Fennemore Craig announces Phoenix office managing partner

Fennemore Craig, a leading law firm in the Mountain West, has named Phillip Fargotstein as the Phoenix office managing partner.

“Phil’s decades of legal experience, proven leadership and dedication to the firm make him a natural choice to manage Fennemore Craig’s largest office,” said James Goodnow, Fennemore Craig’s president and managing partner. “Phil at the helm of the Phoenix office enables the Management Committee and myself to dedicate more time to the business strategy of the firm. We know Phil will help our whole team thrive in this new role.” 

“Being named the new managing partner of the Phoenix office is a great opportunity to help advance our firm’s purpose and mission,” said Phil Fargotstein. “Fennemore Craig has exceptionally talented attorneys and staff. I’ll be focused on how we can go above and beyond to help the firm and our clients navigate today’s complex and ever-changing legal landscape.”

A retired Marine Corp colonel, Fargotstein counsels a variety of clients – including large electricity generating facilities, cement manufacturers, smelters, mines and manufacturing facilities – in almost every aspect of environmental law and represents industrial clients on transactions and permitting, environmental air quality compliance and enforcement issues and appeals. He also advises clients on climate change issues and federal regulatory programs that address climate change. Fargotstein earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

Michael White, MD, joins MIHS

Michael White, MD, has been named Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS). His official start date is August 12, 2019.

“Dr. White will be instrumental in advancing the Mission, Vision and Values of MIHS (soon to be Valleywise Health) to improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient experience, and to grow key programs,” said Steve Purves, MIHS President and CEO.

Dr. White will also serve as a liaison with MIHS’s key partners at District Medical Group and the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.

Currently, Dr. White is Chief Academic Officer at CHI Health in Omaha Nebraska, a non-profit, faith-based health system providing services in 18 states through 101 hospitals, including three academic health centers and major teaching hospitals. Dr. White has also held the role of Associate Dean for Education Innovation at Creighton University School of Medicine also in Omaha Nebraska since 2015.

Arizona Science Center names 2 lifetime trustees

Arizona Science Center recently honored two longtime supporters and board members, G. Douglas Young and Michael A. DeBell, with the designation of Lifetime Trustee in recognition of their tireless efforts and transformational impact over their many years of service to the Center.  

Young joined Arizona Science Center’s board in 1983, just before the Center opened its doors on the bottom floor of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix parking garage in February 1984. With his wisdom in finance, Young played a key role in laying the foundation for the financial success of the organization. Additionally, he continues to provide advice on corporate and non-profit strategy to aid in the Center’s long-term strategic planning process. As Treasurer and Board Chair (2010–2012), Young navigated the Center through difficult financial times – personally mentoring executive staff and Board alike, and implemented long-term financial mechanisms and tools that continue to be instrumental to the financial health of the Center today.

In 2003, DeBell joined Arizona Science Center’s Board of Trustees and served as Board Chair from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure as Chair, he successfully led the Board and the nearly $30 million The Future of Education is Science Campaign during a time of global economic downturn. Known for his thought leadership, inventiveness, and ingenuity, DeBell has been instrumental in the organization’s master planning and strategic planning efforts. DeBell’s impact can most often be felt by guests interacting with exhibits on any of the Center’s four levels, as he continues to incite the exhibits team to think differently and take risks.

Wigwam appoints J. Green as VP of sales and marketing

The Wigwam, a desert oasis resort celebrating 90 years of welcoming guests this year, has appointed J. Green as Resort Vice President of Sales & Marketing. With two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Green will oversee all sales and marketing efforts for the historic resort located in the West Valley of Phoenix, Arizona. In his new role, Green will lead a tenured team of 25 in the planning and implementation of inventive initiatives to boost revenues while boosting the AAA Four-Diamond services that await leisure guests and meetings and events clientele at the storied resort. 

“We are thrilled to welcome J. to The Wigwam family and are eager to incorporate his seasoned leadership and hospitality experience into the resort’s sales and marketing initiatives,” said Martin Greenwood, Vice President Managing Director and General Manager of The Wigwam. “J. has already proven to be a great asset to our team, bringing with him significant successes and a deep understanding of the Southwestern hospitality market.”

UA announces appointments for 2 key leadership positions

The University of Arizona has announced appointments for two senior leadership positions. Liesl Folks will join as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, and Elizabeth R. “Betsy” Cantwell has been appointed as senior vice president for research and innovation. Both will begin July 29.

“We are so fortunate to have such high-caliber and accomplished leaders joining us this summer to continue the university’s positive trajectory across its academic and research enterprises,” UA President Robert C. Robbins said. “Professors Folks and Cantwell each bring unique and rich experiences from both higher education and business, and they are perfectly suited to help enhance our standing among leading universities and to ensure achievement of many ambitious objectives within the UA’s strategic plan.”

In the role of provost, Folks will oversee student success efforts and all academic operations for the University of Arizona. She will be responsible for creating and implementing programs aligning with the UA’s strategic plan.

She will join the UA from the University at Buffalo, where she was dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. While there, she built a reputation for recruiting women and underrepresented minorities into science and engineering degree programs. She helped spearhead an initiative through the American Society for Engineering Education in which more than 150 engineering deans throughout North America committed to increasing diversity and inclusiveness within their respective schools.

Cantwell will lead the UA Office of Research, Development and Innovation, which includes the Corporate Engagement Program, Tech Launch Arizona and the UA research parks. She will be responsible for expanding the university’s capacity for knowledge creation and discovery; integrating efforts by faculty, students, staff and executive leaders to move inventions and technologies to the marketplace; increasing the UA’s connectivity with external collaborators; spearheading industry and public partnerships; and increasing total research funding as the UA pursues its goal of being the premier innovation center in the Southwest.

She joins the UA after serving as the CEO of Arizona State University Research Enterprise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the university’s applied research and development, and as a professor of practice in engineering. Previously she served as ASU’s vice president for research development. During her tenure in that role, annual research expenditures grew by more than $150 million to a total of $610 million.