Valley of the Sun United Way names CEO

Valley of the Sun United Way announced that after a national search, it has named Carla Vargas Jasa as president and CEO — the first woman and the first Latina to hold the position since the organization began in 1927.  

She succeeds Merl Waschler, who has led the organization since 2006 and is retiring June 30, 2019.  Vargas Jasa will assume leadership July 1.

Vargas Jasa joins Valley of the Sun United Way after 20 years with the Orange County United Way, where she held several leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Community Impact and most recently Chief Operating Officer. The Orange County United Way serves a population of over 3 million people and is among the largest in the United Way system. 

With Vargas Jasa’s leadership, that United Way launched FACE 2024, a 10-year strategic community impact plan driven by measurable community goals, which are tracked and reported in an annual Community Scorecard. She also guided the recent launch of United to End Homelessness, a communitywide response to Orange County’s growing homelessness population which has brought new and innovative public-private partnerships to that market. 

Vargas Jasa developed the organization’s Advocacy/Public Policy Plan and led its growth in its major gifts and endowment efforts. She has served as a member of the Commission to End Homelessness of Orange County, the Project Leadership Team of the Orange County Community Indicators Report, and the OC STEM Executive Committee, and recently joined the OC Forum Board of Directors.

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Attorneys named IP STARS

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP announced two attorneys have been named IP STARS 2019 by Managing Intellectual Property, a guide to IP law firms and attorneys. The firm ranked in the highly recommended category for intellectual property in Arizona.  

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie IP STARS 2019:

Flavia Campbell – Trademark Star – Arizona

Jennifer Van Kirk – Trademark Star – Arizona

The Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Intellectual Property practice is a dynamic group of attorneys assembled to handle its clients’ IP needs across a wide variety of industries. The firm boasts intellectual property attorneys who are technical specialists in a variety of arenas, and has a talented team of Ph.Ds. to provide clients the most highly technical understanding and guidance. The group is adept at handling the unique needs of clients whether they are a start-up company protecting their IP assets, or a multi-national Fortune 500 company with complex IP issues.

2 CRE veterans earn CCIM designation

Two Valley commercial real estate professionals from Menlo Group recently earned the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute.

Steve Berghoff, CCIM, vice president, Menlo Group; and Mark Haslip, MBA, CCIM, vice president, Menlo Group; each earned the honor.

“Earning the CCIM designation takes significant effort, transaction experience, and commitment. We are proud to have these three professionals join our community of designees while the chapter continues to provide this world class education in commercial real estate,” said Jenette Bennett, CCIM, First Vice President and Shareholder with Kidder Mathews and President of the Central Arizona CCIM Chapter.

Berghoff specializes in the leasing, sale and acquisition of medical and professional office properties. He works with property owners and landlords across Metro Phoenix with an emphasis on the East Valley and South Scottsdale markets.

Berghoff started his real estate career in 2003 at Clayton Companies, where he represented leasing and sales transactions for a privately held real estate portfolio. He previously attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating with a BS in business administration.

Haslip started at Menlo Group in 2017. He specializes in the sales and leasing of office and investment properties with an emphasis in medical and dental tenant/buyer representation. He has helped many of the Valley’s dentists and doctors start up, relocate and expand their practices.

Prior to joining Menlo Group, he managed a multi-million-dollar territory for Henry Schein Dental, a Fortune 500 dental supply and equipment company.

Michael Crystal and Joe Vale join Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield announced that Michael Crystal has rejoined the firm’s Phoenix office as a Managing Director. With him, he brings Joe Vale as a Senior Associate and Tarryn Fountain as a Brokerage Coordinator. 

Michael and Joe join us from Newmark Knight Frank and bring a combined 17 years of commercial real estate and market experience to Cushman & Wakefield. The team specializes in landlord and tenant representation to provide strategic real estate solutions to clients throughout Metro Phoenix.

“Michael and Joe have established a reputation for extraordinary dedication to their clients and for their extensive market knowledge. As creative space masterminds, they have successfully converted traditional – and often obsolete – space into modern, transformative and versatile space for today’s modern tenants,” said Bryon Carney, Managing Principal.

Averaging 100 transactions per year, Michael and Joe focus on leasing up and collaborating with local capital markets brokers on dispositions of office assets around Metro Phoenix. Throughout their career, the two-man team has participated in some of the area’s most prominent assignments including 111 W. Monroe, Luhrs Tower, Camelback Arboleda, 3030 N. Central, 3200 N. Central, Tempe City Center, 300 W. Clarendon, 2828 N. Central and Clocktower Corporate Centre.