New NFIB Arizona state director named

The nation’s leading small-business association today announced Chad Heinrich as its new state director for Arizona.

“Chad Heinrich has the experience we were looking for, one who can hit the ground running,” said Daniel Markels, state government relations director for NFIB. “He runs his own public affairs firm, has worked in government, in private industry, and – most important to us – for a sister business association. We have in him someone who knows the ropes and when to pull them.”

Heinrich runs his own public affairs firm, Heinrich LLC, providing lobbying, consulting, and strategic advice. Prior to establishing his own firm, he was vice president of public affairs and economic development for the Greater Phoenix Chamber.

He has worked on projects in partnership with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Arizona Tax Research Association, the East Valley Partnership as well as several other Phoenix-area business groups. For NFIB, he will direct its Arizona lobbying and political programs.

A native of South Dakota, Heinrich served as South Dakota’s deputy secretary of state early in his career and was recognized as one of only 40 promising state leaders in the country through a fellowship with the Council of State Governments. Arizona has been home to Heinrich since 2009. He and his wife Sarah make their home in central Phoenix.

MacQueen & Gottlieb hires paralegal

MacQueen & Gottlieb announced the hiring of Thomas W. Howard as a paralegal. Howard comes to M&G from the Phoenix firm Bonnett Fairbourn Friedman & Balint, PC where he worked in the same capacity for the past three years. Prior to returning to the Valley, he was an attorney with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP in New York.

Howard is a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law and holds his Bachelors’ Degree in Asian Languages (Mandarin Chinese) from Arizona State University.  He remains a member of the New York State Bar Association.

According to founding partner Benjamin Gottlieb, Howard’s experience as a practicing attorney brings a level of expertise to the firm’s paralegal corps that sets it apart from most other firms.

Having a paralegal who has practiced law for eight years is a unique benefit to our firm,” Gottlieb said. “Thomas recently assisted our firm in a 6-day jury trial in which our clients prevailed.  Handling a jury trial is a lot of hard work, but having Thomas assist throughout the trial made the process go a lot smoother.  We look forward to Thomas’ continued contributions to the firm.”

Village Health Clubs & Spas makes hire

The Valley-based Village Health Clubs & Spas announced the hiring of Miki Mitnick as the new Assistant General Manager at the Camelback Village Racquet & Health Club in Phoenix.And while Mitnick is new to this role, this Phoenix native has been with The Village on and off for more than three decades, starting as a summer camp counselor back in the mid 1990s. “I grew up playing sports, and went to college on a volleyball scholarship,” Mitnick says. “So during summers I started working at the Camelback Village and eventually worked my way up to running the summer camp program.” After college, Mitnick joined the Village full time as an activity director, and eventually helped open the DC Ranch Village as the assistant GM.

Mitnick left the Village Health Clubs & Spas a decade ago in order to raise a family. However, she always remained connected to the Camelback Village, working part time as a certified cycling instructor. And now that her children are both in school full time, Mitnick is excited to rejoin her original ‘home’ gym as the new Assistant General Manger.

“My background is in youth services and adult programming, so one of my first goals is to work with my department heads to introduce new social events and programming. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet new members, but also reconnect with members I’ve know for decades. Plus, another one that’s close to my heart is we’ve launched new youth sports leagues, such as indoor volleyball and pickleball.”