Esperanca names first female CEO

On International Women’s Day, Esperanҫa held their Annual Hope Breakfast and named their first female CEO, Jeri Royce, in the organization’s 48-year history. Royce was welcomed to her new position by nearly 400 community leaders and long-time supporters of Esperanҫa.

Royce joins Esperanҫa from her successful consulting business with over 25 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector and a lifelong passion for service to others. She has extensive experience in fundraising, financial management, staff development, program planning and capacity building and is looking forward to continuing Esperanҫa’s legacy of transforming lives. Royce says “We are activists, community members and global citizens. We are connected to our work because we are there, on the ground, letting people tell us what they need.”

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Esperanҫa’s mission is to improve health and provide hope for families in the poorest communities of the world through sustainable disease prevention, education and treatment. Esperanҫa works extensively in Phoenix, Nicaragua, Peru, Bolivia and Mozambique. We are more than doctors, donors, volunteers. 

Gallagher & Kennedy shareholder earns post

Gallagher & Kennedy Shareholder Robert Erven Brown has been named chairman of Streetlight USA.

Bob has been involved with Streetlight USA since its inception in 2009, preparing its initial incorporation documents and assisting with other activities related to its formation. Since then he has served intermittently as a director and as pro bono legal counsel. In his role as Chairman, Bob will support the Foundation’s mission by helping it meet its financial goals and working with Board members to expand its reach.

In addition to his service on the Streetlight USA board, Bob has served as a trustee, director, and legal advisor to numerous charitable organizations. He is an adjunct professor at The Phoenix Seminary and is a member of The Alliance Defending Freedom Honor Corps, helping to defend our First Amendment rights to freedom of religion. He served as a director and/or pro bono legal advisor to the boards of directors of Phoenix Seminary, Christian Education Legacy Fund, Scottsdale Christian Academy and the Arizona Private Education Scholarship Fund.

Bob focuses his law practice in real estate, commercial transactions and charitable organizations. He has represented clients in commercial and real estate transactions and ongoing business transactions, with particular expertise in church and para-church ministries and in medical real estate transactions.

Amy Cotton Peterson named national chair

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Phoenix partner Amy Cotton Peterson has been named national chair of the Health & Life Sciences Practice Group.

Cotton Peterson’s practice focuses on health care transactions, regulatory and compliance issues, business development, and provider defense. She has advised pharmacies, wholesalers, PBMs, and manufacturers on licensure requirements and complex regulatory compliance issues, counseled discount medical plan organizations on regulatory and compliance issues, and has educated clients on compliance with health privacy and security laws including HIPAA and state privacy laws. 

“Amy has been a crucial member of our health law team. She is extremely knowledgeable and inspires confidence in her colleagues and her clients. She is going to be an excellent national chair for the firm,” said Sarah Coyne, former national chair of Quarles & Brady’s Health & Life Sciences Practice Group. 

Banner names new Chief of Strategy and Growth

Banner Health announced that Scott Nordlund has been selected to serve as its new chief strategy and growth officer. This is a new executive position for Banner, and will become part of the Senior Leadership Team.

Nordlund will report to President & CEO Peter S. Fine, FACHE, and will have responsibility for setting the strategic direction for the organization. This includes planning, directing and evaluating the organization’s strategic activities and goals to ensure they meet customer expectations for high quality outcomes and superior service.

“As we transform to become a more consumer-focused organization, Scott’s background as a senior strategist with experience in creating new models and facilitating partnerships will position Banner for success,” said Fine.

Nordlund has broad experience in identifying and executing innovative business growth strategies for major health care organizations across the country. He most recently served as executive vice president of Partnership, Growth and Innovation for Select Medical Corp., a national network of specialty hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics and occupational health centers.

Randy Cooney, Eden Sunshine and Gerry Russell.

Realty Executives expands leadership team

Realty Executives has promoted designated broker Gerry Russell to the role of consulting broker, where he will take on strategic and business development responsibilities for the 53-year-old Phoenix-based company. 

Russell is a 32-year industry veteran and was designated broker for Realty Executives since 2012. 

“I have had every broker position at Realty Executives over the last 27 years,” Russell said. “This has been a home away from home, and I look forward to helping the brokerage grow throughout Arizona for years to come.”

Stepping into the day-to-day role of designated broker is Randy Cooney, founder of the Success Institute Training Program for real estate professionals. Prior to joining Realty Executives in January, Cooney managed, recruited and trained at Coldwell Banker, Prudential Real Estate and Keller Williams. 

“I am an educator at heart and eager to further develop our agent coaching, developing and training programs,” said Cooney, who is also known within the industry as a motivational speaker. 

In November, Realty Executives leadership also expanded with the addition of Vice President of Operations Eden Sunshine. The founder of the Level 7 System, Sunshine has coached and consulted businesses for nearly two decades. His work has helped thousands of companies build scalable, high-growth operations with engaging cultures.

“This is a powerhouse team,” Realty Executives Co-Owner and Chairman Joel Moyes said. “We are going to surprise the market with a more client- and agent-centric approach in 2018, and these are the best people for the job.”

Realty Executives has 28 offices in Metro Phoenix with more than 900 “executives.” In 2017, the brokerage completed $2.7 billion in sales volume. For more information about the company and its management team, visit realtyexecutives.com