Lovitt & Touché promotions strengthen company’s core leadership

With an eye on growth and innovation, Lovitt & Touché, an Arizona-based independent insurance brokerage and benefits solutions provider, has promoted Jody Sarchett to executive vice president of sales and Will Spong to executive vice president of benefits. Each with decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry, Sarchett and Spong strengthen Lovitt & Touché’s commitment to delivering innovative insurance solutions to clients across numerous industries. 

Jody Sarchett
Will Spong

Both Sarchett and Spong bring years of experience in insurance, business development, management and client relations. In addition to developing innovative approaches to servicing the evolving needs of clients, both Sarchett and Spong have a strong reputation for delivering long-term profitable solutions for a wide range of high-profile clients. 

“Jody and Will have proven themselves as invaluable assets to Lovitt & Touché, and we are thrilled to have them on our executive team,” said CEO Charles Touché. “Their extensive knowledge of commercial insurance, work ethic and commitment to excellence has made a major impact on Lovitt & Touché’s growth. In these new roles, their skills and strengths, along with their passion and energy, will be vital as we work together to enhance our offerings to clients and continue to expand our footprint in Arizona and beyond.” 

Joining Lovitt & Touché in 2003, Sarchett had been most recently serving as senior vice president of sales. She will lead the business development effort at the company. In addition, she will oversee the broker team, lead sales efforts, set the direction for strategic marketing activities and help clients with complex and diverse insurance needs not only build highly effective programs, but also significantly reduce risk to protect their companies.

Spong joined the Lovitt & Touché team in 2016 as senior vice president of employee benefits. His extensive knowledge of insurance – both in the corporate and agency spaces – lends itself invaluable as he continues to enhance Lovitt & Touché’s capabilities to serve clients’ needs today and into the future. Spong oversees the benefits department, with a focus on self-funding and employee communication platforms in both carrier and distribution channels.

Both Sarchett and Spong will be based at the company’s Tempe office. Lovitt & Touché has an additional location in Tucson.

To learn more about Lovitt & Touché, visit www.lovitt-touche.com.

State Bar of Arizona elects Joseph Brophy

Jennings Haug Cunningham announced that Joseph Brophy has been elected to the State Bar of Arizona’s Construction Section’s Executive Council as a member-at-large for a one year term.

The Construction Section of the State Bar of Arizona was formed in 1987 and currently has more than 400 members. The Section’s Executive Council is responsible for planning the monthly lunch meeting and CLE programs as well as discussing and addressing various topics of concern to the Section and its business. The Executive Council consists of a chair, chair-elect, past chair, secretary, budget officer and three members-at-large.

Mr. Brophy is a partner with the firm’s construction litigation practice, focusing on surety and fidelity legal matters as well as complex business disputes, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and insurance defense. He is also a member of the: State Bar of Arizona, American Bar Association, Tort & Insurance Practice Section, Fidelity & Surety Law Committee, and Surety Association of Arizona. Mr. Brophy received his bachelor’s degree from University of San Diego and earned his law degree from University of San Diego School of Law.

Park University appoints athletic director

Steve Wilson, who has served Park University as its associate director of athletics for media relations and compliance since February 2017, has been appointed as the director of athletics for the University’s new campus in Gilbert, Ariz., effective Aug. 15.

Wilson began his career at Park in 2007 as the Pirates’ sports information director. In 2013, he was promoted to assistant director of athletics for sports communications and assumed the role of head coach for the women’s golf program. He held that position through the end of the 2016-17 campaign before his most recent role which included overseeing eligibility and rules education for the University’s varsity and developmental (junior varsity) programs.

While the University will begin offering classes at the Gilbert Campus starting with its Fall II term on Monday, Oct. 15, Park’s athletics programs in Gilbert, which will be known as the Buccaneers, will begin next August for the start of the 2019 Fall semester. Wilson will be responsible for planning and implementation the athletic program, and will ensure that coaches and staff work together in the development of quality student-athletes, fostering institutional values for image building and campus spirit. In the meantime, Wilson will be responsible for hiring coaches for its programs in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, track and field, and volleyball; men’s baseball; and women’s softball. Wilson, who will also serve as the Buccaneers’ men’s and women’s golf coach, will be scheduling games and setting up facilities for the Buccaneers to practice and play in the Gilbert area.

Wilson began his career in collegiate athletics in 2004 at Kansas Wesleyan University as a graduate assistant. In 2005, he joined the athletic media relations staff at Texas State University as the primary contact for women’s volleyball and basketball, and men’s baseball, and provided play-by-play for Texas State’ radio station, KTSW-FM. He also had a stint as the NAIA’s manager of media services.

Greater Phoenix Chamber names 4 to Young Professionals Board

The Greater Phoenix Chamber (GPC) has appointed four new members to its Valley Young Professionals (VYP) Board of Directors. VYP, a program of the Greater Phoenix Chamber, is for Valley-area professionals ages 25-39 aimed at creating the next generation of Phoenix leaders by informing and educating its members on important issues facing the local community.

The 2018-2019 Board is responsible for overseeing VYP programming, which includes identifying relevant content, impactful speakers, new event venues, and community partnerships.

The four young professionals joining the 2018-2019 VYP Board are:

• Salvador Bretts-Jamison, Vice President, Private Bank Client Advisor, J.P. Morgan

• Justin O’Connell, Account Manager, Vincent Benjamin

• Zach Schira, Deputy Chief of Staff, District 3, Maricopa County

• Shay-ee Senbore, Technical Specialist & Applications Engineer, Boundary Systems

Now in its eighth year, the GPC VYP Board of Directors manages a strong program to retain and attract young professionals to the Greater Phoenix area by connecting them to the community.

“The VYP program is vital to advancing the Chamber’s mission to promote regional prosperity, serving as a catalyst for economic vitality and strong communities,” said Todd Sanders, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “We are proud to continue providing meaningful opportunities for our young leaders to learn about our community, connect with each other, and grow their leadership skills.” 

The new Board members will bring unique and diverse perspectives that will help carry out the VYP mission to build lasting relationships, establish professional development opportunities and act as a catalyst for change in the community.