National Italian American Foundation will honor Chef Joey Maggiore
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is set to honor Chef Joey Maggiore and the Maggiore Family at the Foundation’s Arizona Regional Gala in Phoenix on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the iconic Arizona Biltmore Hotel, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
“NIAF is proud to return to Phoenix and honor Chef Joey Maggiore and the Maggiore family for their incredible accomplishments in the restaurant industry,” said NIAF Chairman Robert Carlucci.
Joey Maggiore is the executive chef, concept king, and entrepreneur behind The Maggiore Group; an Italian American family-owned company. Together with his wife, Cristina, the husband-and-wife team works together to create and manage dynamic eating destinations in Phoenix. The successful concepts include Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker and The Mexicano. He learned and developed his talent from his father, culinary legend, Tomaso Maggiore. Sicilian-born chef and restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore passed away in 2021 after battling cancer.
Melissa Maggiore Meyer, Joey’s sister, will also be honored by NIAF for her outstanding leadership as a restauranteur. In 2021, Melissa opened The Italian Daughter in Scottsdale to pay homage to her late father and continue the legacy he left behind.
At the Gala, NIAF will pay tribute to Joey, Melissa, and Tomaso for their achievements.
The entertainment for the evening will be the Michael Tramontana Band and DJ IceMan.
Gala tickets and sponsorship levels can be purchased online. For more details, visit https://www.niaf.org/events/arizona-gala/.
Madison Leake joins Burch & Cracchiolo
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A., announced Madison Leake has joined the Firm as an associate.
Leake is a recent Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law graduate who will focus her practice on land use/zoning and real estate.
Leake received her J.D. from ASU Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law in 2022, where she graduated first in her class receiving the Armstrong Award. The award honors John S. Armstrong, an Arizona legislator who introduced the bill that established Arizona’s first institution of higher learning, the Tempe Normal School (forerunner of ASU). While in law school, Leake served as a teacher’s assistant for Civil Procedure and Criminal Law. Leake additionally served as a research assistant for Professor Jessica Berch, where she assisted in drafting the Federal Rules of Evidence Manual. Leake received her B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice in December 2018 at ASU. While an undergrad, she was on the Dean’s List and president of the Undergraduate Law Association.
Prior to joining Burch & Cracchiolo, Leake served as a law clerk at Burch & Cracchiolo beginning in Summer of 2020.
JSH adds 4 new associate attorneys to roster
Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC announced law clerks Michael Appel, Brendan Hecht, Andrew Morse, and Phillip Tomas have passed the Arizona bar exams and have been named associate attorneys at the firm.
Michael Appel recently joined the firm’s Transportation Trial Group, focusing his work on defending clients in trucking, transportation, and logistics matters.
During his time at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Michael served as a research aide for a professor and at the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, as well as a legal extern for the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of General Counsel. In previous clerking positions, he drafted briefs, worked on asylum proceedings, and helped prepare family law Continuing Legal Education presentations. Michael earned his undergraduate degree in history and political science, also from ASU.
As a new member of the firm’s General Liability Trial Group, Brendan Hecht will focus on matters involving personal injury, damage to property, and commercial liability.
While at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona University, Brendan served as Secretary for the Jewish Law Student Association, and as an Executive Board Member of the Sports Law and Business Student Association. His professional experience includes assisting with client intake, drafting motions, and trial and witness preparation. Brendan also founded a lawncare/landscaping business in Winnipeg, where he received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Manitoba.
Andrew Morse joins the firm’s General Liability Trial Group and will focus his work on retail/hospitality, products liability, personal injury defense, and other matters.
Prior to attending the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, Andrew gained experience working as a paralegal with a New York law firm. He has also served as a Capital Litigation Intern with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, a Student Attorney with the University of Arizona Innocence Project Clinic, and a Law Clerk with the criminal division of the Pima County Attorney’s Office. Andrew earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Fordham University Gabelli School of Business.
Phillip Tomas joins the firm’s General Liability/Construction Trial Group, where he will focus his work on civil and commercial matters, including construction defect, personal injury, and general liability cases for our many construction and manufacturing clients.
Prior to earning his Juris Doctor from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Phillip served as a legal extern for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the Arizona Senate Rules Office, as well as a judicial extern for the Honorable Clint Bolick of the Arizona Supreme Court. He gained experience with research, litigation strategy, drafting motions, witness interviews, and preparing for depositions. His undergraduate degree in psychology is from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.
Veridus team expands with addition of Ryan Sullivan
Veridus LLC announced the hire of fiscal policy expert and Arizona statehouse veteran Ryan Sullivan. He joins a growing, bipartisan team at Veridus, where he will lead its procurement practice. Veridus also offers a range of government relations, public affairs, media relations and strategic communications services.
“Ryan is one of the brightest minds at the State Capitol, and we’re thrilled he’s joining our team as we help clients navigate local and state procurement processes,” Veridus Partner Wendy Briggs said. “Procurement is a growth opportunity for Veridus, so we look forward to Ryan strengthening our efforts in this area.”
Ryan joins Veridus after more than a decade working in state government, where he most recently served as Director of Fiscal Policy for the Arizona House of Representatives. Ryan has been part of state budget negotiations on behalf of the House GOP Caucus since 2016, and has policy expertise in health care, human services, taxation and fiscal policy. He began his political career in 2010 as a Page in the Arizona Senate, and has served in multiple administrative, policy and analyst roles during his time at the State Capitol.
“I have loved working at the State Capitol and am grateful for the relationships I’ve built with legislators, staff members and the entire Capitol community,” Ryan said. “I’d only leave the statehouse for the ideal opportunity, which is what I have found in this role leading the procurement practice for Veridus. I can’t wait to get started!”
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