Comerica selects Steve Richins to lead Arizona market
Comerica Bank announced Steve Richins has been named the Arizona Regional President, effective immediately. In addition to this role, Richins will retain his current duties as senior vice president and group manager, Commercial Banking.
As regional vice president, Richins will oversee business and community development efforts across the Retail, Business and Wealth Management lines of business in Arizona, reporting to Texas Market President Peter L. Sefzik.
“We are delighted to have Steve preside over our Arizona Market,” said Sefzik. “He has demonstrated the ability to build and manage business during his tenure at Comerica, and we are confident the market will reflect that success under his guidance. We anticipate the Arizona Market will continue to thrive with Steve at the helm.”
Richins, a 17-year banking veteran, joined Comerica in 2014 as a Middle Market lender, and has served as the Group Manager leading the commercial lending effort in Arizona since 2015. Over the last 12 years, Richins has managed several large corporate, middle market and business banking accounts.
A third-generation Arizonan, Richins, is actively involved in the community, volunteering with A New Leaf, Paz de Cristo, Junior Achievement and The Boy Scouts of America.
Upward Projects names Kristina Cashman as CFO
Upward Projects, the locally grown Phoenix-based hospitality group with a cult-like following is proud to announce the hiring of Kristina Cashman as its new Chief Financial Officer. Founded in 2009, Upward Projects’ portfolio features eight unique Postino WineCafé locations in communities throughout Arizona, Colorado and Texas (and coming soon to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport); plus Windsor & Churn, a pub-style neighborhood hangout with an adjoining nostalgic ice cream parlor; Federal Pizza, a wood-fired pizzeria and craft beer spot; and two Joyride Taco House locations, a kicked-back hangout with a well-worn, mid-century beach vibe. In late 2017, Upward Projects entered into an exciting partnership with the progressive L.A.-based private equity firm, Brentwood Associates, to grow the Postino WineCafé brand across Arizona, Colorado, Texas and more.
“I’m beyond ecstatic to join such a locally beloved and magnetic company like Upward Projects. I’ve been a guest of Postino since I discovered its original location in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood. Upward Projects has cultivated such a remarkable and fresh, people-first company culture. Combined with a solid partner like Brentwood, there’s an exciting path ahead of us. The opportunity to be a part of Upward Projects is absolutely thrilling.”
Cashman, who graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelors of Business Administration (and captained UT’s NCAA women’s volleyball team to back-to-back Final Four appearances), started her career at Ernst & Young before spending a decade as the Controller/CFO for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, helping the Scottsdale-based company grow from four locations into an international brand with nearly $1 billion in annual sales, and taking them public in 1998. Next, Cashman served as the CFO of Eddie V’s Restaurants in Scottsdale, playing a key role in its successful sale to Darden Restaurants. Most recently, Cashman served as the CFO of the fast-growing Hopdoddy Burger Bar in Austin, TX.
Jones, Skelton & Hochuli adds 2 associates
Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC announced the addition of two associates, Daniel Fitzpatrick and Courtney Moran, expanding the firm to 86 lawyers.
Dan focuses his practice on bad faith and extra-contractual liability defense, insurance coverage, and other general civil litigation matters. Prior to joining JSH, Dan was a Fellow at the Daniel F. Cracchiolo Law Library at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, pursuing a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science. He participated in a variety of research projects for faculty and taught two sections of legal research to law students during a 3-day intermediary seminar. Additionally, Dan practiced law in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation dealing with all facets of litigation, including initial client interviews and depositions, preparing expert witnesses, working with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel, and representing clients before the Industrial Commission of Arizona. While attending law school, Dan worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Daniel V. Zemaitis, in the Family Law Division, 17th Circuit Court – Kent County, Michigan. Dan earned his J.D. from Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, graduating cum laude, and his B.A. in Broadcasting from Arizona State University, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, graduating cum laude.
Courtney works in the firm’s Transportation, Auto, Products and General Liability Trial Group. Before joining JSH, she worked for two years as an associate and law clerk for a consumer-focused law firm, representing clients in issues under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Electronic Funds Transfer Act, Truth in Lending Act, and Fair Credit Reporting Act. Courtney also worked extensively on class actions. During law school, Courtney became an Advocacy Fellow of ASU Law and worked as a student mediator in the Lodestar Mediation Clinic at ASU. There she lead mediations in the Maricopa County Justice Courts and earned her mediation certification. She also served as Associate Editor and Book and Film Review Editor of Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science, and Technology. Courtney was also an active volunteer helping raise $18,000 for abuse shelters and providing pro bono and human rights outreach services in Ipeti Colono, Panama. Courtney earned her J.D. from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award: Legal Method and Writing; Highest Pro Bono Distinction. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy, cum laude, from California State University, San Bernardino.
