Ballet Arizona adds 2 board members

Ballet Arizona announce the appointment of two new members to its board – Sarah Kist and Michael Bolar. Kist, General Manager of Fossil Engineering at Arizona Public Service (APS), and Bolar, Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Stoker Ostler, will preserve Ballet Arizona’s legacy and plan for the organization’s future. Their board service will continue to expand the network, skills and expertise of the governing body of the organization.

“We are confident that Sarah and Mike’s extensive leadership experience, love for ballet and passionate commitment to the community will bring insight, guidance and value to our board,” said Susie Fowls, Ballet Arizona board chair. “We are pleased to bring their unique perspectives to Ballet Arizona.”

Kist and her family are lifelong supporters of ballet. In her role at APS, Kist leads an organization of engineers and project managers that support the Fossil Generation Fleet across Arizona and New Mexico, including six gas and oil fired power plants and two coal fired power plants. Kist has worked for APS for more than ten years holding various roles in engineering and operations across the company’s different business units.

Bolar chairs Stoker Ostler’s investment committee, which sets investment policies and portfolio strategies for the firm. He works with clients in identifying their financial goals and establishing investment strategies to help reach those goals. Bolar has experience in investing for individuals, trusts, endowments, pensions, mutual funds and institutional clientele and will bring that experience to Ballet Arizona through his service on the finance committee.

Terry Martin-Denning named to NAI Global Leadership Board

Terry Martin-Denning, President and CEO of NAI Horizon, was named to the NAI Global Leadership Board at the commercial real estate firm’s annual convention in Austin, Texas. 

“We are very pleased to have Terry in this role,” said Jay Olshonsky, President of NAI Global. “The success of NAI Horizon is a testament to her leadership skill. Our offices are very fortunate and will benefit from her experience.”

The NAI Leadership Board provides proactive leadership to increase the profitability, professionalism, technical capability, integrity and standards of practice that reinforce and breed mutual trust and respect throughout the organization. It fosters and promotes activities and productivity of offices, agents and the organization at-large.

CBRE promotes Steve Julius, Jesse Goldsmith

CBRE announced that Steve Julius and Jesse Goldsmith, who together specialize exclusively in the sale and purchase of retail investment properties in Arizona, have been promoted to First Vice President with CBRE Capital Markets, Retail. The team will continue to focus on advising a diverse mix of private and institutional investors on their long-term real estate and investment strategies.

Over of the course of their distinguished careers, the team has completed over 153 transactions with an aggregated consideration of $594 million. In June, the team completed the sale of Westgate Entertainment District to Bob Parsons, founder of Go Daddy and owner of Scottsdale-based YAM Properties, for $133 million, the largest retail transaction of 2018.

“We congratulate Steve and Jesse, two well-deserving sales professionals who embody CBRE’s values of excellence and professionalism, on their promotion to First Vice President,” said Cathy Teeter, Managing Director, Arizona. “This team has consistently demonstrated market-leading expertise, built long-standing industry relationships and cultivated a strong commitment to client service.”

Partners for more than 18 years, Mr. Julius and Mr. Goldsmith began their commercial real estate careers at the Phoenix office of Marcus & Millichap, where they first teamed up on the sale of multi-tenant investment properties. They both joined CBRE in 2012 as Vice Presidents. 

Leadership change at hardison/downey

One of the best known names in Arizona’s commercial construction industry recently changed hands as Justin Newman assumed leadership of 34-year-old hardison/downey construction inc. (h/d), taking over for President and Co-Founder Pat Downey.

“We have known for some time that Justin was the guy for the job, and that impression has only solidified over the past year of working with him,” said Downey. “Justin is professional and relatable, and he will take this company to the next level. I don’t think they are going to miss me!” he joked. Downey will remain with the company through 2019 as Senior Vice President to assist the leadership team and transition.

Newman joined h/d in 2018 as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer following nearly 20 years in the construction industry. He has a diverse project background ranging from alternative energy and public works to criminal justice and high-end residential projects throughout the United States.

“Justin’s commitment to high standards and natural leadership skills are a great fit for h/d,” said Kitchell President and CEO Jim Swanson. “I should also mention that his work-out ethic will undoubtedly do wonders for our wellness plan,” he added.

h/d became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kitchell in 2010 when Bob Hardison and Pat Downey joined forces with the 1,100-plus employee-owned company after a long history of working together.

Steptoe adds Amy Levine in Phoenix

Steptoe & Johnson LLP announced the arrival of Amy Levine as an associate in the firm’s Phoenix office. Levine focuses her practice on insurance coverage and commercial litigation matters. She works with clients in advisory and litigation roles regarding claims of breach of contract, insurance bad faith, fraud, business torts, professional liability, and negligence claims to secure case dismissals, trial and arbitration defense verdicts, settlements, and summary judgment.

Prior to joining Steptoe, Levine successfully represented insurers and insurance producers in defending claims of insurance bad faith, breach of contract, and negligence. She obtained several regulatory approvals and Certificates of Authority for large national and international insurance companies so they could conduct business in California. Levine has also assisted with mergers and acquisitions of insurance companies and in obtaining approvals for extraordinary distributions.