The commercial real estate industry is constantly changing, affecting all levels of employees as well as both large and small companies.

Economic circumstances further enhance the industry’s volatility — and the Metro Phoenix and Metro Tucson marketplaces are not immune to those changes.

When AZRE magazine first published it four years ago, People to Know in commercial real estate featured some of the most well-respected and knowledgeable experts in the industry. This year’s edition is no different.

This year, nominees were evaluated be a selection committee using the following criteria: length of time in the community; accomplishments in the commercial real estate industry; and work in the community.

From the individuals in the publication, AZRE elected the top person in the industry in their respective category. The winners were honored at a reception last night at the former McCormick and Schmick restaurant at the Esplanade.

The industry leaders, announced at the event, will be featured in the July/August 2013 issue of AZRE.

Congratulations 2013 Industry Leaders

Patrick HayesArchitect / Engineer

Patrick Hayes
PHArchitecture

Responsibilities: Design vision, marketing, proposals, client relations

Years at Company: 13 Years in CRE: 30

Accomplishments: Hayes is a LEED accredited professional who holds licenses in several states. He is known for pioneering and advancing the technological use of 3-D animation for design and marketing of projects. Hayes is an award-winning architect who is active in the community and with local charities. He designed Phoenix’s first LEED Gold certified speculative office building and has worked on several VA outpatient medical facilities. He is currently working on the nation’s most technologically advanced data center, CyrusOne at Continuum Business Park.

Karen GaylordAttorney

Karen Gaylord
Jennings, Haug & Cunningham

Responsibilities: Environmental law and natural resource practice

Years at Company: 1 Years in CRE: 28

Accomplishments: Gaylord represents an international aerospace company in its environmental compliance and state and federal superfund issues. She negotiated complex settlement agreement to govern cleanup of a jet fuel spill at Sky Harbor. She represents water providers in securing replacement water supplies and leads environmental compliance audit teams. She is recognized by Chambers & Partners as a top lawyer in environmental law (2007-2012) and Best Lawyers in America (2009-2013). Corporate Counsel named her to its “top lawyers” list in Guide to Environmental and natural resource law.

Dave CheathamBroker

Dave Cheatham
Velocity Retail Group

Responsibilities: Co-founder and managing principal of Velocity Retail Group

Years at Company: 5 Years in CRE: 26

Accomplishments: Cheatham is an accomplished authority on retail real estate in the disciplines of brokerage, project leasing, development, consulting and advisory services. He is a senior advisor to merchants, entrepreneurs, investors and senior retail executives throughout the industry. He has helped shape the corporate real estate policy of many of the nation’s household-name retail brands. His extensive client list includes leading brands such as Target and CVS Pharmacy. He has completed more than $2.2B of retail deals.

Stephen Kovach VSubcontractor

Stephen Kovach V
Kovach Building Enclosures

Responsibilities: Directs pre-construction services & business development

Years at Company: 15 Years in CRE: 15

Accomplishments: As a third generation business owner, Kovach has championed building solutions that maintain design and budget. He contributed to the success of projects including, the MDA Banner Cancer Center, University of Phoenix at Apollo River Point Center, Health Sciences Education Building at the Phoenix Bio Medical Campus, ASU College of Nursing, ASU Polytechnic Campus, Talking Stick Resort & Spa and the PHX Sky Train Terminal 4 & 44th Street Stations. He volunteers in various roles at the Del E. Webb School of Construction and offers his time and resources to charitable organizations.

Don KeuthEconomic Developer

Don Keuth
Phoenix Community Alliance

Responsibilities: Oversees Phoenix Community Alliance; CEO for Discovery Triangle DC

Years at Company: 15 Years in CRE: 36

Accomplishments: Keuth served 14 years on the Phoenix Planning Commission, of which he chaired for 3 years. He helped to create the Discovery Triangle Development Corporation, and has spent 8 years on the Phoenix IDA Board, of which he chaired for a year. He chaired the citizen’s advisory committee for convention center expansion and chaired citizen’s advisory committee for light rail construction. He serves on various other boards and commissions in his effort to be an active advocate for the vitality of Downtown Phoenix.

Karen HalpertFinancier/Accountant

Karen Halpert
Cole Real Estate Investments

Responsibilities: Senior VP, single-tenant property management

Years at Company: 2.5 Years in CRE: 21

Accomplishments: Named a “Woman of Influence” by Real Estate Forum in 2011, Halpert is an active member of AZCREW. She was a 2012 Sponsor Chair and board member and named 2013 AZCREW Chapter President. She provides oversight of a 17-person management team made up of property managers, assistant property managers and asset managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of Cole’s single tenant portfolio. In 2011, the Cole team acquired $2.5B of high-quality properties.

Dave CrawfordGeneral Contractor

Dave Crawford
Sundt Construction

Responsibilities: Principal leader, directs day-to-day operations

Years at Company: 45 Years in CRE: 45

Accomplishments: Crawford was an active participant in the drafting, lobbying, education and passage of enabling legislation permitting alternate project delivery methods and qualifications based selection for public owners in the state of Arizona. He has participated as a national speaker on these topics and is also actively involved in this effort in other states and on a federal basis. Sundt was GC for two of the state’s signature educational facilites in 2012: the Health Sciences Education Building in Downtown Phoenix and HSEB 4 at ASU. Sundt was the 2013 RED Awards GC of the Year.

Alisa TimmProperty Manager

Alisa Timm
Lincoln Property Company

Responsibilities: Oversees business development and property management in AZ, Nev., Utah and NM

Years at Company: 1 Years in CRE: 28

Accomplishments: Timm is the new Director of Management Services for Lincoln Property Company’s Desert West Region in Phoenix. After being a principal of her own firm for more than 20 years in Phoenix, Timm was recruited to open the property management division for a national full service real estate company in June 2010. While there, she successfully grew the portfolio to over more than 3 MSF and managed a team of talented property managers and engineers. Timm serves on the IREM board and is an active member of AZCrew.

R Chapin BellDeveloper

R. Chapin Bell
The P.B. Bell Companies

Responsibilities: Debt and equity raising; new product design

Years at Company: 18 Years in CRE: 18

Accomplishments: PB Bell has become one of the best in case development and property management organizations. Under Chapin Bell, it is known for its quality reputation for designing award-winning developments as well as providing high quality property management services. Bell is past chairman of the Arizona Multihousing Association and the current chairman of UMOM (the largest homeless shelter for families in Arizona).


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Photos by Lillian Reid


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