Aaron M. Duell joins Burch & Cracchiolo
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A., announced that Aaron M. Duell has joined the firm as an Associate. Duell’s practice will focus on employment law/litigation and commercial litigation.
Prior to joining Burch & Cracchiolo, Duell clerked for the Honorable Dominic W. Lanza at the U.S District Court for the District of Arizona. Prior to that, he worked at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in the Government Accountability and Special Litigation unit. There, he was awarded the 2017 “Emerging Star Award” for the Civil Litigation Division. Duell pursued legal action against cities, counties, and towns deemed to have violated state law and the Arizona constitution. In addition, Duell investigated and prosecuted violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
Laura J. Meyer of Burch & Cracchiolo named to Arizona State Bar committee
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A., announced that attorney Laura J. Meyer was recently appointed to the Arizona State Bar’s Civil Practice and Procedure Committee. The Committee receives proposals from the Bar, third parties, and court-appointed committees and commissions about how to improve and streamline the rules of civil practice and procedure and assists the superior court with local-rule conformance and restyling efforts. As a member of the Committee, Meyer will assist with review of the existing rules, making recommendations on the proposals submitted, and preparing petitions regarding rule amendments and comments on petitions as deemed necessary. As a designated co-Secretary for the Committee, she will be an integral and important part of updating and simplifying civil practice in Arizona.
Meyer received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2010 and her B.A.s from Arizona State University in 2007. She has been a Southwest Super Lawyer “Rising Star” since 2014, is a member of Barrett, The Honors College Alumni Council and the Arizona Women Lawyers Association. She currently serves on the executive board of the Arizona Women’s Leadership Forum.
Meyer is licensed to practice in Arizona. She is admitted to the Arizona Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona.
Fidelity National Title promotes Linda Bruce to VP
Fidelity National Title Agency is pleased to announce that Linda Bruce has been promoted to Vice President, Commercial Account Manager.
Bruce has been a vital member of Fidelity’s commercial services sales team for more than 13 years and has 25 years of experience in sales and marketing with high-level customer service. In 2007, her role expanded to the Commercial and Banking Partners segment, where she achieved outstanding results by growing an impressive portfolio of diverse clients in the commercial and banking industry.
Bruce has achieved numerous awards at Fidelity and currently holds the prestigious “Hall of Fame” honor. Bruce graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing from the University of Arizona.
VIAONE announces new associate broker
VIAONE Commercial Real Estate Group of Scottsdale, AZ announces Duane Lamont Solomon Jr. has joined the team as Associate Director, Brokerage Services. This marks another strategic event in the firms’ vision. Solomon will be responsible for executing all aspects of commercial real estate Brokerage services.
Prior to joining the VIAONE team, Duane was Business Account Manager for Redirect Health where he effectively Managed over 600 accounts. He was responsible for overseeing account renewals, strategic healthcare-plan sales and the overall contribution to the company’s business development, growth and expansion.
Duane is a graduate of University of California Irvine, where he Majored in Criminology/Law with a Minor in Political Science. Duane was a UC Irvine Track and Field Athlete between 2012-2016. After graduating, he stayed on campus with the UC Irvine Athletic Department as Assistant Coach of Track and Field. Duane went on to join the Police Academy in Irvine where he managed investigations, de-escalated situations and proudly served the citizens of his community.
Sigma Contracting adds experts, announces retirement
Sigma Contracting, Inc. has announced the hiring of two industry experts and the retirement of a construction veteran in the field of estimating.
Sigma has added Byron Bargas to the estimating department and Harrell Settle as project manager. Sigma also announced the retirement of Ken Horton, who wraps up a stellar 31-year career with Sigma as a commercial estimator for the Scottsdale-based general contractor.
Bargas brings almost 30 years of diversified construction experience to Sigma and its clients. He possesses a strong engineering background and years of framing and project management experience as well as estimating.
Bargas is a board member of the Construction Specification Index where he works with the design community on updated specifications for new materials being incorporated into construction projects. He serves on the technical committee where he reviews white papers on various studies for new products. Byron is slated to become chapter president in 2021.
Bargas holds a degree in mathematics and physics and is currently working on his MBA in sustainability. He and his wife have four children, one grandson and are expecting a granddaughter.
“We are thrilled to bring Byron on board,” said Dan Hinkson, President of Sigma Contracting. “He will be working with our estimating team to prepare bids, proposals and conceptual budgets for our clientele and customers. From his past he brings additional subcontracting relationships to the current stable of companies with which Sigma works on an ongoing basis.”
In his role, Settle will work with Sigma’s operations team as well as its field superintendents processing the paper side of construction while solving issues and concerns. He brings 24 years of diverse experience to Sigma with a background in project management, estimating, field supervision, metal stud framing and drywall.
A Phoenix native, Settle attended Rio Salado College. He has three grown children and three grandchildren.
“Harrell brings additional stability to our operations team with his diversified background in construction with both field and office experience,” Hinkson said.
During his 31 years at Sigma, Horton was instrumental in the company’s growth and success. He worked closely with many of its largest repeat clientele, including many nationally based household names including such notable clients as Fry’s/Kroger, CVS/pharmacy, AutoZone and Mountainside Fitness.
“Ken has been an integral part of the Sigma family for many years and he will be missed,” Hinkson said. “As he rides off into the sunset on his Harley, we only have foud memories and best wishes for a happy retirement.”
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