Gensler announces new leadership in Phoenix

Gensler, a leading global design firm, has appointed Dawn Hart and Martha dePlazaola Abbott as co-managing directors of the Phoenix office, effective Jan 1.

Working together, Hart and Abbott will lead the 50-person office in Phoenix alongside Gensler’s Southwest Co-Regional Managing Principals Rob Jernigan and Kimberly Graham.

Beth Harmon-Vaughan, principal and managing director of the Phoenix office, will oversee the office leadership transition to Hart and Abbott.

Catherine Frendahl joins Sigma Contracting

Sigma Contracting announced it has hired Business Development Specialist Catherine Frendahl.

Frendahl will be responsible for creating business opportunities and securing new business. Frendahl joins Sigma Contracting after spending the past two years at Kinney Construction Services.

Frendahl possesses more than 25 years of experience in sales and business development. She has also performed business development duties for a commercial solar company.

“We are pleased and excited to add Catherine to our team,” said Dan Hinkson, President of Sigma Contracting. “She is the right fit at the right time to continue our growth in the market. It’s a positive sign and could lead to a similar expansion of our estimating and operations footprint in the near future.”

Omni Montelucia announces new sales team

Omni Montelucia Scottsdale Resort & Spa has appointed several new associates to the resort’s sales and catering departments.

• Enrique Juarez was appointed as director of sales, where he will lead the entire group sales team, oversee the resorts’ efforts to expand its footprint in the association segment and personally handle all opportunities originating out of the West Coast, Pacific Northwest, Western Canada and Colorado.  Joining the Omni team from the Phoenix Marriott Tempe at The Buttes where he was the director of group sales, Juarez’s background also includes working as a national account manager for Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix and other positions at Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Juarez is also heavily involved in the Professional Convention Management Association.

• Debbi See has joined as senior sales manager for the resort. With over 25 years experience in the hotel and event production industry, primarily with Marriott International, See joins the Omni team from the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina where she was director of group sales. She has vast experience as a hotel leader and as a sales professional, with a sales expertise that is well rounded. Her specialties include Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets, especially Washington, D.C.-area associations.

• Jason Perone has joined as sales manager, travel industry for the resort. Perone has more than 20 years experience in the hospitality industry including recent positions with the Enchantment Group and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, at the W Scottsdale.  Jason’s background in group sales as well as being a director of sales and marketing is expected to bring valuable leadership and perspective to the Omni Scottsdale team.

• Teagan Tudor was named catering sales manager for the resort. Tudor joins the Omni team from L’Auberge de Sedona. Her expertise in the luxury segment for all catered events will be a huge asset to the Omni Scottsdale team.

Veteran tenant rep Tom Adelson joins NKF

Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) announces the addition of Tom Adelson as executive managing director to its Phoenix office. Adelson is an industry veteran with approximately 34 years’ experience and a track record encompassing over 30 million square feet of space. He is widely recognized as a trusted real estate advisor to many of the most acclaimed professional services firms and industry corporations in the metro Phoenix market. 

“We are delighted to add Tom Adelson to the NKF Phoenix office,” remarked NKF Western Region Market Leader Greg May. “He is a consummate professional with dynamic experience and professional relationships with the region’s most active corporations and tenants, as well as with leading industry professionals. Although specializing in tenant representation, he is also a creative broker who insightfully visions potential in old building sites, identify how that potential can support a client’s business objectives and culture, and follow-through with an amazing ability to put deals together to benefit his clients.”

Veteran joins the ORION Office Division

Lucinda Bliss, who has been producing results for building owners and occupants since the 1980s, has brought this experience and focus to ORION Investment Real Estate’s Office Division.

“I was looking to join a firm that could utilize my experience and talents, when a friend suggested ORION. I’m gla d she did. I am delighted to be here,” Bliss said.