Moved, promoted or appointed in Tucson 2016
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Check out people in our community who have moved up in their fields.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Jorden Spitz named editor of the Star
Jill Jorden Spitz has been named editor of the Arizona Daily Star.
She joined the Star in 1998 as a reporter and also has served as business editor, assistant managing editor and most recently as a senior editor.
Jorden Spitz has focused on watchdog and investigative reporting; projects she directed and edited for the Star have won 15 Lee Enterprises’ President’s Awards or other national honors.
She is active in state and national journalism organizations including Associated Press Media Editors and is past president and a longtime board member of both the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and the Arizona Press Club.
A native Tucsonan, Jorden Spitz, 50, graduated from Canyon del Oro High School and the University of Arizona, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and economics.
She began her career as a reporter for the Reno Gazette-Journal and then moved to the Orlando Sentinel.
Jorden Spitz is active in many Tucson groups, including Women at the Top, and serves on the board of the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center and the school board of the Tucson Chinese School. She also volunteers for Nourish, a Tucson nonprofit.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Mazza to head ACC Safety Division
The Arizona Corporation Commission has hired John Mazza as Safety Division director, where he will manage the railroad safety and pipeline safety sections.
A chief master sergeant, Mazza recently retired from a 29-year career in the Air Force, where his most recent post was command chief for the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base. He received medals for his service including the Bronze Star.
He has a master of business administration degree from Trident University International.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Ammons named COO of Job Aire Group
Tucson-based Job Aire Group has promoted Nicholas Ammons to chief operating officer.
He joined the company in 2013 as manager of business development, and “has been a key contributor to Job Aire’s increased capability and market expansion,” the company said in a news release.
He has a bachelor’s degree in business, and is a decorated combat veteran.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Hiring at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Dave Mason is now president. He taught at Catalina Foothills High School before joining the Cristo Rey Network and opening a Cristo Rey high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mason is a graduate of Woodring Education College at Western Washington University, and holds a master’s in history from England’s Durham University.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Hiring at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Thom Melendez has joined San Miguel as vice president of advancement. He was development director at CODAC Health, Recovery and Wellness and University of Arizona Health Sciences. Melendez holds a bachelor’s of science in elementary education from the UA and a master’s in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Promotion at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Armando Valenzuela III has been named principal and instructional leader. He was principal at Yuma Catholic High School and an educator and administrator in the Sunnyside Unified School District. He holds a B.A. in secondary English education from the UA and a master’s in educational leadership from NAU.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Promotion at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Natalie Morando has been named vice president of the corporate internship program. She has been with San Miguel since 2012, in admissions, then in the corporate internship department as a coordinator and most recently as interim director. Morando graduated from Desert View High and the UA, with a B.A in sociology.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Campbell joins UA pharmacy faculty
Ashley Campbell, PharmD, has joined the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. She will serve a joint appointment with Banner – University Medical Center Tucson as an internal medicine pharmacist.
Campbell recently completed a post-graduate pharmacy residency in geriatrics while concurrently participating in a two-year faculty development fellowship through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center St. Margaret and the University of Pittsburgh.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Doctors Cassell, Keyser, Laber join UA
Drs. Heather Cassell, Emily Keyser and Erica Danielle Laber have joined the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center.
Cassell, clinical associate professor, joined the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology. She received her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, and completed fellowships there and at National Jewish Health in Denver. Her clinical interests are asthma, food allergy, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. She is board-certified in pediatrics and allergy and immunology.
Keyser, clinical assistant professor, joined the Division of General Pediatrics. Keyser received her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and completed her residency in pediatrics at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Laber, clinical assistant professor, also joined the Division of General Pediatrics. She received her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and completed her residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in adolescent medicine at North Shore-LIJ Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. Her research interest is in adolescent medicine. She is fluent in Spanish and is board-certified in pediatrics.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Benitez now practicing
at animal hospital
Broadway Animal Hospital announces the graduation, promotion and licensure of Gabe Benitez, DVM, who has worked there for many years.
He is taking new patients.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Cortelyou to promote Marana tourism
Laura Cortelyou has joined the town of Marana as tourism and marketing manager.
Cortelyou was director of marketing and public relations for the Tucson Museum of Art. Previously, she directed marketing for Forester Media Inc. and ABC-CLIO. She is president of the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance and a board member of Visit Tucson.
She holds a master’s degree from Fielding Graduate University in human and organizational development and a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in history of art and architecture.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Justice named GM at Lazydays Tucson
Greg Justice has been named general manager at Lazydays’ Tucson RV dealership, succeeding Evan Crayder, who is moving to be GM of Lazydays’ Loveland, Colorado, dealership.
Justice is a 40-year veteran of the RV industry, including more than 20 years at Lazydays’ flagship RV dealership in Tampa; and he has been general manager of two Camping World stores.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Riggs joins sales team at Contents Interiors
Contents Interiors, 3401 E Fort Lowell Road, announces the addition of Julie Riggs to its sales team. Riggs has 15 years of experience in the home furnishings industry and is a longtime resident of Tucson.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Moussa returns to Tucson as an exec chef
Issa Moussa has joined The Lodge at Ventana Canyon as executive chef after a brief time away from Tucson at Hammock Dunes Country Club in Florida.
Moussa previously spent 35 years at Skyline Country Club. He is a two-time winner of a chef of the year award, is certified by the American Culinary Federation and has been inducted into the Southern Arizona Chefs Association Hall of Fame, and is an active volunteer in the community.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Clinical director Holt joins Sabino Recovery
Peggy A. Holt has joined Sabino Recovery as clinical director.
She most recently facilitated development of a mood disorder program at a major treatment center and also served as a primary therapist there.
Holt co-authored “The Everest Principle,” a book on peak performance for all populations. She is a licensed professional counselor trained in hypnosis, equine therapy, therapeutic recreation, biofeedback and EMDR.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Planning Center adds office and principal
The Planning Center, a multi-disciplinary planning and landscape architecture firm operating in Southern Arizona for more than 30 years, has opened an office in Tempe.
Jessica Sarkissian has joined The Planning Center as a principal to lead the new office.
Sarkissian sits on the Mesa Planning and Zoning Board and the Arizona Planning Association Board. Previously she was a Mesa Board of Adjustment member as well as a Gilbert planning commissioner and zoning hearing officer.
- Arizona Daily Star
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SARSEF promotes Baker to dep. director
Liz A. Baker has been named deputy director of SARSEF, the Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation. Baker was most recently the foundation’s director of research and directed the annual SARSEF fair held at the Tucson Convention Center.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Arizona, Baker obtained a master’s of science degree from St. Andrews University, Scotland, and served in a research position with the Gorilla Foundation. She was an intern for the Jane Goodall Institute, after participating in primate research through SARSEF.
- Arizona Daily Star
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National United Way council adds Merrill
University of Arizona optical scientist Catherine D. Merrill has been named to the United Way National Women’s Leadership Council.
Merrill, a member of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona board, will be Arizona’s only representative on the council, a formal advisory board of volunteers who provide strategic recommendations to United Way worldwide and support the work of local United Ways in women’s philanthropy, advocacy, volunteerism, mentoring and leadership.
Merrill was lead systems engineer and deputy program manager for the OSIRIS‐REx camera system, OCAMS. She is now project manager for the UA’s Giant Magellan Telescope Primary Mirror Segments.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Casteel, Little open real estate group
Raena Casteel and Danny Little have created the Casteel Little Real Estate Group.
Members of the National Association of Realtors, Casteel and Little have teamed up through real estate broker Tierra Antigua to serve multiple client types.
Casteel is the founder of La Paloma Academy, serves as the charter holder of seven charter schools throughout Arizona and is experienced in the financial sector of education. Little ran a large rescue mission which created more than 100 jobs through outreach.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Scott to consult on IT for Crest Insurance
Jeff Scott has come aboard full time with Crest Insurance Group, LLC, as its IT consultant, after being involved with the company over the years, Crest said in a news release.
- Arizona Daily Star
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3 Realtors now with RE/MAX Excalibur
RE/MAX Excalibur announces three Realtors now associated with its Tucson office: Larry Nelson, Omer Kreso and Christopher Peterson.
Nelson, formerly in luxury yacht sales, has joined the Sharon Andresen Team. Kreso, who was recently awarded a House of Representatives Outstanding Service Award by Rep. Martha McSally, is also a freelance photographer. He joined the Larkin Ekrut Team. Peterson is an experienced team leader and agent.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Northern Trust adds Rush in Tucson office
The Tucson Northern Trust office welcomes Robin Rush as second vice president in the personal banking team.
Rush brings more than 22 years of experience in the banking field, including affluent client portfolio management.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Bohacek joins Starr Pass resort
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa announced that Katerina Bohacek has been named sales merchandiser. At Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, she was a banquet server, bartender, and administrative assistant in sales and marketing. She holds an associate’s degree in accounting from Pima Community College.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Jack joins Starr Pass resort
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa announced that Reginald “Reggie” Jack has been named director of restaurants. Jack was senior beverage and food operations manager for the Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel in New Orleans. He held similar positions at other properties including the New Orleans Marriott.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Garcia joins Starr Pass resort
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa announced that Sam Garcia has been named director of event planning. Garcia began his hospitality career in 1975 with Marriott at Los Angeles Airport; went on to Marriott Hotel Anaheim, where he was named Convention Services Manager of the Year; and spent 15 years in leadership roles at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Orozco to coordinate volunteers at SARSEF
SARSEF — Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation — has named Francisco Orozco as STEM operations specialist and volunteer coordinator. He was previously a four-year member of the SARSEF board.
Orozco recently graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Arizona and worked as a biotechnician at the USDA Plant Health Inspection Service. While at Tucson High Magnet School, he was an award winner at SARSEF and the international level.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Stegen named GM at Westward Look resort
Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa has appointed Andrew Stegen as general manager.
Stegen managed the Stockton Seaview Golf Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the past three years, and has worked nearly 30 years in the hospitality industry.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Rubly is new COO at Cadden Management
Kim Rubly has joined Cadden Community Management as chief operating officer.
Rubly has earned the designations of certified manager of community associations, association management specialist and professional community association manager, the highest professional designation awarded by Community Associations Institute at a national level.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Simpleview’s Senstad to head Europe office
Tucson-based Simpleview has added a European office, in Oslo, Norway, and has hired Rolf Senstad as its general manager in Europe.
Simpleview says its growing customer base in Europe includes the Prague Convention Bureau, The Hague Convention Bureau, Edinburgh Convention Bureau and Innovation Norway.
Senstad has extensive IT and operational management experience spanning three continents.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Bohne promoted at Truly Nolen HQ
Truly Nolen Pest Control has promoted Greg Bohne to director of domestic franchising at the Tucson corporate office.
Bohne joined the company in 2013 and previously managed both the Tucson and North Tucson service offices. He moved to the domestic franchise division in August 2015.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Tech Parks Arizona adds Powell as fellow
Richard Powell has joined Tech Parks Arizona as Senior Fellow. He will assist in evaluating new technology initiatives especially in the field of advanced energy.
Powell has held several key appointments with the University of Arizona including vice president of research, professor of optical sciences and of material science, and director of the Optical Sciences Center. He retired from UA in 2005 and has been a consultant for solar energy research projects at Science Foundation Arizona, Research Corporation for Science Advancement and Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Hartmann to lead Youth On Their Own
Nicola Hartmann has joined Youth On Their Own as executive director.
She previously was director of advancement and corporate relations at San Miguel High School and executive director of the Sunnyside Foundation.
Hartmann holds a B.S. in business administration/marketing from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
- Arizona Daily Star
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McReynolds promoted at KB Home in Tucson
KB Home has promoted Amy McReynolds to president of its Tucson division.
“In this position, McReynolds will assume a key role in directing the builder’s growth strategy for the greater Tucson region while continuing to oversee KB Home’s day-to-day operations in the market,” the company said in a news release.
McReynolds joined KB Home in 2013 with more than 20 years of residential homebuilding experience. She is a Tucson native and holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Arizona.
She serves as chair of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Bauman is chief of UA Cancer Center division
Dr. Julie E. Bauman has joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson as professor and chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Medicine and the UA Cancer Center.
Bauman is a member of the National Cancer Institute Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee, and a former Tucsonan, having graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School.
Her research focuses on design of biomarker-driven, early-phase clinical trials to prevent and improve survival in head and neck cancer.
Bauman was associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, where she was co-director of the Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, among other roles. She has also been an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico and its Cancer Center in Albuquerque.
She completed her fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Washington, her residency in internal medicine at the University of Utah, and earned her medical and master’s in public health degrees from Tufts University.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Cunningham heads funeral group
Patrick S. Cunningham has been named director of outreach and engagement at the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Arizona, a non-profit consumer education group.
Cunningham has more than 30 years of experience as a hospice professional, certified grief expert, and ordained minister.
After completing clinical residencies at University Medical Center in Tucson and Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, he was a chaplain and director of spiritual care.
Cunningham received a bachelor’s degree in pubic administration from the University of Arizona, Cunningham served as the UA’s mascot, Wilbur T. Wildcat, in his senior year. He received a master of divinity degree from Northwestern University.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Catalina Foothills announces new hire
Catalina Foothills School District announced: Dante A. Franco was named athletic director and dean of students position at Catalina Foothills High School for the 2016-17 school year.
Franco was previously employed as dean of students at the Morgan Maxwell K-8 School in Tucson Unified School District, and as dean of students and district-wide athletic director for the Bisbee Unified School District.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Arizona and a master’s in administration and supervision from Grand Canyon University.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Catalina Foothills announces new hire
Catalina Foothills School District announced: Julie M. Nikolas has been named assistant principal at Orange Grove Middle School and a learning support specialist for the Catalina Foothills district.
Nikolas has more than 25 years of teaching experience, including more than 17 years of teaching experience in K-12 classrooms. For more than 15 years, she served as a private consultant for the South Dakota Department of Education.
Nikolas holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Dakota and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern State University in South Dakota.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Catalina Foothills announces new hire
Catalina Foothills School District announced: Kristie Stevens, a longtime Catalina Foothills district staff member, joins Esperero Canyon Middle School as its dean of students.
In 1992, Stevens began her career as the Catalina Foothills High School Girls Tennis coach, a job she still holds today. In her 25 years with CFSD, she has served as a high school biology teacher as well as school counselor at Canyon View, Ventana Vista and Sunrise Drive elementary schools.
Stevens is a graduate of Scripps College and earned her education degrees from the UA and Northern Arizona University.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Mesch Clark Rothschild names Coe associate
Mesch Clark Rothschild has named Jeff Coe as the law firm’s newest associate.
Prior to joining the firm, Jeff clerked for multiple federal bankruptcy judges in Tucson.
He graduated in 2013 from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona with distinctions including magna cum laude and Order of the Coif. Coe was a writer for the Arizona Law Review and earned awards for outstanding oral advocacy and legal writing.
Coe also participated in a nationally recognized mortgage clinic at Southern Arizona Legal Aid and was a member of a team that placed first in the American College of Bankruptcy’s Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Negotiation Competition. He was the recipient of the Judge Robert Mooreman Bankruptcy Scholarship.
A native of Springfield, Oregon, Jeff received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Oregon. Prior to law school, he worked for a chemical manufacturer.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Ammons named COO at Job Aire Group
Job Aire Group has promoted Nicholas (Nick) Ammons to chief operating officer.
Ammons joined Job Aire, an aviation technical staffing firm, in April 2013 as manager of business development.
His experience includes business accounts, programs and technical records audit, and he has been key to the company’s success, Job Aire said.
Ammons has a bachelor’s degree in business, and is a decorated combat veteran.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Owens named VP of advertising at Star
Alisha Owens was named vice president of advertising for the Arizona Daily Star.
Owens previously was advertising director of The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina, a position she had held since August 2013.
Before joining The Post and Courier, Owens spent three years as director of advertising for The Press of Atlantic City Media Group in New Jersey, leading the convergence strategy of new digital media with traditional print media.
She joined the The Press of Atlantic City in 2002 and held several leadership roles at the company, including online general manager. Owens holds a marketing degree from Stockton University in New Jersey.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Hacienda Del Sol hires Fegan
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort has hired Joelle Fegan as catering manager of social events.
Fegan was previously a sales and revenue coordinator for Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, California, and the Lighthouse Lodge and Cottages in Pacific Grove, California.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Hacienda Del Sol hires St. Dryden
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort has promoted Bonnie St. Dryden to director of group sales.
St. Dryden previously was catering manager for Hacienda Del Sol. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, including a stint as group sales manager at Tucson’s Marriott University Park Hotel.
- Arizona Daily Star
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New post for Blair at Paulo Freire schools
Chad Blair was appointed principal of Paulo Freire Freedom School-University.
Blair most recently served as assistant principal for the two Paulo Freire Freedom Schools and previously was a teacher and advisory coordinator at City High School since 2007.
His background also includes teaching stints at Café 54 in Tucson, the University of Montana and De La Salle High School in Chicago, Illinois. Blair also taught English as a second language in Ankara, Turkey. He earned a master’s of fine arts degree from the University of Montana and a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education at the University of Illinois.
- Arizona Daily Star
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New post for Moore at Paulo Freire schools
Kathy Moore is rejoining the Paulo Freire Freedom School-Downtown faculty as a teacher, tutor, and makerspace coordinator, after a five-year stint teaching out of state.
She will serve at the middle school’s downtown campus on Pennington Street and will also support City High School students and teachers. Moore has taught science and math, developed curriculum, and served as student adviser. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and holds a post-baccalaureate teacher certification from Pima Community College.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Wester taking new patients at Crossroads OB/GYN
Dr. Lydia Wester joined Crossroads OB/GYN, a Genesis OB/GYN practice at 2424 N. Wyatt Drive, and is welcoming new patients.
Wester completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, followed by her M.D. at Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine. She recently completed an OB/GYN residency at the University of Arizona, where she was recipient of both the Resident Research Award and Resident Teaching Award.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Orr to manage Kolb branch of Fidelity National Title
Chrissy Orr was named assistant vice president and branch manager of Fidelity National Title Agency’s new office at 1580 N. Kolb Road, Suite 100. Orr joined Fidelity National Title in 2015.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Shoopman to direct the 'Pride of Arizona'
Chad Shoopman has joined the faculty at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music as the associate director of bands and director of athletic bands.
His duties include directing “The Pride of Arizona” Marching and Pep Bands, conducting the Wind Symphony, and teaching leadership and marching band techniques courses.
Shoopman holds a bachelor’s in music education and master’s in conducting performance from the UA.
He previously worked conducting and performing on studio projects for Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Lines. He also worked as a conductor, performer, arranger, and choreographer for live shows at Walt Disney World.
Under his baton, the Brass Band of Central Florida won a national championship.
He appears regularly as lead trumpet for Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Arturo Sandoval’s L.A. All-Star Big Band and others.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Old Tucson marketing to be led by Davis
Mary K. Davis has joined Old Tucson as director of marketing, sales and communication.
Her area of responsibility also includes building and managing the Arizona Sonora Western Heritage Foundation brand.
Davis is the owner of The Write Attitude consulting firm, and was formerly director of marketing and business development at Tucson International Airport and director of communications for the town of Oro Valley.
She was recognized as an Inside Tucson Business 2013 Woman of Influence and has won awards in public relations and marketing.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Gonzales to manage new Metro Title branch
Metro Title Agency of Arizona has promoted Cheryle Gonzales to branch manager at its newest location, 3450 E. Sunrise Drive, Suite 180.
She has been a senior escrow officer with Metro Title for three years, and, as a certified escrow officer since 1997, has 24 years of industry experience, including handling residential, builder, construction, refinance and reverse mortgage transactions.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Marquez joins City High's faculty
City Center for Collaborative Learning has named a faculty member for City High School: Angela Marquez joins as a math teacher. She was a high school youth leader for Awana Clubs International. While earning her master’s of education in teaching at the University of Arizona, Marquez worked at Tucson Magnet High School. She earned the Navajo Nation Graduate Scholarship and the TEACH grant. She also holds a UA bachelor’s of science in biochemistry.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Gypton joins City High's faculty
City Center for Collaborative Learning has named a faculty member for City High School: Krista Gypton has been hired to teach upper-level English. Gypton was a teacher at Walden Grove High School and was named Walden Grove Teacher of the Year. Previously she was CTE connections and internship coordinator for the Vail School District. She received a master’s of education from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s in elementary education from the UA.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Finkelstein named volunteer coordinator
Joyce Finkelstein has been named volunteer coordinator for the Green Valley/Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse, succeeding John Geiger, who retired.
Finkelstein was volunteer manager for Green Valley Hospital and executive director of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council. She has been president of Green Valley Recreation Board, among others, and is an assistant governor of Rotary District 5500.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Miller joins local BBB as spokeswoman
Better Business Bureau serving Southern Arizona welcomes Susann Miller as communications manager.
Miller most recently was director of the Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona; under her leadership, it was nominated for the Small Business Administration’s WBC Center of the Year and NAWBO’s Strategic Partner of the Year.
Miller was honored as the 2014 Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Minority Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona.
She is an ambassador for Make-A-Wish Arizona and has served on the boards of Minority Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona and Good to Glam.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Dudas joins council
The Southern Arizona Leadership Council has a new member this year: Jon Dudas, senior vice president and secretary for the University of Arizona.
Dudas previously worked for the U.S. government, most recently as under secretary of Commerce for intellectual property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Jaramillo joins council
The Southern Arizona Leadership Council has a new member this year: Lynette Jaramillo, CEO of Casa de la Luz Hospice.
Jaramillo previously was Arizona area manager for a national home care provider, and was an official at a privately owned home health agency in Tucson before partnering in 1998 to start Casa de la Luz Hospice.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Johnson joins council
The Southern Arizona Leadership Council has a new member this year: Nancy Johnson, CEO of El Rio Community Health Center.
Johnson holds master’s degrees in nursing, marketing and business. She spent 15 years at Tucson Medical Center and serves as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She is a recipient of the UA’s Cecil B. Hart Humanitarian Award.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Perales named CEO at Changemaker High
Changemaker High School has named Luis Perales as chief executive officer, succeeding Judith Anderson.
The tuition-free public charter school in Tucson has a special emphasis on social justice and activism.
Perales, who holds a master’s degree, has served as the school’s chief academic officer since 2012, helping to create free Innovation Camps open to all Tucson eighth-graders, a student-run farmer’s market and student-driven community development projects, the school said in a news release. Changemaker is the only applicant from Arizona selected to present at the 2016 International Social Innovation Research Conference in Glasgow, Scotland in September.
- Arizona Daily Star
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HBL CPAs announces merger, shareholder
Tucson accounting firms HBL CPAs, P.C. and Braun P.C. have merged.
The combined firm remains HBL CPAs, P.C. and consists of more than 45 employees, including seven partners, at 5656 E. Grant Road.
In addition, the firm announced a new shareholder: Jacquie Ivey.
Ivey, a CPA, has more than 15 years of public accounting experience focused on retail, construction, and professional services industries. She received her bachelor’s of science in accounting from the University of Phoenix.
- Arizona Daily Star
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HBL CPAs announces merger, shareholder
Tucson accounting firms HBL CPAs, P.C. and Braun P.C. have merged.
The combined firm remains HBL CPAs, P.C. and consists of more than 45 employees, including seven partners, at 5656 E. Grant Road.
In addition, the firm announced a new shareholder: Laura Randol.
Randol, also a CPA, has been promoted from audit manager and has been with HBL since 2013. She is a regular speaker at the Nonprofit Organizations’ Financial Administrator’s Network and holds a bachelor’s of science in accounting from Linfield College.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Anshei Israel adds Kirschner in finance
Congregation Anshei Israel has named Susan J. Kirschner as finance director.
Kirschner has been involved in synagogue financial management and administration since 1996, and is skilled in budgeting, payroll, purchasing, membership development, fundraising/development and multi-fund endowment oversight, Anshei Israel said in a news release.
She holds a master’s degree in arts administration and recently moved from the Detroit area to Tucson.
- Arizona Daily Star
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UA and Banner welcome neonatologist Patel
Dr. Shalin Patel has joined the University of Arizona Department of Pediatrics and Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center.
As a neonatologist, Patel will provide care for high-risk newborns with critical clinical conditions, prematurity and birth defects, and provide care for other newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Diamond Children’s.
He received his medical degree from C.U. Shah Medical College in Surendranagar, India; did his pediatrics residency at Western Michigan University School of Medicine and a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. He also holds an MPH in health care administration from Benedictine University in Illinois.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: Kathy “Kat” Rodriguez, assistant director of digital marketing and communications.
Rodriguez was a marketing specialist at the University of Arizona Medical Network for seven years. She holds an associate of arts degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles and a bachelor’s and a master’s of business education from the American InterContinental University in Chicago.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: Eva Karene Romero, grant writer.
Romero’s book, “Film and Democracy in Paraguay,” will be published by Palgrave Macmillan this year and she will co-direct a documentary film on women and women’s rights in South America. She received her PhD from the University of Arizona, where she taught Hispanic cultural studies and language classes. She is a board member of the Tucson Pima Arts Council.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: LeeAnn Perry-Walker, member relations coordinator.
Perry-Walker returns to The J, where she worked in 2003 as catering and sales director before working as director of catering at several hotels in Tucson. She holds a culinary degree.
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: Andrea Wright, operations coordinator.
Wright, who has worked for the last several years with special needs children and adults, holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and is a Salpointe Catholic High School graduate.
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Franson to chair C-Path board
Dr. Timothy R. Franson has been named chair of the Critical Path Institute (C-Path) Board of Directors. He replaces Dr. Peter B. Corr, who will continue to serve as senior advisor to the board.
Franson brings extensive clinical and regulatory expertise in pre- and post-approval phases of pharmaceutical development. He is the chief medical officer at YourEncore, and previously was a principal at FaegreBD Consulting and vice president of global regulatory affairs and patient safety for Eli Lilly and Co.
He is the immediate past president of the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention and has served on the National Institutes of Health/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Treatment of Rare Diseases review panel.
Franson earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Drake University and his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Jones is music director of Repertory Singers
Elliot Jones has been named music director of the Arizona Repertory Singers.
Jones holds degrees from New York University and Indiana University as well as a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Arizona.
He has conducted performances of a wide variety of repertoire, including twice leading performances at the National Cathedral in Washington, most recently of Gregorio Allegri’s “Miserere.” An advocate for new music, Jones conducted the East-Coast premiere of Jake Heggie’s Anna Madrigal Remembers (text by Armistead Maupin), scored for mezzo-soprano, men’s chorus, strings and piano.
Jones served on the music faculty at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Wesley College, Culver-Stockton College, The Music School of Delaware, and Saint Andrew’s School. In 1996 he was selected for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern Program at Ohio State University; and he has held regional leadership positions in the American Choral Directors Association.
- Arizona Daily Star
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Hutchinson joins UA Sarver Heart Center
The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center welcomes Dr. Mathew D. Hutchinson as director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Program in the Division of Cardiology at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson.
Board certified in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology, Hutchinson specializes in treating complex heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
He comes from the University of Pennsylvania where he was an associate professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine. He completed his medical degree at St. Louis University School of Medicine and his medical residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston. His cardiology and electrophysiology fellowships were completed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Tucson Pops names Guthrie exec director
Rebecca Guthrie has been hired as executive director of the Tucson Pops Orchestra, taking over for Interim Director Francis Bettinger, a Tucson Pops board member who filled in after the 2014 death of Dorothy Spencer. Spencer held the position for more than 50 years.
Guthrie holds a University of Arizona degree.
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Clancy named chef at Rincon Mountain Grill
Forty Niner Country Club has named Paul Clancy as executive chef of its restaurant, the Rincon Mountain Grill.
Clancy most recently was executive chef at Hi Falutin Rapid Fire Western Grill.
He has been in the culinary field for more than 35 years starting in San Francisco and has worked for and with such names as Wolfgang Puck, Martin Yan, Jeremiah Tower and Paul Proudomme. His Tucson experience includes positions at Westward Look Resort, the Tack Room and Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus restaurants.
- Arizona Daily Star
Jorden Spitz named editor of the Star
Jill Jorden Spitz has been named editor of the Arizona Daily Star.
She joined the Star in 1998 as a reporter and also has served as business editor, assistant managing editor and most recently as a senior editor.
Jorden Spitz has focused on watchdog and investigative reporting; projects she directed and edited for the Star have won 15 Lee Enterprises’ President’s Awards or other national honors.
She is active in state and national journalism organizations including Associated Press Media Editors and is past president and a longtime board member of both the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and the Arizona Press Club.
A native Tucsonan, Jorden Spitz, 50, graduated from Canyon del Oro High School and the University of Arizona, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and economics.
She began her career as a reporter for the Reno Gazette-Journal and then moved to the Orlando Sentinel.
Jorden Spitz is active in many Tucson groups, including Women at the Top, and serves on the board of the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center and the school board of the Tucson Chinese School. She also volunteers for Nourish, a Tucson nonprofit.
- Arizona Daily Star
Mazza to head ACC Safety Division
The Arizona Corporation Commission has hired John Mazza as Safety Division director, where he will manage the railroad safety and pipeline safety sections.
A chief master sergeant, Mazza recently retired from a 29-year career in the Air Force, where his most recent post was command chief for the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base. He received medals for his service including the Bronze Star.
He has a master of business administration degree from Trident University International.
- Arizona Daily Star
Ammons named COO of Job Aire Group
Tucson-based Job Aire Group has promoted Nicholas Ammons to chief operating officer.
He joined the company in 2013 as manager of business development, and “has been a key contributor to Job Aire’s increased capability and market expansion,” the company said in a news release.
He has a bachelor’s degree in business, and is a decorated combat veteran.
- Arizona Daily Star
Hiring at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Dave Mason is now president. He taught at Catalina Foothills High School before joining the Cristo Rey Network and opening a Cristo Rey high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mason is a graduate of Woodring Education College at Western Washington University, and holds a master’s in history from England’s Durham University.
- Arizona Daily Star
Hiring at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Thom Melendez has joined San Miguel as vice president of advancement. He was development director at CODAC Health, Recovery and Wellness and University of Arizona Health Sciences. Melendez holds a bachelor’s of science in elementary education from the UA and a master’s in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.
- Arizona Daily Star
Promotion at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Armando Valenzuela III has been named principal and instructional leader. He was principal at Yuma Catholic High School and an educator and administrator in the Sunnyside Unified School District. He holds a B.A. in secondary English education from the UA and a master’s in educational leadership from NAU.
- Arizona Daily Star
Promotion at San Manuel High
San Miguel High School announces hirings and promotions: Natalie Morando has been named vice president of the corporate internship program. She has been with San Miguel since 2012, in admissions, then in the corporate internship department as a coordinator and most recently as interim director. Morando graduated from Desert View High and the UA, with a B.A in sociology.
- Arizona Daily Star
Campbell joins UA pharmacy faculty
Ashley Campbell, PharmD, has joined the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. She will serve a joint appointment with Banner – University Medical Center Tucson as an internal medicine pharmacist.
Campbell recently completed a post-graduate pharmacy residency in geriatrics while concurrently participating in a two-year faculty development fellowship through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center St. Margaret and the University of Pittsburgh.
- Arizona Daily Star
Doctors Cassell, Keyser, Laber join UA
Drs. Heather Cassell, Emily Keyser and Erica Danielle Laber have joined the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center.
Cassell, clinical associate professor, joined the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology. She received her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, and completed fellowships there and at National Jewish Health in Denver. Her clinical interests are asthma, food allergy, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. She is board-certified in pediatrics and allergy and immunology.
Keyser, clinical assistant professor, joined the Division of General Pediatrics. Keyser received her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and completed her residency in pediatrics at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Laber, clinical assistant professor, also joined the Division of General Pediatrics. She received her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and completed her residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in adolescent medicine at North Shore-LIJ Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. Her research interest is in adolescent medicine. She is fluent in Spanish and is board-certified in pediatrics.
- Arizona Daily Star
Cortelyou to promote Marana tourism
Laura Cortelyou has joined the town of Marana as tourism and marketing manager.
Cortelyou was director of marketing and public relations for the Tucson Museum of Art. Previously, she directed marketing for Forester Media Inc. and ABC-CLIO. She is president of the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance and a board member of Visit Tucson.
She holds a master’s degree from Fielding Graduate University in human and organizational development and a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in history of art and architecture.
- Arizona Daily Star
Justice named GM at Lazydays Tucson
Greg Justice has been named general manager at Lazydays’ Tucson RV dealership, succeeding Evan Crayder, who is moving to be GM of Lazydays’ Loveland, Colorado, dealership.
Justice is a 40-year veteran of the RV industry, including more than 20 years at Lazydays’ flagship RV dealership in Tampa; and he has been general manager of two Camping World stores.
- Arizona Daily Star
Riggs joins sales team at Contents Interiors
Contents Interiors, 3401 E Fort Lowell Road, announces the addition of Julie Riggs to its sales team. Riggs has 15 years of experience in the home furnishings industry and is a longtime resident of Tucson.
- Arizona Daily Star
Moussa returns to Tucson as an exec chef
Issa Moussa has joined The Lodge at Ventana Canyon as executive chef after a brief time away from Tucson at Hammock Dunes Country Club in Florida.
Moussa previously spent 35 years at Skyline Country Club. He is a two-time winner of a chef of the year award, is certified by the American Culinary Federation and has been inducted into the Southern Arizona Chefs Association Hall of Fame, and is an active volunteer in the community.
- Arizona Daily Star
Clinical director Holt joins Sabino Recovery
Peggy A. Holt has joined Sabino Recovery as clinical director.
She most recently facilitated development of a mood disorder program at a major treatment center and also served as a primary therapist there.
Holt co-authored “The Everest Principle,” a book on peak performance for all populations. She is a licensed professional counselor trained in hypnosis, equine therapy, therapeutic recreation, biofeedback and EMDR.
- Arizona Daily Star
Planning Center adds office and principal
The Planning Center, a multi-disciplinary planning and landscape architecture firm operating in Southern Arizona for more than 30 years, has opened an office in Tempe.
Jessica Sarkissian has joined The Planning Center as a principal to lead the new office.
Sarkissian sits on the Mesa Planning and Zoning Board and the Arizona Planning Association Board. Previously she was a Mesa Board of Adjustment member as well as a Gilbert planning commissioner and zoning hearing officer.
- Arizona Daily Star
SARSEF promotes Baker to dep. director
Liz A. Baker has been named deputy director of SARSEF, the Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation. Baker was most recently the foundation’s director of research and directed the annual SARSEF fair held at the Tucson Convention Center.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Arizona, Baker obtained a master’s of science degree from St. Andrews University, Scotland, and served in a research position with the Gorilla Foundation. She was an intern for the Jane Goodall Institute, after participating in primate research through SARSEF.
- Arizona Daily Star
National United Way council adds Merrill
University of Arizona optical scientist Catherine D. Merrill has been named to the United Way National Women’s Leadership Council.
Merrill, a member of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona board, will be Arizona’s only representative on the council, a formal advisory board of volunteers who provide strategic recommendations to United Way worldwide and support the work of local United Ways in women’s philanthropy, advocacy, volunteerism, mentoring and leadership.
Merrill was lead systems engineer and deputy program manager for the OSIRIS‐REx camera system, OCAMS. She is now project manager for the UA’s Giant Magellan Telescope Primary Mirror Segments.
- Arizona Daily Star
Casteel, Little open real estate group
Raena Casteel and Danny Little have created the Casteel Little Real Estate Group.
Members of the National Association of Realtors, Casteel and Little have teamed up through real estate broker Tierra Antigua to serve multiple client types.
Casteel is the founder of La Paloma Academy, serves as the charter holder of seven charter schools throughout Arizona and is experienced in the financial sector of education. Little ran a large rescue mission which created more than 100 jobs through outreach.
- Arizona Daily Star
3 Realtors now with RE/MAX Excalibur
RE/MAX Excalibur announces three Realtors now associated with its Tucson office: Larry Nelson, Omer Kreso and Christopher Peterson.
Nelson, formerly in luxury yacht sales, has joined the Sharon Andresen Team. Kreso, who was recently awarded a House of Representatives Outstanding Service Award by Rep. Martha McSally, is also a freelance photographer. He joined the Larkin Ekrut Team. Peterson is an experienced team leader and agent.
- Arizona Daily Star
Northern Trust adds Rush in Tucson office
The Tucson Northern Trust office welcomes Robin Rush as second vice president in the personal banking team.
Rush brings more than 22 years of experience in the banking field, including affluent client portfolio management.
- Arizona Daily Star
Bohacek joins Starr Pass resort
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa announced that Katerina Bohacek has been named sales merchandiser. At Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, she was a banquet server, bartender, and administrative assistant in sales and marketing. She holds an associate’s degree in accounting from Pima Community College.
- Arizona Daily Star
Jack joins Starr Pass resort
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa announced that Reginald “Reggie” Jack has been named director of restaurants. Jack was senior beverage and food operations manager for the Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel in New Orleans. He held similar positions at other properties including the New Orleans Marriott.
- Arizona Daily Star
Garcia joins Starr Pass resort
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa announced that Sam Garcia has been named director of event planning. Garcia began his hospitality career in 1975 with Marriott at Los Angeles Airport; went on to Marriott Hotel Anaheim, where he was named Convention Services Manager of the Year; and spent 15 years in leadership roles at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
- Arizona Daily Star
Orozco to coordinate volunteers at SARSEF
SARSEF — Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation — has named Francisco Orozco as STEM operations specialist and volunteer coordinator. He was previously a four-year member of the SARSEF board.
Orozco recently graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Arizona and worked as a biotechnician at the USDA Plant Health Inspection Service. While at Tucson High Magnet School, he was an award winner at SARSEF and the international level.
- Arizona Daily Star
Stegen named GM at Westward Look resort
Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa has appointed Andrew Stegen as general manager.
Stegen managed the Stockton Seaview Golf Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the past three years, and has worked nearly 30 years in the hospitality industry.
- Arizona Daily Star
Rubly is new COO at Cadden Management
Kim Rubly has joined Cadden Community Management as chief operating officer.
Rubly has earned the designations of certified manager of community associations, association management specialist and professional community association manager, the highest professional designation awarded by Community Associations Institute at a national level.
- Arizona Daily Star
Simpleview’s Senstad to head Europe office
Tucson-based Simpleview has added a European office, in Oslo, Norway, and has hired Rolf Senstad as its general manager in Europe.
Simpleview says its growing customer base in Europe includes the Prague Convention Bureau, The Hague Convention Bureau, Edinburgh Convention Bureau and Innovation Norway.
Senstad has extensive IT and operational management experience spanning three continents.
- Arizona Daily Star
Bohne promoted at Truly Nolen HQ
Truly Nolen Pest Control has promoted Greg Bohne to director of domestic franchising at the Tucson corporate office.
Bohne joined the company in 2013 and previously managed both the Tucson and North Tucson service offices. He moved to the domestic franchise division in August 2015.
- Arizona Daily Star
Tech Parks Arizona adds Powell as fellow
Richard Powell has joined Tech Parks Arizona as Senior Fellow. He will assist in evaluating new technology initiatives especially in the field of advanced energy.
Powell has held several key appointments with the University of Arizona including vice president of research, professor of optical sciences and of material science, and director of the Optical Sciences Center. He retired from UA in 2005 and has been a consultant for solar energy research projects at Science Foundation Arizona, Research Corporation for Science Advancement and Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy.
- Arizona Daily Star
Hartmann to lead Youth On Their Own
Nicola Hartmann has joined Youth On Their Own as executive director.
She previously was director of advancement and corporate relations at San Miguel High School and executive director of the Sunnyside Foundation.
Hartmann holds a B.S. in business administration/marketing from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
- Arizona Daily Star
McReynolds promoted at KB Home in Tucson
KB Home has promoted Amy McReynolds to president of its Tucson division.
“In this position, McReynolds will assume a key role in directing the builder’s growth strategy for the greater Tucson region while continuing to oversee KB Home’s day-to-day operations in the market,” the company said in a news release.
McReynolds joined KB Home in 2013 with more than 20 years of residential homebuilding experience. She is a Tucson native and holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Arizona.
She serves as chair of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.
- Arizona Daily Star
Bauman is chief of UA Cancer Center division
Dr. Julie E. Bauman has joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson as professor and chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Medicine and the UA Cancer Center.
Bauman is a member of the National Cancer Institute Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee, and a former Tucsonan, having graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School.
Her research focuses on design of biomarker-driven, early-phase clinical trials to prevent and improve survival in head and neck cancer.
Bauman was associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, where she was co-director of the Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, among other roles. She has also been an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico and its Cancer Center in Albuquerque.
She completed her fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Washington, her residency in internal medicine at the University of Utah, and earned her medical and master’s in public health degrees from Tufts University.
- Arizona Daily Star
Cunningham heads funeral group
Patrick S. Cunningham has been named director of outreach and engagement at the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Arizona, a non-profit consumer education group.
Cunningham has more than 30 years of experience as a hospice professional, certified grief expert, and ordained minister.
After completing clinical residencies at University Medical Center in Tucson and Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, he was a chaplain and director of spiritual care.
Cunningham received a bachelor’s degree in pubic administration from the University of Arizona, Cunningham served as the UA’s mascot, Wilbur T. Wildcat, in his senior year. He received a master of divinity degree from Northwestern University.
- Arizona Daily Star
Catalina Foothills announces new hire
Catalina Foothills School District announced: Dante A. Franco was named athletic director and dean of students position at Catalina Foothills High School for the 2016-17 school year.
Franco was previously employed as dean of students at the Morgan Maxwell K-8 School in Tucson Unified School District, and as dean of students and district-wide athletic director for the Bisbee Unified School District.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Arizona and a master’s in administration and supervision from Grand Canyon University.
- Arizona Daily Star
Catalina Foothills announces new hire
Catalina Foothills School District announced: Julie M. Nikolas has been named assistant principal at Orange Grove Middle School and a learning support specialist for the Catalina Foothills district.
Nikolas has more than 25 years of teaching experience, including more than 17 years of teaching experience in K-12 classrooms. For more than 15 years, she served as a private consultant for the South Dakota Department of Education.
Nikolas holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Dakota and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern State University in South Dakota.
- Arizona Daily Star
Catalina Foothills announces new hire
Catalina Foothills School District announced: Kristie Stevens, a longtime Catalina Foothills district staff member, joins Esperero Canyon Middle School as its dean of students.
In 1992, Stevens began her career as the Catalina Foothills High School Girls Tennis coach, a job she still holds today. In her 25 years with CFSD, she has served as a high school biology teacher as well as school counselor at Canyon View, Ventana Vista and Sunrise Drive elementary schools.
Stevens is a graduate of Scripps College and earned her education degrees from the UA and Northern Arizona University.
- Arizona Daily Star
Mesch Clark Rothschild names Coe associate
Mesch Clark Rothschild has named Jeff Coe as the law firm’s newest associate.
Prior to joining the firm, Jeff clerked for multiple federal bankruptcy judges in Tucson.
He graduated in 2013 from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona with distinctions including magna cum laude and Order of the Coif. Coe was a writer for the Arizona Law Review and earned awards for outstanding oral advocacy and legal writing.
Coe also participated in a nationally recognized mortgage clinic at Southern Arizona Legal Aid and was a member of a team that placed first in the American College of Bankruptcy’s Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Negotiation Competition. He was the recipient of the Judge Robert Mooreman Bankruptcy Scholarship.
A native of Springfield, Oregon, Jeff received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Oregon. Prior to law school, he worked for a chemical manufacturer.
- Arizona Daily Star
Ammons named COO at Job Aire Group
Job Aire Group has promoted Nicholas (Nick) Ammons to chief operating officer.
Ammons joined Job Aire, an aviation technical staffing firm, in April 2013 as manager of business development.
His experience includes business accounts, programs and technical records audit, and he has been key to the company’s success, Job Aire said.
Ammons has a bachelor’s degree in business, and is a decorated combat veteran.
- Arizona Daily Star
Owens named VP of advertising at Star
Alisha Owens was named vice president of advertising for the Arizona Daily Star.
Owens previously was advertising director of The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina, a position she had held since August 2013.
Before joining The Post and Courier, Owens spent three years as director of advertising for The Press of Atlantic City Media Group in New Jersey, leading the convergence strategy of new digital media with traditional print media.
She joined the The Press of Atlantic City in 2002 and held several leadership roles at the company, including online general manager. Owens holds a marketing degree from Stockton University in New Jersey.
- Arizona Daily Star
Hacienda Del Sol hires Fegan
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort has hired Joelle Fegan as catering manager of social events.
Fegan was previously a sales and revenue coordinator for Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, California, and the Lighthouse Lodge and Cottages in Pacific Grove, California.
- Arizona Daily Star
Hacienda Del Sol hires St. Dryden
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort has promoted Bonnie St. Dryden to director of group sales.
St. Dryden previously was catering manager for Hacienda Del Sol. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, including a stint as group sales manager at Tucson’s Marriott University Park Hotel.
- Arizona Daily Star
New post for Blair at Paulo Freire schools
Chad Blair was appointed principal of Paulo Freire Freedom School-University.
Blair most recently served as assistant principal for the two Paulo Freire Freedom Schools and previously was a teacher and advisory coordinator at City High School since 2007.
His background also includes teaching stints at Café 54 in Tucson, the University of Montana and De La Salle High School in Chicago, Illinois. Blair also taught English as a second language in Ankara, Turkey. He earned a master’s of fine arts degree from the University of Montana and a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education at the University of Illinois.
- Arizona Daily Star
New post for Moore at Paulo Freire schools
Kathy Moore is rejoining the Paulo Freire Freedom School-Downtown faculty as a teacher, tutor, and makerspace coordinator, after a five-year stint teaching out of state.
She will serve at the middle school’s downtown campus on Pennington Street and will also support City High School students and teachers. Moore has taught science and math, developed curriculum, and served as student adviser. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and holds a post-baccalaureate teacher certification from Pima Community College.
- Arizona Daily Star
Wester taking new patients at Crossroads OB/GYN
Dr. Lydia Wester joined Crossroads OB/GYN, a Genesis OB/GYN practice at 2424 N. Wyatt Drive, and is welcoming new patients.
Wester completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, followed by her M.D. at Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine. She recently completed an OB/GYN residency at the University of Arizona, where she was recipient of both the Resident Research Award and Resident Teaching Award.
- Arizona Daily Star
Orr to manage Kolb branch of Fidelity National Title
Chrissy Orr was named assistant vice president and branch manager of Fidelity National Title Agency’s new office at 1580 N. Kolb Road, Suite 100. Orr joined Fidelity National Title in 2015.
- Arizona Daily Star
Shoopman to direct the 'Pride of Arizona'
Chad Shoopman has joined the faculty at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music as the associate director of bands and director of athletic bands.
His duties include directing “The Pride of Arizona” Marching and Pep Bands, conducting the Wind Symphony, and teaching leadership and marching band techniques courses.
Shoopman holds a bachelor’s in music education and master’s in conducting performance from the UA.
He previously worked conducting and performing on studio projects for Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Lines. He also worked as a conductor, performer, arranger, and choreographer for live shows at Walt Disney World.
Under his baton, the Brass Band of Central Florida won a national championship.
He appears regularly as lead trumpet for Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Arturo Sandoval’s L.A. All-Star Big Band and others.
- Arizona Daily Star
Old Tucson marketing to be led by Davis
Mary K. Davis has joined Old Tucson as director of marketing, sales and communication.
Her area of responsibility also includes building and managing the Arizona Sonora Western Heritage Foundation brand.
Davis is the owner of The Write Attitude consulting firm, and was formerly director of marketing and business development at Tucson International Airport and director of communications for the town of Oro Valley.
She was recognized as an Inside Tucson Business 2013 Woman of Influence and has won awards in public relations and marketing.
- Arizona Daily Star
Gonzales to manage new Metro Title branch
Metro Title Agency of Arizona has promoted Cheryle Gonzales to branch manager at its newest location, 3450 E. Sunrise Drive, Suite 180.
She has been a senior escrow officer with Metro Title for three years, and, as a certified escrow officer since 1997, has 24 years of industry experience, including handling residential, builder, construction, refinance and reverse mortgage transactions.
- Arizona Daily Star
Marquez joins City High's faculty
City Center for Collaborative Learning has named a faculty member for City High School: Angela Marquez joins as a math teacher. She was a high school youth leader for Awana Clubs International. While earning her master’s of education in teaching at the University of Arizona, Marquez worked at Tucson Magnet High School. She earned the Navajo Nation Graduate Scholarship and the TEACH grant. She also holds a UA bachelor’s of science in biochemistry.
- Arizona Daily Star
Gypton joins City High's faculty
City Center for Collaborative Learning has named a faculty member for City High School: Krista Gypton has been hired to teach upper-level English. Gypton was a teacher at Walden Grove High School and was named Walden Grove Teacher of the Year. Previously she was CTE connections and internship coordinator for the Vail School District. She received a master’s of education from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s in elementary education from the UA.
- Arizona Daily Star
Finkelstein named volunteer coordinator
Joyce Finkelstein has been named volunteer coordinator for the Green Valley/Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse, succeeding John Geiger, who retired.
Finkelstein was volunteer manager for Green Valley Hospital and executive director of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council. She has been president of Green Valley Recreation Board, among others, and is an assistant governor of Rotary District 5500.
- Arizona Daily Star
Miller joins local BBB as spokeswoman
Better Business Bureau serving Southern Arizona welcomes Susann Miller as communications manager.
Miller most recently was director of the Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona; under her leadership, it was nominated for the Small Business Administration’s WBC Center of the Year and NAWBO’s Strategic Partner of the Year.
Miller was honored as the 2014 Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Minority Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona.
She is an ambassador for Make-A-Wish Arizona and has served on the boards of Minority Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona and Good to Glam.
- Arizona Daily Star
Dudas joins council
The Southern Arizona Leadership Council has a new member this year: Jon Dudas, senior vice president and secretary for the University of Arizona.
Dudas previously worked for the U.S. government, most recently as under secretary of Commerce for intellectual property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.
- Arizona Daily Star
Jaramillo joins council
The Southern Arizona Leadership Council has a new member this year: Lynette Jaramillo, CEO of Casa de la Luz Hospice.
Jaramillo previously was Arizona area manager for a national home care provider, and was an official at a privately owned home health agency in Tucson before partnering in 1998 to start Casa de la Luz Hospice.
- Arizona Daily Star
Johnson joins council
The Southern Arizona Leadership Council has a new member this year: Nancy Johnson, CEO of El Rio Community Health Center.
Johnson holds master’s degrees in nursing, marketing and business. She spent 15 years at Tucson Medical Center and serves as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She is a recipient of the UA’s Cecil B. Hart Humanitarian Award.
- Arizona Daily Star
Perales named CEO at Changemaker High
Changemaker High School has named Luis Perales as chief executive officer, succeeding Judith Anderson.
The tuition-free public charter school in Tucson has a special emphasis on social justice and activism.
Perales, who holds a master’s degree, has served as the school’s chief academic officer since 2012, helping to create free Innovation Camps open to all Tucson eighth-graders, a student-run farmer’s market and student-driven community development projects, the school said in a news release. Changemaker is the only applicant from Arizona selected to present at the 2016 International Social Innovation Research Conference in Glasgow, Scotland in September.
- Arizona Daily Star
HBL CPAs announces merger, shareholder
Tucson accounting firms HBL CPAs, P.C. and Braun P.C. have merged.
The combined firm remains HBL CPAs, P.C. and consists of more than 45 employees, including seven partners, at 5656 E. Grant Road.
In addition, the firm announced a new shareholder: Jacquie Ivey.
Ivey, a CPA, has more than 15 years of public accounting experience focused on retail, construction, and professional services industries. She received her bachelor’s of science in accounting from the University of Phoenix.
- Arizona Daily Star
HBL CPAs announces merger, shareholder
Tucson accounting firms HBL CPAs, P.C. and Braun P.C. have merged.
The combined firm remains HBL CPAs, P.C. and consists of more than 45 employees, including seven partners, at 5656 E. Grant Road.
In addition, the firm announced a new shareholder: Laura Randol.
Randol, also a CPA, has been promoted from audit manager and has been with HBL since 2013. She is a regular speaker at the Nonprofit Organizations’ Financial Administrator’s Network and holds a bachelor’s of science in accounting from Linfield College.
- Arizona Daily Star
Anshei Israel adds Kirschner in finance
Congregation Anshei Israel has named Susan J. Kirschner as finance director.
Kirschner has been involved in synagogue financial management and administration since 1996, and is skilled in budgeting, payroll, purchasing, membership development, fundraising/development and multi-fund endowment oversight, Anshei Israel said in a news release.
She holds a master’s degree in arts administration and recently moved from the Detroit area to Tucson.
- Arizona Daily Star
UA and Banner welcome neonatologist Patel
Dr. Shalin Patel has joined the University of Arizona Department of Pediatrics and Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center.
As a neonatologist, Patel will provide care for high-risk newborns with critical clinical conditions, prematurity and birth defects, and provide care for other newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Diamond Children’s.
He received his medical degree from C.U. Shah Medical College in Surendranagar, India; did his pediatrics residency at Western Michigan University School of Medicine and a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. He also holds an MPH in health care administration from Benedictine University in Illinois.
- Arizona Daily Star
Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: Kathy “Kat” Rodriguez, assistant director of digital marketing and communications.
Rodriguez was a marketing specialist at the University of Arizona Medical Network for seven years. She holds an associate of arts degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles and a bachelor’s and a master’s of business education from the American InterContinental University in Chicago.
- Arizona Daily Star
Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: Eva Karene Romero, grant writer.
Romero’s book, “Film and Democracy in Paraguay,” will be published by Palgrave Macmillan this year and she will co-direct a documentary film on women and women’s rights in South America. She received her PhD from the University of Arizona, where she taught Hispanic cultural studies and language classes. She is a board member of the Tucson Pima Arts Council.
- Arizona Daily Star
Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: LeeAnn Perry-Walker, member relations coordinator.
Perry-Walker returns to The J, where she worked in 2003 as catering and sales director before working as director of catering at several hotels in Tucson. She holds a culinary degree.
- Arizona Daily Star
Tucson 'J' announces a new employee
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as The J, announces a hiring: Andrea Wright, operations coordinator.
Wright, who has worked for the last several years with special needs children and adults, holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and is a Salpointe Catholic High School graduate.
- Arizona Daily Star
Franson to chair C-Path board
Dr. Timothy R. Franson has been named chair of the Critical Path Institute (C-Path) Board of Directors. He replaces Dr. Peter B. Corr, who will continue to serve as senior advisor to the board.
Franson brings extensive clinical and regulatory expertise in pre- and post-approval phases of pharmaceutical development. He is the chief medical officer at YourEncore, and previously was a principal at FaegreBD Consulting and vice president of global regulatory affairs and patient safety for Eli Lilly and Co.
He is the immediate past president of the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention and has served on the National Institutes of Health/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Treatment of Rare Diseases review panel.
Franson earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Drake University and his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
- Arizona Daily Star
Jones is music director of Repertory Singers
Elliot Jones has been named music director of the Arizona Repertory Singers.
Jones holds degrees from New York University and Indiana University as well as a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Arizona.
He has conducted performances of a wide variety of repertoire, including twice leading performances at the National Cathedral in Washington, most recently of Gregorio Allegri’s “Miserere.” An advocate for new music, Jones conducted the East-Coast premiere of Jake Heggie’s Anna Madrigal Remembers (text by Armistead Maupin), scored for mezzo-soprano, men’s chorus, strings and piano.
Jones served on the music faculty at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Wesley College, Culver-Stockton College, The Music School of Delaware, and Saint Andrew’s School. In 1996 he was selected for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern Program at Ohio State University; and he has held regional leadership positions in the American Choral Directors Association.
- Arizona Daily Star
Hutchinson joins UA Sarver Heart Center
The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center welcomes Dr. Mathew D. Hutchinson as director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Program in the Division of Cardiology at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson.
Board certified in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology, Hutchinson specializes in treating complex heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
He comes from the University of Pennsylvania where he was an associate professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine. He completed his medical degree at St. Louis University School of Medicine and his medical residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston. His cardiology and electrophysiology fellowships were completed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
- Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Pops names Guthrie exec director
Rebecca Guthrie has been hired as executive director of the Tucson Pops Orchestra, taking over for Interim Director Francis Bettinger, a Tucson Pops board member who filled in after the 2014 death of Dorothy Spencer. Spencer held the position for more than 50 years.
Guthrie holds a University of Arizona degree.
- Arizona Daily Star
Clancy named chef at Rincon Mountain Grill
Forty Niner Country Club has named Paul Clancy as executive chef of its restaurant, the Rincon Mountain Grill.
Clancy most recently was executive chef at Hi Falutin Rapid Fire Western Grill.
He has been in the culinary field for more than 35 years starting in San Francisco and has worked for and with such names as Wolfgang Puck, Martin Yan, Jeremiah Tower and Paul Proudomme. His Tucson experience includes positions at Westward Look Resort, the Tack Room and Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus restaurants.
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