Quarles selects Jason Wood as Phoenix office managing partner
The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced today that Jason Wood has been named managing partner of the Phoenix office, effective November 1, 2022.
Wood is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group and most recently served as its Arizona chair for five years until passing responsibilities to partner Eric Wanner this summer. As chair, Wood nearly doubled the group’s local headcount and facilitated the addition of several accomplished attorneys, land planners and other professionals who support the lifecycle of real estate, debt, equity and related venture transactions.
“Jason has established himself not only as an influential real estate and business attorney in Arizona, but as a trusted advisor to a diverse group of institutional, private sector, family office and large public company clients doing business across the U.S. and abroad,” said Brad Vynalek, the firm’s president. “He is extraordinarily devoted to the success of his clients and relentless in his efforts on their behalf. Jason is equally committed to the success of his colleagues and the strategic growth and advancement of Arizona, a place his family has called home for nearly 150 years. All of these factors make him the ideal individual to lead our Phoenix office, continue the Quarles legacy and, along with his partners and colleagues, constantly innovate and enhance our delivery of high-quality, efficient and business-focused legal solutions to our clients.”
Wood earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and was awarded a juris doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to further devote myself to my colleagues in this role and take on the great responsibility of promoting an exceptional firm and leading its talented people across the region,” said Wood. “Few firms can match our combination of deep local roots — with more than 50 years in the Arizona market — our multidisciplinary national scope, our commitment to long-term partnerships with clients spanning our 130-year history and our collaborative and team-focused culture.”
McCarthy names Kent Lane new supplier diversity and community outreach manager
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announced the hiring of Kent Lane to Supplier Diversity and Community Outreach Manager for the company’s Southwest Region.
In his role, Lane brings 15 years of public service and community outreach experience within the region to help further expand McCarthy’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. This includes building and nurturing relationships with small and diverse businesses, as well as managing supplier diversity initiatives for major McCarthy building projects across Arizona and Colorado.
Lane will directly support McCarthy’s national supplier diversity and community outreach strategy, which equips teams to proactively include diverse trade partners, vendors, suppliers and professional service providers in all our procurement opportunities as well as enhance small and diverse business capacity through our 10-month capacity-building program.
“Kent brings incredible experience and knowledge to our Southwest region,” said Kamecia Mason, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at McCarthy. “His passion for public service and policy, combined with his military background, provides a unique and valuable perspective for McCarthy’s continued efforts regionally and nationally.”
Lane committed 20 years of service to the United States Air Force, stationed in various countries and deployed as recently as 2018.
He is currently finishing his bachelor of science in Public Service & Public Policy from Arizona State University.
Brenda Byers elevated to VP of preconstruction for McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announces the promotion of Brenda Byers to vice president of preconstruction for the firm’s Renewable Energy and Storage Group. During her six years at McCarthy, Byer’s passion for sustainability and providing a client-focused approach to renewable energy solutions has been instrumental in the group’s surging national growth.
In her new role, Byers will lead procurement and design management efforts for the group, providing innovative options and value engineering solutions for clients on large-scale solar projects across the country.
Byers currently leads preconstruction efforts on two large utility-scale solar projects in Arizona and Texas, adding to her more than 2 gigawatts of solar energy expertise. With over a decade of experience in renewable energy construction focused in solar, she brings a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs of McCarthy’s clients and has a phenomenal track record of positioning projects to achieve the clean energy goals of each client. Byers leads with a willingness to collaborate and an all-in approach, making her a tremendous asset to the firm’s Renewable Energy and Storage team.
In her spare time, Byers enjoys yoga and spending time outdoors hiking trails, camping, and backpacking with her dog Kona.
McCarthy’s Renewable Energy and Storage Group is currently constructing or has completed nearly 70 utility-scale clean energy projects in communities across the country since 2010, delivering a combined capacity of more than 8 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy production and over 500 MW of energy storage. Nationally, McCarthy provides EPC services on utility-scale solar projects for private solar developers and utilities, helping them deliver cost-effective clean energy to the communities they serve.
Aker Ink taps industry veteran to lead PR practice group
Amid record-breaking growth, integrated PR and marketing agency Aker Ink has hired Mary Little as vice president of public relations.
Complementing Aker Ink’s longstanding reputation for excellence serving B2B clients, Little is a dynamic communications professional with a proven track record and more than two decades of experience at global, national and local integrated marketing agencies. She will oversee the agency’s public relations group, while working closely with Aker Ink’s CEO and President Andrea Aker to help guide strategic PR direction and messaging for clients across the agency’s client portfolio.
“Mary brings outstanding skillsets to our group. Shewill be instrumental as we expand our team and provide our clients with sophisticated marketing solutions to build awareness and drive measurable business results,” said Aker. “An accomplished leader with a deep-seated understanding of the power integrated PR and marketing, Mary’s strong leadership style, commitment to mentorship and ability to translate business challenges into multi-faceted PR opportunities are critical as Aker Ink expands its footprint in highly technical or specialized industries.”
Translating creative ideas into solid results for a wide range of clients from education and healthcare to financial services and more, Little is a fervent advocate of integrated marketing and public relations programs. She brings a wealth of expertise in consumer marketing, brand management and product promotion for well-respected local and national brands. In addition to overseeing planning and execution of public relations campaigns, she will work collaboratively with the digital marketing team to enhance clients’ marketing strategy.
Phoenix-based Eide Bailly leaders promoted
Eide Bailly, a Top 25 CPA and business advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Norman R. Mendoza, CPA and Partner as the new Arizona Market Leader and Andy Spillum, CPA as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Spillum will join the firm’s nationwide management team and Mendoza’s role as Market Leader role will replace the Partner-in-Charge role, which was previously held by Spillum.
“Norman and Andy have been leading in various roles at the firm for many years,” said Jeremy Hauk, CEO. “Their passion for serving our clients, people and communities make them natural picks for these promotions.”
Norman R. Mendoza, CPA, Market Leader
In his new role as Market Leader, Mendoza will be responsible for strategic growth of the Phoenix offices, fostering the firm culture and staff development, as well as ensuring client service remains a priority.
“I am extremely excited to represent my partners and the Firm in this new role,” said Mendoza. “As a Phoenix native, I have so much passion for the state of Arizona, the accounting profession and the business community here. It is such a wonderful and dynamic place with so many opportunities for organizations that can use our services to help navigate the complexities of doing business no matter what stage of the business life cycle they are in. I look forward to showing them how Eide Bailly can help them succeed.”
Andy Spillum, CPA, COO said of Mendoza’s promotion, “I’m excited for Norman and am looking forward to seeing how he is going to take our office to the next level. He is very well-connected to the Phoenix community as he’s been working in this market his entire professional career. He is greatly respected in our offices and has a strong sense of culture.”
Andy Spillum, CPA, COO
In Spillum’s new role as COO, he will expand his operational expertise honed from the Phoenix area nationwide. He will be responsible for the firms service line operations and the overall performance of the markets.
“I have been leading the Phoenix Market and West region as PIC and CPO for the past 17 years and I am humbled to have been given this new opportunity as COO,” said Spillum. “I am excited to take my experience and implement it on a firmwide level. I am looking forward to creating new opportunities for others in the firm because we have phenomenal talent and I am excited to be a part of its future growth.”
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