Cawley Architects promotes three to associate status

Cawley Architects continues to hone the firm’s leadership skills and professional growth with the promotion of three senior project managers to the title of Associate.

Earning the new appointment are RoseAnn Linsmeyer, Justen Cassidy and Gordon DuSell.

“Our Associates are our future leaders in management and innovation, and we look to them to become role models by promoting mentorship, fellowship, advocacy and service as well as possessing excellent architectural skills,” said Sherman Cawley, founder of the company.

Linsmeyer, who has been with Cawley for 14 years, was promoted to Associate/Interior Designer/Senior Project Manager. She has recently broadened her role to become the interior designer for all of the firm’s projects and will represent the firm in project meetings and presentations.

Cassidy was promoted to Associate/Senior Project Manager. He has been with Cawley for 5 years. He recently became the firm’s newest registered architect, a dream he has had since he was 16 years old. As a new Associate, he possesses an exceptional attitude and an ability to perform with a “can do” attitude to make himself and the firm successful. 

DuSell was promoted to Associate/Construction Administration Manager. He has been with Cawley Architects for 4 years. He will be responsible for providing and maintaining the highest levels of architectural quality and innovation.

Balsz Elementary School District announces superintendent

The Balsz Elementary School District Governing Board is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Arleen M. Kennedy as the newest Superintendent. Dr. Kennedy will replace retiring Superintendent Jeff Smith effective July 1.

Dr. Kennedy comes to Balsz from the St. David Unified School District in St. David, AZ where she served as Superintendent from July 2018 to present. Kennedy also served as a principal and supervisor in New Orleans, Louisiana; leading her students, families and faculty through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina— one of the most devastating natural disasters in the region, leaving more than one million families displaced. Kennedy has been hailed by National Geographic as an innovative school leader driving strong academic achievement.

With more than 25 years’ experience as an educator and school administrator in Maryland, Louisiana, South Carolina and Arizona, Dr. Kennedy brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in equity and urban leadership, which Balsz notes will be instrumental in closing the District’s achievement gap. Kennedy holds a Doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland; a Master in Arts in Teaching from the Citadel in South Carolina; a second Masters in Educational Administration from Charleston Southern University; and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from South Carolina State University.

After a very competitive selection process, with more than sixty-three (63) applicants, Kennedy was selected. The Board conducted an on-line survey and held focus groups involving staff, parents, students and community leaders to gather input regarding the qualities that the community would like to see in the new Superintendent. With assistance of the Ray & Associates Superintendent Search Firm, the Board narrowed the candidate pool from sixty-three (63) to the top ten (10) and from there to the top two (2) finalists. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all interviews were conducted via Zoom technology to promote and allow maximum community participation and engagement.

CBRE adds Dominigos Santos as director of Property & Transaction Tax Services

CBRE announced that Dominigos Santos has joined Valuation & Advisory Services (VAS) as a director with the Property & Transaction Tax Services platform. 

Based in CBRE’s Phoenix office, Santos will advise real estate private equity firms and development companies on underwriting best practices, identifying and securing tax incentives, and minimizing annual sales, use, excise, and property tax obligations. 

Prior to joining CBRE, Santos was the Real Estate Tax Director for a prominent real estate private equity firm. He began his career as a deputy county attorney advising the fourth most populous county in the U.S. on property tax issues and has also served in consulting roles with nationwide tax consulting companies, where he advised public and private companies on tax minimization strategies.

“Domingos is one of the leading property tax professionals in Arizona and throughout the West, and we are very fortunate to have him as part of our team,” said Mark Whitney, national director, CBRE’s Property & Transaction Tax Services. “His legal background and experience in delivering services for private equity firms will deepen our team’s abilities to serve clients in Arizona and throughout the U.S.”

Santos earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Salem University. He also earned a juris doctor degree from New England Law.

Phoenix Rescue Mission promotes Nathan Smith

Phoenix Rescue Mission, a faith-based nonprofit that offers life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger, homelessness, addiction and trauma, has promoted Nathan Smith to Chief Program Officer. Smith has been with the nonprofit for more than six years and previously served as Director of Community Engagement. 

In his new role, Smith serves on Phoenix Rescue Mission’s executive committee and oversees all of the nonprofit’s programs, including its public-private partnerships aimed at reducing crime, poverty, and homelessness in targeted regions of the metro area. Smith was instrumental in the expansion of the Mission’s reach into regions like Glendale, where he and his team saved the city’s largest food bank from closing for good. Smith’s team reopened Hope For Hunger Food Bank and increased the output of the previous ownership by more than 50% – serving more than 160 families per day under Smith’s watch. He was also a key player in the formation of Glendale Works, an integrated workforce development program aimed at reducing homelessness in Glendale by providing homeless individuals day-work cleaning city property.

Smith’s work in the poverty space began in 2008 when he took his first of many mission trips to India to work in orphanages and schools in impoverished communities. He was immediately hooked and knew that the rest of his life would be dedicated to serving people in need.

Following his life’s passion, Smith has worked as a missions pastor, case manager, program director, board president, and executive in several churches and nonprofits. In his previous role as Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Director of Community Engagement, he implemented and oversaw data-driven changes that led to a substantial increase in homeless individuals placed in services, households receiving food, and contract revenues.

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