TEMPE, Ariz. (August 4, 2026) – Terracon is proud to announce the addition of Armando de la Rocha, P.E., as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, bringing more than 30 years of experience in geotechnical, pavement, and materials engineering to the firm.

As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, de la Rocha will play a key role in delivering technical expertise for transportation and aviation projects across the Desert Southwest Region. He will also help strengthen Terracon’s engineering practice through mentorship, technical leadership, and collaboration with the geotechnical and pavement teams throughout the region.

“We are excited to welcome Armando to our team,” said Eddy Ramirez, P.E., Geotechnical Department Manager. “His technical expertise, leadership, and extensive geotechnical engineering experience in aviation and pavement engineering makes him an outstanding addition to our team. His knowledge will enhance our ability to serve our clients and support the continued growth of our aviation and transportation sector.”

Born in Managua, Nicaragua, and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, de la Rocha has built a distinguished career grounded in technical excellence and a commitment to advancing the engineering profession.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, a Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, and a Post-Graduate Degree in Geotechnical Engineering from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Caminos, Canales y Puertos in Madrid, Spain.

Throughout his career, de la Rocha has developed extensive expertise in geotechnical engineering, pavement engineering, materials evaluation, and aviation infrastructure. His broad experience spans complex transportation and infrastructure projects, making him a valuable resource for clients and colleagues alike.

De la Rocha has also been actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), where he is a Life Member, the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA), and the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT).

Outside of work, de la Rocha enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and exploring minor coding projects.

With this addition, Terracon continues to expand its technical capabilities and reinforce its commitment to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to clients throughout the region.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 4, 2026) — Small manufacturers from across Arizona convened Wednesday to forge new business relationships, showcasing their products and services at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Supplier Matchmaking Expo, co-hosted with Intel.

The event focused on growing aerospace and semiconductor supply chains. It was designed to help large companies and industrial producers connect with small domestic suppliers, reshore production, create local jobs, and strengthen American industrial competitiveness in sectors critical to U.S. economic and national security.

“The Arizona Matchmaking Expo highlights SBA’s commitment to strengthening our critical semiconductor and aerospace sectors as part of President Trump’s onshoring and reindustrialization efforts. The caliber of engagement here today demonstrates the tremendous potential of small businesses to contribute to our national supply chain. Under Administrator Kelly Loeffler’s leadership, SBA is restoring our industrial dominance and will continue to do so at future expos.”

The expo drew nearly 700 registered corporate and federal buyers and suppliers, offering face-to-face opportunities to showcase capabilities ranging from precision machining and cleanroom services to advanced materials and engineering support.

Rather than the informal networking typical of trade shows, the Expo was built around structured matchmaking. Suppliers applied in advance, submitted capability profiles, and requested meetings with specific buyers. Buyers reviewed those profiles and scheduled sessions with firms that fit their supply chain needs, transforming the Expo floor into a series of focused, one-on-one business discussions.

For many small businesses, this format eliminated months of cold outreach, placing them directly across the table from the decision-makers who determine which small businesses receive contracts in major aerospace and semiconductor supply chains.

Beyond the matchmaking sessions, federal, state, and local resource partners staffed exhibit booths to help firms understand the technical and financial support available to them, from growth capital and federal contracting opportunities to workforce and export assistance.

Arizona has emerged as one of the nation’s focal points for semiconductor and aerospace activity, with major investments in chip manufacturing, defense, and space-related operations.

Today, Arizona leads the nation in semiconductor investment, supplier expansions, and job creation. Since 2020, the state has secured more than 70 semiconductor expansions, representing over $314 billion in capital investment — firmly establishing Arizona as America’s semiconductor headquarters.

In March, SBA launched its inaugural Supplier Matchmaking Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina, where over 675 small businesses connected directly with 35 large industrial buyers. Following the event’s success, SBA hosted its second Supplier Matchmaking Expo in Detroit, Michigan, which connected over 600 small business participants with three dozen industrial buyers. About half of the participants said they expect to generate more than $250,000 in business opportunities as a result of their participation.

Peoria (July 31, 2026) —FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA has reached a significant milestone with the selection of Scottsdale-based Lyfe Companies to develop its first phase of the main street retail and restaurant corridor, signaling continued momentum for the next major mixed-use hot spot destination in the far North Peoria/West Valley area.

Vistancia Development LLC has entered into a contract with Scottsdale-based Lyfe Companies on 9.65 acres within the main street area of FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA. Lyfe Companies is targeting local and regional restaurants to anchor the main street, envisioned as an energetic, high-quality lifestyle hub offering unique, creatively infused dining experiences.

Lyfe Companies is a real estate development firm specializing in creating high-quality neighborhood retail, restaurant and mixed-use destinations in the Southwest. Casey Treadwell, chief development officer for Lyfe Companies, will head up the main street retail development, bringing more than 20 years of success working with dynamic developments such as Epicenter in Gilbert and Uptown Plaza in Phoenix, and restaurant tenants including Buck & Rider, The Mission, and Huss Brewing.

“We have thoughtfully assembled a distinctive team of local experts and trusted partners to assist us with creating a vibrant lifestyle destination offering unique places to eat, enjoy and connect,” said Mark Hammons, general manager of Vistancia. “Casey Treadwell and his team have played an integral part in FIVE NORTH’s planning since 2020, and have the familiarity and connections we were looking for to officially ignite the development.”

Joining the team is Amy Malloy, a managing principal of Phoenix-based Evolve Ventures, who will serve as the project manager alongside Lyfe Companies to attract the quality restaurants and retailers envisioned for FIVE NORTH. Malloy, also part of the FIVE NORTH planning team over the last five years, has managed retail development projects throughout the Phoenix area including Scottsdale Fashion Square, Kierland Commons, Biltmore Fashion Park and Arrowhead Towne Center.

Western Retail Advisors is the leasing team. Marketing for the first phase of leasing is now underway.

FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA is the award-winning Vistancia master-planned community’s 320-acre mixed-use commercial and retail destination. In addition to the main street restaurant and retail corridor, FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA is planned to include office, healthcare, hospitality, education, an employment core, and luxury mid- to high-density residential options that will offer walkable and open connections to the main street.  A 14-acre City of Peoria community park is under construction in FIVE NORTH featuring multi-purpose fields, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, ramadas, a play system, and restrooms. A walkable and open linear park is also planned in FIVE NORTH to further provide connectivity to the main street area.

FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA is located at Loop 303/Bob Stump Memorial Parkway at Lone Mountain Parkway (exit 127). The development is approximately 10 minutes from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). The area is prime for workforce development with 462,500 workers within a 30-minute drive time, according to the City of Peoria’s Economic Development office.

American Leadership Academy, a pre-K-12 charter school, is located in FIVE NORTH, and Mountainside Fitness is under construction and anticipated to open in 2027.

“We are excited to move forward with Phase I of the main street area in FIVE NORTH after working with the Vistancia team to fully understand the vision,” said Casey Treadwell, chief development officer of Lyfe Companies. “The recent success of Peoria-area restaurants including Bourbon & Bones and high-quality retail projects such as The Trailhead tells us the Northwest Valley is more than ready to support the local and regional businesses we are targeting.”

“The selection of Lyfe Companies is an exciting milestone for Vistancia, as this dynamic community enters its next phase of development, bringing the main street district at FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA to life at an ideal time as Peoria experiences significant growth,” said Richard Whiteley, co-president at IHP Capital Partners. “The addition of thoughtfully curated retail, dining and neighborhood gathering spaces will create a vibrant destination for residents while enhancing the overall quality of life and long-term value of the Vistancia community.”

In addition to FIVE NORTH, the 7,100-acre Vistancia master-planned community includes four unique residential lifestyle communities—The Village at Vistancia, Blackstone at Vistancia, Trilogy at Vistancia and Northpointe at Vistancia. Vistancia offers its approximately 20,000 residents unique outdoor recreation and lifestyle experiences, including its signature 3.5-mile Discovery Trail, two City Parks, two golf courses including the daily fee Trilogy Golf Club and award-winning private Blackstone Country Club, two high-performing K-8 schools in the Peoria Unified School District, and easy access to recreational destinations including the City of Peoria’s Paloma Community Park (10 minutes), Lake Pleasant Regional Park (15 minutes) and Peoria Sports Complex (20 minutes).

California-based IHP Capital Partners and Minneapolis-based Värde Partners own Vistancia in a joint venture.