Harvard Investments expands team

Harvard Investments announced the addition of Mathew Avrhami as a Vice President at their firm focused on launching and scaling a new investment niche in low-density hybrid SFR-multifamily investments. Mathew will be active in acquisitions, development, capitalization, asset management and disposition of investments.     

“Mathew is a seasoned industry professional with a passion for promoting community and economic growth,” said Craig Krumwiede, President and CEO of Harvard Investments.  “Given his diverse background in commercial real estate, he adds a valuable component to our team of experts and we are pleased to have him on board.”  

Bashas’ Family of Stores appoints new VP

Bashas’ Family of Stores, the family-owned grocer that operates Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store, and both Bashas’ and Bashas’ Diné supermarkets, has hired Barry Craft as Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising, and Procurement for more than 100 grocery stores across Arizona. After a transition period, Barry will be taking over responsibilities from Phil Hawkes, a longtime Bashas’ veteran who is retiring.

Barry comes to Bashas’ with an accomplished supermarket background in merchandising, marketing, and category management. With leadership roles at leading regional retailers in the Southeastern United States and Texas, he has earned recognition as a developer of new brands, private labels, and the largest consumer baby expo in the world. 

“Barry brings almost 40 years of experience in the supermarket industry, with a notable track record of generating sales and margin growth,” said Edward “Trey” Basha, President of Bashas’ Family of Stores. “He has built and maintained excellent relationships within the organizations he has worked for, as well as with the vendor community, and this business philosophy makes him an ideal fit for our Basha’s leadership team.”

UA names Eleanor Bauwens Endowed Chair of Nursing

Professor Terry Badger, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, recently was appointed to the Eleanor Bauwens Endowed Chair of Nursing at the University of Arizona College of Nursing in recognition of her accomplishments as a nationally recognized nurse-scientist and leader in graduate education.

Dr. Badger  also is chair of the College’s Division of Community and System Health Science and an adjunct professor in the UA Department of Psychiatry.

The endowed chair is named in honor of  the late Eleanor Bauwens, PhD, UA professor emerita of nursing, who died in November 2016. Dr. Bauwens graduated with a bachelor’s degree  in nursing in 1966, and a master’s degree and doctorate in anthropology in 1970 and 1974, respectively. She went on to become the first person to hold two associate dean positions at the UA College of Nursing: Baccalaureate and the Extended College. In 2011, the College of Nursing created the Eleanor E. Bauwens Endowed Chair to recognize her exceptional leadership in nursing education from 1974 to 1991. 

UA appoints associate dean for College of Pharmacy

The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy has appointed Nancy A. Alvarez, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA, an established national leader in pharmacy,as associate dean for the UA College of Pharmacy – Phoenix and as an associate professor for the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science.

Dr. Alvarez will oversee all aspects of the college in Phoenix. The College of Pharmacy – Phoenix offers the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which has grown steadily since its inception in 2014. Currently, 103 PharmD students are in the Phoenix program, which accepts approximately 40 new students annually.

In addition to overseeing the thriving program in Phoenix, Dr. Alvarez is charged with engaging alumni, developing regional partnerships and enhancing awareness about the college and its programs in the region.

Ogletree Deakins elect two

Ogletree Deakins recently elected Leah Freed and Tracy Miller, both of the firm’s Phoenix office, to equity shareholder status.

CBRE graduates 55 retail professionals

CBRE has graduated its third class of professionals from its Retailing University program taught by the University of Arizona, equipping another 55 CBRE personnel from across the globe with insights for best serving clients in the evolving retail industry.

This graduation of this class from the program brings to 200 the number of CBRE professionals who have completed the course in the past three years. The four-month, online course is designed and taught by faculty of UA’s Terry J. Lundgren Center For Retailing.

UA and CBRE designed the course to keep CBRE’s retail professionals updated on the intricacies of retail operations as retailers adapt to the omnichannel marketplace. Participants learned about details of store operations, supply chain, inventory management, pricing, customer acquisition and retention, store staffing and many other factors, as well as how those variables influence retailer’s real-estate decisions.

“CBRE joined with UA on this program because the best advisors never stop learning, especially in an industry changing as rapidly as retail,” said Todd Caruso, a CBRE Senior Managing Director and UA graduate who completed the Retailing University course last year. “We refined the program after each of our three classes completed it, and we see results in the depth of discussions our professionals are having with their clients.”

CBRE’s new graduating class represents a broad sweep of CBRE’s global operations and its disciplines. It includes graduates working in 12 countries from Asia Pacific to the Americas to Europe. Their titles range from senior-level professionals to associates and business analysts to project managers.

The Retailing University program is a cornerstone of CBRE’s Retail Science value proposition, which entails providing location analytics, in-depth research, consumer-experience expertise and ongoing training for CBRE’s professionals to serve clients as trusted advisors.

“As the retail industry continues to evolve, this program helped address how retailers are approaching changes to the marketplace and how brokerage professionals can meet their needs as they continue to adapt and innovate,” said Carol Schillne, a CBRE First Vice President and recent graduate of the program. “Retail is a complicated sport, and the more we learn about our clients and their customers, the better we can serve them.”