VALLEY PARTNERSHIP

B
By Brittany Smith · Photography by Brian Fiske

en Shunk, senior project

manager for Adolfson &
Peterson Construction,
was first attracted to Valley
Partnership when he learned
about its Community Project Committee.
Six years later, he remains active in
all aspects of the organization, and is
finding career success in its networking
opportunities.
“(Valley Partnership) has helped me in
my career because it’s a local organization
where people who are trying to make a dif-
ference in the commercial industry as a whole
can meet,” Shunk says. “This includes archi-
tects, developers, contractors, engineers,
subcontractors, city personnel, attorneys —
basically everyone who touches the private
and public real estate industry.”
Shunk hasn’t lost his passion for com-
munity service, though, and served as
chair man of the Communit y Project
Committee in 2010.
The project Shunk spearheaded was with
Phoenix Day, one of three day care facilities
in South Phoenix. The team spent the first
Saturday in November renovating the facil-
ity’s courtyard playground.
Shunk says he believes that was his single
best experience with Valley Partnership.
“Even though it was a tough year for the
economy, we had a great group of committee
members, and it turned out to be an amazing
project even in the tough economy,” he says.
Shunk adds that he is proud to be a part
of Valley Partnership because he believes
the organization serves a vital purpose in
real estate, calling it “the voice of industry
professionals.”
Ben Shunk
“If there are issues that the industry is
Adolfson & Peterson Construction
passionate about, (members) can have a voice
and an impact,” he says. “If it wasn’t for an
organization like Valley Partnership, I don’t
think those opinions would be heard.”
If there are issues that the Shunk says he has high hopes for the real
estate industry after a difficult few years,
industry is passionate about, adding that “2010 was a little rough for
(Valley Partnership members) can everyone. We’re seeing a lot of momentum
for 2011.”
have a voice and an impact.”
www.a-p.com
— Ben Shunk, Adolfson & Peterson Construction

40 | May-June 2011
 VALLEY PARTNERSHIP

A
By Brittany Smith · Photography by Brian Fiske

zoning lawyer with Rose Law

Group, Carolyn Oberholtzer
meets regularly with munici-
pal employees and elected
officials, as well as real estate
developers, landowners and clients.
As a member of Valley Partnership for the
past seven years, she says she believes the
organization has benefited her career through
its positive connection to different real estate
professionals.
“(Valley Partnership) is meaningful not just
because of who you associate with, but how
you associate with them,” Oberholtzer says.
“It really brings the parties of the industry
together, who are often working opposite one
another, toward a common goal.
“Through those relationships, you are able to
accomplish things that really benefit the indus-
try at large from an advocacy standpoint.”
One of Oberholtzer’s favorite aspects
of Valley Partnership is its monthly Friday
Morning Breakfasts. The breakfast speakers
cover specific topics as they pertain to the
commercial real estate industry.
A recent Friday Morning Breakfast dealing
with economic development in Arizona was
especially memorable for Oberholtzer.
“That was a great one because it really
helped to frame the issues for what will make
our state successful from an economic devel-
opment perspective,” says Oberholtzer, who is
a member of Valley Partnership’s City/County
Committee, and the State Legislation and
Federal Affairs Committee. Last year she was
a member of the Events Committee.
“Our organization is made up of people who
develop,” she says. “It’s critical that we know
what the market will need so that our devel-
Carolyn Oberholtzer
oper clients can provide for that demand.”
Rose Law Group
Despite the recent economic upheaval,
Oberholtzer has stayed positive about the
future of the real estate industry.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” she
(Valley Partnership) is says, “and this industry has a lot of will.”

meaningful not just because of www.roselawgroup.com

who you associate with, but how

you associate with them.”
— Carolyn Oberholtzer, Rose Law Group

42 | May-June 2011