Jennings Strouss attorney elected to management committee
Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based law firm, announced that Jeffrey D. Gardner has been elected to the Management Committee for a three-year term. Gardner succeeds Alan I. Robbins, who stepped down from the position to focus on his energy practice. The firm’s three-person Management Committee also includes Managing Attorney John C. Norling and John J. Egbert.
“It is an honor to be elected to the firm’s Management Committee,” states Gardner. “Jennings Strouss has been providing exceptional legal services in Arizona for more than 75 years. We have a stellar reputation, excellent personnel, and a very bright future.”
Gardner primarily focuses his practice on securities litigation, class action defense, employment, intellectual property, and real estate matters. He previously served as national co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Trial Practice Committee, and also the Class Actions and Derivative Suits Committee. Gardner currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Theatre Company and is an Ambassador of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (T-Gen).
Corporate Interior Systems announces expansion
After 34 years of business in the furniture industry, Corporate Interior Systems (or “CIS”) is expanding its interior construction division. Called “digg,” the rebranded division builds upon the company’s legacy of service, innovation and is a part of CIS’s goal to evolve its business and create a foundation of new opportunities.
The rebrand includes a new logo and tagline “Design—Integrate—Go—Grow,” representing the division’s commitment to faster builds and flexible designs. digg uses software and manufacturing to design and fabricate interior construction. DIRTT, our integrated partner, is a technology company that manufactures everything from walls, power, and data to millwork.
This expansion has brought on an addition that will complete the team of talented designers and project managers by the hiring a new Director of Sales, Rachel Rodriguez. Rodriguez grew up in Phoenix around construction, recently receiving her Masters of Real Estate Development from Arizona State University.
“I’m fortunate to be joining digg at such a dynamic time for both the company and our industry,” says Rodriguez. “With flexibility and pace of delivery being a key for growing, dynamic organizations, the DIRTT innovative product along with our customer focus and speed from design through installation make us the right partner at the right time for our customers.”
Ballet Arizona welcomes Jill Hegardt to board
Ballet Arizona announced the appointment of Jill Hegardt, Vice President at DMB Associates, Inc., to its board. Hegardt is an avid supporter the dance community and will assist the nonprofit in expanding its network, skills and expertise.
“Jill’s passion for the ballet shines through in her commitment to the Ballet Arizona cause,” said Samantha Turner, executive director at Ballet Arizona. “She will be a tremendous asset to the board as we continue to focus on the excellence of our company, education programs and community engagement.”
As the mother of a dance major at the University of Arizona, Hegardt and her family are dance fans, first and foremost.
“I’m so pleased to be able to participate on the Board of Ballet Arizona and do my part in supporting and advocating for the amazing dance community in the Phoenix metro area – especially at Ballet Arizona,” Hegardt said.
MEB Management Services principal Libby Ekre honored
Libby Ekre, Principal of MEB Management Services, one of Arizona’s prominent women-owned firms, was among the winners of the 2019 Globe St. Women of Influence in commercial real estate.
Since 1983, Globe St. and Real Estate Forum have recognized women who significantly influence the real estate profession and drive the industry forward. Entries are evaluated based on a number of factors including professional reputation, career highlights, innovation, creative thinking and dedication to advancing the role of women in real estate.
Ekre, CPM, was named a Woman of Influence in the Property/Facility Manager of the Year category. She is among eight Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) members who were honored.
Keap welcomes Rajesh Bhatia as CTO
Keap, formerly known as Infusionsoft, announced an exciting change to its executive team. After ten years as vice president of product development at Oracle, Rajesh Bhatia is joining Keap as its chief technology officer. Bhatia’s 20 years of experience leading product and engineering teams at software giant Oracle will help Keap bring its new product lineup to millions of small businesses.
Keap provides industry-leading CRM and marketing automation software built exclusively for small businesses looking to grow sales and save time. Launched this June, the new Keap lineup, Keap Grow, Keap Pro and Infusionsoft, now offers products for small businesses at all stages of growth. Today, Keap serves 250,000 users in the professional services industry including business consultants, interior designers, accountants, lawyers and health, wellness and fitness coaches.
“It’s a really exciting time at Keap as the company is expanding to serve a much larger market of small businesses,” said Bhatia, Keap’s CTO. “Keap has been a leader in the industry since pioneering CRM and marketing automation software for small businesses more than 17 years ago when it Infusionsoft launched. I have the opportunity now to partner with the executive and product teams to bring the power of automation to millions of more small businesses in really exciting, innovative ways.”
