Each year, PTK magazine — a publication of AZ Big Media — honors the talented people and compelling projects across Arizona’s commercial real estate landscape. Each day leading up to the PTK launch party, we will be spotlighting the influential professionals and projects featured in the 2027 edition of PTK. Today, meet the Arizona general contractors to know in 2027.
AZ Big Media will host a launch party to commemorate the 2027 edition of PTK in on Oct. 29, 2026. The Presenting Sponsors for the PTK 2027 edition magazine launch party are Lincoln and Harvard Investments; the Premier Sponsor is Wolverine Builders; the Event Sponsors are DFDG Architecture and Layton; the Photobooth Sponsor is Chasse Building Team; the Digital Sponsor is ModLogics Commercial Furniture Solutions; the Social Media Sponsor is Tempe Mechanical; the Red Carpet Sponsor is Concord General Contracting; the Entertainment Sponsor is Gensler; the Appetizer Sponsor is Stevens-Leinweber Construction; the Dessert Sponsor is Arizona Escrow & Financial; the Lanyard Sponsor is BPR Companies; the Beverage Sponsor is LGE Design Build; the Valet Sponsor is Clayco; the Interactive Champagne Wall Sponsor is PDO, a studio of RDC; the Floral Sponsor is Empire Paving; the Seating Sponsor is Corporate Interior Systems; the Champagne Sponsor is Milhaus; and the Floral Provider is PJs Flowers. For more information, click here.
Brandon Bell
Founder
Next Level Steel | Next Level Decking
BACKGROUND: Launched in 2020 with self-funding and six employees, Bell has overseen Next Level Steel’s transformation into one of the fastest-growing manufacturers in the nation, and the firm recently transitioned into Arizona’s only employee-owned steel fabricator.
FAVORITE PROJECT: “For years, we used castellated steel beams for massive warehouse roofs. At the Sprouts Farmers Market corporate headquarters, we erected 100-foot castellated beams, creating a sustainable structural solution for an eco-conscious brand.”
Brian Sykes
Head of construction
DBSI
BACKGROUND: After nearly three decades in construction, Sykes has developed the kind of field instinct that can’t be taught. Since coming to DBSI, he has helped scale the firm’s ability to deliver multisite programs without losing the craftsmanship and accountability DBSI prides itself in.
FAVORITE PROJECT: The University of Arizona’s Health Sciences Innovation Building. What stands out to Sykes is the architectural detail designed to encourage the flow of people and ideas, turning a nine-story building into a hub for learning and collaboration.
Cody Phelan
Chief operating officer
Willmeng Construction
BACKGROUND: Having overseen projects of all sizes and complexities, Phelan’s knowledge and experience with every aspect of construction ensures clients receive the highest level of service and quality.
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “Leading operations through 42% employee growth over three years, including expansion into Utah, New Mexico and Texas.”
David Slokken
Preconstruction executive
The PENTA Building Group
BACKGROUND: Slokken brings a wealth of knowledge and versatility to every project he undertakes, with a background spanning a broad spectrum of project types and market sectors.
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “In 2017, I left PENTA to return to the Pacific Northwest. After years working with other general contractors, I was welcomed back to PENTA in 2025. The warmth I received was immediate and overwhelming — like I never left. It was in that moment I realized that home is here, with PENTA in Arizona.”
Emily Ganem
President
Ganem Companies
BACKGROUND: Ganem oversees the company’s day-to-day operations and organizational leadership across construction, development and related business entities. She also serves as creative director for Sky Restaurant Concepts.
FAVORITE PROJECT: The Global Ambassador. Ganem loves how eclectic and experience-driven the project feels, from the architecture and design details to the energy it brings to the area. The combination of incredible views, thoughtfully curated spaces, and endless restaurant and hospitality options makes it a destination that feels both elevated and uniquely Arizona.
Eric Meister
Division manager
Sunland Asphalt & Construction
BACKGROUND: Meister is responsible for ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. He also plays a key role in mentoring team members and fostering a culture centered on accountability, communication and service excellence.
SURPRISING FACT: Meister comes from generations of farmers. His grandfather, dad and uncle ran an apple and cherry orchard in Michigan — and definitely held high standards when it came to apples and cherries.
Glenn Leier
Vice president of client strategy & vision
Wespac Construction
BACKGROUND: Starting in operations and rising through executive leadership, Leier built his career on execution before shifting his focus to the future of the business and how it sustains growth in a competitive market. Today, his impact extends beyond projects, focusing on mentoring leaders, strengthening culture and shaping the next generation of business leaders.
FAVORITE PROJECT: Having been part of the state’s commercial growth for over 30 years, Leier points to projects like Borgata, Culdesac and The Union as examples where thoughtful vision and strong partnerships elevated the outcome beyond just construction, reflecting a shift from transactional buildings to experience-driven environments.
Jimmy Tometich
Executive vice president
Layton Construction
BACKGROUND: Tometich leads operations for the firm’s Arizona business unit, overseeing project teams throughout every phase of construction, beginning with the preconstruction handoff and continuing all the way to the final delivery of each project.
SURPRISING FACT: Tometich grew up taking dance lessons. The fact is that he still has “it”.
Justin Kelton
CEO, Southwest region
McCarthy Building Companies
BACKGROUND: With a career spanning more than three decades, Kelton started as a trade laborer on a large hospital project in New Hampshire. Today, he serves as the firm’s Southwest’s CEO, overseeing McCarthy’s regional operations across Arizona, as well as three national business units: renewable energy, water/wastewater and mission critical.
SURPRISING FACT: “I’m a twin, and I’m super close with my brother, Thane. Even though he lives in California, our families get together often, and we’ve always shared an incredible bond. As you commonly hear with twins, we’ll finish each other’s sentences without even thinking about it — and yes, it’s every bit as uncanny as it sounds.”
Kirk McClure
Vice president, client solutions
JE Dunn Construction Company
BACKGROUND: With more than 25 years of experience in business development and operations under his belt, McClure leads client development for JE Dunn Construction’s Southwest division.
SURPRISING FACT: McClure participates in the Honorary Commander program at Luke Air Force Base from 2014 to 2016, one of the most rewarding extracurricular activities he has done in his professional career. Not only did he get to peek behind the wall of the world’s largest training Air Force Base, but he also developed lifelong friendships with the men and women who protect this nation every day.
Mike Marden
Owner
WDS Integrated Design Build
BACKGROUND: In addition to leading day-to-day operations, Marden is responsible for business development, strategic planning and maintaining client relationships throughout Arizona.
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “When WDS Design Build was awarded one of its largest contracts by a client who discovered the company through YouTube. At the time, putting myself in front of a camera felt uncomfortable and uncertain. Seeing that transparency and willingness to educate ultimately lead to a major client relationship reinforced the value of authenticity and expertise-driven communication.”
Parker Ganem
Founder and CEO
Ganem Companies
BACKGROUND: With more than two decades of experience in commercial construction, Ganem leads project strategy, client partnerships and company expansion efforts while continuing to drive innovation across a wide range of industries. He is also an owner of Sky Restaurant Concepts.
FAVORITE PROJECT: “The Hoover Dam. The unprecedented speed of construction, remarkable engineering feats and the fact that it was built in the middle of nowhere make it one of the most impressive projects in Arizona and Southwest history.”
Quentin Gomez
Project manager
BPR Companies
BACKGROUND: Starting with BPR as an assistant superintendent, he now leads multimillion-dollar projects for the firm.
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “Spearheading the Elliot & Ellsworth project, a 17-acre, six-building retail development in Southeast Mesa. It challenged me to strengthen my leadership, communication and problem-solving skills while coordinating multiple teams, trades, schedules and priorities.”
Rivers Anderson
Arizona district manager
Chanen, a Dick Anderson Construction Company
BACKGROUND: Anderson is responsible for construction operations, finance, estimating, business development, real estate development and human resources in Arizona and Illinois. He has guided the firm through impactful projects, such as Midwestern University’s $95 million student housing project in Glendale.
SURPRISING FACT: Anderson literally grew up in the business. His father founded Dick Anderson Construction Company, so when he was young, he worked in the construction yard of the Helena office, cleaning up in the cold Montana winters, sweeping the woodshop, and learning some basic carpentry and safety skills.
Rob Cortazzo
Senior vice president, Arizona
Alcorn Construction
BACKGROUND: In addition to overseeing project delivery, Cortazzo plays a key role in supporting company-wide operational strategy and fostering alignment among teams.
SURPRISING FACT: Cortazzo is widely known as a “fixer” at heart. He takes pride in staying closely connected to the work on the ground, regularly walking jobsites, engaging directly with team members and clients, and helping solve challenges firsthand.
Scott Hufford
President
CHASSE Building Team
BACKGROUND: A leader at the firm since 2015, Hufford was appointed president in 2024, succeeding founder Barry Chasse, who remains CEO. Hufford is passionate about staying at the forefront of innovation in construction, technology and AI, investing heavily in the company’s Continuous Improvement Team.
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “In addition to growing to more than 300 teammates and over $700 million in annual projects, we are proud of being 100% teammate owned and of CHASSE’s Leadership Development Program, now in its second year.”
Thomas Couch
Principal
Wolverine Builders Commercial Construction
BACKGROUND: At the age of 22, Couch launched his first business, where he started of buying and remodeling homes in New Mexico before building them ground up. In 2006, he moved to the Valley and began working for Willmeng Construction before founding Wolverine Builders in 2009.
SURPRISING FACT: In college, Couch wanted to study archeology to be like one of his heroes — Indiana Jones.
