The Arizona Beta Chapter of
Sigma Phi Epsilon
The University of Arizona
John joined Sigma Phi Epsilon in the fall of 1969 and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1973 with a BA in Communications (Emphasis: Public Relations). Subsequently he also earned a MA in Communications (Emphasis: Marketing). Most Sig Eps remember him by his college nickname “Enzo”.
As an undergraduate, he served the 1969 pledge class as its president and later was house Comptroller from 1970-1971. Over the years he hosted two fraternity reunions (20th and 25th year) in Las Vegas at the Rio Hotel/Casino and is hoping that he will have a chance to organize the 40th year reunion to be held in 2013 in Oregon Wine Country. Let him know if you’d be interested in the notion.
Currently, brother Stuart is semi –retired and is the founder of Tartan, Ltd. in Carlton Oregon. The company’s focus for the past decade has been primarily on development of its Oregon farm related activities. It actively operates enterprises known as Abbey Road Farm B&B and the Agrivino Events Center as well as Regas Insurance Agency, a specially created benefits brokerage serving the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.
In January of 2003 John purchased his property in Oregon and embarked upon a long held desire to preserve and reinvent an American family farm and thus successfully create a new kind of economically viable and environmentally friendly operation; the kind of which are all too rapidly disappearing from the American landscape. Abbey Road Farm today is nationally lauded and known for its unique approach to modern day sustainability and agritourism. An example of this is its repurposing of used grain silos into B&B guest rooms and conversion of barns into events facilities.
Looking ahead to 2013 Abbey Road Farm is slated to feature a variety of other gatherings such as farmers’ market cooperatives, concerts in the country, a scheduled slate of wine related gatherings and “farm living” demonstrations.
Before retiring to Oregon, John spent nearly 30 years in Las Vegas, NV establishing a productive career in the insurance business. While there he founded and owned three companies ; John Stuart & Company, Inc. (a national benefits brokerage firm), Med Comp Administrators, Inc. (a third party workers compensation administrator) and Employee Benefits Communicators, Inc. (a voluntary products sales and benefits communication company).
Brother Stuart has, during his career, served on numerous Boards of Directors including banks, schools, public corporations and nationally recognized conservation groups. He has been a frequent guest lecturer for professional trade organizations, insurance companies and industry groups.
He is married to Judi Stuart and together they have six children and six grandchildren.
John says, “Sig Ep and AZ Beta especially have been the source of lifelong friendships and countless enduring memories. I remember as if it were yesterday when John Gemmill and Wayne Rutschman visited me at my home in Goodyear, Arizona the summer after my high school graduation. Suffice it to say, I was pretty impressed by those guys and hence an easy recruit to the fraternity. I have always felt honored to have been associated with both of them and all of you.”