Member Profiles

I am a Commercial Real Estate Broker/Tenant Advisor with Keyser located in Scottsdale. In short, my goal as a Tenant Advisor is to act as an advocate for the tenant, aiming to secure the most favorable lease terms and conditions in commercial real estate transactions. I strive to help my clients make the best strategic decisions that align their real estate & business objectives. The most fulfilling thing about my role is developing great business relationships/friendships and digging up creative solutions that can improve their business strategy or lower their occupancy costs. While I am the point person with strategy and negotiations in a lease or building purchase, it often takes a team of other professionals for a successful transaction. I often collaborate with real estate attorneys, architects, furniture vendors, project managers, etc. to ensure a seamless leasing process and address any additional considerations. I look forward to networking with the many different industries at AzBL. Quick background about me…I was born and raised in Seattle and got my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona. After college I migrated back to Seattle where I was in Commercial Real Estate for 8 years, where I received “Rookie of the Year” at my firm and after three (3) years became a VP. I always wanted to move back to AZ (for obvious reasons) and Covid made my decision that much easier. I enjoy following sports, golf, and most recently pickleball. I was extremely impressed and humbled by the willingness of other AzBL members to take the time to share their insights into their success and career paths and that is what drew me to applying for membership myself.

I am a Mortgage Banker and Branch Manager with Uplend, powered by VIP. I am a Phoenix native who has been in the mortgage industry for about 20 years. I enjoy coaching other Loan Officers and Real Estate agents and motivating others to their peak performance. My biggest challenge currently is a tough market, but I’m looking forward to the growth and change that comes from learning and pivoting during a downturn. I also really enjoy working with my brother, Jason, who is also on my team. I received by Bachelors from ASU. Awards: • Top Producing Branch Manager – 2018 -2022 Homeowners Financial Group • Scotsman Guide – Top Loan Originator – 2018 – 2022 • $10MM/month and $100MM Producer – Homeowners Financial Group 2020-2021 When I’m not coaching for work, I love spending time with my 10 year-old son, Asher, and 7 year-old son, Grady, coaching their hockey teams and attending their school functions. I love being a witness to my 3 year-old daughter, Bliss, develop a love for dance, gymnastics and all things girly. My wife Kelsey and I will celebrate 18 years of marriage in June, and we are enjoying the small moments: family dinners, time with friends, and attending Scottsdale Bible Church. I enjoy working out and playing adult pick-up hockey whenever I have the chance as well. Asher being on the Junior Coyotes gives us the opportunity to travel together, and we are so grateful for all of the opportunities that living in the Valley offers our kids. Jeff Scheter, President of AzBL, introduced me to the group, and I was attracted to the leadership aspect. Learning to influence through leadership greatly interests me. I believe that leading is about educating oneself and influencing others by sharing that knowledge. I hope to learn and grow from top leaders across the Valley!

I enjoy assisting companies with their Interim or Fractional CFO needs, focusing on the SaaS tech industry. I have over 35 years’ experience and recently conducted an Initial Public Offering for a company in Houston, Texas playing an integral role in the development of the S-1 Registration Statement as well as the Investor presentation deck for road show, investor relations presentations, and hiring a team to meet the public company growth needs. During this IPO, I had an apartment in Houston, and recently exited my role in order to come back to my home in Scottsdale full time. I’m excited to reconnect with my friends and colleagues and rejoin AZBL. I’ve also assisted in a Private Placement Offering, taken the lead in large-scale financing and SEC filings with numerous companies, including Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Tupperware, PetSmart, and CSK Automotive (now O’Reilly Auto Parts). I’ve successfully raised over $250 million in private equity, facilitated over $300 million in credit, and spearheaded two company exits. Key areas of expertise, both domestic and internationally, include extensive M&A exit strategy planning and execution, FP&A modeling, budgeting, cash management, and team management. I love helping companies automate and streamline operations and have led the implementation of ERP, accounting, and tax compliance platforms such as Netsuite, Intacct, Concur, Adaptive Planning, and Avalara. I’ve optimized and created efficient processes and enhanced internal controls in the accounting functions of many organizations through the consolidation of disparate reporting systems and the establishment of effective metrics and KPI reporting. I am passionate about giving back to my community and participate in many non-profit organizations such as Fresh Start and UMOM, and you can often find me down at St. Mary’s food bank packing boxes, or collecting clothing from my friends to donate to the homeless. In my spare time, I am one of the crazy cyclists on the road, and I’m also attempting to learn golf. I am glad to be back in the Valley, and look forward to becoming more involved in the AZBL community.

My name is Nathaniel Thompson and I am a rising senior studying Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Business Data Analytics (BDA) at the W.P. Carey School of Business. During my time at ASU, I have become deeply passionate about the ASU Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA). When I joined the executive board my freshman year, I took on the role of V.P. of Network Relations in which I planned and moderated over 35 events to provide 500+ members with opportunities to further invest in their education and develop as young professionals in supply chain management. I held this position for the previous two years, and am grateful to have been elected to serve as the President of ASU SCMA for the next academic year. I am incredibly excited and I believe this position will provide me with the platform I need to demonstrate my passion and give back to the business school that has given so much to me in my time as a student thus far. My educational goal is to complete a bachelor's degree in SCM with a concurrent degree in BDA, which will provide me with the knowledge and skills I need to secure a supply chain management role in the technology industry. After working for a few years in the industry, my goal is to return to Arizona State University where I will pursue my MBA. I want to earn an MBA at ASU because my long-term career goal is to become a supply chain executive. Achieving my MBA will enable me to reach my potential as an executive in the business world and support my goal of creating positive change through influential leadership and empowering others. I enjoy golfing, watching sports, hiking, trying new food, fitness, and spending time with my friends and family during my free time. A motto that I try my best to live by is, "It's not your aptitude but your attitude that will determine your altitude." I am honored and very grateful to be selected as a recipient of the AzBL Scholarship, and I look forward to participating in this incredible opportunity.

I am from Queen Creek, Arizona and I currently attend Arizona State University while majoring in Business Law with a certificate of Leadership in Business. I will be graduating from W.P. Carey School of Business and Barrett, The Honors College and I belong to the 2020 Cohort of the Leadership Scholarship Program and have the opportunity to develop key leadership and professional skills through it. During my time at ASU, I have participated in various groups such as the Policy Design Studio, Residence Hall Association, Barrett Mentoring Program, Women’s Business Leadership Association, and intramural sports. I completed my Honors Thesis project by operating and managing a small non-profit business called “Honored Brow & Lash” that specializes in eyebrow lamination and eyelash lifts and tinting. Since the completion of the thesis, this project has been revamped and is now a for-profit business known as “Brows By Brint.” Along with running my small business, outside of campus, I have continued my love for sports and volunteering by coaching softball and baseball for Little League and Club teams. I recently returned from Washington D.C. while completing an internship in the U.S. House of Representatives for a South Carolinian Congressman during the entire duration of the Spring 2023 semester. While working full-time, I also participated in the aforementioned Policy Design Studio where I worked closely with retired U.S. Ambassadors studying the foreign policy and relationships between the U.S. and other countries. Upon graduation this year, I will be applying to law school for Fall 2024 to study International Trade and Business Law. I am looking forward to my time with the Arizona Business Leadership Association, and am anxiously awaiting the opportunity to network and learn from very successful business leaders and mentors.

I am a banking executive with more than 25 years experience. I currently manage a team of commercial lenders for MidFirst Bank in Arizona and I am responsible for business development, deposit/loan growth in the portfolio, pricing, credit structure, and credit quality. I have been with MidFirst Bank since January 2021. Prior to joining MidFirst Bank, I was the EVP and Market Executive for commercial banking at Wells Fargo for 24 years. I managed overall portfolio growth, treasury management, deposit pricing, credit structure, credit risk and compliance. Including having $5 million in lending authority. I am an Arizona native, grew up in Scottsdale and went to Saguaro High School. I was a collegiate athlete on scholarship for swimming at Arizona State University where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness degree and a Master of Science in Agribusiness degree. I met my husband at ASU and we have been married for 28 years. I love sports, being outdoors, and traveling. I mountain bike, run, hike, golf, and watch our teenage boys play a lot of baseball. Our boys are in high school – Davis is a junior and Logan is a freshman. I enjoy giving back to our community and being part of projects. I am currently the Vice President of the Desert Mountain High School Baseball Boosters and help raise money for the baseball program. I also service on the board of Save the Family and the ASU Lodestar Center for nonprofit innovation. Thank you to Kathy Wills at MidFirst Bank who introduced me to AZBL! I am excited to be a member and looking forward to connecting with other members.

I am a Private Banker for MidFirst Private Bank’s Scottsdale, AZ office. I joined MidFirst when I first moved to Arizona from Chicagoland during December of 2020. I take pride in finding unique solutions for the complex financing needs of my clients. I believe strongly in building long term relationships with both clients and the community I work in. I am a member of Scottsdale Leadership’s Class 37 where I have been lucky to have gotten the chance to learn more about Scottsdale and surrounding communities in such an in depth manner. I was born and raised in Geneva, IL and I received my bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from Aurora University in Aurora, IL. I often travel back to Chicagoland, where the majority of my family resides. I enjoy travelling, hiking, and camping during my free time. I have hiked the Grand Canyon from rim to river and back three times and counting. I was introduced to AzBL by Kathy Wills and I have greatly enjoyed getting to know many of the other members both at events as well as at one on one meetings. I was extremely impressed and humbled by the willingness of other AzBL members to take the time to share their insights into their success and career paths and that is what drew me to applying for membership myself.

I am currently a Senior Relationship Manager with the BMO mid-market commercial banking group, where I focus on marketing, connectivity, building brand awareness, and ultimately growing our business in the Arizona market across a diversified set of industries. Our expertise not only encompasses traditional finance, banking, and treasury, but also more proactive corporate advisory strategies, ESOP and M&A advisement, cash flow analysis, and liquidity management for both growing and established mid-market companies. I truly enjoy leading our Arizona business development initiatives, making new introductions, and sharing what makes the people and the approach at BMO unique. Before joining BMO in 2019, I was with JPMorganChase in a variety of business banking, leadership, and treasury roles for the previous 13 years, all of which were here in Arizona. My banking career started as an analyst with a regional bank in Cleveland, while my formal education is in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The Ohio State University. That education allowed me the opportunity to work in a few industrial engineering and product design roles, the first of which was with Ford Motor Company. After several years, I decided to pursue a different career path and further my education with an MBA from the University of Akron. After moving to Arizona in 2006, I met Veronica in 2010. We have four daughters between us and one grandson. I enjoy hiking, fitness, live music, and spending time with friends and family. Another perk to Phoenix is its proximity to California beaches and Las Vegas, which provide us with sometimes too frequent weekend getaways. I am passionate about supporting our community in a variety of ways, whether it be through business, leadership, and finance organizations like AZBL, FEI, or CFMA, or through my support and involvement with organizations like Central Arizona Shelter Services. With the alarming trends in homelessness across the nation and especially here locally in Maricopa County, I volunteer almost weekly at CASS’s Vista Colina family shelter in Sunnyslope. As a relatively new member of AZBL, Rachel Lutowsky originally invited me in 2021, with Stella Shanovich providing additional support for my formal membership. As many associations are focused on a specific industry or individual career path, I love both the diversity of leadership development and connectivity that AZBL provides. I look forward to long-term involvement within the Arizona Business Leadership community.

I am a Senior Advisory Associate with KPMG where I work on the CIO team. Through a variety of specialized skills in technology, finance, operations, supply chain, business intelligence, and human resources, our professionals address challenges and find opportunities to assess, enhance and innovate to help our clients gain an edge over their competitors. We’re at the front lines of innovative thinking with some of the best and brightest minds in the business. My favorite part of working with KPMG is the culture, the people, and of course, the Lakehouse. Be sure to ask me about the KPMG Lakehouse when you meet me. I am an Arizona Native. My parents met at Arizona State University. My mom’s family was stationed at Luke Air Force Base at the time and my Dad’s family were living in Paradise Valley. I was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. I attended Cherokee Elementary School, Brophy High School, and college at the University of Massachusetts. I am passionate about all things sports and physical fitness. I enjoy just about any sport: Golf, swimming, snowboarding, mountain biking, or just watching football and basketball. I finished the Arizona Ironman triathlon in 2007. I am married to Dara and we have 3 children. Connor is a junior at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott where he is training to be a pilot and has signed a soft commitment to United Airlines. Garrett is a senior at Hamilton High School planning to pursue Engineering at Arizona State University. Ansley is a Freshman also at Hamilton where she is involved in Theater, Choir, and Air Force ROTC. Sports cars are a special interest of mine. I am a Member of the Arizona Chapter of the Porsche Club of America, where the logo is “Come for the cars, stay for the people”. I currently drive the “dad” Porsche, which to say is the 4 door Cayenne, but a 911 is somewhere on the horizon. I assume after the kids move out and free up some garage space. I greatly enjoy travel. We go to California, Colorado, and Florida as often as possible and are looking to expand our horizons and perhaps even travel internationally soon. Perhaps we can revisit Australia and New Zealand where we took our Honeymoon. I was originally introduced to AZBL by Katharine Halpin in 2012 and let my membership lapse several years later. Thank you for welcoming me back. Going through the COVID lockdown and homeschooling really opened my eyes to the importance of in-person networking and I am glad it is back!