Small Giants announces new hires to support 20th anniversary growth
Small Giants, LLC., a full-service creative marketing agency with offices in Phoenix and Denver, recently welcomed Stef Swiergol as Director of Operations and Thomas Rider as Web Strategist. The hires align with the firm’s 20th anniversary year and support its continued growth and long-term strategic vision.
In her role as Director of Operations, Swiergol will oversee agency-wide operations and strategic planning, while Rider will lead website strategy and digital experience initiatives for clients across the construction and commercial real estate industry.
Danielle Feroleto, President and Founder of Small Giants, said, “As we celebrate 20 years of Small Giants, we remain committed to building scalable growth that supports our clients and our team for the long term. Stef and Thomas bring the expertise and mindset needed to help us continue evolving while staying grounded in the values that define our firm.”
As Director of Operations, Swiergol develops and refines agency-wide processes to drive efficiency, aligning project execution with Small Giants’ strategic initiatives. She oversees corporate planning, optimizes resource allocation, and spearheads performance tracking to ensure the agency meets its growth objectives. By maintaining rigorous accountability across teams, Swiergol bridges the gap between high-level vision and operational excellence.
Prior to joining Small Giants, Swiergol led operations for a Phoenix-based, vertically integrated agriculture-to-retail company. Her professional background also includes 17 years in financial services marketing, where she managed initiatives for mortgage and consumer credit lines of business across several firms.
As Web Strategist, Rider works with clients to strengthen and evolve their online presence through strategic website development and digital marketing initiatives. His role includes website creation and design, boosting brand visibility, and developing custom web experiences that support clients’ broader marketing and business development goals.
Rider brings more than seven years of experience in digital marketing and design, beginning with a technical foundation in website hosting and expanding into full-cycle website design, development, and campaign management. His experience spans end-to-end website development aligned with industry best practices and consultative support for comprehensive marketing campaigns across diverse client portfolios.
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Renowned real estate leader Jim Sexton joins NEXT
On the heels of the launch of NEXT, a team spearheaded by Phil Sexton, HomeSmart welcomes his dad, Jim Sexton, to the brokerage. The Arizona real estate icon will serve as an expert advisor to NEXT agents and leadership, supporting growth and expansion of the team’s breakthrough approach.
Sexton has been an industry leader throughout Arizona’s bustling real estate community for more than 40 years. His extensive experience spans across brokerage management, legal oversight, agent training, and industry governance at the local, state, and national levels.
Over the course of his career, Sexton has held leadership roles at several prominent local and national brokerage brands. He has served as president of the Phoenix Association of REALTORS®, president of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, president of the Arizona Association of REALTORS®, and director and executive committee member of the National Association of REALTORS®. He has also chaired and served on numerous committees, including risk management, professional standards, agency and forms committees, and served as chair of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® Forms Work Group in 2024.
In addition to his committed brokerage leadership and association service, Sexton is a certified real estate instructor. He continues to teach classes on agency law; commissioner’s rules, contracts, disclosure and due diligence; federal legal issues; managing residential transactions; and employment agency and standard of care.
As an expert advisor to the NEXT team, Sexton intends to guide the next generation of real estate professionals on their path to success. At the NEXT team meetings, he will leverage his wealth of experience, drawing insight from his current role as a director at Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS), to support growth and mentorship.
“We are very excited to have Jim Sexton join our enterprise,” HomeSmart President Stacey Onnen said. “The NEXT team is a testament to our mission to offer agents true ownership and autonomy as they grow their businesses; under the leadership of Phil and Jim, we are confident that agents will discover that it is possible to have dedicated support — AND a profitable commission model — without sacrifice.”
The venture is a promising new chapter in one of Arizona real estate’s most notable family duos, bringing father and son together as they navigate a bright future for industry professionals across the state.
Kevin Rosinski named president of Camelot Homes
In October, Scottsdale-based home builder Camelot Homes announced it would be transitioning from a family-owned company to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), a qualified retirement plan that allows employees to gain ownership in their company through a trust that holds the company’s stock. Effective this January, Mark Hancock and Julie Hancock have transitioned from their ownership roles to board positions, and Kevin Rosinski has been promoted from COO to President of Camelot Homes.
Rosinski joined Camelot Homes in 2020 and has more than 25 years of leadership experience in homebuilding and real estate. Prior to joining Camelot, he was a key member of the Arizona executive leadership team for a Fortune 500, publicly traded homebuilder, where he played a central role in driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and market leadership.
“Kevin has earned this role the right way,” said Mark Hancock. “Over the past five years, he has consistently raised the bar for how we operate, how we lead, and how we develop our people. He does not settle for good enough, and that mindset has made our company better at every level. Kevin is a trusted mentor, a steady leader, and exactly the person we want guiding Camelot Homes into its next chapter.”
As President, Rosinski provides comprehensive oversight of Camelot Homes’ day-to-day operations, including sales and marketing, land acquisition and entitlement, land development, construction, purchasing, trade relations, human resources, customer experience, and design studio services. His deep industry expertise and nuanced understanding of Arizona’s luxury housing market guide the company’s strategic growth, balancing the stewardship of Camelot’s existing communities with a clear, long-term vision for the brand’s future.
“It’s my privilege to continue Camelot’s nearly 57-year legacy of best-in-class performance across product, process, and people,” said Rosinski. “In addition to my commitment to uphold uncompromising standards of quality, timeless design, and an exceptional customer experience, I don’t take it lightly that ultimately we are creating spaces where lasting memories are made.”
In addition to strengthening Camelot Homes’ core luxury homebuilding platform, Rosinski is focused on thoughtfully diversifying the company’s portfolio. These efforts include the expansion of Cameron Custom for bespoke custom homes and renovations, the development of attainable luxury offerings, single-family rental communities, and highly curated, one-of-a-kind short-term rental properties.
Banner Health names new senior vice president of finance
Banner Health announced the new senior vice president of finance as Shelby Arveson, joining the organization Jan. 26.
In this role, Arveson will direct strategic financial initiatives across Banner, oversee financial planning and analysis, and monitor financial and performance outcomes to ensure the organization meets its objectives.
Arveson brings more than 25 years of health care experience in strategic finance, financial planning and accounting. She joins Banner from Providence, where she most recently served as chief financial officer of the south division, responsible for the financial performance of a $9.3 billion integrated delivery system across California. At Providence, she served in various local operational and corporate roles, including chief accounting officer and chief financial officer for mergers and acquisitions. Before that, Arveson worked as an auditor for KPMG LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP.
Arveson holds a bachelor’s in business administration in accounting from Gonzaga University. Her community involvement has included board and finance committee leadership supporting Treehouse for Kids, Providence Inland Northwest Foundation and United Way of Spokane County.
“We are thrilled to welcome Shelby to Banner and our finance team,” said Staci Dickerson, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Banner Health. “Her extensive experience in strategic finance and proven leadership in large, complex health care systems will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission of making health care easier, so life can be better.”
Banner Health pediatric oncologist Dr. Joseph Torkildson honored
oseph Torkildson, MD, a pediatric oncologist at Banner Childrens at Desert, was honored with a state legislative proclamation thanking him for his long time service in treating children with cancer and complex neurological diseases.
The proclamation, put forth by Arizona Rep. Walt Blackman, was read at the House of Representatives lawn during a ceremony prior to Tuesday’s regular state legislative session, which included recognizing Arizona Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day, and on the House floor later in the day.
“As legislators, we fight for families, and few fights are tougher than watching your child face cancer,” said Blackman, who represents Legislative District 7. “Arizona Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day is a public reminder that these kids and parents are not alone. We honor Dr. Joseph Torkildson because he showed up for decades when families needed someone steady, skilled, and relentless in their corner. We should match that same level of seriousness with awareness, support, and action that helps kids get the care they deserve.”
The proclamation acknowledges Dr. Torkildson’s long service in pediatric oncology, hematology and neuro-oncology, as well as being a U.S. Navy physician for more than 40 years. It also notes that Dr. Torkildson has held senior leadership roles in his practice, building programs, advancing precision medicine and expanding access to clinical trials for children, helping families across Arizona and the West. Dr. Torkildson also is a clinical professor of pediatrics for the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
The proclamation reads in part, “Dr. Torkildson has demonstrated an enduring commitment to medical education, research, mentorship, and community service, leaving a lasting impact on generations of physicians and patients.”
Torkildson earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1982 and completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles in 1990.
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