Priority Financial Group promotes Bennett
Priority Financial Group (PFG), a third-party registered investment advisor (TPRIA) serving financial advisors and financial institutions, announced the advancement of its leadership team with the promotion of Susi Bennett to President, following her accomplishments as Chief Operating Officer. Bennett joined PFG in 2017 as COO, overseeing the firm’s Operations teams which include Learning and Development, Accounting and Finance, Human Resources and Project Management.
Under her leadership, Bennett has been responsible for several initiatives to scale PFG for strategic growth, including the firm’s merger with CUE Financial in 2018. An advocate of positive transformational change, she has brought her adeptness as an agile leader to the PFG culture, driving the firm’s core values, according to Chief Executive Officer Mike Prior.
“Susi is uniquely qualified and her appointment to PFG President was a natural progression,” said Prior. “She is a proven leader and veteran in the credit union industry who understands the challenges that credit union executives and financial advisors face to successfully navigate and manage change.”
Bennett has worked in the financial services industry for more than three decades with recognized companies such as The Walt Disney Company. Prior to joining PFG, she served as COO for Desert Financial’s wealth management, insurance and estate planning divisions. Her leadership experience spans all areas of financial services from sales management, learning and development, estate planning, insurance, and wealth management.
Morgan Carr joins Cox as government relations analyst
Morgan Carr recently joined Cox as a Sr. Government Affairs/Relations Analyst to support key government relations in the Phoenix and Las Vegas regions. As a government relations and communications strategist, she has served Arizona communities her entire career.
Prior to Cox, Morgan served Arizona Governor Doug Ducey as his deputy communications director, where she oversaw state agency communications directors to ensure issues important to Arizonans were communicated quickly, effectively and efficiently.
Before working at the Governor’s Office, Morgan served as the Vice President of Strategic Projects at the Arizona Commerce Authority. Additionally, Morgan worked at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its foundation, in various roles overseeing communications, events and launching the Chamber Business News.
10 to 1 Public Relations named PR Agency of the Year
Scottsdale-based strategic communications firm 10 to 1 Public Relations was recognized by the 2023 Bulldog PR Awards, the only international PR awards program judged exclusively by journalists, as the Midsize Agency of the Year. 10 to 1 PR was also awarded the top recognition in the Best Crisis Management category.
“We saw so many excellent examples of PR pros elevating their clients’ messages and using their platforms for good. I think more than anything, they showed the true value of a PR practitioner,” said Christopher Elliott, author, consumer advocate, nationally syndicated columnist, and veteran Bulldog PR Awards judge, in the 2023 Bulldog PR Awards press release.
“These awards are special to our firm because they are judged by the people that we work with every day: journalists from across the country,” said Josh Weiss, President and Founder of 10 to 1 Public Relations. “As a traditional public relations firm focused on protecting and elevating the reputations of our clients, we thank the Bulldog PR Awards for honoring our team’s work over the last year.”
Erica Fetherston promoted to vice president at 10 to 1 Public Relations
10 to 1 Public Relations announced the promotion of Erica Fetherston to Vice President.
Fetherston first joined 10 to 1 Public Relations in 2018 as a PR Executive and has been repeatedly promoted due to her talent in creating and executing strategic communications plans and PR campaigns that deliver results for clients in various industries. She also plays a key role in developing and implementing policies and procedures to optimize efficiencies for the growing firm and inspiring and mentoring her co-workers. Most recently, she held the title of Director.
“Erica’s talent is on display every day generating results for our clients and serving as a mentor and role model for other members of our team,” said Josh Weiss, President and Founder of 10 to 1 Public Relations. “Erica has played a direct role in our firm’s growth and success in recent several years and we’re excited for her leadership within our company to continue in the years to come.”
“It has been a rewarding experience to be a part of 10 to 1 Public Relations’ continued success, both for our clients and internally for our highly talented team,” said Fetherston. “I appreciate that I have been offered so many opportunities to challenge myself professionally, and I look forward to this leadership role at one of the preeminent PR agencies in the Valley.”
Buchalter adds new attorneys in Scottsdale
Buchalter welcomed Shareholder Chris Mason and Senior Counsel Christine Claffey to its Scottsdale Office. Chris is a new member of the Labor & Employment Practice Group, and Christine joins the Real Estate Practice Group.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Chris and Christine to the Firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our prominent Labor & Employment Practice, and with her comprehensive experience in Real Estate Law, Christine makes an impressive addition to our robust Real Estate Practice.”
Chris counsels employers and management on all aspects of labor and employment law, including collective bargaining and union organizing; restrictive covenants; employment discrimination; sexual harassment; whistleblowing; retaliation; wrongful termination; wage and hour compliance; personnel policies; reductions in force; trade secrets; duty of loyalty; drug and alcohol testing; and other state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
He is also an experienced litigator, representing clients in Arizona, federal, and appellate courts, as well as before administrative agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Arizona Civil Rights Division, and the Department of Economic Security.
“Buchalter’s reputation in the Labor & Employment field made the firm a perfect fit to facilitate the growth of my practice,” said Chris. “I am excited to introduce my clients to the top-tier services the firm provides.”
Christine focuses her practice on commercial real estate leasing and has over 20 years of experience representing landlords and tenants across all asset classes, including office, retail, industrial, and lab. She also has significant experience representing clients in other commercial real estate matters, including acquisition, disposition, and financing transactions.
“Chris and Christine are fantastic additions as we continue to grow our full service platform in Arizona,” said Scottsdale’s Office Managing Shareholder, Craig Cartwright. “We anticipate additional lateral hires in the very near future.”
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