Landsea Homes adds local homebuilding veteran
Landsea Homes announced today that local homebuilding executive Leslie Hickman has been hired as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Arizona Division. Hickman has more than 15 years of homebuilding experience in the Arizona market.
“We are very pleased to welcome Leslie to our Arizona Division team,” said Pete Beucke, president, Landsea Homes, Arizona division. “Her depth of market knowledge and longtime homebuilding experience will prove valuable in both our current, and future, community building plans in Arizona.”
Hickman joins Landsea Homes after serving as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Arcadia Capital Group, where she oversaw sales and marketing for all residential projects. Previously, she spent more than a decade with Beazer Homes, working in many aspects of new home sales, and was also involved in the initial formation of Beazer Homes REIT, managing acquisitions of more than 1,500 homes in Arizona, Florida and Nevada.
John Schurz elected chairman of Maricopa Economic Development Alliance
John Schurz, president and general manager of Orbitel Communications and Western Broadband, Schurz Communications, Inc.’s Arizona cable properties, has been elected chairman of Maricopa Economic Development Alliance (MEDA).
MEDA is the City of Maricopa’s private-public partnership for economic development. As a 501(c)3 corporation, the organization champions strategies and solutions that foster economic growth and prosperity in Maricopa by bringing together the business, government, education and civic sectors to identify and advance policies that facilitate investment, growth and workforce development.
Schurz is a fifth-generation executive of Schurz Communications, a 146-year-old privately held family owned and operated business. He began his career with the firm in 1988 and has worked in cable, radio, newspaper and television at eight of the company’s facilities. Currently, he serves on the Schurz Communications Board of Directors and Finance and Audit, Governance and Acquisition Committees. He is also a Past President of the Southwest Cable Communications Association and serves on its board.
“I am honored to lead this organization that works so diligently to grow and advance the City of Maricopa,” said Schurz, who has served most recently as the organization’s treasurer. “I joined the board in 2013 and working with Mayor Christian Price, the City Council, the City’s economic development staff and my fellow board members, I look forward to the year ahead.”
MEDA’s board is comprised of the leading executives of Maricopa’s major business sectors, representing expertise and experience in utilities, finance, development, health care and infrastructure development. Equally important are the elected officials and public sector executives who bring the essential representation of the City of Maricopa’s City Council, City Management and Economic Development functions.
“MEDA works in close partnership with Maricopa’s Economic Development Department on several strategic projects and programs,” said Mayor Price. “All our initiatives are geared toward creating a stronger and more competitive community and economic base for our city. John’s business knowledge coupled with his commitment to Maricopa will serve MEDA well.”
Other officers elected include Brett Benedict of Maricopa’s Electrical District 3 as treasurer and Jim Kenny of El Dorado Holdings, Inc. as secretary.
The Maricopa-MEDA partnership is an important component of the city’s economic vitality and sustainability. Through the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance, the City of Maricopa and business and education leaders join forces to identify and support promising economic development opportunities for the City of Maricopa.
