Ottawa University Arizona appoints director of performing arts

Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Bookhout as director of performing arts and associate professor of music.

The Phoenix Symphony Chorus Master brings more than three decades of experience in the choral art, preparing and conducting choruses for symphonies, operas, universities, communities, schools and churches. Now in his seventh year with the Symphony, Bookhout has conducted performances in Phoenix, New York City, Vienna, Salzburg and Poland.

“We at OUAZ have a wonderful opportunity to develop a first-class performing arts program in the West Valley,” said Bookhout. “With the experience of the nationwide Ottawa University family behind us, with the energy and nimbleness of a start-up, we are well positioned to meet the needs of high school graduates in Arizona. I am excited about being part of this.”

Under Bookhout’s guidance and direction, Ottawa plans to have multiple music ensembles and theatrical opportunities on its Surprise campus.

“We are so excited to have Dr. Bookhout at our university to share his love and knowledge of the performing arts with our students,” said OUAZ Vice President and Provost, Dr. Dennis Tyner. “His well-rounded and extensive experience keeps with the high-caliber professors our growing student population has come to expect of our OUAZ faculty.”

Luxury Home Tour announces 2019 chairman

Cory Mishkin was recently voted the 2019 chairman of Luxury Home Tour, a nationally-recognized professional development organization. Mishkin is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Resale for Cambridge Properties, a Phoenix-based real estate company founded in 1994.

Mishkin’s goal as chair of Luxury Home Tour, of which he has been a member since 2009, is to help fellow members become more knowledgeable, confident and successful agents. Membership in Luxury Home Tour is only open to Realtors® affiliated with a local association. 

“It is an honor to lead Luxury Home Tour and the hundreds of Realtor® members during 2019,” said Mishkin. “I have personally and professionally benefited tremendously from my involvement with Luxury Home Tour. From the relationships I have developed with fellow agents, to a higher level of engagement in the luxury market, I know Luxury Home Tour has brought me opportunities for success I would not have otherwise achieved so early in my career.” 

Luxury Home Tour was established in 1982 to help Realtors and the local community. As a nonprofit organization, Luxury Home Tour is committed to giving back to organizations throughout central Arizona. The organization has been widely recognized for its generosity and success nationwide.

Diamondbacks hire Joe Garagiola Jr.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have hired Joe Garagiola Jr. as Special Advisor to D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. He rejoins the organization following 13 seasons at Major League Baseball. 

“Joe’s contributions to the D-backs and Major League Baseball over the years have been invaluable and we are very excited to welcome him back to the family,” said Hall. “While he will always be remembered as one of the architects of the 2001 World Championship team, his most recent roles at MLB make him a perfect fit to help our organization on the business side in a number of special projects.” 

Garagiola joined MLB in 2005 as Sr. Vice President of Baseball Operations and was promoted in 2011 to Sr. Vice President of Standards and On-Field Operations, where he was involved in a variety of matters including on-field discipline, uniforms, ground rules and official scoring appeals.

He originally came to the D-backs when the franchise was awarded to the region, serving as Sr. Vice President & General Manager of the club through the 2005 season, helping guide the team to division titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002 as well as the first major championship for a sports franchise in the state of Arizona.