Wallace, Plese + Dreher names new managing partner
Randy G. Brammer, CPA, CCIFP assumed the role of managing partner at Wallace, Plese + Dreher. He is the first non-founding partner to hold the position of managing partner in the firm’s history.
The transition demonstrates the Firm’s sustainability and continuous commitment to seamless client service. Focused on continual growth, Randy will lead the Firm’s strategy on client service, business development, expanded services, and partner transitions. He will continue providing accounting, audits, reviews, and assurance to privately-held Arizona businesses with a concentration in construction.
Randy joined the firm in 2004 as a staff accountant and became a partner in 2016. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northern Arizona University and Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Grand Canyon University. He holds an Arizona Certified Public Accountant license and is a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP). He has received multiple recognitions and awards, including 2021 Arizona Business Leader to Watch, 2020 AzBusiness Leader, 2020 AZRE/Arizona Commercial Real Estate, People & Projects to Know, and 2017 Nominee Phoenix Business Journal, 40 Under 40.
In 2015, Mark R. Dreher, CPA assumed the role of Managing Partner and succeeded Scott Thomas Wallace, CPA. As Managing Partner, Mark’s accomplishments included guiding client service initiatives, identifying and advancing successors, launching Client Accounting Services, and navigating the Firm’s operations through COVID-19. Under his leadership, the Firm added 11 partners, including 6 women partners, and expanded its footprint by opening an office in Scottsdale.
Additionally, in 2020, the firm received multiple awards and recognitions, including No. 1 CPA Firm Ranking Arizona and Forbes America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2021
Bell Bank hires Lucero to lead C&I team
Bell Bank has hired Tom Lucero as senior vice president/commercial banking C&I team leader for Bell’s Phoenix metro locations. Lucero will office out of Bell’s Arrowhead location (scheduled to open in Peoria in March) and works with a team focused on services and lending for Bell’s commercial and industrial clients.
“We’re very excited about our growing footprint in Arizona,” said Kyle Kennedy, Bell’s Southwest region president and Arizona banking director. “And we’re proud to hire an experienced banker of Tom’s caliber to help lead a key team for us in C&I banking and lending.”
Originally from Portland, Ore., Lucero has more than 31 years of experience in banking. Prior to joining Bell, he was a principal relationship manager for middle-market commercial banking with Wells Fargo. He and his wife live in Peoria and have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Founded in 1966 in Fargo, N.D., Bell Bank is one of the nation’s largest independently owned banks, with full-service banking locations in Arizona, North Dakota and Minnesota and more than $9 billion in assets. The company provides a broad range of financial services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage and insurance.
CBRE promotes 6 professionals in Phoenix
CBRE announced that six professionals in the Phoenix office have achieved title promotions.
Pat Feeney, Dan Calihan and Rusty Kennedy have been promoted to Executive Vice President. The three are business partners and specialize in the sale and lease of single- and multi-tenant industrial properties to clients from across the state, country and globe. Their market expertise spans manufacturing, warehouse/distribution/e-commerce, office/flex, development, land and investment sales, and build-to-suits. With more than 70 years of combined industry experience, the team consistently ranks among the firm’s top 20 percent of brokers nationally.
Brian Smuckler and Jeff Seaman also were promoted to Executive Vice President, while their partner, Derek Smigiel achieved the title of First Vice President. The trio specializes in the disposition, acquisition, and strategic repositioning of non-institutional multifamily investment properties in metro Phoenix. Over the past five years, the team, which is consistently a top producer in the Phoenix office, closed 225 transactions with nearly $1 billion in total consideration and 25 percent market share.
“These well-deserved promotions are a testament to the hard work and dedication put forth by these professionals in spite of the continued business challenges brought on by the pandemic,” said Paul Komadina, Senior Managing Director and Arizona Market Leader.
