A Night to Remember
Join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and entertainment as we recognize Barry Markson, Erika Strempel, and Jay Jacobs on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Your generosity makes our mission possible! Celebrate our honorees and our community’s achievements by becoming a featured sponsor, purchasing tickets, or placing a tribute ad to recognize our honorees.
J Gala 2026 Honorees
The Irv Shuman Award
Barry Markson
The Maya Schulder Rising Star Award
Erika Strempel
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Jay Jacobs
Support The J Gala
Sponsorship, Tickets, and Tribute Ads
Become a featured sponsor for Valley of the Sun J’s Annual Gala. With many different levels of sponsorship, you can become a key contributor to The J into 2027 and beyond!
You can also support the event by purchasing a ticket or a tribute ad. We look forward to seeing you for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, entertainment, and recognition to those that have helped our mission.
Gala Entertainment
Mentalist
Jason Suran
Straddling the line between honesty and deception, Jason Suran has earned a reputation as one of the most in-demand psychological illusionists performing today.
With mind-bending demonstrations and moments that defy explanation, Suran crafts experiences that are as intriguing as they are entertaining. Whether he’s revealing hidden thoughts, bending perception, or prompting genuine amazement, his performance keeps audiences guessing right up to the last moment.
Thank You!
We would like to thank those who have helped sponsor the 2026 Valley of the Sun J Gala. Without your support, none of this would be possible.
Titanium Sponsors
Manley Creative
The Penny and Robert Sarver Family Charitable Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Dan and Tiffani Bachus, Dylan, Stephanie, Emily and Riley
The Mark D. Becker Family
Lauren and Zev Hendeles
The Hoffer Family
Donna and Joel Kramer
Lori and Barry Markson
Kerry and Dimitry Philipovitch
Jennifer and Steven Schwarz – ViaWest Group
Silver Sponsors
Julie and Michael T.* Bennett Family
Debbie Berkowitz and Gary Weiss – Weiss Wealth Strategies of Raymond James
Lisa and Michael Flader – Flader & Young Wealth Management of Raymond James
Michelle and Bryan Kort
Julie and Brad Schoen
Elizabeth and David Shapiro
SMS Financial LLC
Barry and Barbara Zemel
Bronze Sponsors
Shari and Irwin Kanefsky
Howard Sobelman & Snell and Wilmer Law
Pamela White and Bradley Dimond and Family
Copper Sponsors
Alerus Bank
Vicki and Howard Cabot
Bert Hayenga
Elardo, Bragg, Rossi and Palumbo Law
Sacks Tierney P.A.
*Of blessed memory
Sponsors as of June 1, 2026
The J Gala Committee
Thank you for your dedication and hard work in bringing our vision to life.
Chairs
Dan and Tiffani Bachus
Jennifer and Steven Schwarz
Michelle and Bryan Kort
Committee
Julie Bennett
Suzy Berkowitz
Matt Feinman
Brendan R. Hecht
Lanny Lahr
Joshua Strempel
Cindy Mauck
Josh Mondlick
Lori Markson
David Shapiro
Liz Clowes
Executive Staff + Board of Directors
Executive Staff
Jay J. Jacobs, Interim Chief Executive Officer
Christine Hutchinson, Chief Operations Officer
Andrea Quen, Chief Philanthropy Officer
Allan A. Flavinney, Chief Financial Officer
Board of Directors
Adam Brooks, Board Chair
Mallory Savan Lebovitz, Immediate Past Chair
Julie Bennett, Treasurer
Jonathan Hoffer, Secretary
Dan Bachus
Geoff Balon
Jonny Basha
Keylee Helmich
Zev Hendeles
Brad Klein
Joel Kramer
Michelle Kort
Mark Koslow
Jill Leshin
Jeremy Madick
Larry Marcus
Barry Markson
Erika Strempel
Gary Weiss
