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 professional services pros to know in 2026:
DEEPER DIVE: Read the latest issue of PTK magazine
Andrew Goodwin
President
Background: At just 35 years old, Goodwin leads one of the country’s fastest-growing industrial piping and fabrication companies with strategic vision and dedication to operational excellence — a role he’s held for the past six years.
Source of pride: “The merging of PPS, PPS Coatings and GT Mechanical into one unified organization, enabling the company to provide end-to-end service to our customers.”
Favorite project: “I love the Phoenix Zoo and the tons of expansion going on there — the big cats, the birds, the Arizona cats exhibit. I love taking my daughter there and getting to see those projects come to life.”
Deseray Gruben
Vice president of finance and accounting
Background: Drawing upon 10 years of industry experience, Gruben oversees Kovach’s financial strategy, with a focus on reporting, analysis, planning, forecasting and budgeting. She also serves as CFO of ICON Builders, a Kovach subsidiary.
Source of pride: Spearheading the company’s transition to an employee stock ownership plan — a move that has fostered a sense of ownership, pride and shared responsibility among the team. Gruben’s meticulous planning ensured a smooth and effective process.
Favorite project: The TSMC semiconductor campus. A substantial and long-running project, it continues to add significant employment opportunities to the community, has raised cultural diversity and stands as a point of notoriety for the State of Arizona.
Surprising fact: She has operated heavy construction machinery in the past.
Dwight Price
Branch manager
Gilbert Electric, A Cannon & Wendt Company
Background: Price plays a critical role in leading the connection between Gilbert Electric and Cannon & Wendt following the merger of the two companies in 2023, while continuing to uphold and expand on Gilbert Electric’s values and customer relationships.
Favorite project: “The Banner Desert Women’s Tower Expansion. We worked closely with the owner, general contractor, design team and other trades on a complex design-build project to expand services for women of the East Valley.”
Surprising fact: “I grew up in Gilbert when there were only 5,000 residents. Ironically, I now manage operations at Gilbert Electric 47 years later.”
Eric Benson
CEO
Background: Starting with the company at age 16 working in the warehouse, Benson now leads around 100 employees across multiple offices, driving brand refinement and operational streamlining.
Source of pride: Recently, Benson made a strategic decision to withdraw from the California market. By reallocating resources, he laid the groundwork for a successful multioffice expansion across the Southwest.
Favorite project: “It would have to be the TSMC plant for just the sheer fact of what that is doing to the economy and business environment of the state.”
Surprising fact: Benson ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
Norty Turner
CEO
Background: Appointed as president and CEO in February 2025, Turner is focused on building upon the company’s strong foundation, driving growth, innovation and excellence while upholding Sunstate’s legacy.
Biggest career accomplishment: “Being entrusted to lead Sunstate Equipment, a company that had been led by one family for its entire existence, is truly a great honor and challenge. Mike and Chris Watts created such an outstanding, people-first culture and I will do my utmost to maintain that and build upon it.”
Surprising fact: In 2012, Turner accepted the role of CEO of Netherlands-based Riwal in 2012. While living abroad, he led the company to a 49% increase in revenue over five years.
