The James Agency names first-ever president
The James Agency has announced the appointment of Megan Simoes, the agency’s seasoned Integration Director, as the Scottsdale-based integrated marketing agency’s first President.
The appointment is part of The James Agency’s effort to “Double Down,” the agency’s theme for 2022, by investing in team growth development paths and continuing the momentum from 2021.
Simoes joined The James Agency in 2013 as a Web Developer, where her innate ability to develop client relationships and account mastery shined. She was promoted to Senior Web Developer in 2015 and Director of Web Strategy and Development in 2016. Since 2020, Simoes has acted as TJA’s Integration Director, optimizing how specialty departments can better work together to support client initiatives.
In her role as President, Simoes will continue to support the agency’s growing team of talent, oversee several facets of operations and agency performance, support the team with client services and account management as well as further the agency’s long-term corporate strategy.
CBRE announces hiring of office leasing specialist
CBRE announced the hiring of Spencer Nast as Vice President to join its market-leading office leasing division in Phoenix. He will be partnering with Bryan Taute and Charlie von Arentschildt.
“CBRE is focused on responding to the rapidly evolving office market by hiring the most talented people in the market,” said Phoenix-based Senior Managing Director Paul Komadina. “We were drawn to Spencer’s data-driven approach to help investors make sound decisions. Spencer is a thoughtful and creative professional with a proven track record of providing market-leading leasing and sale guidance for the benefit of his clients. We are thrilled to welcome one of the brightest stars in the market to CBRE.”
Mr. Nast joins CBRE from Lee & Associates.
OH Partners expands to Las Vegas
OH Partners, one of the fastest growing advertising and digital marketing agencies in the country, announces the opening of its newest office in Las Vegas. The 6,700 square foot office is in the Rainbow Sunset Pavilion located at 6385 South Rainbow Blvd. Suite 100, which is also home to the Hakkasan Group and down the street from UFC Performance Institute.
“We are thrilled to have a new home in Las Vegas,” says Scott Harkey, CEO and Owner of OH Partners, an Inc. 500/5000 company. “We’ve always had a history working in Vegas and we felt like this was the perfect opportunity to continue to build our presence in the Southwest. Vegas has a lot of amazing marketing talent and we are excited to grow our team and better service our clients in Nevada and across the country.”
JSH welcomes 6 summer associates
(June 1, 2022) – Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC welcomed Kennedy Allen, Michael Combrink, Alex Escobar, Emily Mahana, Evan Russell, and Sky Willard to our 2022 Summer Associate Program. During their summer clerkship at JSH, these law students will work with attorneys in each of the firm’s practice areas, handle research and writing projects, learn about the day-to-day practice of law in the private sector, and observe hearings, depositions, mediations, and arbitrations.
Allen is a law student at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. She serves as the Associate Editor of Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science, and Technology. Allen is also a member of the Women Law Students Association and the Sports Law and Business Association. She has experience working with the United States Attorney’s Office – Civil Division, as well as the Sun Devil Compliance Office. Allen earned her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy of Law & Justice from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she was team captain of the cross country and track teams.
Combrink is a candidate for Juris Doctor at the UA James E. Rogers College of Law. He is the Senior Articles Editor for the Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, and a member of the American Constitution Society, the Business Law Society, the Environmental Law Society, and the Student Bar Association. Combrink’s experience includes working for both the Maricopa County and Coconino County Assessors’ Offices. He earned his B.A. in Arts, Anthropology & History from Northern Arizona University, and his Master’s in Public Administration from ASU, specializing in Nonprofit Administration.
Escobar is a law student at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, and the recipient of the Anthony Lucia Scholarship. He also earned two B.S. degrees from ASU, in Criminal Justice/Criminology and Psychology. Escobar has prior experience serving with multiple public agencies, including the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Arizona Department of Children’s Services, the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. He received the 2019 Victims Rights Award for ensuring victims are heard in court proceedings.
Mahana is also a law student at ASU. She was recently recognized with the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Writing. Mahana’s B.A. in History was earned at Brigham Young University – Idaho, where she attended on a full academic scholarship. After graduation Mahana worked as a legal intern for a large healthcare communications group, as a judicial extern for the Honorable Diane J. Humetewa at the Arizona Federal District Court, and as a research assistant at ASU.
Russell began his law school journey at Suffolk University and is now a Juris Doctor Candidate at ASU. He was named to the Dean’s list and earned his B.S. in Business and Finance from the University of Connecticut, and spent a semester abroad in Barcelona. Russell has served in several roles with immigration law organizations, as well as working as a summer law clerk with Generation Justice.
Willard is our first-ever summer law clerk in our recently opened New Mexico office. He is attending the University of New Mexico School of Law. Willard graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a double major in Criminology and Mass Communications & Journalism. He serves as the Vice President of the New Mexico Civil Defense Lawyers Association, coordinating civil litigation events for the law school community, and as a tutor for 1L students. Willard comes to us with three years’ prior experience working as a legal assistant and law clerk in New Mexico.
AZ Big Spotlight is sponsored by PNC Bank. Do you have an item about an Arizona business or business leader you’d like to see featured? Email it to michael.gossie@azbigmedia.com for consideration.