Mark-Taylor promotes Lyrit Edmunds

Lyrit Edmunds, who has thrived at Scottsdale-based Mark-Taylor Residential since 2015, has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources and Administration.

Over the last three years, Edmunds has initiated numerous training and operational programs and plays a critical role in the development of the organization.

With her promotion, Edmunds will continue to oversee the full scope of Mark-Taylor’s Human Resources Department and will play an increasing role in the strategic direction of organization overall.

“We take a promotion of this level seriously,” said Mark-Taylor Executive Vice President Chris Brozina. “Attaining the title of Vice President proves our leaders have taken ownership of the company’s future and don’t wait around for instructions or a pep talk – they lead, they mentor and they succeed with initiative.”

JFCS appoints director of major/planned gifts

Elizabeth M. Rock has joined the philanthropic services team at Jewish Family & Children’s Service as director of major/planned gifts.  In this role, she will be responsible for generating major gifts for the JFCS organization through collaboration with JFCS senior leaders, volunteers, agency liaisons and corporate partners as well as cultivating relationships with existing and prospective donors. 

Rock joins the organization from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where she served as the development director.

“Elizabeth brings expertise and a varied background in development to Jewish Family & Children’s Service,” said Gail Baer, vice president of philanthropic services.  “With 12 years of fundraising and management experience in higher education, the non-profit sector and the hospitality industry, she has demonstrated success in closing financial contributions through a variety of comprehensive development campaigns.” 

W.E. O’Neil names Alex Lindsey assistant project manager

W.E. O’Neil announced the addition of Alex Lindsey to its team of construction professionals. Alex will serve in the role of Assistant Project Manager in our Tucson office.

Alex brings more than five years of experience in the construction industry, where he has served in similar roles for other construction companies in Arizona and New York. His experience has been primarily focused on large-scale retail construction and renovation projects.

Sam Chang named chairman of FSL board of directors

FSL announced Sam Chang has been named chairman of the organization’s board of directors. 

“We’re thrilled to have Sam’s leadership and expertise on our board,” said Tom Egan, president and CEO of FSL. “He’s been an active board member helping me to lead our board in the right direction and we value his insight and input. Sam is a well-respected business leader in our community, and his knowledge regarding real estate and finance is incredibly valuable to us.  As board chairman, he will help guide FSL through our upcoming strategic planning process as we plan for our future.”

Sam Chang is a Partner and Chair of the Recruiting Committee at Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP, an Am Law 200 commercial law firm with offices throughout the Mountain West. Chang focuses his practice on real estate sales and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, and loan transactions. He represents developers, hospitals, real estate investment firms and institutional equity investors in all types of commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, development, leasing, operation and financing of multi-family residential complexes, office buildings, senior housing projects, retail centers, industrial facilities and mixed-use projects.

Chang joined the FSL Board of Directors in 2016, served as the Arizona State Bar Co-Chair for the 2016 State Bar Convention, was a Scottsdale Leadership Member Class XXVI and was recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal “40 Under 40” in 2015. He is currently a member of the Arizona Asian American Bar Association and Maricopa County Bar Association. A Phoenix native, Chang received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Arizona.

ISM Raceway names Director of Communications

ISM Raceway announced that Rodney Scearce has been named as its new Director of Communications, effective August 30.

Scearce, who previously served as Manager of Community Relations for the Phoenix Suns, will oversee all communications and media relations for ISM Raceway, including its Opening Weekend featuring the Can-Am 500.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rodney to our team,” said Scott Rovn, Vice President of Sales and Communications, ISM Raceway. “With his great experience here in the Phoenix market, as well as in motorsports related PR, we feel confident that he’ll make an immediate contribution here at ISM Raceway as we prepare for our Opening Weekend and the Can-Am 500 this November.” 

In addition to his work with the Suns, Scearce brings a diverse sports and entertainment communications background to ISM Raceway, which includes work with Texas Motor Speedway as well as the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company in Scottsdale, AZ. Quickly emerging as a leading communications professional, he will help to guide ISM Raceway’s strategic efforts as it prepares for its Opening Weekend in November.