Promotions

CIGNA HealthCare named Chris Hogan vice president of sales for smaller employers in Arizona and Nevada. Hogan will oversee CIGNA HealthCare’s sales operations and direct all activities associated with the growth and retention of the health care business for this market segment. Hogan has been with the company since 1989.

University Physicians Healthcare promoted two of its executive staff. Tere G. LeBarron is the new vice president of planning and integration. LeBarron was previously director of human resources and will continue to supervise and direct all human resources programs within the company. Amy Waer is the new chief of staff for University Physicians Hospital. She will serve a two-year term in the position.

The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce named Rachel Leffall its governmental affairs manager. Leffall previously served as a research analyst intern for the Chamber and will make the third member of the governmental affairs team.

Appointments

Healthcare executive Kirkpatrick Conley is the new assistant chief executive officer of Northwest Medical Center Oro Valley. Conley was most recently with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he ran the operations and physician services of the Genitourinary Cancer Center.

Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse named two vice presidents to the organization’s executive team: Pam Wessel has been named vice president of program development and Kenya Johnson will serve as the vice president of community and fund development.

Elections

Two Fennemore Craig attorneys were elected to leadership positions within the State Bar of Arizona. Barney Holtzman is the chair-elect of the Employment and Labor Law Section. Ali Farhang will serve as the secretary of the Employment and Labor Law Section.

Awards, honors, and recognitions

David G. Armstrong, professor of surgery and director of the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance at The University of Arizona, was inducted into the Podiatric Hall of Fame for his lifetime contributions to podiatric surgery.

Velma Dobson, professor, UA Departments of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, and Psychology, has been awarded the Glen A. Fry Medal in Physiological Optics. The Fry Medal has been awarded 11 times in the past to recognize outstanding contribution in the field of physiological optics.

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports chose Dave Powell to receive a 2008 Community Leadership Award. The award is given annually to individuals who improve the lives of individuals within their community by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activities, or fitness-related programs. Dave Powell is the senior vice president and COO of the Tucson Metropolitan YMCA.

Tom Bush of Oro Valley has been named the recipient of MDA’s 2009 Robert Ross National Personal Achievement Award. Initiated in 1992, the Personal Achievement Awards recognize the accomplishments and community service of people with disabilities caused by any of the diseases in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s program.

Margie A. Emmermann, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, was named the 2008 State Tourism Director of the Year by the National Council of State Tourism Directors. This honor is awarded annually to a tourism director whose leadership has obviously and measurably improved their state or territory’s travel and tourism profile.

Josh Neuman, owner/operator for Citizens Transfer & Storage Co. Inc. and Allied Van Lines, has been named as Allied Van Lines’ Driver of the Year for 2008. At 28 years of age, Neuman is the youngest driver in the history of Allied Van Lines to have achieved this national honor.