Kitchell promotes three executives

Three of Kitchell’s committed employee-owners have been promoted to the position of Vice President.

“These three promotions – all from varied corners of our company – represent our vast array of services and the ability to grow through commitment, loyalty and creativity,” said Kitchell CEO Jim Swanson.

Jim Kurtzman was named Vice President of hardison/downey construction, inc. (h/dc), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kitchell. Kurtzman is a 22-year veteran of h/dc and previously held the position of h/dc Vice President of Client Development. His more universal title reflects his expanded range of duties and his growing responsibilities as h/dc’s scope and footprint grow within the Kitchell family. Kurtzman is a graduate of the University of Arizona and resides in the Arcadia area of Phoenix.

Nicole Maas was promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Kitchell Contractors from her prior position as Marketing Executive. Maas has played an integral role in growing Kitchell’s national building footprint. Each year she co-chairs the company’s Build Fore Good charity golf tournament, which so far has raised more than $250,000, and last year was named one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Forty Under 40. Maas is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and obtained her MBA from the University of Phoenix. She resides in Laveen, Ariz.

Dan Mills was promoted to Vice President of Kitchell CEM from the position of Regional Executive for Arizona. Mills started his career with Kitchell as a project engineer in the Midwest and during his 20-year tenure with the company, has worked (often simultaneously) in seven different states, on various construction management projects. He oversaw the $750 million Utah State Prison project, as well as the Tempe Center for the Arts. Mills is a graduate of Kansas State University and resides in North Central Phoenix.

Jerry Roberts and Pat Boyle join Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield announces the addition of Jerry Roberts as Executive Managing Director and Pat Boyle as Senior Associate to its Phoenix office.

Roberts and Boyle bring a combined 30+ years of commercial real estate and market experience to Cushman & Wakefield. The team specializes in leasing new developments and existing premier Class A office buildings in Metro Phoenix with a few notable projects including CityScape, The Grand at Pagago Park, Collier Center and currently under construction Camelback Collective, Chandler Viridian and Block 23 at CityScape. Joining Roberts and Boyle are Marketing Coordinators Kaleigh Boyle and Erin Roberts, who previously worked with the team at CBRE since 2015.

“As recognized leaders in the industry, we are pleased to have Roberts and Boyle join us as we continue growing our Phoenix operation,” said Bryon Carney, Managing Principal for Cushman & Wakefield. “Over the years, the team has demonstrated a client-centric approach which will be a great addition to our deep bench of talented brokers.”

As part of one of the top producing and notable office teams in the Metro Phoenix area, Roberts and Boyle were most recently with CBRE alongside Tom Adelson and Jim Fijan. With a focus on landlord office leasing for the team, they achieved some of the highest honors awarded to brokerage personnel including NAIOP Office Brokerage Team of the Year, multiple years running.

Ryan Companies promotes Colleen Kucera

Ryan Companies US, Inc. announced the promotion of Colleen Kucera, CPSM, to director of marketing. Colleen is responsible for a broad range of marketing disciplines for Ryan’s Southwest and Northwest regions including: brand development and implementation, marketing strategy, proposal and interview preparation, event planning, public relations efforts, project reporting and branding, advertising and the integration of marketing and business development integration.  

“With Colleen’s leadership, the marketing team has become an integral part of new client pursuits, as well as our customer relations throughout the construction process and well beyond their building occupancy,” said Rick Collins, regional president, Ryan Companies US Inc.

When Colleen started with Ryan, she was the first and only regional marketer in the Southwest; she now directs the marketing department for two regions at Ryan, which are located in Phoenix and Seattle. She has played a significant role in the success of signature projects including Farmers Insurance, GoDaddy and Marina Heights, the largest office development in Arizona’s history.

MRA Associates welcomes senior client advisor

MRA Associates, one of the Valley’s leading independent investment and wealth management firms, recently announced the addition of Bruce Paulson as a senior client advisor to the growing firm. Paulson will lead MRA Associates’ growth efforts in the Twin Cities region by heading its newest office in Deephaven, Minnesota.

As a senior client advisor, Paulson provides investment and wealth management advice to clients as well as participates in the firm’s investment decisions. Prior to joining MRA Associates, Paulson worked at a variety of notable organizations including Arthur Anderson, US Bank, US Trust, GenSpring Family Offices, and most recently Okabena Company. In his previous roles, he provided tax, estate planning and investment services, most often for families with multi-generational needs and concerns.

Paulson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Concordia College in Minnesota, graduating cum laude. Soon after, he went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.

April Reed named VP of advocacy at Ability360

April Reed, who has handled diverse responsibilities at Ability360 for more than a decade, has been named Vice President of Advocacy, replacing Amina Donna Kruck, who is retiring Dec. 1 after 27 years with Ability360.

Reed, a Buckeye resident and most recently Ability360 Volunteer Program Manager, will create programs that empower individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy-related workshops, one-on-one mentoring, facilitating wellness groups, providing technical assistance to develop consumer-driven initiatives and developing community partnerships to address barriers to consumer choice, equal rights and self determination. 

She will be Ability360’s designated legislative lobbyist. She also will supervise several programs including the 65-member peer mentor volunteer team; Benefits 2 Work Program for Social Security beneficiaries working or seeking employment; the This is MY Life self advocacy educational program for individuals receiving services through the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities: the Community Leadership Academy; Theatre360 and the Living Well with a Disability Program.

“April brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and credibility that will enable her to build upon the solid foundation that Amina has put in place to take our advocacy efforts to the next level of success,” said Ability360 President and CEO Phil Pangrazio.  “We wish Amina great happiness as she moves to the next phase of her life. She has certainly served the community well.”