McCarthy Building Companies promotes Mike Gonzalez to vice president
McCarthy Building Companies Inc. announced that Mike Gonzalez, LEED AP, has been promoted to vice president, where he will play a critical role in guiding and expanding McCarthy’s Southwest Region in higher-education, advanced manufacturing, and science and technology.
Gonzalez has nearly three decades of construction experience managing design-build, design-assist and traditional construction projects servicing multiple industries, including life science, infrastructure, manufacturing, industrial, power, hospitality, healthcare, science and technology, and higher education. He has dedicated his career to delivering exceptional results for clients and partners from early in the design phase through final project completion and beyond.
Prior to this promotion, Gonzalez served as a project director with McCarthy for the past eight years holding key roles on a variety of significant projects, including the award-winning, LEED Platinum Arizona State University Biodesign Institute C facility and OdySea Aquarium. He retired as a colonel in the United States Army after 30 years of service where he served honorably in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
“Mike has a very entrepreneurial leadership style, blended with a strong technical background,” said Justin Kelton, president of McCarthy Building Companies Southwest Region. “He is also an outstanding mentor committed to the next generation of industry professionals, we are lucky to have him on our team.”
McCarthy promotes Thomas Assante
Thomas Assante was recently promoted to senior project manager for McCarthy Building Companies.
Assante has a decade of experience in the construction industry, and he is currently working on a $215 million major airport concourse construction project.
Assante first started with McCarthy as a project engineer seven years ago on the Phoenix Sky Train project. Over the years, he has been involved with a number of large projects including OdySea Aquarium, airport renovations and upgrades, and a handful of solar projects in Arizona, Colorado and Georgia.
“Thomas has the drive and commitment to successfully tackle complex construction challenges on large projects,” said Chris Nickle, executive vice president at McCarthy. “His project team leadership is collaborative with clients and trade partners, and has been instrumental in bringing innovative solutions to projects, enhancing the construction experience and product that McCarthy delivers to the communities we serve. We’re proud to have him leading teams in Arizona.”
Robert Dunlap joins CBRE Valuation & Advisory Services’ Property Tax Services team
CBRE announced today that Robert Dunlap has joined its Valuation & Advisory Services (VAS) team in the property and transaction tax services group.
An industry veteran, Mr. Dunlap has more than 25 years’ experience building and managing successful national property tax practices. Based in Phoenix, Mr. Dunlop will focus on strategic initiatives nationally, including talent acquisition, business development and expanding the business beyond typical property tax appeals.
“I’m delighted that Robert will be joining CBRE to help grow our national property tax services,” said Mark Whitney, national practice leader of Property and Transaction Tax Services for CBRE VAS. “We are fast becoming the preeminent real estate tax advisory specialists in the country, offering our clients unique perspectives through access to the largest proprietary data and intelligence in the industry.”
During his career, Mr. Dunlap has held the positions of partner in charge of the KPMG Property Tax Group, and CEO of the Paradigm Tax Group.
Platinum Living Realty co-founder recognized by industry
Platinum Living Realty (PLR), an independent luxury real estate brokerage with five offices in Arizona, announced that its co-founder Jay Macklin has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in the industry. Macklin was selected as a member of the 2020 class of Real Estate Newsmakers in the Trailblazers category by RISMedia for his leadership in developing Platinum Living Realty as an independent brokerage and creating a different approach to the traditional brokerage model.
“When we realized that there was a way to do things differently, and truly help the agents that are part of our firm grow their businesses in a sustainable way, we had to take that chance to go in a new direction,” said Jay Macklin. “It is an honor to be recognized for these efforts with so many other leaders in real estate from across the country.”
In 2018, Macklin and his wife Michelle made the decision to take their growing brokerage independent and separate from the national brand they had been working with for several years. They developed a customized coaching program highlighting 5 unique systems as well as a proprietary marketing package for their real estate agents that contains of over 20 marketing tools to help effectively target and grow their businesses. They also offer consistent and individualized coaching to work through challenges and problems that arise as well as abundant opportunities for generating new leads and clients. With this model, PLR has grown to over 160 real estate agents with a vast array of specialties, having recruited more than 80 new agents in 2019.
Scottsdale Realtor Jason Shinn joins Platinum Living Realty
Platinum Living Realty announced that Jason Shinn has joined the brokerage. Shinn, who has a background in fashion, marketing, and business, is a skilled negotiator and leverages his diverse skillset to get results for his clients.
“Jason’s entrepreneurial spirit has helped him succeed quickly in his new career as a real estate agent and we are happy to welcome him to Platinum Living Realty,” said Michelle Macklin, Co-Founder of Platinum Living Realty. “Jason’s diverse background and expertise is a value-add for the firm.”
Shinn grew up in Sedona, Arizona, and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the fashion industry. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with degrees in Apparel Industry Management, International Marketing, and Business Management, Shinn worked with a luxury men’s suiting company and founded a fashion networking group. It wasn’t until Shinn relocated to North Scottsdale in 2018 to be closer to his family that he decided to leverage his diverse skills and become a real estate agent.
“My career so far has taught me valuable skills about customer service, negotiating, communications, project management, and more, all of which have helped me launch a new career in real estate,” said Shinn. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join Platinum Living Realty to take advantage of the resources they offer to build upon my skills to best serve my clients looking to buy and sell homes in the Valley.”
Bret Ceren joins Platinum Living Realty
Platinum Living Realty announced that award-winning real estate agent and coach Bret Ceren has joined the brokerage. With a background in corporate marketing, finance, and operations, Bret launched his real estate career in 2014 and has excelled as a specialist of North Valley residential properties.
“The greater North Valley is already an amazing place, and it still has so much potential,” said Bret Ceren. “For years I’ve had a vision of what it can be to live in, work and play here. Helping home buyers and sellers accomplish their real estate goals here is extremely fulfilling.”
Among Bret’s many accolades include 2019 Scottsdale Association of Realtors 40 Under 40 as well as The American Dream TV’s “Power Player of Real Estate” designation. Jay and Michelle Macklin, co-owners of Platinum Living Realty, say that adding Bret to their roster of agents will lead to their expansion plans across the Valley.
“Bret’s reputation as a sought-after realtor in the North Valley is well known,” said Jay Macklin. “I’ve been able to see Bret’s strategic mindset and work ethic firsthand through the Craig Proctor Real Estate Coaching program, one of our industry’s leading programs. He will be a valuable asset as part of the Platinum Living Realty team.”
“I’ve known Jay for several years and worked alongside him to help train and develop agents all across North America. To be able to join him and Michelle with all they have happening at Platinum Living Realty is a tremendous honor,” said Ceren. “It will be exciting to see what we are able to accomplish in the North Valley!”
HSMAI announces its 2020 board of directors
The Arizona Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International announced its 2020 Board of Directors to lead the association.
Board of Directors for 2020 are President Lori Morris, CRME, Enchantment Group, Immediate Past President Wendy Johnson, Wyndham Destinations, President-Elect Amanda Saye, Vice-President Gerry Reed, TravelClick, an Amadeus Company, Secretary/Treasurer Annette Brown, GreenTree Hospitality Group and Joanne Winter, Executive Director.
Directors are Kerrell Dunsmore, The Next Great Event, Terra Gibson, DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North, Lauren Herod, Aramark, Stephanie Liegeois, Café Bon Appetit at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), Cheryl Street, CHME, CHSP, Bluegreen Vacations/Cibola Vista Resort, Jennifer Swanson, Event Team, Inc., and Holly Zoba, CHDM, Scout Simply.
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