Monday, November 30, 2009

Sanford-Brown College Names Cheryl Pietkiewicz Director of Education

Sanford-Brown College (SBC), which provides education in allied health care programs designed to prepare its graduates for related employment opportunities, is pleased to announce Cheryl Pietkiewicz as its director of education. In her role, Pietkiewicz will be responsible for overseeing the school’s academic department including the faculty, registrar, records and library functions.

Pietkiewicz has more than 20 years’ experience in the healthcare field and education administration, most recently as the director of education and the director of clinical education at Anthem and Kaplan Colleges, respectively, in Phoenix. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from Salisbury State University and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Arizona State University. Pietkiewicz is also a registered respiratory therapist. She resides in North Phoenix.

Eight Distinguished Women to Be Recognized at Dec. 5 Girl Scouts Awards Luncheon

Eight distinguished women have been selected to receive the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council’s 2009 World Awards and will be recognized at the annual World Awards luncheon on Dec. 5. As Girl Scout alumni, these women exemplify the Girl Scout Promise and Law in their personal lives and make meaningful contributions to the betterment of their community.

Recipients have been selected in seven annual categories: humanities, community service, arts, learning, courage, future and leadership. This year’s honorees are:

World Leadership Award
Lisa Keegan, The Keegan Company

World of Community Service
Kay McKay, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff

World of Courage
Leslie Mihata Bloom, Partnership for Drug Free America-Arizona Alliance and
Lt. Jacquelyn MacConnell, City of Phoenix

World of the Future
Lisa Love, Arizona State University

World of Humanity
Marian Frank, The Arizona Republic

World of Learning
Melinda Romero, Chandler Unified School District

World of the Arts
Deborah Gilpin, Children’s Museum of Phoenix

The council has also selected eight Young Women of Distinction who are current Girl Scouts, ages 15 to 18, in the same categories. Those honorees include: Melanie Erin Picciano of Fountain Hills, World Leadership Award; Taylor Dawn Petersen of Scottsdale and Hillary Jean Eder of Mesa, World of Community Service; Sara Ellenberger of Ahwatukee, World of the Arts; Kaitlyn Amanda Stone of Flagstaff, World of Courage; Gabriela Marie Guerra of Arcadia, World of Humanity; Catherine Bina of Ahwatukee, World of the Future; and Alyssa Rollando of Ahwatukee, World of Learning.

World Award recipients will be recognized for their achievements at a luncheon co-chaired by Christine Wilkinson and Ellen Kirschbaum, and presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield on Sat., Dec. 5, at the Arizona Biltmore Spa & Resort. Event activities begin with a silent auction at 10:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon presentation at noon. This is the council’s largest alumni event of the year; sponsorship opportunities are still available.

The World Awards is open to the public and luncheon tickets are $75. All proceeds from the event will support new and existing Girl Scout programs. For more information, contact Leslie Friedman at (602) 452-7003 or visit www.girlscoutsaz.org.

Teacher of the Week Inspires New Generation of Educators

The newest Fulton Homes’ “Teacher of the Week” was nominated for not only being an exceptional English literature teacher, but also preparing her students for life beyond middle school. Christie Roe, an eighth grade teacher from Phoenix-based Christ Lutheran School, will be featured on the KNIX Ben and Matt Show Friday, Nov. 11, between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

Roe was nominated by one of her former students, 18-year-old Kortnee Manning. Even though it has been years since Manning had Roe as a teacher, she still stands out to her as a source of inspiration. Due to Roe’s influence, Manning aims to pursue a teaching career herself.

“[Roe] prepared us more for college and life in general than our high school teachers did,” Manning said. “She showed me that teachers could be your superheroes in life.”

Manning is now on the path to become a “super” instructor like Roe. She is currently in college studying secondary education.

“Mrs. Christie Roe has changed my life,” Manning said. “I started eighth grade wanting to get out of school and just be done. She made me want to make time slow down as much as I could learn as much as I could.”

Roe also commits herself to all aspects of Christ Lutheran School. According to Principal Cheryl Ehlers, in addition to her already heavy teacher workload, Roe works with students on the school newspaper, chaperone’s dances, leads school field trips and more.

“She goes out of her way to make sure her students exceed in the classroom and their lives,” Ehlers said. “She commits to way beyond the 8 to 3 school day.”

Every week, students are asked to nominate teachers like Roe for the chance to win a prize package that includes $300 in cash plus prizes from Fulton Homes and the Dairy Council of Arizona. The winning teacher will also be spotlighted on the KNIX Morning Show with Ben and Matt, where they will receive special recognition on their Friday show. At the end of the year, the 34 winning teachers will be honored at a special luncheon, where one outstanding teacher will be selected as “Teacher of the Year.”

“The best educators do more than just teach, they inspire,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Mrs. Roe has been an inspiration to her students to be the best they can be in their lives.”

Grant Thornton Promotes Wanda Denton to Senior Tax Manager


The Phoenix office of Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International, is pleased to announce it has promoted Wanda Denton to senior tax manager. In her new role, Denton’s responsibilities will include tax consulting and compliance for large public, private and middle-market companies while overseeing a staff of nine tax associates. She will continue to apply her expertise in accounting for income taxes, accounting periods and methods and corporate taxation.

Denton has nearly 10 years experience in public accounting. She previously served Grant Thornton as a tax manager in the Phoenix office, where she provided tax planning and advice for clients in the cement and concrete, mining, manufacturing and distribution, software and service industries.

Denton holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from Arizona State University and is a regional firm specialist in the area of IRC Section 382. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA) and American Society of Women Accountants. She also serves as elected official Republican Precinct Committeeman in and for her precinct in Maricopa County and is a member of the Auxiliary Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley.

Patterson Joins Lewis and Roca as of Council for Tribal Affairs and Gaming


Lewis and Roca is pleased to announce that Kerry Patterson has joined the firm’s Phoenix office.

Patterson is of counsel in the firm's Tribal Affairs and Gaming practice group. She has extensive experience in Native American law and real estate law. In addition, Patterson has worked on several multimillion-dollar projects involving Native American lands that included development agreements, negotiation of leases as well as other types of agreements. She also is well versed in real estate development including retail leasing, purchase and sale, negotiation and preparation of easement agreements, development agreements, license agreements and other related documents.

Patterson received her J.D. from Arizona State University College of Law and her B.A. from the State University of New York, Fredonia.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Stevie Awards for Women in Business Unveil Winners of Sixth Annual Competition

Shining a spotlight on more than 60 outstanding women executives, business owners and organizations, the winners of the 2009 Stevie Awards for Women in Business were unveiled on Friday, Nov. 13 in categories including Best Entrepreneur, Best Executive, Most Innovative Company and Best Overall Company.

With over 300 businesswomen in attendance, the winners of the 6th annual awards competition were announced at an awards dinner at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. More than 1,100 nominations were submitted for consideration in 54 categories.

Notable Stevie Award winners from this year’s competition include:

-Best Executive: Anna Chagnon, President and CEO of Bitstream Inc.

-Best Latin American Executive: Griselda Hernandez, General Manager of UPS Mexico

-Best Asian Executive: Shunee Yee, President and CEO of CSOFT International Ltd., China

-Best Entrepreneur: Lindsay Phillips, Founder of SwitchFlops by Lindsay Phillips

-Best Young Entrepreneur: Melissa Fields Tugwell, Founder of PetRays Veterinary Telemedicine Consultants

-Best Canadian Entrepreneur: Shabnam Rezaei, Managing Partner, Big Bad Boo Studios

-Best Overall Company of the Year: Camp Bow Wow

-Lifetime Achievement Award: Jennifer Openshaw, Founder & President, WeSeed & Women's Financial Network

-Mentor of the Year: Nancy Long, Chief HR Officer and Senior VP-Human Resources of Hitachi Data Systems

-Fastest Growing Company of the Year: The Bioengineering Group, Inc.

The 2009 honorees reflect a diverse group of large and small organizations from around the world. Additional Stevie Award winners include: Reading Room (London), iRobot Corporation, Canada Post and more. Eulogy! Public Relations (London) was the only organization to win two Stevie Awards this year, for Best Overall Company of the Year (Services Businesses--up to 100 Employees) and Best Executive in EMEA (President Lara Levanthal). For a complete list of honorees and more information, visit: www.stevieawards.com/women.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an international competition recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners and the organizations they run. The awards are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are governed by a Board of Distinguished Judges and Advisors that features many leading women entrepreneurs and luminaries in business.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Local Bank President Wins International Award

Candace Hunter Wiest, President and CEO of West Valley National Bank, has won the coveted Stevie Award for Women in Business. Wiest claimed the prize for Best Executive for Service Businesses with up to 100 employees. This prestigious international award recognizes accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners and the organizations they run.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are governed by a Board of Distinguished Judges and Advisors that features many leading women entrepreneurs and luminaries in business. More than 1,100 entries from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration. Awards were presented at the gala event at New York’s Marriott Marquis Hotel on Nov. 13. We applaud Candace Hunter Wiest for her outstanding leadership with West Valley National Bank and congratulate her on this achievement.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Lina Quintero of Elements of Design Honored by the Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com 35 Entrepreneurs, 35 and Under

Elements of Design, a full-service, luxury residential and commercial interior design studio in Scottsdale with one of the largest showrooms in the state, is pleased to announce that The Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com recently recognized Elements of Design’s owner and lead interior designer, Lina Quintero, as one of Arizona’s top 35 Entrepreneurs, 35 and Under. Quintero was awarded the honor after being selected by a panel of judges who determined the winners from a group of over 175 applicants. The group of applicants was initially divided into the top 35 male and top 35 female competitors. Then the combined list of the top 70 males and females was pared to the definitive list of Arizona’s 35 Entrepreneurs, 35 and Under.

According to The Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com, applicants were selected by a five-person panel: Dave Bittner, Beanstalk CFO Group; Anil Jain, managing partner of Endeaver Innovation Partners and a man recognized in the 2008 "35 entrepreneurs" competition: Robin Orchard, president, Orchard Medical Consulting; Andrew Johnson, business and innovations reporter, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com; and Kathy Tulumello, business editor, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

Lina Quintero remarks, “This is an award I will never forget. To be recognized at 27 as one of Arizona’s up-and-coming business leaders is a remarkable accomplishment. Yet, with this accomplishment comes tremendous expectations for the future. This recognition will spur my motivation to take the next giant leap in my career.”

Marcia Mintz Named John C. Lincoln Health Foundation CEO


Valley fundraising leader Marcia L. Mintz has been named chief executive officer of John C. Lincoln Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the John C. Lincoln Health Network.

Mintz joins the John C. Lincoln Health Network after four years as chief development officer of Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix. Her background includes more than 18 years of international and regional nonprofit and corporate work in development and philanthropy.

“We welcome Marcia’s experience and skills in the areas of development and philanthropy,” said Tom Batson, chairman of the Foundation’s board and Managing Director--Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. “She joins a strong team with a long history of supporting health care and community service in Phoenix.”

“I am excited to join the John C. Lincoln Network. The Foundation is uniquely positioned to support both medical excellence and community service programs. Philanthropy and community partnerships will continue to play an important role in our success,” said Mintz.

The John C. Lincoln Health Network has 85 years of history in the north Phoenix community, providing medical care through its North Mountain and Deer Valley hospitals, 20 physician practices and specialty centers and its Desert Mission Food Bank, Children’s Dental Clinic, Community Health Center, Marley House Behavioral Health Clinic, Lincoln Learning Center, Neighborhood Development and Adult Day Health Care. The Foundation helps support these efforts through volunteer and donor activities and two special events a year. Last year, the Night of Gold Ball and Lincoln Guild Invitational Gold Tournament together raised almost $500,000, and the Network served more than 100,000 people.

“As the philanthropic arm of our organization, the Foundation’s mission is to support health care and community services provided through the John C. Lincoln Health Network,” said Rhonda Forsyth, president and CEO of John C. Lincoln Health Network. “We’re proud of what our organization has accomplished over the past 85 years, and we look forward to continuing to grow our services in the challenging years ahead. Marcia will help us build an even stronger organization that stays true to our mission, so we can continue to help the people of Phoenix achieve the highest level of well-being possible.”