In brief: Business in the news

CPA Jim Chaston will be the guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Mixer on March 8 at 7 a.m. at Elements Event Center. He will discuss the new tax law.

Chef Josh Sweat of South Carolina became the general manager of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in February. He is in charge of day-to-day operations.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is busily hiring leadership for its hotel expansion. Linda Hughes McCarthy of Maricopa was named hotel operations manager. She will direct the day-to-day operations of the hotel. She has a has a certificate in hospitality management from Cornell University. Harrah’s Ak-Chin also hired an executive housekeeper. Daniel Piña will be responsible for managing costs and hiring and training staff. He was a manager at The Omni Scottsdale and The Phoenician and is currently attending Arizona State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in tourism development management.

Fry’s Marketplace, 20797 N. John Wayne Parkway, received a permit (as Smith’s Food &Drug Centers Inc.) to increase its fuel dispensers from five to seven for a 1,223-square-foot expansion of the fuel center canopy. The work, valued at $221,000, is being done by Sigma Contracting. The project also received a permit for an underground fireline and hydrant.

Denny’s, which open Feb. 26 at 21171 N. John Wayne Parkway, received a permit for an LED sign.

This item appears in the March issue of InMaricopa.