Awards, honors, and recognitions

Jim Parker, CEO of The Mentor Connection, was a featured speaker and winner of the Rising Star Award at the annual Australasian Conference 2008 held in Sydney, Australia.

Gail M. Cox completed the requirements to be named an ASQ-Certified Software Quality Engineer. This professional certification given by the American Society for Quality indicates a proficiency in and a comprehension of software quality engineering principles and practices. Cox is a quality process auditor for Sunquest Information Systems Inc.

Barbara Himebaugh received the 2008 National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association’s G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of the Year award. Himebaugh volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate and speaks up for foster children in court. Himebaugh was selected from over 60,000 child advocates nationwide. This is the first time a volunteer from Arizona has received this award.

The American Cancer Society presented Patricia Harmon, CEO of Sunstone Cancer Support Centers, with the Gift of Life award. The award recognizes Harmon’s contributions to the lives of people touched by cancer.

Mary Frances Ward received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Ward is a volunteer with Experience Corps, a volunteer program for people over age 55, administered by the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona. President Bush honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States. He has met with more than 650 volunteers, like Ward, since March 2002.

New Hires

Karen Kovacs joined Splendido as director of sales. Kovacs brings more than 26 years of real estate experience to Splendido’s sales team. Previously, she was the director of sales for Pulte Homes, where she was responsible for all sales efforts in the Tucson region of the Del Webb brand, which are active adult communities for people age 55 and older.

Valerie Shestko joined the counseling staff of The Haven. She has worked in the behavioral health field for 13 years, specializing in addictions counseling.

The Pima Council on Aging made three hires. Jean Maldonado has been named community relations director. Maldonado has extensive professional experience as the former executive director of PRO Neighborhoods with responsibility for community development projects in Pima, Cochise and Santa Cruz counties. Julie Bubul is the new director of services. Bubul previously was the head of the Pinal/Gila County long-term care case management services for the Arizona Long Term Care System. Shelley Whitlatch is the health promotion coordinator. Whitlatch previously was the cardiac rehabilitation and exercise services manager at Tucson Medical Center.

Trenton J. Beyer was hired by Cushman & Wakefield of Arizona, Inc. to serve as an appraiser in the Tucson market. Beyer will be based in the Tucson office of PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services, an alliance member of Cushman & Wakefield’s.

Appointments

Farron Sneed has joined Northwest Medical Center as assistant chief executive officer. Sneed has a 14-year background in hospital administration specifically in operations, business development and strategic planning. Previously, he was administrator at the McKinney Surgery Center in McKinney, Texas.

Promotions

Joyce Perot has been promoted to lead case manager for The Haven. Perot started at The Haven as case manager in April 2006.

Nivita Ann Brown was promoted to sales manager of the Broadway/Pantano location.

Elections

Tucson Fiesta Bowl Committee announced that Dan Chambers will act as chairman for the 2008-’09 Tucson Fiesta Bowl season. David Kime will act as the 2008 Fiesta Bowl basketball classic chairman.