People on the move

Deborah Sussman Susser has been promoted to associate editor at Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Formerly a staff writer at Jewish News and an editor at Scholastic magazines, Susser has written for numerous local and national publications, including Phoenix Magazine, Shade, The Washington Post, The New York Times and Art in America. She is a regular commentator for local NPR affiliate KJZZ, and co-teaches the writing class Mothers Who Write.

Debbie Blumberg has joined the youth department at Beth El Congregation as youth associate. She will be working with Kadima, Jr. and Sr. USY. Blumberg has a master's degree in education and has worked with Jewish youth for more than five years. She can be reached at 602-944-6534 or by e-mail at bethelusy@hotmail.com.

Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center is closing its McDowell headquarters and taking up temporary residence at 4400 N. 32nd St., Suite 140, Phoenix. The organization plans to celebrate the opening of its new Campus for Exceptional Children next spring.

Gary Shapiro, a 33-year veteran in the Scottsdale real estate industry and a premier agent with Coldwell Banker Success Realty, has just completed the requirements to earn the "Quality Service Certified(r)" professional recognition. The distinction requires a sales agent to follow a well-defined and prescribed process of service, to present that process in writing to every customer, and to guarantee its delivery. Shapiro is a graduate of Valley Leadership and co-founder of Scottsdale Leadership. He is a past international president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.

The City of Phoenix and the United Methodist Outreach Ministries have opened the Watkins Emergency Shelter to accommodate homeless people as part of the city's Winter Overflow Shelter Program. The shelter is located at 1120 W. Watkins St., Phoenix, and will provide around-the-clock shelter for up to 350 single men, 40 single women and 10 families with children. Homeless families and individuals will be referred to the shelter by staff of other facilities that do not have the capacity to serve them. Call 602-329-2067.

The Arizona Medical Board announced Timothy C. Miller as its new executive director. Miller is a lawyer with extensive experience in health law and agency regulatory law. He holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a law degree from the University of Missouri. He will assume the role of executive director Dec. 13.

Stacey Beck has joined HomeSmart Realty. Beck, a licensed realtor specializing in residential properties, was previously affiliated with Diamond Realty. She can be reached at AZSTACEYB@aol.com or 602-684-9741.

Simply Artrageous, the Valley's largest international collection of art and home accents, opened its second location in early November. The new store, located at Mesa Pavilion on the corner of Power Road and U.S. Highway 60, is 42,000 square feet and includes two fully decorated 3,000-square-foot model homes. Visit www.simplyartrageous.com.

Lowell Petrie has been named vice president of marketing for Mimi's CafÇ, a Tustin, Calif.-based restaurant group that operates in 12 states, including Arizona. Petrie will oversee the eatery's regional and national marketing campaigns, as well as implement new strategic initiatives.

Phoenix WeddingPages has changed its name to Arizona Weddings. The publication has also launched a new, improved Web site, www.arizonaweddings.com, to provide brides across the state with the comprehensive tools to make planning easier.

Edward Jones Investments has ranked number one for the 12th consecutive year in Registered Representative magazine's annual survey of the nation's seven largest financial services firms. The company has over 9,000 offices in the United States and through its affiliates in Canada and the United Kingdom.

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