UA Regents’ professors named

Five University of Arizona faculty members — David Breshears, Dr. Allan Hamilton, Barbara Mills, Steven Schwartz and Robert A. Williams Jr. — have been named Regents’ Professors by the Arizona Board of Regents.

All five will receive formal recognition at a campus ceremony in January 2019.

“These five exceptional faculty members have all provided the highest quality learning experiences for their students while excelling in their disciplines. As researchers, scholars and teachers, and in community engagement, they all demonstrate why the University of Arizona remains at the leading edge of discovery and creativity across disciplines,” said UA President Robert C. Robbins. “Regents’ Professors are models for the very best of this university, and these newest honorees will continue to advance our mission for Arizona in truly impactful, positive ways.”

Michael Mateen earns CCIM designation

During a pinning ceremony on April 11, Michael Mateen with Liv Communities was awarded the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute at CCIM Institute’s Midyear Governance Meetings. 

“We just concluded tremendous business meetings in Tampa, Fa., where we had the opportunity to pin 165 new CCIM designees. It was great to be able to meet the candidates and encourage them not only with their upcoming exam, but to encourage them with getting involved with their local chapter and nationally as well,” stated 2018 CCIM Institute President David P. Wilson, CCIM. 

To earn the CCIM designation, commercial real estate professionals must complete more than 160 hours of case-study driven education covering topics such as interest-based negotiation, financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, investment analysis and ethics in commercial investment real estate. Candidates must also compile a portfolio demonstrating the depth of their commercial real estate experience and pass a comprehensive examination.

Times Media Group appoints Rick Barrs

Times Media Group (TMG), the fast-growing publisher of the East Valley Tribune and 16 other Valley publications, announced that Rick Barrs, a veteran Phoenix-area journalist and columnist and the winner of many editorial awards, has been appointed Managing Editor of the Tribune.

Barrs comes to the Tribune after working as the Editor-In-Chief at Phoenix New Times and Los Angeles New Times, positions he held for more than 20 years. During Barrs’ tenure, the Phoenix weekly enjoyed a journalistic reputation that far surpassed its size, winning editorial awards locally and nationally. Among the award-winning stories Barrs edited was a series on polygamy that resulted in the cult leader’s imprisonment. Another series uncovered abuses by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, which ultimately led to the prosecution of Sherriff Joe Arpaio.

Prior to joining New Times in 2002, Barrs worked for the Los Angeles Times, serving as the daily’s assistant metro editor and city editor for 10 years. During his decade at the Times, Barrs was a member of two news teams that won Pulitzer Prizes for their coverage of breaking news.

“We’re serious about covering news at the East Valley Tribune and adding Rick Barrs to lead the Trib news team makes that statement loud and clear,” said Steve Strickbine, Times Media Group founder and president. “Rick knows the Valley, he knows how to lead a newsroom and he knows how to make good news stories great. For me, he represents exactly the leader the Tribune needs at this stage in our growth.”