Civitas Announces Big Move for Key Member of Leadership Team
Blake Booth Jordan has recently been promoted to the position of principal of Civitas, following her accomplishments as director of marketing. A 15-year veteran of the design industry, Blake rejoined the firm in 2018 and helped oversee the creation of a new identity through a brand refresh while maintaining her emphasis on project pursuits and growing our social media presence. Her deliberate, clear and strategic approach is a valuable resource and underscores Civitas’ mission to engage people with nature in cities.
“This is such an exciting time for our firm. We worked through a tough year and are feeling energized about what is ahead,” said Blake. “To have the opportunity to provide a strong female role only reinforces our ability to navigate these waters. It will be an honor and privilege to work alongside the other principals in this expanded capacity.” Blake joins owner and president Mark Johnson and fellow principals Craig Vickers, Scott Jordan and Chris Parezo.
“Blake brings her unique ability to integrate our creative culture with leadership strategy and business acumen. She has shaped our leadership circle into a tightly aligned team that blends practice, organizational and strategic thinking. The results she has achieved and the trend she has developed ensure our continued growth into new challenges. I am proud to have her in this important position,” says Mark Johnson.
Recently, Civitas has developed a cohesive urban design vision and development strategy to create a new downtown in Calgary; reimagined over five miles of city streets into a uniquely Denver amenity that prioritizes people, culture, nature and health to generate a new urban, transportation network; designed a working waterfront that welcomes people by shrinking and relocating Harbor Drive in San Diego returning the Embarcadero to the public; and even envisioned the true face of the American museum 100 years in the future. With projects dotting the globe, Civitas carries an enormous range of experience, ability and project diversity – with leadership to match.
“It’s extraordinary to think I first knew about Civitas 30 years ago while interning at a major architectural firm in town. I could have never imagined working here, let alone working here twice! It affords a special insight into what has quite literally become my family,” reflected Blake.
Jim Pagano to Lead Pinkard’s Special Projects Division
Pinkard Construction has hired industry veteran Jim Pagano as the director of special projects, with a primary responsibility for establishing and growing the company’s new division. While Pinkard has experience with small projects, this division will formalize the company’s commitment to providing existing and future clients’ small project needs with the same client-first services Pinkard is known for.
Pagano rejoins Pinkard after a long absence, last working for the company from 1998 to 2006. He has spent the past several years building up a similar small projects division in the Colorado Front Range. Overall, he has over 37 years of experience in the Colorado construction industry.
“I am extremely excited to come home to Pinkard,” Pagano said. “Pinkard has completed a lot of these smaller projects over the years, but on more of a case-by-case basis. Now, we will be in a position to actively chase them as a more integral part of our business. I think there is a lot of value that these types of smaller projects can add to our client’s business, allowing them to have a ‘one-stop-shop’ approach to our relationship.”
Tony Burke, Pinkard’s president, says that having someone who has expertise in delivering smaller projects and history with the company was ideal for this new venture. Burke said that Pagano will use Pinkard’s considerable resources and workforce to complete these projects quickly without sacrificing quality.
“We are not simply looking for a way to grow our business,” said Burke. “We envision this as a way to bring our same level of excellence and resources to a wider base of clients and project types.”
Pagano began work at the start of the new year and will immediately focus on defining the division’s mission and current workload capacity, with the hope of making its manpower and specialty available to clients in all markets Pinkard currently serves. These markets include senior living, affordable housing, education, municipal, recreation and healthcare.
Hensel Phelps Announces Promotion
Hensel Phelps announced the promotion of Derek Hoffine to vice president and district manager of Hensel Phelps’ Plains District. Derek earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology at Pittsburg State University. He built his career in the Southeast District, contributing to many landmark projects there and in the Mid Atlantic District. In 2020, Derek relocated to support the Plains District as director of operations. Over his career, he has led successful expansions into new regions and increased Hensel Phelps’ presence in the healthcare and other key sectors.
Atlas Announces New Hires
Denver’s Atlas Real Estate recently hired three new team members.
Evan Rice, Investment Specialist
Evan comes to Atlas with years of experience in business development. As an investment specialist Evan is ready for the opportunity to serve his clients in a fun, fast paced environment with a team that is focused on living and teaching its mission ‘to uplift humanity through real estate’ by teaching the benefits of buy and hold investing. Evan has a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University.
Jeff Fox, Inside Sales Associate
Jeff is a Colorado native that grew up in the Denver area. Shortly after graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in business administration, he moved to Durango where he lived for 22 years. Jeff has 26 years of experience growing small to mid-sized companies in a sales and marketing role. His first real estate investment was in 2005 and I was immediately hooked. Today he owns investments in CO, IN, TN, AZ, and TX. In 2010 he successfully graduated from the College for Financial Planning and passed the national Certification Exam, but then opted to focus on real estate instead of Wall Street.
Mike Murphy, Investment Specialist/ IRA
Mike Murphy was an Atlas client long before he joined the team. His journey to real estate investing began after hearing ,VP of Brokerage at Atlas speak on the radio. In 2021 he retired from a successful 35-year career as a managing director in financial communications where he assisted private companies through the complex SEC initial public offering process. After retirement, he was finally able to pursue his real estate passion full time and joined Atlas as an Investment Specialist. Mike has keen expertise on the many benefits of real estate investing within an IRA. Having lived it himself he teaches from experience, providing his clients a path to a successful retirement plan through wise real estate investing within a self-directed IRA.
