The American Heart Association Western States Affiliate names Kelly Grose senior vice president for the organization's Greater Phoenix Division. Grose is now responsible for leading the American Heart Association's efforts to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke throughout the greater Phoenix area.

Doris Helmich has been named the interim president of Central Arizona College.

Text of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, as provided by the White House:

Text of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, as provided by the White House:

Vicki Kringen has been named president/CEO of The Centers for Habilitation (TCH). She brings a wealth of experience from the for-profit and nonprofit business sectors. She has spent the last 17 years at TCH, most recently in the position of vice president and COO.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College president Dr. Linda Lujan, along with Chandler Unified Superintendent Camille Casteel and seven other K-12 colleagues, was recognized as a Cesar E. Chavez educator of the year by the Si Se Puede Foundation at the 12th Annual Cesar E. Chavez educators of the year awards dinner on March 31.

Ingrid Novodvorsky, chair of the board of directors of Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA), announced the selection of Denise Ensdorff as the agency’s next president and chief executive officer. Ensdorff accepted the role of interim president and CEO, previously held by Michael Coughlin, on Oct. 1. On Dec. 1, the board voted to place her in the role.

THE WHITE HOUSE

THE WHITE HOUSE

Gov. Jan Brewer rallied doctors and nurses at the Capitol on Tuesday in her bid to get the necessary votes to expand the state's Medicaid program.

Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers, Dignity Health members, announced that Aaron Peace has been appointed vice president of philanthropy and president of Dignity Health Foundation – East Valley.

H&R BLOCK was recognized at a statewide Catholic schools rally at the Arizona Capitol last week for the company’s partnering role in educating Arizona tax payers about the Private Education Tax Credit, which helps low-income students attend high-performing Catholic schools.

Fall semester 2012 enrollment figures indicate Arizona State University has reached a record 73,373 total of undergraduate and graduate students, topping last year’s 72,254 fall enrollment at the 21st day. The number represents an increase of more than 5,300 students over fall 2009.

Tom Brokaw, former news anchor and managing editor of NBC’s Nightly News, will be the commencement speaker and recipient of an honorary degree at Arizona State University’s spring undergraduate commencement ceremony. The undergraduate ceremony is set for 7:30 p.m. on May 3 in Sun Devil Stadium. More than 10,000 students are set to receive degrees over the course of the celebration.

Phoenix Suns' Jay Parry, senior vice president of brand and business development, and Lynn Agnello, Phoenix Suns and Mercury senior vice president of marketing partnerships and suite sales and services, were named finalists of two categories in the Eighth Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Parry is a finalist for the Lifetime Achievement Award and Agnello is a finalist for one of the Best Executive awards.

Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse at Wild Horse Pass announced the appointment of Rob Hinkle as general manager. Hinkle’s efforts will focus on all aspects of operations strategy to generate revenue for the destination.

The Ahwatukee Lions Club annual installation and awards dinner took place on July 14. Outgoing district Gov. Debbie Vine installed the new slate of officers for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, which began on July 1. Serving as president is Pam Hahn and vice president is Jim Mooney. The secretary is Carol Hartwig and the treasurer is Gretchen Fuller. Serving as directors are Kay Jones, Barbara Lyijynen and Charlie Miles.

The Phoenix Symphony Association has named Jaime Daddona Brennan and Tim K. Schultz to its board of directors.

Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski endorsed former Clinton White House official Andrei Cherny for Congress recently, explaining that he is the best person to fight for Hispanic and middle-class families.

I am a member of the Gold Star Wives of America. Our military organization is comprised of members who have lost spouses to war or a service connected death.

Michael Hunter, Gov. Jan Brewer’s director of legislative affairs, will transition to a new role as director of policy. He will remain the governor’s special advisor on tax policy and reform. Hunter replaces Page Gonzales, who has accepted a position as chief of staff to Maricopa County supervisor-elect Steve Chucri. Being promoted into the role of director of legislative affairs is Lorna Romero, who has served as deputy director to Hunter since August 2011.

Expect to pay more for pecan pie this Thanksgiving thanks to drought in parts of the South and big demand from China.

Twelve members of the Ahwatukee Republican Women's Club (ARW) were elected delegates to the Arizona Federation of Republican Women's 64th Biennial Convention in November in Fountain Hills, along with several hundred delegates and attendees from around the state.

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) announced it will open a corporate college to focus on customized technical training for local employers.

Ahwatukee Republican Women's Club members, Loraine Pellegrino, president; Mary Baumbach, second vice president; Jill Norgaard, third vice president; and Debbie Smith, Arizona Federation of Republican Women third vice president; joined nearly 1,200 registrants from 47 states, plus Puerto Rico, as elected delegates to the National Federation of Republican Women's 36th Biennial Convention in Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 29-Oct. 2. Also in attendance was Ahwatukee Foothills resident Danielle Smith, who represented the state of Arizona as a page for the convention.