Episoder
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Katie Gregory, the new General Manager of WestWorld, brings over 30 years of experience in public management to Scottsdale. Before joining WestWorld, Katie served as Prescott’s City Manager, and she has held various key positions in Peoria, including Deputy City Manager.
Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in political science from Western Oregon University and a master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University. With a strong background in community building, municipal operations, and strategic management, Katie is excited to lead WestWorld into a new era of growth and innovation. Her vision includes expanding the programming and enhancing the already first-class events and activities at WestWorld, making it a hub for world-class events in Scottsdale.
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Since October 2007, Nicole Patterson has been a dedicated Detention Supervisor in Scottsdale. Originally from New York, she's the youngest of eight, with a passion for the Dallas Cowboys, Yankees, and Lakers. A true dog lover, Nicole enjoys life with her 3-year-old red Doberman, Buddy. Snacks are her jam!!!
Kelvin Rawlins grew up in Oxnard, California before coming to Arizona in 2005. Sports has always been a passion and played baseball until his junior year in high school and basketball that allowed an opportunity to play at the junior college level, at the Division 1 level (Boise State), and two full seasons in Melbourne, Australia. Later, he developed an interest in the law enforcement profession that gave experience and also worked in the beverage industry prior to moving to Arizona. Once in Arizona, he began a career as a service advisor in the auto industry and hired on with the Scottsdale Police Department in 2007. He worked as a detention officer for about 10 years, promoted to sergeant and eventually detention manager as a lieutenant. The experience and relationships built over the course of his career are those that he will never forget.
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Dom Vattuone grew up Germantown, Maryland, played varsity baseball for UNC Greensboro Spartans, spent three and a half seasons in the minor leagues with the Oakland Athletics before starting with Scottsdale PD in 2016 where he currently serves as a member of the Downtown District Bike Unit. During his professional career posted 84 strikeouts in 78.1 innings pitched all out of the bullpen as a set up/ closing pitcher.
Rob Katzaroff hails from Seal Beach, California, played varsity baseball for UCLA, spent six and a half seasons in the minor leagues with a .300 career average before starting with Scottsdale PD in 1997 where he currently serves as the Foothills District Crime Prevention Officer.
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The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison, have named George Thimsen the Tournament Chairman for the 2024 edition of “The People’s Open”, which is set to tee it up Feb. 5-11 at TPC Scottsdale. Additionally, The Thunderbirds announced that Matt Mooney has been named Assistant Tournament Chairman for the 2024 event.
Thimsen assumes the role of Tournament Chairman after serving last year as Assistant Tournament Chairman alongside Pat Williams. He will guide The Thunderbirds organization in the planning and execution of all facets of the 2024 event, including sponsorship generation and renewals, security and safety, community relations, logistics, and development of on-course venues.
A Southern California native from Rancho Palos Verdes, Thimsen earned his degrees in Marketing and Communications from California State University, Chico. He’s been a member of The Thunderbirds since 2017 and has called Phoenix home with his wife, Natalie, and their two children, Gia (age 10) and Jayde (age 8), since 2013. Thimsen’s business background includes serving in various leadership roles at Red Bull for more than 11 years before becoming a Partner and Chief Revenue Officer at Timeless, LLC in 2019.
“Being named Tournament Chairman of the WM Phoenix Open is not only an honor, but a responsibility to uphold this group’s incredible legacy of giving back to the community,” Thimsen said. “I am excited to work alongside my fellow Thunderbirds, our partners, volunteers, and our amazing sponsors – including the best title sponsor in professional sports, WM – to create another unforgettable ‘People’s Open’ for the players and the greatest fans in golf.”
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Alessandra “Alex” Sachs is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, but grew up in the US and France. In 1993, she moved back to Brazil and pursued an undergraduate degree in Physical Education at FEFISA. She followed with a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology at UNIFMU, where she worked under Brazil’s top Sports Psychology, Dr. Regina Brandao. In 2000, her Master’s thesis was published at the Sports Psychology World Conference in Skiathos, Greece. She met Dr. Darren Treasure and Dr. Cristina Versari at the conference and in 2001 was invited to be a doctoral candidate at Arizona State University under the guidance of Dr. Treasure. Unfortunately, a year later Dr. Treasure left the university and Alex transferred to San Diego University of Interactive Studies under the leadership Of Dr. Versari.
Alex played professional soccer for 11 years on the Brazilian Women’s National Team. She has a silver medal from the 2004 Olympic Games and a gold medal from the 2007 Pan American Games. She was inducted into the Brazilian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. Alex worked at the Jewish Community Center for 11 years, was a program manager for Playworks Arizona for 3 years and now works for the Scottsdale Police Department as the Crime Prevention Police Aide for the Via Linda District.
Elissa Nowacki has worked with children most of her life, starting in her early teens, babysitting the neighborhood kids. She worked with the YMCA after school programs in high school and while getting her teaching degree from ASU. She spent many summers working at residential summer camps in the mountains of Prescott AZ and the Pocono Hills in Pennsylvania. She started teaching in Maryvale in 1996 and spent the next 20 years at the same school. She spent most of her years teaching 5th grade. In 2016, she stepped into a new role as an instructional coach. In 2018 she started on her School Administrator journey! She loves her current school community and hopes to be able to serve there for many years.
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Joe Iturri brings nearly 30 years of hospitality experience to Caesars Republic Scottsdale, previously serving as General Manager of Saguaro Scottsdale for nine years, the opening Director of Sales and Marketing at W Scottsdale for six years, and Regional Director of Revenue Management for all of Starwood’s Southwest hotels for 13 years. During his tenure with Starwood, he was also a leader in their process improvement effort, acting as a “Black Belt" in Six Sigma at the Phoenician Resort. A Scottsdale resident with longstanding roots in the community. Joe Iturri serves on many boards in the community, including Vice Chair of the Board at Experience Scottsdale Education Chair at the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, (AZLTA), is a board member of Scottsdale Police Chief Walther’s Community Engagement Group and the Scottsdale Police Foundation.
About Caesars Republic Scottsdale
Caesars Republic Scottsdale is a new lifestyle hotel experience and the first non-gaming hotel by Caesars Entertainment in the United States. Located adjacent to Scottsdale’s premier luxury retail destination, Scottsdale Fashion Square, the new concept taps into the unique pulse of the surrounding city to form a one-of-a-kind experience. The 11-story, 265-room hotel and conference center is scheduled to open in February 2024.
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October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a period dedicated to discussing measures that can guide those affected towards understanding the situation and finding avenues to escape harmful circumstances.
Data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reveals that over 10 million adults in the United States face domestic violence each year. Closer to home, Scottsdale’s Victim Services extended assistance to approximately 1,200 domestic violence victims in the fiscal year spanning July 2021 to June 2022. Their support encompasses facilitating victims in obtaining orders of protection or injunctions against harassment, directing them to relevant support services, aiding in applications for the Address Confidentiality Program, accompanying them to court, clarifying aspects of the criminal justice process, and championing their rights.
Sergeant Marcus Dunton, with a tenure of 17 years at Scottsdale PD, initiated his journey as a Police Aide and presently holds the position of Supervisor for the Domestic Violence Unit.
Kasia Bouise-Oropeza and Ellen Larson are integral members of the Victim Advocate Department of Victim Services. They are committed to assisting every domestic violence victim and guiding them through the necessary procedures.
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Sarah Kearney leads Blue Zones Project Scottsdale as the Executive Director. Her leadership experience is diverse and rooted in community well-being, service, and forward-thinking optimism. She most recently worked for Experience Scottsdale, whose mission is to enhance the Scottsdale community through tourism. In Sarah’s 16+ year tenure at the organization, she held several leadership roles and specialized in worldwide leisure sales, partner development strategy, membership and community engagement, program development, and more.
Driven by her passion for the Scottsdale community, Sarah has served, led, and guided several local organizations, leaving a cross-sector imprint. She has served as the Board President for Scottsdale Leadership, the Board President for Community Celebrating Diversity, a Board Member for Scottsdale Sister Cities, the Officer of Membership for Millennials in Travel, and the Vice President of Community Outreach at GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Sarah holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.A. in Communication from Arizona State University. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, sports and spending time in the Scottsdale sunshine. She is a proud wife and hockey, dance, and dog mom to her two children and golden retriever.
https://bluezonesprojectscottsdale.com/
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Chris and Jihae Watson have been married for 18 years and they have 7 amazing children ranging from age 7 to 30. Chris and Jihae have been actively involved in the foster/adoptive community since 2015 and Chris currently serves as the president on the boards of the Jaxon Foundation and Men’s Practice.
Jihae is an HR generalist for Showit Inc in Chandler, where she has worked for the past seven years. Jihae started the Fostering Voices Podcast to help those involved in the foster and adoptive community. Jihae has also trained and certified new foster parents for the past three years. Chris and Jihae were keynote speakers at the Foster Arizona Gala in 2020 and continue to speak to various groups in the foster care and adoptive communities. Chris and Jihae could not have done any of these things without the incredible support from the City of Scottsdale and the community around them.
Chris is currently a Police Commander serving in the Foothills District with the Scottsdale Police Department. Prior to his work in law enforcement, Chris spent 6 years in the U.S. Marine Corps with assignments in Yuma AZ, Quantico, Liberia and Korea and then served for a year in Iraq as a security contractor working for Triple Canopy Security.
Chris has a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University and Jihae has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto.
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John Loleit has been with the City since 2000 after spending 25 years with the National Park Service. He has his spent entire career in the Northern part of the Preserve starting with the opening of Pinnacle Peak Park in 2002. When Browns Ranch Trailhead opened in 2013 he moved there and most recently to the new trailhead at Pima Dynamite. As a Natural Resources Supervisor, his job is constantly evolving and varied every day. John also conducts guided hikes, manage trail maintenance projects, train staff and volunteers, provide fire mitigation, invasive weed control and various other natural resource projects.
Ofc. Saylor has been employed with the Scottsdale Police Department since 2011. He has been an active part of the training unit for many years as an adjunct instructor and is currently a designated marksman for the agency. He is a 4th generation Arizonan with a passion for the outdoor community and can be regularly found on the trails in the preserves hiking with his wife and dogs.
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Chris Henningson starting as a Cadet in 1998, then served as a parking control checker and police aide, and evolved to a crime analyst, he's now leading the groundbreaking team of the Scottsdale Police departments Real Time Crime Center.
He is also the National President of the real Time Crime Center Association https://www.nrtcca.org/
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Akil Davis, a former officer in the Scottsdale Police Department back in 1999, who embarked on a new path after a few years, embracing a captivating career with the prestigious FBI.
Davis is a 17-year veteran with the FBI. He served in Palm Springs, Los Angeles and Kabul, and has investigated organized crime, drug trafficking, violent crime, human trafficking and crimes against children. He served with FBI's SWAT team in Los Angeles and with the U.S. Army's 10th Special Forces Group.
He has also been involved with the Weapons of Mass Destruction Director at the FBI's headquarters, and has acted as a legal attaché to The Hague. He comes to Phoenix as a section chief responsible for international operations.
Davis grew up in Mesa. He has a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a master's from Northern Arizona University.
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Experience Scottsdale President & CEO Rachel Sacco has been an integral part of the highly regarded Arizona destination marketing organization since 1986.
She joined the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce that year to lead its tourism division, which became the convention and visitors bureau in 1987. In 2001, Experience Scottsdale – then known as the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – officially separated from the Chamber to become a stand-alone, non-profit organization with Sacco as its first president and CEO.
Over the years, Sacco has been inducted into Scottsdale’s History Hall of Fame, the Arizona State University College of Public Programs’ Alumni Chapter Hall of Fame, the Arizona Governor’s Tourism Hall of Fame, and the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. She has been named one of the “50 Most Influential Women” by Arizona Business Magazine, and Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine recognized her as one of the most successful women leading destination offices in the U.S.
She has also been recognized for her community service and leadership in the city, being awarded the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Volunteer Legacy Award, Scottsdale Rotary Club’s Corporate Club Member Service Above Self Award, and Scottsdale Leadership’s Drinkwater Leadership Award.
Sacco is a national board member for the U.S. Travel Association, and also serves on the executive committee of the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association and the boards of directors of the Fiesta Bowl, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and Scottsdale Charro Foundation.
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Detective Tom Houk joined the Scottsdale Police Department in February 2000 after spending time playing and coaching professional baseball in the minor league. He spent 6 years in the minor leagues and, in 1990 led the Gulf Coast League with a .344 ba!
Tom went from patrolling the baseball diamond to patrolling the streets of Scottsdale until February 2007 when he joined the Traffic Enforcement Section as a motorcycle officer. He worked closely with the Vehicular Crimes and Reconstruction Unit until he was transferred in March 2014.
Detective Houk has completed over 900 hours of Vehicle Crash related training. This training includes specialized training in Pedestrian, Bicycle and Motorcycle Crash Investigations.
Detective Houk has helped to investigate numerous crashes in his career. He has assisted with over 125 serious injury and fatal crashes and has been the Primary Investigator in over 60 of those crashes.
Detective Houk is a Field Training Officer, General Instructor, Police RADAR instructor, Taser Instructor, and Taser Armorer. Detective Houk has assisted teaching Traffic Law and Accident Investigation classes at the Phoenix Regional Police Academy. He has also assisted with teaching At Scene, Traffic Crash Reconstruction I and Traffic Crash Reconstruction II at Arizona Post.
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Executive Managing Director
Pat is the Managing Director of the Phoenix Tenant Representation Group and is responsible for all day-to-day operations.
He represents clients in facility and site acquisition. His responsibilities include marketing, strategy implementation, site evaluation and selection, detailed financial analysis and lease review and negotiations. His technical knowledge of the real estate process gives him a broad understanding of the important principles that must be incorporated into a transaction. His leadership skills and unparalleled knowledge of the office, industrial and medical industries continue to exceed clients' expectations, including but not limited to Axway, Banner Health, Choice Hotels, City of Phoenix, Freedom Financial, Dial Corporation, Isagenix, Lovitt & Touche, Northern Trust, Progressive Insurance, Shutterfly and the State of Arizona.
Pat focuses on user/tenant representation for the following specialties: Acquisitions, Public Institutions, Banking, Technology, Call Center, Corporate Headquarters, Dispositions, Portfolio Management, Financial and Strategic Consulting, Healthcare and Law Firms. Pat received his Bachelor of Science in business arts from the University of Arizona. His civic activities include the Boys and Girls Club and The Phoenix Thunderbirds.
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Human Trafficking is a growing danger in Arizona and it could be going on right next to you. Join Chief Walther and Sgt Quon as they talk to a panel of experts on this important topic.
Lissa Druss, Cav., OSI Founder + CEOhttps://www.teamstrategia.com/
For more than 30 years, Lissa has established a powerful reputation– from Los Angeles to Chicago and New York – as a highly seasoned communications strategist, crisis management leader, nine-time Emmy award-winning television journalist, media consultant, guest lecturer, and tireless client advisor. In addition to leading the Strategia team, she is counseling clients on issues at the intersection of government affairs and lobbying, crisis communications, municipal relations, media relations/training, corporate communications, internal/external communications strategy and social media.
During her eight years with Serafin & Associates, Lissa’s clients included large and small corporations, celebrities, municipalities and law enforcement agencies across the United States and, in some cases, the world. She spent 13+ years with CBS Television both in Chicago and Los Angeles before capping her television career as the executive producer launching the Comcast SportsNet network in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and New York, winning the 2009 Chicago Journalism Award in Sports. She has written and produced for news, entertainment and sports. During the 1990s, she covered headline stories including the Persian Gulf War, the Oklahoma City bombing, the O.J. Simpson murder trial, and the Chicago Bulls championships.
Lissa is the recipient of the National 2019 Professional Women in Advocacy Award and the 2016 Filipo Mazzei Award for Excellence in Public Affairs. In 2018, she received one of the highest honors from the Italian government: induction as a Cavaliere dell’ Ordine della Stella d’Italia, or Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy. Bestowed upon her by the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Sergio Mattarella, this honor is a direct result of her deep commitment to championing the Italian culture and supporting the Italian American community in the Chicagoland area.
Lissa guest lectures and is a regular contributor on television and radio stations, offering a front-line analysis and perspective on many types of crises and public affairs priorities. She is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Jarrett Payton Foundation and serves on the board of Milan – Chicago Sister Cities International. Lissa is also Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Get Growing Foundation. She is on the engagement committee of The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii Italian American church and is a member of the National Italian American Foundation. Lissa is also an active alumna of her alma mater, the University of Arizona.
Tim Roemer Director, Arizona Department of Homeland Securityhttps://azdohs.gov/
Tim Roemer was appointed by Governor Ducey as the Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security in April of 2021. Director Roemer also serves as the State’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), managing cybersecurity for the State of Arizona. In his role, Director Roemer advises the Governor on a wide range of topics including cybersecurity, border security, and counterterrorism. As State CISO, Director Roemer leads the State’s cybersecurity team, sets cybersecurity strategy, and defends the State against evolving cyber attacks that threaten our citizens' data and Arizona’s critical infrastructure.
Prior to his appointment, Director Roemer served the State of Arizona in a variety of leadership roles including four years in a dual role as the Governor’s Public Safety Advisor and Deputy
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Rachel Cole is an anchor, reporter, and multi-skilled journalist for 12News.
Rachel joined Team 12 from KRIS-TV, Channel 6 in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she was a morning anchor and reporter. While in Texas, Cole covered several high-profile trials, including the Hannah Overton case, involving a foster mother convicted in the death of her 4-year-old foster son, who served seven years in prison before her conviction was overturned.
A native Arizonan, Rachel is a Cum Laude graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, and cheering on Arizona sports teams.
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Jessica Nicely is a passionate advocate for child abuse prevention, awareness and treatment. A survivor herself, Jessica founded her own non-profit 501c3, Winged Hope Family Advocacy Foundation in January 2013.
Dedicated to serving victims of family violence and trauma, since it’s inception Winged Hope has provided direct services or training to over 55,000 people around the state of Arizona. Winged Hope was the Recipient of the Arizona Attorney General's 2018 Arizona Crime Victims' Rights Week Award for their work with victims of violence.
A graduate of Arizona State University, Jessica's memoir All My Friends Are Zeros: My Secret to Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences is available at all online booksellers.
Jessica is the recipient of the Beth McDonald Woman of the Year Award for 2019 and the Positive Paths East Valley Woman of the Year Award for 2020.
For 26 years, listeners in schools, conferences, law enforcement and more have been inspired by Jessica’s journey of resiliency and hope, shared with the goal of impacting survivors of family violence and trauma worldwide.
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Dr. Casey Solem is a Board Certified Emergency Physician and he serves as the Medical Director of the Scottsdale Fire Department.
Casey was born and raised right here in Scottsdale. After graduating from Chaparral High School, he studied Biology at Arizona State University. He then joined the inaugural class of the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix Campus.
He now practices full-time Emergency Medicine in three local hospitals: HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center (where he was born), HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, and HonorHealth Thompson Peak Medical Center.
Casey loves the Scottsdale Community and is involved with many local organizations including the Scottsdale Charros.
He lives here in town with his wife, Sara, and their three kids.
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Angela Harrolle came to be the CEO of The 100 Club of Arizona in an unconventional way, as a line of duty death family beneficiary. She is a true testament of ‘you never know where life will take you.’ Prior to my arrival as the CEO she championed legislation known as “Harrolle’s Law”, which provides surviving families with lifetime access to health insurance benefits following a line of duty death.
The 100 Club of Arizona, a non-profit organization that provides statewide assistance for public safety agencies, officers, firefighters, EMT/Paramedics and their families. As a 501(c)(3), the 100 Club of Arizona is dedicated to standing behind the men and women who stand behind the badge. Angela also continues her aforementioned work in addition to being a partner in local restaurant concepts such as CHoP Chandler, The Living Room, and Sea & Smoke. She also continues to provide residential real estate, relocation services as the Designated Broker/Owner of The Fed Realty Group.
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