Each year, PTK magazine — a publication of AZ Big Media — showcases the top people and projects to know in Arizona’s commercial real estate sector. Pulling from a competitive pool of nominations and the editorial board’s knowledge of the industry, this annual edition highlights 50 meaningful projects across all product types and influential professionals in 23 different categories. The digital sponsor of PTK magazine is Quarles. Over the coming days, meet the individuals making an outsized impact on the built environment. Here are the Arizona engineers to know in 2026:
DEEPER DIVE: Read the latest issue of PTK magazine
Jamie Blakeman
CEO and founder
Background: With more than 25 years of industry experience, Blakeman supports local communities and economies through improving mobility, promoting equity across all modes of transportation and elevating safety for all users.
Source of pride: “One of the most meaningful accomplishments in my career has been the opportunity to support and inspire others in their professional growth. I believe that genuine success comes from creating an environment where people feel empowered to thrive. That’s why I’ve focused on building a culture of mentorship, open communication and personal development. My proudest moments come from seeing the people I’ve mentored take bold steps toward their dreams. If there’s one legacy I hope to leave, it’s that those I’ve worked with felt supported, inspired, and confident in chasing their potential.”
Favorite project: “My favorite commercial real estate project in Arizona has to be Scottsdale Fashion Square. It’s one of those places that’s always been a landmark, but what really impresses me is how it’s continued to evolve and stay relevant, even as retail has changed so dramatically over the years.”
Surprising fact: “I started my career in the high school classroom, teaching math. Now, instead of solving word problems on paper, I’m helping communities navigate real-world ones — whether it’s designing safer school routes, analyzing traffic signal timing or planning for future growth.”
Jeff Novak
Structural engineer
Background: Before becoming a part of Kimley-Horn’s Phoenix office in 2022, Novak was partner at Pangolin Structural — a three-time winner of the Structural Engineers Association of Arizona Merit Award. By joining Kimley-Horn’s structural practice, Novak helps the firm provide services to clients in the public and private sectors.
Jon Silhol
Senior principal, mechanical engineer
Background: Silhol designs HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems for a variety of building types including offices, athletic centers, higher education buildings and high-tech laboratories.
Key to success: “A strong support system of people, from former bosses who taught me technical aspects of the industry to coworkers from other disciplines giving me a better understanding of their designs have helped me develop the skills needed to progress in my career.”
Source of pride: “I’ve been lucky enough to work on interesting and complex projects that make an impact on the world. However, seeing the next generation grow is very rewarding. Two of the reasons I have been at SmithGroup for 20 years are the people and culture. I am able to work in a collaborative and integrated design process while being a resource and mentor for younger engineers is very fulfilling.”
Surprising fact: “I love to travel. I have been to 32 states with a goal of going to all 50 states. The highlight of this was taking a cross-country road trip over two weeks during the Christmas break to see my family on the East Coast in 2023.”
Sandra Herd
Senior partner
Background: Managing hundreds of projects over her nearly 40-year career, Herd finds creative solutions for owners by listening to the client’s needs, goals and finding creative solutions for the projects and owners.
Source of pride: “Leading the structural design for the largest office development in Arizona’s history, Marina Height — a super-sized mixed-use project with five office/garage/retail towers over 19 acres at Tempe Town Lake. Through intense collaboration with a great design and construction team, we arrived at a beautiful end result we’re all proud of.”
Key to success: “My ability to collaboratively engage with people. This enables me to foster teamwork in our office and with our clients and contractors, mentor our young engineers, and to partner with other leaders in our office to create a positive culture that lifts people up and builds a great place to work.”
Surprising fact: “In my many recent travels, I have been to 12 different states in the last 12 months, including seeing the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska, walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts, and catching cutthroat trout in Glacier Park, Montana.”
Valerie Granger
Director of engineering
Background: As the engineer of record for over 50 major construction projects, Granger’s commitment to integrating engineering design with construction practices has significantly minimized rework and enhanced cost certainty, underscoring her value in design-build project delivery across the Valley.
Source of pride: “Finishing construction on Rambler Tempe, our first full design-build delivery where Suntec Engineering & Design designed and Suntec Concrete built the project.”
Favorite project: “CityScape. It was the first major project that I got to work on and it’s where I really established a relationship with Suntec and many other people in the industry who are still my favorites to work with. It taught me so much about the industry!”
Surprising fact: “I grew up on a farm in Ohio where we raised sheep and bee hives for harvesting honey.”
