Shop Talk

Scottsdale Police Foundation (SPF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises funds to support and supplement Scottsdale Police Department programs and initiatives. 

The Scottsdale Police Foundation was established in 2023 to support the Scottsdale Police Department area commands, special units, equipment, training, and community engagement programs and initiatives and crime prevention events that build relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. 

Scottsdale Police Department Officers are here to Protect and Serve our Community and together with law enforcement, we can help make our neighborhoods safer for all. 

Please join us in our important work by contributing as generously as you can. 

Debbie Steinhauer

A person passionate about giving to the community.  An expert in starting Non-Profit Foundations, she is the Founder of Fox River Grove Recreation Counsel (1984), Co-Founder/Chair VOICES (1992), Seattle Fire Foundation (2019), and the Scottsdale Police Foundation (2023). As Founder and CEO of the Scottdale Police Foundation, she volunteers her time to the organization  and  is responsible for the management of the organization, the Board and integration of the various programs into the community. 

Outside of Debbie’s volunteer work, Debbie spent her career in Health Care Executive Leadership as Director of Physician Services, then moved to owning two successful restaurants. She lives in North Scottsdale with her husband and three dogs.

Jon Rosenberg

Originally from New York, Jon grew up in Scottsdale and is a graduate of University of Arizona in Tucson. With a background in both commercial brokerage and property management, Jon co-founded LevRose Commercial Real Estate in 1992 with Robert Levine. 

Under his leadership, LevRose is a six time honoree as one of the Inc 500/5000 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S. LevRose has consistently been named one of the Business Journal's "Top 25 Commercial Brokerage Firms", is a multi-year recipient of Costar Groups "Power Broker" Award and in 2020 was names "#1 Commercial Brokerage Firm" by Ranking Arizona Magazine. 

Jon served for several years on the board and is an active member of the Arizona Chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors of TCN Worldwide, an International alliance of commercial real estate firms of which LevRose is the Arizona affiliate and is also serving on the Board of Directors of the recently formed Scottsdale Police Foundation. 

He recently served on the Board of the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) and gives time to serve on committees for the City of Scottsdale, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the University of Arizona Mentorship Society, where he helps mentor numerous up and coming leaders in Arizona. 

Jon was recently recognized by AZRE Magazine as One of the "Top People to Know in Commercial Real Estate". He has been a featured guest on PBS television show "Arizona Horizons" as well as interviews on numerous podcasts, GlobeStreet.com, the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Business Journal. 

To learn more visit https://scottsdalepolicefoundation.org/

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed episode as we gear up for the upcoming K9 Trials! This annual event is not just a competition but a celebration of the skill, dedication, and teamwork that defines ALECA’s K9 units. We’ll be talking with participants, events, and spectators to give you an insider’s view of what it takes to compete in these high-stakes trials. Discover how these trials hone the skills of our K9 teams, ensuring they remain at the top of their game when it matters most. Whether you’re a law enforcement professional, a dog lover, or someone interested in the behind-the-scenes action of police work, this show has something for you!!!

For more information on the Desert Dog Police K9 Trials & Public Safety Expo

October 26-27, 2024

Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm

Sunday 8:00am-3:00pm

please visit this link https://www.alecapolicek9.com/k9-trials

Katie Gregory, the new General Manager of WestWorld, brings over 30 years of experience in public management to Scottsdale. Before joining WestWorld, Katie served as Prescott’s City Manager, and she has held various key positions in Peoria, including Deputy City Manager.

Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in political science from Western Oregon University and a master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University. With a strong background in community building, municipal operations, and strategic management, Katie is excited to lead WestWorld into a new era of growth and innovation. Her vision includes expanding the programming and enhancing the already first-class events and activities at WestWorld, making it a hub for world-class events in Scottsdale.

Since October 2007, Nicole Patterson has been a dedicated Detention Supervisor in Scottsdale. Originally from New York, she's the youngest of eight, with a passion for the Dallas Cowboys, Yankees, and Lakers. A true dog lover, Nicole enjoys life with her 3-year-old red Doberman, Buddy. Snacks are her jam!!!

Kelvin Rawlins grew up in Oxnard, California before coming to Arizona in 2005. Sports has always been a passion and played baseball until his junior year in high school and basketball that allowed an opportunity to play at the junior college level, at the Division 1 level (Boise State), and two full seasons in Melbourne, Australia. Later, he developed an interest in the law enforcement profession that gave experience and also worked in the beverage industry prior to moving to Arizona. Once in Arizona, he began a career as a service advisor in the auto industry and hired on with the Scottsdale Police Department in 2007. He worked as a detention officer for about 10 years, promoted to sergeant and eventually detention manager as a lieutenant. The experience and relationships built over the course of his career are those that he will never forget.

Dom Vattuone grew up Germantown, Maryland, played varsity baseball for UNC Greensboro Spartans, spent three and a half seasons in the minor leagues with the Oakland Athletics before starting with Scottsdale PD in 2016 where he currently serves as a member of the Downtown District Bike Unit. During his professional career posted 84 strikeouts in 78.1 innings pitched all out of the bullpen as a set up/ closing pitcher.

Rob Katzaroff hails from Seal Beach,  California, played varsity baseball for UCLA, spent six and a half seasons in the minor leagues with a .300 career average before starting with Scottsdale PD in 1997 where he currently serves as the Foothills District Crime Prevention Officer. 

The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison, have named George Thimsen the Tournament Chairman for the 2024 edition of “The People’s Open”, which is set to tee it up Feb. 5-11 at TPC Scottsdale. Additionally, The Thunderbirds announced that Matt Mooney has been named Assistant Tournament Chairman for the 2024 event.

Thimsen assumes the role of Tournament Chairman after serving last year as Assistant Tournament Chairman alongside Pat Williams. He will guide The Thunderbirds organization in the planning and execution of all facets of the 2024 event, including sponsorship generation and renewals, security and safety, community relations, logistics, and development of on-course venues.

A Southern California native from Rancho Palos Verdes, Thimsen earned his degrees in Marketing and Communications from California State University, Chico. He’s been a member of The Thunderbirds since 2017 and has called Phoenix home with his wife, Natalie, and their two children, Gia (age 10) and Jayde (age 8), since 2013. Thimsen’s business background includes serving in various leadership roles at Red Bull for more than 11 years before becoming a Partner and Chief Revenue Officer at Timeless, LLC in 2019.

“Being named Tournament Chairman of the WM Phoenix Open is not only an honor, but a responsibility to uphold this group’s incredible legacy of giving back to the community,” Thimsen said. “I am excited to work alongside my fellow Thunderbirds, our partners, volunteers, and our amazing sponsors – including the best title sponsor in professional sports, WM – to create another unforgettable ‘People’s Open’ for the players and the greatest fans in golf.”

Alessandra “Alex” Sachs is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, but grew up in the US and France. In 1993, she moved back to Brazil and pursued an undergraduate degree in Physical Education at FEFISA. She followed with a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology at UNIFMU, where she worked under Brazil’s top Sports Psychology, Dr. Regina Brandao. In 2000, her Master’s thesis was published at the Sports Psychology World Conference in Skiathos, Greece. She met Dr. Darren Treasure and Dr. Cristina Versari at the conference and in 2001 was invited to be a doctoral candidate at Arizona State University under the guidance of Dr. Treasure. Unfortunately, a year later Dr. Treasure left the university and Alex transferred to San Diego University of Interactive Studies under the leadership Of Dr. Versari.

Alex played professional soccer for 11 years on the Brazilian Women’s National Team. She has a silver medal from the 2004 Olympic Games and a gold medal from the 2007 Pan American Games. She was inducted into the Brazilian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. Alex worked at the Jewish Community Center for 11 years, was a program manager for Playworks Arizona for 3 years and now works for the Scottsdale Police Department as the Crime Prevention Police Aide for the Via Linda District.

Elissa Nowacki has worked with children most of her life, starting in her early teens, babysitting the neighborhood kids. She worked with the YMCA after school programs in high school and while getting her teaching degree from ASU.  She spent many summers working at residential summer camps in the mountains of Prescott AZ and the Pocono Hills in Pennsylvania.  She started teaching in Maryvale in 1996 and spent the next 20 years at the same school.  She spent most of her years teaching 5th grade.  In 2016, she stepped into a new role as an instructional coach. In 2018 she started on her School Administrator journey!  She loves her current school community and hopes to be able to serve there for many years.

Joe Iturri brings nearly 30 years of hospitality experience to Caesars Republic Scottsdale, previously serving as General Manager of Saguaro Scottsdale for nine years, the opening Director of Sales and Marketing at W Scottsdale for six years, and Regional Director of Revenue Management for all of Starwood’s Southwest hotels for 13 years. During his tenure with Starwood, he was also a leader in their process improvement effort, acting as a “Black Belt" in Six Sigma at the Phoenician Resort.  A Scottsdale resident with longstanding roots in the community. Joe Iturri serves on many boards in the community, including Vice Chair of the Board at Experience Scottsdale Education Chair at the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, (AZLTA), is a board member of Scottsdale Police Chief Walther’s Community Engagement Group and the Scottsdale Police Foundation.

About Caesars Republic Scottsdale

Caesars Republic Scottsdale is a new lifestyle hotel experience and the first non-gaming hotel by Caesars Entertainment in the United States. Located adjacent to Scottsdale’s premier luxury retail destination, Scottsdale Fashion Square, the new concept taps into the unique pulse of the surrounding city to form a one-of-a-kind experience. The 11-story, 265-room hotel and conference center is scheduled to open in February 2024.

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a period dedicated to discussing measures that can guide those affected towards understanding the situation and finding avenues to escape harmful circumstances.

Data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reveals that over 10 million adults in the United States face domestic violence each year. Closer to home, Scottsdale’s Victim Services extended assistance to approximately 1,200 domestic violence victims in the fiscal year spanning July 2021 to June 2022. Their support encompasses facilitating victims in obtaining orders of protection or injunctions against harassment, directing them to relevant support services, aiding in applications for the Address Confidentiality Program, accompanying them to court, clarifying aspects of the criminal justice process, and championing their rights.

Sergeant Marcus Dunton, with a tenure of 17 years at Scottsdale PD, initiated his journey as a Police Aide and presently holds the position of Supervisor for the Domestic Violence Unit.

Kasia Bouise-Oropeza and Ellen Larson are integral members of the Victim Advocate Department of Victim Services. They are committed to assisting every domestic violence victim and guiding them through the necessary procedures.

Sarah Kearney leads Blue Zones Project Scottsdale as the Executive Director. Her leadership experience is diverse and rooted in community well-being, service, and forward-thinking optimism. She most recently worked for Experience Scottsdale, whose mission is to enhance the Scottsdale community through tourism. In Sarah’s 16+ year tenure at the organization, she held several leadership roles and specialized in worldwide leisure sales, partner development strategy, membership and community engagement, program development, and more.

Driven by her passion for the Scottsdale community, Sarah has served, led, and guided several local organizations, leaving a cross-sector imprint. She has served as the Board President for Scottsdale Leadership, the Board President for Community Celebrating Diversity, a Board Member for Scottsdale Sister Cities, the Officer of Membership for Millennials in Travel, and the Vice President of Community Outreach at GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix/Scottsdale.

Sarah holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.A. in Communication from Arizona State University. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, sports and spending time in the Scottsdale sunshine. She is a proud wife and hockey, dance, and dog mom to her two children and golden retriever.

https://bluezonesprojectscottsdale.com/