taylor, Beatitudes Campus
Vince Thelander, Bank of America
Jim Tomes, Telgian Holdings, Inc.
Emily Ward, Fennemore
Craig Waugh, Greenberg Traurig
Jennifer Yee, Snell & Wilmer
**New board members for FY 2027
“The Greater Phoenix Chamber is energized by the talent, insight, and commitment of our board of directors, whose leadership helps power our work to advance a thriving regional economy,” said Todd Sanders, President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “As we welcome our incoming board leaders and members, we are excited to build on our momentum, champion bold solutions for local businesses, and deliver the meaningful resources and connections our members need to grow, innovate, and succeed.”
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation Board of Directors for fiscal year 2027 includes:
Board Chair – Jay Kaprosy, Veridus
Vice-Chair – Stacy Derstine, APS
Treasurer – Mike Lee, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Cheryl Bond, ADP, Inc.
Valerie Jones, Maricopa Community Colleges**
Adriana Murrietta, Pharos Foundation
Christina Neider, University of Phoenix**
De Anne Russell, Common Spirit Health
Shannon Warner, JPMorgan Chase
**New board members for FY 2027
The newly appointed board leaders and members officially assume their duties on July 1, 2026.
Dekker appoints Emily Allen as CEO
Architecture and design firm Dekker recently announced the appointment of Emily Allen as chief executive officer, following her tenure as chief financial officer where she helped shape the firm’s long-term financial strategy, operational growth and business operations. She joined the firm more than 22 years ago as an intern and advanced through leadership roles spanning design, finance and firm management. With a background in interior design and business strategy, Allen brings a collaborative, people-first approach to leadership and a cross-disciplinary perspective to guiding the firm’s future. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Colorado and serves as a trustee of the Albuquerque Community Foundation. Previous board roles include Keshet Dance Company, UNM Anderson School Foundation, and WESST. Allen also participated in Leadership Albuquerque, Leadership New Mexico, and was recognized as an Albuquerque Business First Women of Influence honoree.
“Phoenix is an incredible place where we’ve been invested for more than 10 years. We bring a multi-industry perspective supported by a deep well of expertise, and a team highly committed to increasing our reach across the Valley,” said Allen.
Industries served by Dekker include: K12 education, higher education, federal government, healthcare, multifamily communities, office + workplace and public safety + civic.
Dekker brings together more than 200 staff across three states, with offices in Phoenix, El Paso, Texas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico; connecting the knowledge and experience of architects, planners, interior designers, landscape architects, and structural engineers. Dekker has been 100% employee owned since 2024. The firm approaches design as a true partnership, ensuring people’s real needs, sustainability, efficiency, and collaboration are embedded in the process before the first meeting and beyond the ribbon cutting. Learn more at dekkerdesign.org.
Terracon announces PE designation for project managers
Terracon announced that two Phoenix‑based project managers, Sam Suwarno and Ben Jones, have earned their Professional Engineer (PE) licenses in Arizona.
Both have served as project managers with Terracon for seven years and have demonstrated exceptional technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to client service.
Jones is a senior staff engineer in Terracon’s Phoenix office with extensive experience in materials testing and pavement management and design services. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, hiking, wildlife photography, and staying active through various sports.
“Ben’s dedication to quality, technical mindset and his ability to build trust with clients and colleagues make this achievement incredibly well‑deserved,” said Jennifer Tran, PE, Principal at Terracon. “He continues to be a key contributor to our team and the services we deliver.”
Suwarno is a materials project manager in Terracon’s Phoenix office and a native of Chandler, Arizona. He holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from ASU.
Suwarno is an active member of the Phoenix chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, rock climbing, target shooting, and hiking.
“Sam brings a rare combination of technical depth, curiosity, and leadership,” said Bart Pierce, Principal, Department Manager – Materials Group at Terracon. “His PE licensure reflects the high standards he sets for himself and the value he brings to our clients and our team every day.”
Terracon congratulates Suwarno and Jones on this significant professional milestone and looks forward to their continued contributions to the firm’s engineering excellence across Arizona.
LevRose Commercial Real Estate welcomes multifamily broker
LevRose Commercial Real Estate is proud to announce that Eric Hegarty has joined the firm as Senior Vice President, specializing in multifamily investment sales across the Metro Phoenix market.
Hegarty brings more than 12 years of dedicated multifamily experience, having worked across a wide range of property sizes and market cycles. His expertise spans key submarkets including Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Mesa, where he is known for delivering informed, results-driven guidance to apartment owners and investors.
“Eric’s depth of experience and client-first mindset make him a perfect fit for LevRose,” said Mike Baumgardner, President of LevRose Commercial Real Estate. “He has a proven track record of helping clients navigate complex market conditions and achieve strong outcomes. We’re excited to welcome him to the team and expand our multifamily platform with his leadership.”
Hegarty’s approach is centered on empowering clients with the insights needed to make confident, strategic decisions. He has built a reputation as a trusted advisor by combining analytical expertise with a hands-on understanding of the local market.
Prior to his career in commercial real estate, Hegarty worked as a club golf professional and in the insurance and financial services industry, experience that continues to inform his strategic thinking and risk management perspective.
“I enjoy helping investors and apartment owners make informed decisions that lead to prosperous outcomes,” Hegarty said. “Joining LevRose provides an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a respected platform and deliver even greater value to clients across the Valley.”
Outside of the office, Hegarty enjoys spending time with his wife, Susan, and daughters, Grace and Ana. An avid outdoorsman, he can often be found playing golf, surfing, or fly fishing.
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