Enterprise Bank & Trust promotes Jeff Friesen to president of Southwestern Region
Enterprise Bank & Trust, the banking subsidiary of Enterprise Financial Services Corp (NASDAQ: EFSC), has hired three new associates and announced an internal promotion to boost its presence in Las Vegas, NV.
David Navarro, Market President, has been hired to lead Enterprise’s growth efforts in Las Vegas. Navarro is an experienced commercial banker in the Las Vegas area. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking at Pacific Premier Bank.
Two other banking veterans, Bernard Bermudez and JC Cudiamat, have also joined Navarro’s team at Enterprise. Cudiamat, SVP, Relationship Manager, has more than 20 years of sales management experience in small business and commercial loans, treasury services and card products. Bermudez, SVP, Relationship Manager, has more than 30 years experience in commercial banking. As a trusted financial advisor, he will continue to deliver financial services to commercial and nonprofit clients in the region.
Enterprise entered the Las Vegas market in 2020 with the acquisition of Seacoast Commerce Banc Holdings, the parent company of Seacoast Commerce Bank. The acquisition added seven branch locations to Enterprise’s footprint, including the branch at 8311 W. Sunset Rd. in Las Vegas.
As part of its investment in the Las Vegas market, Enterprise has named veteran Jeff Friesen as President of the Southwestern Region. He was formerly President of the Arizona market for Enterprise. In his new expanded role, Friesen is responsible for Arizona, Albuquerque, NM, and Enterprise’s growing presence in Las Vegas.
“Las Vegas is a strong, attractive commercial banking market. The business growth in the region is impressive,” says Enterprise Bank & Trust President Scott Goodman. “Combining proven leadership with a new team of highly experienced local banking leaders presents great opportunities for growth in the area.”
Jennings Strouss Managing Attorney John C. Norling appointed to board
Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based law firm, announced that Managing Attorney John C. Norling has been appointed as a member of the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation / Phoenix Zoo’s Board of Directors.
Since 1962, the Phoenix Zoo has worked with the Arizona for Nature Conservation to continue its mission to advocate the conservation of animals and their habitats. Through interaction with nature, they provide visitors with experiences and inspiration to make a difference. This makes the Phoenix Zoo one of the most visited and largest non-profit attractions in the United States. Additional information regarding the Phoenix Zoo can be found online here.
“The Phoenix Zoo is an incredible institution and has made amazing strides in supporting conservation,” stated John C. Norling, Managing Attorney. “I look forward to playing a role in helping to further their mission and achieve their short and long-term goals.”
Mr. Norling is the Managing Attorney of Jennings Strouss and serves on the Firm’s Management Committee. His practice is focused on advising clients on all aspects of their operations, including but not limited to, commercial transactions, real estate, business organizations, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, automobile dealership law, and federal and administrative compliance, business contract negotiations, and advertising law.
Jennings Strouss attorneys and practice ranked in Chambers USA 2021
Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based law firm, announced that the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice has been ranked in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA. Attorney John J. Balitis, Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice group was also ranked as a top Labor and Employment lawyer in Arizona for his seventh consecutive year. In addition, Jennings Strouss attorney Albert “Bert” Acken was ranked in the Arizona practice area of Environmental Law for his eighth consecutive year. Chambers USA ranks the top lawyers and law firms across all the United States of America.
“I am incredibly proud of John, Bert, and our Labor and Employment team for this accomplishment,” states John C. Norling, Managing Partner. “At Jennings Strouss, our clients are our first priority, so we are especially pleased to be ranked in the 2021 Chambers USA Guide as it relies heavily on client feedback and serves as a reflection of their satisfaction.”
Jennings Strouss’ management-oriented Labor and Employment practice provides full-service support to both public and private employers as they navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape. Whether you are looking to improve compliance and reduce risk, or address current claims, our team of experts is here to help. Our attorneys regularly provide advice and other assistance on such issues as: arbitration and mediation; COVID-19 related employment issues; discrimination and wrongful discharge claims; employee compensation programs and benefits plans; employee handbooks and policies; employee investigations; federal and state leave compliance; traditional labor issues; training; and wage and hour litigation.
“It’s an honor to be recognized both individually and as a team by Chambers USA,” states John J. Balitis. “The intense vetting and peer review that is involved in Chambers’ process makes this ranking unique and particularly meaningful.”
Balitis counsels private sector clients as well as government agencies, including the Arizona legislature, on a broad range of employment law and labor relations matters. Over his 30 years of practice, he has represented clients in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Arizona Civil Rights Division, Arizona Industrial Commission, Arizona Department of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Recognizing that some issues need to be resolved at the legislative level, Balitis has participated in drafting and testifying on Arizona employment-related legislation. In addition to the administrative and transactional aspects of his practice, Balitis litigates employment-related disputes in federal and state courts, where he has both bench and jury trial experience and has appeared and argued before the Arizona Court of Appeals. He has considerable experience prosecuting and defending employment claims in preliminary injunction proceedings and representing union employers in labor arbitrations involving disputes under collective bargaining agreements. Balitis also is experienced in training, investigating, writing, speaking, publishing, and interacting with the media on employment-related topics and developments. He also serves as an arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association. He participates in proceedings in these capacities in Arizona and other jurisdictions. Balitis was recently elected as a Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, listed in AZ Big Media 2021 Top 100 Lawyers, listed in AZ Big Media AzBusiness Leaders for 2021, and a Southwest Super Lawyer in the category of Employment and Labor for 2021. He’s recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© in his practice area.
“I am humbled to be recognized by Chambers USA for another year,” states Bert Acken. “Thank you to my clients and peers for this honor.”
Acken represents clients in public utility commission and other administrative proceedings, compliance and enforcement matters, and environmental, real estate, and tax litigation. He also represents energy, utility, mining, and remediation clients in business transactions. He helps his clients develop and implement creative, effective, and efficient legal solutions to meet their objectives. Acken is an active member of the business community and serves as board counsel for an aggregate mining trade association. He is recognized as a leader in his field by The Best Lawyers in America© in the category of Environmental Law.
Jennings Strouss attorney Scott F. Frerichs appointed co-chair of committee
Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based full service law firm, announced the appointment of attorney Scott F. Frerichs as co-chair of the Herberger Theater Fund Development Committee.
Known as “Arizona’s Center Stage”, the Herberger Theater Center strives to support and foster the growth of performing arts in the Phoenix metropolitan area, bringing together artists and audience for diverse and engaging experiences. Since its opening in 1989, the Theater has contributed to the cultural and educational development of the Valley and served as advocate and incubator for the arts. The Herberger Theater Center launched a fund development committee to raise funds essential to not only raising the curtains again, but to support the Theater’s outreach programs for low-income children and teens across Phoenix. Additional information about the Herberger Theater can be found online here.
“I am honored to co-chair the Herberger Theater’s Fund Development Committee,” stated Mr. Frerichs, Chair of the Firm’s Construction, Fidelity and Surety Department. “The COVID-19 related shutdowns seriously impacted the Theater’s ability to serve the Valley and I look forward to supporting the Theater’s fund raising efforts and raising the curtain on a new season.”
Frerichs’ practice includes all aspect of construction law, including surety claims, owner/contractor disputes, mechanic’s liens, bid protests, real estate disclosures, and Registrar of Contractors matters. Having completed in excess of 65 trials over his career, Frerichs’ vast litigation experience also includes complex commercial litigation, fidelity law claims, insurance coverage issues, claims of professional negligence and appellate work.
Jennings Strouss attorney Patrick F. Welch appointed to board
Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based law firm, announced that attorney Patrick F. Welch has been appointed as a member of Arizona Town Hall’s Board of Directors.
The Arizona Town Hall is a private, statewide nonprofit organization that focuses on fostering an open forum for discussing and exploring some of the state’s most essential topics and issues. From identifying critical issues to implementing changes, members become active participants in cultivating a successful and thriving community. The Town Hall draws on Arizona’s diversity of citizens and promotes public consideration on many issues such as the United States – Mexico border and trade, as well as criminal justice and funding education in Arizona. The Arizona Town Hall is a membership organization with individual, corporate, and professional members from all across the state, spanning the five decades of the organization’s existence. Additional information regarding Arizona Town Hall can be found online here.
“I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Town Hall,” stated Patrick F. Welch, Member. “I was first introduced to the Arizona Town Hall process in 2016 during the 108th Arizona Town Hall that explored the relationship between Arizona and Mexico. I was immediately impressed with how the Arizona Town Hall brought diverse groups of people together to tackle issues impacting the State of Arizona while directly coming up with action plans and recommendations. I was immediately hooked and jumped at the chance to help the Arizona Town Hall start the Arizona and Mexico Town Hall programs in Sonora, Mexico. I look forward to assisting the Arizona Town Hall to continue its important mission across the State of Arizona and in Mexico.
Welch focuses his practice in general and complex commercial litigation, construction litigation, fidelity and surety litigation, and the U.S. – Mexico cross-border business transactions and litigation. He is licensed in Arizona, Nevada, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Based in Arizona, Welch regularly assists surety and fidelity clients with all facets of Arizona and Nevada claim investigations, litigation, trial, arbitration, mediation, and appeals.
Welch has an extensive network in Mexico. He is involved with promoting the U.S. – Mexico cross-border trade and investment helped establish the Arizona & Mexico Town Hall in 2017. Welch is a delegate on the Financial and Legal Services Committee of the Arizona – Mexico Commission and is a Founding member and Vice President of the Sonoran Desert Chapter of Lambda Alpha International. His passion for supporting clients with the U.S. – Mexico cross-border business objectives stems from his strong family connection and professional history in Mexico.
