12
Peoria Times
BUSINESS
August 12, 2021
For more business visit peoriatimes.com PeoriaTimes.com
/PeoriaTimes
Nominations open for WESTMARC awards BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF WESTMARC is seeking nominations for the 29th annual Best of the West Awards Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 21. “The Best of the West Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the image, lifestyle and economy in the West Valley,” said Neil Terry, WESTMARC board chair. “WESTMARC is proud to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations making a great impact in the West Valley.” The online nomination form deadline is 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3. Nominations can be submitted online at westmarc. org/bow2021-2. The cost for each nom-
ination is $75; organizations can submit multiple entries for different projects, companies and programs. Nominations are sought for individuals, organizations, businesses, facilities or programs representing interests in the West Valley. • The Economic Engine Award recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, facilities or programs that have created a significant economic outcome and/or job creation for the West Valley. • The Quality of Life Enhancement Award recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, facilities or programs that have enhanced the quality of life for West Valley residents. • The Excellence in Innovation Award
recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, facilities or programs that have demonstrated an innovative concept to accomplish one or more of the following: fulfill a need for West Valley residents or preserve West Valley assets or resources. Best of the West 2020 winners include Desert Microsoft, Ottawa University, Verizon Wireless and Abrazo Healthcare Residency Program. In addition to the three annual awards, WESTMARC will present awards for West Valley Inspiration in Leadership and West Valley Regional Advancement, as well as the President’s Choice Award. Past winners include former Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck, West-
ern Maricopa Education Center (WestMEC), and Bobbi Magdaleno from ASU. “Best of the West Awards Dinner has been my favorite event in the Valley for many years, because it’s truly the West Valley’s academy awards style celebration,” said Sintra Hoffman, WESTMARC president and chief executive officer. “This year’s event will no doubt be even more magical, with so many wonderful projects impact our growing region.” Sponsorship opportunities are available, as well as individual and table rates. Visit westmarc.org for more info.
Midwestern University promotes four at school BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF Midwestern University Chief Executive Officer Kathleen H. Goeppinger promoted four at the school. Matthew Sweeney and Gregory O’Coyne were named, respectively, vice president/chief financial officer and vice president of finance. Dr. Jeffrey Jensen was named dean of Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. Victoria Franks was promoted to director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Sweeney has been with the university since 2011, serving as the controller, and in 2020 he was promoted to assistant vice president. He helmed the day-to-day operations of the business services department on both campuses, including supervision of accounting, accounts payable, internal controls and financial reporting. Before joining the university, Sweeney worked for Ernst & Young in its Chicago audit practice from 2001 to 2009. Sweeney earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University
Matthew Sweeney Gregory O’Coyne Dr. Jeffrey Jensen
of Minnesota, and he is a certified public accountant registered in Illinois. O’Coyne was most recently assistant vice president, student financial services and registrars, for both Midwestern campuses, overseeing student financial aid, student accounts and registrar activities, as well as the university’s institutional loan programs and ongoing compliance with the Higher Education Act. He came to Midwestern as the director of accounting at the university’s Glendale campus from 2008 to early 2011 after working for Ernst & Young. He rejoined the university as director of student finan-
Victoria Franks
cial services in 2015 before being named assistant vice president in 2020. O’Coyne earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and information systems from ASU, and he is a certified public accountant in Arizona. Jensen joined Midwestern in 2017 as the program director for the Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine in the College of Health Sciences. Prior to joining the university, Jensen was dean at the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine (2010 to 2014) and senior director of research at Barry University (2014 to 2017). An active researcher throughout
his career, Jensen has been the principal investigator of more than 30 multicenter clinical trials for wound care-related drugs and medical devices. Franks began her career at Midwestern University in 2008 as the assistant to the dean of the Arizona College of Optometry. She was promoted to executive assistant to the president in 2018. Previously, she practiced business law in Veracruz, Mexico, and, upon relocating to the United States, taught Spanish as a certified K-12 Spanish language educator. She earned her Licentiate in Law degree from Universidad Cristobal Colón in Veracruz, Mexico, and her Master of Administration from NAU. “The growth, mission and sustainability of Midwestern University depends on careful and thoughtful management practices,” Goeppinger said. “We have been so fortunate to have skilled, strong leaders within our administration who are capable of managing and inspiring our university’s direction in educating tomorrow’s health care team.”
