P.B. Bell welcomes new project manager and promotes 5

P.B. Bell, a leader in multifamily housing development and management, recently expanded its corporate team with a new hire and announced the promotion of five team members. 

Bernie Pipan joins the P.B. Bell development team as the new project manager. In his new role, Pipan will work collaboratively on community projects with project consultants, architects and engineers, as well as city and community representatives. Pipan is also responsible for ensuring the success of various tasks, including budgeting, contract administration, as well as scheduling and coordination with operations. Pipan comes to P.B. Bell with a background in multifamily construction and development. He received his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University.

Matthew Heintz has been promoted to vice president of construction and is responsible for overseeing the construction of all multifamily and senior living development, from the notice to proceed all the way to the final certificate of occupancy. His role includes developing and managing construction schedules, budgets and contracts, as well as acting as the primary liaison between P.B. Bell, the general contractor(s) and consultants. Heintz joined P.B. Bell in 2005 as the maintenance director and has climbed the ladder through various roles. For more than 12 years, Heintz was responsible for managing, training and mentoring all P.B. Bell maintenance staff, overseeing capital improvements, assisting with due diligence and the construction of new developments.

Danial Harms has been promoted to senior portfolio director. Harms oversees a diverse portfolio of properties throughout Metro Phoenix. Her responsibilities include managing the operations, financials, marketing and staff at all of her communities and is the main point of contact for all property owners. Harms currently sits on the P.B. Bell Strategic Leadership Team and specializes in team motivation. In her new role, additional tasks include portfolio director mentorship, providing assistance with new business development and RFPs, greater involvement with new developments and their lease-up, and an overall stronger leadership role within the company. Harms joined P.B. Bell as portfolio director in 2013. Prior to P.B. Bell, Harms managed multifamily portfolios in Arizona, California and Florida.

Cary Cole has been promoted to senior portfolio director. Cole currently oversees a diverse portfolio of properties throughout Metro Phoenix. Her responsibilities include managing the operations, financials, marketing and staff at all of her communities and is the main point of contact for all property owners. Cole sits on the P.B. Bell Culture Club and is actively involved with the Arizona Multihousing Association. In her new role, additional tasks include portfolio director mentorship, providing assistance with new business development and RFPs, greater involvement with new developments and their lease-up, and an overall stronger leadership role within the company. Cole joined P.B. Bell as portfolio director in 2014. Prior to P.B. Bell, Cole was a regional manager with BH Management.

Monica Gatlin has been promoted to portfolio director, focusing on managing operations, financials, marketing and staff at all of her communities. Gatlin joined P.B. Bell in 2017 as a community manager and training mentor. She began her career in multifamily in 2002 with MEB Management Services. During her 15 year tenure with MEB, Gatlin’s positions included leasing specialist, portfolio director assistant, community manager and training mentor. Gatlin holds an Arizona real estate license. 

Colby Weadock has been promoted to project manager and through his new role he helps lead the charge for P.B. Bell’s development portfolio. In his position, Weadock will work collaboratively on community projects with project consultants, architects and engineers, as well as city and community representatives to oversee and implement the design and development of new multifamily and senior living communities throughout the Phoenix metro area. In addition to working collaboratively with these teams, he manages budgeting, contract administration, scheduling and coordination with operations. With more than 10 years of experience in multifamily housing, Weadock joined the P.B. Bell family in 2014 as the leasing manager of Tuscany Palms. He transitioned from working onsite to joining the corporate team in 2019.

Michelle Swann joins Lang & Klain

Employment and commercial litigation attorney Michelle H. Swann has joined the Scottsdale law firm of Lang & Klain, P.C.

Swann is listed in “The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business” (AzBusiness magazine) for 2019 and “Az Business Leaders” (2020, AZ Big Media) and volunteers her time and energy for the Translational Genomics Research Institute as a TGen Ambassador.

An Arizona native and ASU graduate, Michelle earned her law degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating with High Honors and Order of the Coif.

Lang & Klain is a 12-attorney commercial litigation and construction law firm.

Commerce Bank of Arizona CEO announces his retirement

CBOA Financial, Inc., parent company of Commerce Bank of Arizona, announced today that President and CEO John P. Lewis will retire from the Company and the Bank on April 21, 2021. Effective immediately and until his retirement, Mr. Lewis will serve in the role of Tucson Market President.

Consistent with the management succession plan established by the Board of Directors, and effective immediately, Phoenix Market President Chris Webster will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank.

“The timing of this announcement was carefully chosen to ensure a slow and smooth transition for all of customers, staff, and shareholders,” said Bill Assenmacher, Chairman of the Board of the Company.

“During his time as CEO, John and the management team have transformed every aspect of the Bank’s operation into something we’re all very proud of, and John leaves us in very capable hands. Chris Webster has been deeply involved in all areas of our operation and has been instrumental in driving our turnaround and growth. Chris is a proven leader who is well suited to continue building the CBAZ franchise in Arizona in the years ahead,” added Mr. Assenmacher.

“It has been my privilege to serve as CEO of CBAZ,” said Mr. Lewis. “I’m very proud of the way our team rallied the community, raised capital, and turned around this Bank. I’m even more proud of the way we’ve since laid the foundation for many more years of supporting our local business communities and delivering the returns that our shareholders expect. Mr. Webster will continue to do what he’s done since he arrived in 2014: lead effectively, serve our customers, and execute on the shared vision we have for this Bank.”

“I am excited to lead the continued growth of CBAZ,” said Mr. Webster. “John is an icon in the Arizona community banking industry, and it has been an honor and pleasure to work with him. I will work to carry forward the principles and leadership he has inspired in our company and our communities.”

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