Barter named president of Montgomery & Associates

Hale Barter was named president of Montgomery & Associates (M&A), a water resource consultant company with an office in Scottsdale. Barter served as M&A’s Chief Financial Officer for the past decade. He joined the company in 1994, serving on the board of directors since 2005. Barter’s technical expertise focuses on groundwater modeling for mine dewatering and water supply development, managed aquifer recharge, and groundwater remediation. He holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in hydrology from the University of Arizona.

Mike Rosko and Tim Leo were named vice presidents. Rosko is based in M&A’s Santiago de Chile office. He has been with M&A since 1986 and on the board of directors since 2005. Leo is based at the company’s corporate headquarters in Tucson. He has been with M&A since 2008 and on the board of directors since 2014.

As president, Barter’s immediate goals center on maintaining M&A’s reputation of technical excellence across its service areas within the water resources purview. He also looks to continue strategic growth initiatives, such as the company’s recent acquisition of Oakland, California-based HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. Along with his new role as president, Barter will also serve as the Tucson Operations Manager.

Barter is the third president in M&A’s 34-year history. He takes over as company president from Mark Cross, who served as M&A president for 13 years. During that time, Cross oversaw the company’s expansion into new geographic areas and market sectors, securing top talent and maintaining client satisfaction. Cross will continue to serve as a senior technical mentor to M&A’s staff and work with new and long-term clients on litigation support, managed aquifer recharge investigations, groundwater flow modeling, well hydraulics and groundwater/surface water interactions.

“The heart of Montgomery & Associates is the committed professionals who have pushed our company forward these last three decades,” Barter said. “I’m honored and excited to step into this position and lead this incredible team into the next chapter of our company’s future. The entire management team will work to ensure a seamless transition for clients, staff and projects.”

Goodwill announces new senior vice president

Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona announced Stan Yamamoto has joined the nonprofit as Senior Vice President, Brand Strategy.  Stan is a veteran of the advertising industry working as a marketing strategist for many large brands such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, METRO Light Rail, Motorola, KFC and more.  

“Stan offers great strategic insight and judgment on business issues far beyond marketing and communications that will allow him to have an impact on the operational efficiencies and long- term growth,” says Tim O’Neal, president and chief executive officer at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.

Yamamoto’s primary focus will be offering strategic oversight of the brand as it relates to all organizational initiatives, current and future, and helping to lead the marketing team.

VIAONE Design Build announces Jonathan Stratton as partner

IAONE Design Build of Scottsdale announced that Jonathan Stratton has joined the executive leadership team as president and partner of its development division. This marks a strategic event in the firms’ growth and leadership alignment. Stratton will be responsible for executing all aspects of construction from concept design and development to construction close out. As a partner, Stratton will curate the vision of the development division, as well as shape the future growth plans and direction for the company.

Jonathan came from Stratton Design Build after 3 years as president/CEO, where he held other roles during that time. He was responsible for leading the company’s growth and day to day operations and project management. Where he consistently exceeded client expectations with on time delivery, design, budget and exceptional quality. Stratton brings a vast level of expertise where he previously served as Military Programs Project Manager for the Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Jonathan has successfully managed and executed all ranges of projects totalling over $1.821B in the past 10 years across public, commercial, federal, and military sectors.

Chasse named Exchangite of the Year

Judy Chasse, business development manager at Bell Mortgage in Phoenix, has been named the National Exchange Club’s Southwest District Exchangite of the Year. A member of the Exchange Club of Tempe for five years, Chasse was honored among nominees from local chapters in Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. 

Chasse represented the Southwest District at the National Exchange Club’s national conference in Reno.

Under Chasse’s guidance for the last two years, the Exchange Club of Tempe has defined and expanded its signature event, the annual September 11th Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park. This event to help community members heal features an eight-foot flag and card memorializing each person who died on 9/11. Surrounding events over several days include a concert, morning memorial service and evening candlelight ceremony. Chasse led the planning and execution of this event and is now guiding her successor in the process. In addition, Chasse has spearheaded the club’s relationship with the Boys and Girls Club in Guadalupe and the Department of Child Safety, raising funds for children in need.

BREW welcomes Ilana Lowery as executive editor

Business Real Estate Weekly of Arizona, publisher of BREW, a trade publication that covers business and real estate activity in Arizona, announced and welcomed Ilana Lowery as Executive Editor in charge of all digital and print content for the 24-year-old industry tip sheet. 

A 30-year media veteran, Lowery was the former editor-in-chief at the Phoenix Business Journal, where she served in that position for 15 years. Prior to her role as chief editor, the Chicago native also served as managing editor of the paper for five years. She started there in 1995 as a reporter and projects editor for a total of 23 years at the publication.  

As a reporter, she covered banking and finance, real estate, economic development, aviation, tourism and sports business. Prior to the Business Journal, she was an editor for Independent Newspapers Inc., a community newspaper chain based in Scottsdale.