LaunchPM

LaunchPM is Digging in at the Desert Botanical Garden

The LaunchPM team is currently managing the ground-up construction of three new buildings for the iconic Desert Botanical Garden. Located in Phoenix on North Galvin and situated on 140 acres, the Desert Botanical Garden originally opened its doors to the public in 1939 and is now marking its 85th year in operation.

LaunchPM is managing the second phase of expansion and redevelopment that began in late August 2023. The team is working closely with coLAB studio and 180 Degrees Design + Build to move forward on phase two of the multi-million dollar garden expansion. Phase two includes three new buildings being added to the Phoenix campus:

  • A 2,000-square-foot exhibition hall for showcasing art and exotic plant installations
  • A 12,000-square-foot shade pavilion with mechanical systems for the care of desert plants and succulents
  • A 5,000-square-foot Horticulture Center for additional workspaces, offices, storage and tools

 

Exhibit Hall
Exhibit Hall

The Desert Botanical Garden has been working for about a decade with coLAB studio, llc and 180 Degrees Design + Build to bring new buildings to its campus in Phoenix. In 2014, Tempe-based coLAB studio and Phoenix-based 180 Degrees Design were selected to produce a master plan to rebuild the 85,000-square-foot Hazel Hare Center for Plant Science campus.

Additional improvements or features will include a solar and shade canopy covering the center and a push for sustainability practices using new technologies to help manage temperature and light using micro solar collectors, rainwater-harvesting systems and other technology.

Horticulture Center
Horticulture Center

The Desert Botanical Garden welcomes more than 500,000 visitors annually to see more than 50,000 plants and outdoor exhibits via a selection of various garden trails. Other features visitors enjoy include a garden shop and onsite restaurant, a butterfly pavilion and a library with more than 9,000 books and journals. The Desert Botanical Garden also hosts year-round educational and entertainment events for children and adults.

The LaunchPM team is overseeing and coordinating with the design team, general contractors, engineers and the management team for the Desert Botanical Garden. Construction on the current phase is targeted for completion in spring 2025.

LaunchPM employs a team of experienced project managers who provide strategic project management solutions for all types of commercial building projects. The company works with a wide cross-section of industries and business sectors including hospitality, manufacturing/industrial, healthcare, office and nonprofit. If you are planning a commercial construction project and would like to know how we can help, contact us to learn more and discuss.

 

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Henry Kierse

HENRY KIERSEY

Favorite Quote:

“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

Professional Expertise

With prior experience in construction management, industrial real estate and client services, Henry has built a foundation for his role as a project coordinator at LaunchPM.

An internship with a national real estate firm’s industrial team provided Henry with a platform to developed strong computer and analytical skills.  Later, his work as an assistant construction manager for a design build residential developer and as a design assistant and logistics coordinator for a home staging and interior design firm, fueled his interest in a career in project management.

Education

Bachelor of Science – Economics, Minor – History,  Arizona State University

Undergraduate Student – Economics, Southern Methodist University

Why LaunchPM?

In the past I’ve had amazing mentors, worked with many diverse clients, and had the opportunity to team with skilled tradespeople to complete projects. Now, as a member of the LaunchPM team, I will continue to gain experience and grow in the industry.

Contact Henry

henry@launch-pm.com

Project Coordinator David Garcia

DAVID GARCIA

Favorite Quote:

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

— Michael Jordan

Professional Expertise

David joins LaunchPM with extensive experience in campaign management, assistant management within the telecommunications sector and supply chain operations.

David worked as a Campaign Manager for a social media company where he adeptly orchestrated multifaceted marketing campaigns from conception to execution, consistently driving brand awareness, customer engagement, and revenue growth. David brings his skills and proficiency to the LaunchPM team where he oversees day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives. David has a proven track record in implementing innovative solutions to overcome logistical challenges, to enhance productivity and ensure seamless operations across diverse business functions.

Education

BA of Arts and Science in 3D Animation and Visual Effects, New Mexico State University

Why LaunchPM?

After much contemplation and a fervent search for change and growth, I chose to embark on a new journey with LaunchPM. Their commitment to innovation, fostering professional development and embracing diverse perspectives deeply resonates with my aspirations for personal and career advancement. I’m eager to contribute my skills and expertise to a dynamic team dedicated to pushing boundaries and making meaningful impacts in the community.

Contact David

david@launch-pm.com

YESSI ROMERO

Favorite Quote:

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience and trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

— Helen Keller

Professional Expertise

With 6 years of property management experience, Yessi has worked through a diverse range of apartment living types, including student, conventional, military, and luxury housing.

Prior to joining LaunchPM, Yessi worked as a Workplace Coordinator for a widely known FinTech company. She acted as a culture carrier within the office by coordinating events, leading RTO onboarding and consistently pulse checking the office to ensure employee satisfaction remained high.

Education

Attended the University of Arizona, studying Psychology.

Why LaunchPM?

LaunchPM came into my life at the perfect time and has offered me the opportunity to learn and grow with some of the most skilled individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. I look forward to achieving greatness alongside this incredible team.

Contact Yessi

yessi@launch-pm.com

HANNAH THUESON

Favorite Quote:

“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” 

— Michelle Obama

Professional Expertise

Hannah joins the LaunchPM team with an interest in pursuing a career in project management. Her previous experience as an Account Manager for a social media company provided her with experience in managing multiple clients, meeting deadlines and working as an integral part of a team. In her position as Assistant Financial Coordinator these are skills that will serve her well as she is tasked with assisting in various aspects of accounting including: managing invoices, updating project budgets and keeping updated records of any changes to project finances.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Hofstra University.

Why LaunchPM?

I have a passion for planning and organizing and was excited when I learned about the opportunity to join the LaunchPM team and apply my skills. It is a growing company with a knowledgeable group of professionals in the construction project management industry for me to learn from and to grow.

Contact Hannah

hannah@launch-pm.com

 

ANGIE VELIMIROVICH

Favorite Quote:

“Even the most precious of all gems needs to be chiseled and faceted to achieve its best luster. There is nothing that remains so constant as change. Don’t end up like concrete, all mixed up and permanently set.”

— John L. Mason

Professional Expertise

Bringing in-depth knowledge and experience of corporate administrative and operational roles, Angie Velimirovich serves as a Project Management Administrative Assistant with LaunchPM. Drawing on her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, Angie supports our team in delivering optimal results for clients.

Prior to joining LaunchPM, Angie enjoyed a long-term career with Avnet – one of the world’s largest distributors of electronic components and embedded solutions. During her time with Avnet, she served in departments such as Corporate Real Estate and global electronic sales in the U.S. and Latin America.

Education

Lease Administration Training, Phoenix College & University of Phoenix

Industry-specific courses

Why LaunchPM?

LaunchPM is a very innovative and forward-thinking company, which creates a fun work environment and great growth opportunities.

Contact Angie

angie@launch-pm.com

REBECCA RHOADES

Favorite Quote:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humor and some style”

— Maya Angelou

Professional Expertise

Rebecca is an accomplished and dynamic leader with more than 25 years of professional experience in commercial property management, building operations, tenant improvement, leasing and financial management. During her career she has also gained valuable knowledge and experience in marketing, sales training and residential real estate.

Prior to joining Launch PM, Rebecca worked as the property manager in the real estate department of a leading, nonprofit in the healthcare industry. There she was responsible for operations of a comprehensive portfolio of properties that included more than 35 medical office buildings. During her five-year tenure, she worked closely with Launch PM on more than 51 expansion or tenant improvement projects, valuing more than 50 million.

Rebecca’s strong communication skills, attention to detail, focus on results and commitment to assisting the team allow her to be a strategic partner as a Project Coordinator for the Launch PM team.

Education

Commercial Property Management – AZ Department of Real Estate

Residential Real Estate License

Industry-specific courses

Why LaunchPM?

It is exciting to join a dedicated, hardworking team with the commitment, integrity and values that create a positive and healthy work environment where people are involved and take ownership.

I am a passionate individual with a genuine interest in assisting individuals and companies reach their goals and potential growth.

Contact Rebecca

rebecca@launch-pm.com

 

MIKE DEFRANCO

Favorite Quote

“Apprentices work furiously to learn the rules; journeymen proudly perfect the rules; but masters forget the rules.”

– Randy Kosimar

Professional Expertise

With a background in the custom cabinetry industry, Mike has held a variety of roles that have equipped him with unique insight for his position as a Project Manager with LaunchPM. As a former Professional Woodworker, he produced handcrafted custom furniture and cabinetry. He also served as an Installation Supervisor, coordinating installation of custom cabinetry on site, and as a Staging/Shipping Supervisor, which required him to coordinate the staging and shipping of all project phases to sites around the country.

Education

BA in Urban Design, Arizona State University

Why LaunchPM?

LaunchPM has allowed me to challenge myself and grow as an individual while also being a part of a tremendous team.

Contact Mike

mdefranco@launch-pm.com

CHRIS BENOIT

Favorite Quote

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

— Colin Powell

Professional Expertise

With over 22 years of experience in the design and construction industry, Chris has worked on a wide variety of project types, including corporate office, hospitality, healthcare, higher education, mission-critical, and municipal. He has served as director/vice president of operations and has vast expertise in estimating and pre-con, project management, ground-up construction, and renovation.

Chris has been responsible for building approximately 500 or more tenant improvement projects, ranging in price from $10K to $10 million and in size from 100 sf to 100,000 sf. Drawing on his experience, Chris provides constructability review and strong cost analysis throughout the design phase. He enjoys interacting with multiple stakeholders, design teams, and contractors, and taking a project from inception all the way through final completion.

Chris’s strong communication and organizational skills enable him to balance and work on multiple projects simultaneously.

Education

Associates in Applied Sciences – Architectural and Building Technology, Vermont Technical College

Bachelor of Science – Construction Management, Arizona State University

Why LaunchPM?

I love being surrounded by dedicated and hard-working individuals who share a common goal to go above and beyond expectations to make our clients’ dreams and projects a reality.

Contact Chris

chris@launch-pm.com

BETH SCARANO

Principal/ CEO

Favorite Quote:

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”

― Oprah Winfrey

Professional Expertise

Gathered through more than 25 years of experience in the design and construction industry, Beth Scarano offers extensive expertise in a variety of project types including corporate office, hospitality, healthcare, higher education, mission-critical, and municipal.

Beth headed the client and project development teams for several national construction firms and was responsible for projects valued at more than $3 billion.
Her strong communication, organization, management and team-building skills enable her to bring a wide range of talent to the table in order to create swift and measurable results for her clients.

Beth provides strategic leadership and assists the LaunchPM team in developing and managing the client’s goals and expectations. She has experience working with many high-profile clients and brings a solutions-oriented approach to each project.
Committed to her community, Beth has also shared her leadership skills as a board member for several professional and non-profit organizations.

Education

Pepperdine University and Arizona State University focusing on a degree in Business/Marketing.

Affiliations

Board of Directors and Active Member, CoreNet Global
Mentor, Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation
Active Member, Alliance for Construction Excellence
Active Member, Central Arizona Society of Healthcare Engineers
Active Member, NAIOP
Active Member, Phoenix Community Alliance
Past Co-Chair, Community Building Consortium, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

My Personal Commitment to Service:

I have always been a strong believer in the philosophy that “actions speak louder than words” and “doing what you say you will do.” My personal commitment to service is to be the best wife, mother, sister, friend, and partner to those around me by giving and doing my best.

Why LaunchPM?

LaunchPM is about making things happen and I am fortunate to be a part of this rare group of committed and talented people focused on service.

Contact Beth

bscarano@launch-pm.com