Chair Reyes Medrano City of Tolleson
Vice Chair Rosa Inchausti City of Mesa
Committee & Administrative Manager Kristi Wisdom
Executive Director Audra Koester Thomas
The MAG Management Committee provides a key role in the policymaking decisions at MAG. The Committee is responsible for receiving input from technical committees, analyzing the technical and policy implications, and providing recommendations to the MAG Regional Council. The Management Committee consists of the chief administrators from each member agency, such as the jurisdiction's city or town manager, the county manager from Maricopa County, and the chief administrative officer of each Native American Indian Community. The director of the Arizona Department of Transportation and the executive director of the Regional Public Transportation Authority represent their respective agencies on transportation issues that are brought before the Management Committee.
Reyes Medrano, Chair City Manager, City of Tolleson
Rosa Inchausti, Vice Chair City Manager, City of Tempe
Bryant Powell City Manager, City of Apache Junction
Jennifer Toth Director, Arizona Department of Transportation
Ron Corbin City Manager, Avondale
Doug Sandstrom City Manager, City of Buckeye
Kristen Krey Town Administrator, Carefree
Grady Miller Town Manager, Cave Creek
John Pombier City Manager, Chandler
Crystal Dyches City Manager, El Mirage
Bruce Walls Town Manager, Florence
Sarah Mott Acting General Manager, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Rachael Goodwin Town Manager, Fountain Hills
Kathy Valenzuela Town Manager, Gila Bend
Suzanne Jones Community Manager, Gila River Indian Community
Mario Paniagua Town Manager, Town of Gilbert
Patrick Banger City Manager, Glendale
Bryan Langley City Manager, City of Goodyear
Jeff Kulaga Town Manager, Guadalupe
Matthew Williams City Manager, Litchfield Park
Ben Bitter Manager, City of Maricopa
Jen Pokorski County Manager, Maricopa County
Scott Butler City Manager, Mesa
Andrew Ching Town Manager, Paradise Valley
Mike Faust City Manager, Peoria
Ed Zuercher City Manager, Phoenix
Leo Lew County Manager, Pinal County
Bruce Gardner Town Manager, Queen Creek
Bryan Meyers Community Manager, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Brent Billingsley Town Manager, Town of San Tan Valley
Greg Caton City Manager, Scottsdale
Andrea Davis City Manager, Surprise
Jessica Mefford-Miller Chief Executive Officer, Valley Metro - Regional Public Transportation Authority
Troy Smith Town Manager, Wickenburg
Brian Stutsman Town Manager, Youngtown
As the City Manager of Tolleson, Reyes Medrano, Jr. is charged with ensuring the delivery of municipal services to the community, economic development initiatives, budget creation and administration, strategic planning for the city, fiscal accountability, and employee relations. As a Tolleson native, Reyes has seen the growth of the city from a small farming community to a strong commercial and industrial base that allows for the delivery of many amenities and cultural activities to Tolleson’s citizens.
Reyes began his involvement with the City of Tolleson as a dispatcher and administrative assistant to the Chief of Police for the Tolleson Police Department where he served for five years while completing his Master’s Degree in Education from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Phoenix. After completing his graduate education, he served as the management assistant in the City Manager’s office. Two years later, he was promoted to the post of Assistant City Manager. He was appointed City Manager in October 2005. In addition to his roles with the city, he has held an Adjunct Faculty position with Estrella Mountain Community College for five years, teaching courses in business and psychology.
As a proponent of smart economic development, Reyes was instrumental in the attraction of CarMax to Tolleson. His current focus is to ensure that Tolleson is seen as a viable and attractive option for retail developers through economic development strategies and the downtown redevelopment initiative.
His passion for empowering and soliciting greatness in all people has led to the implementation of a Total Quality paradigm shift, which ensures educational opportunities for all city employees. He has been a powerful mentor for the city’s youth and government employees alike, imparting the knowledge he has gained throughout his years of community service.
Professionally, Reyes has been a keynote speaker on a variety of topics for numerous organizations, including the Arizona Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, the Maricopa Community College District, and the Gas Light Sustainable Design Expo. He has also been selected to serve the Housing and Urban Development Agency as a member of the Federal National Review Committee and moderated a panel on Diversity in Arizona Municipalities for the Arizona City Manager’s Association. In addition, he was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” for Leadership West Class IV, was selected as a member of the Business Journal’s Inaugural Forty under 40 Class of 2001, which recognizes the top executives under the age of 40 throughout the State of Arizona. He was honored by West Valley Magazine as their first “Mover” of their Movers and Shakers program for 2007.
Community involvement has been a cornerstone for Reyes throughout his lifetime. He has served as a Little League coach for more than 20 years, was the former PTA president for P. H. Gonzales Elementary School, and assisted with the introduction of the civic involvement process and heightened awareness of careers in public affairs through the Tolleson Teen Council. Further, he has worked with teen parents in the parenting program at Tolleson Union High School.
Reyes has been married for 17 years to his wife, Elisa, and is the proud father of six children who are actively involved in the Tolleson community.
Rosa Inchausti, a 30-year City of Tempe employee, has been appointed to serve as City Manager. Inchausti recently served as the Chief Deputy City Manager, overseeing the areas of Economic Development, Community Health and Human Services, Community Development, Information Technology, and Strategic Management and Innovation.
She began her Tempe career in 1993 as the city’s first bilingual Marriage and Family Therapist. Since then Inchausti has continued with her “firsts” as she advanced to be the city’s first Diversity Director, where she worked with City Council to create Tempe’s Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. She then promoted to the position of the city’s first Strategic Management and Diversity Director, where she spearheaded the wastewater testing for COVID-19 and opioids, advancing community health. In this position she also led the city in becoming a nationally-acclaimed “What Works City.” Additionally, Inchausti spent a year as the Interim Municipal Utilities Department Director while concurrently working as the Strategic Management Director.
In her new role, Inchausti will be the first female to hold the position of City Manager at the City of Tempe. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. Inchausti has been a Tempe resident for over 30 years. She raised her two daughters in south Tempe and now resides in Tempe’s urban core.
During their June 16, 2015 meeting the Apache Junction City Council formally appointed Bryant Powell as the new city manager starting July 1, 2015.
Bryant has been with the city of Apache Junction for over 14 years starting as the Assistant to the City Manager. He was promoted to Assistant City Manager in 2003. Bryant holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Brigham Young University, as well as an undergraduate degree in Spanish, with a minor in Political Science from Southern Utah University. In 2014, Bryant received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). He is the first ICMA-Credentialed Manager to work for the City of Apache Junction. Bryant also received the Catherine F. Connolly Outstanding Assistant City/County Manager Award from the Arizona City/County Management Association.
Bryant has been a member of the Rotary Club of Superstition Mountain since 2010 serving as their president from July, 2014 to June, 2015. He also serves on the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce’s Board as an Ex-Officio member.
Bryant and his wife Jenny have three daughters and have lived in Apache Junction for 14 years. Bryant is a native of Arizona, having been raised in Safford.
Jennifer Toth was appointed director of the Arizona Department of Transportation on January 5, 2023, to lead the agency responsible for planning, designing, building, maintaining and operating the state’s multimodal transportation system, managing transportation revenue, and providing motor vehicle title, registration and driver license services.
Jennifer has over 25 years of experience in the public works field. She has spent the majority of her career working in the public sector and was most recently the Director for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) as well as the Maricopa County Engineer. Before joining MCDOT in 2014, Jennifer served as State Engineer and Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. She has also worked in the private sector as a transportation consultant.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. She brings a passion for public service and meeting the transportation needs of the residents of State of Arizona.
Ron Corbin’s career in public service began in 2002, spanning over two decades in the sectors of Municipal Management and Human Resources. Mr. Corbin joined Avondale as the City Manager on Monday, November 14, 2022, after serving as the Cottonwood City Manager for almost 4 years.
While serving as Human Resources Director in the City of Yuma, the Town of Oro Valley, and as Deputy Human Resources Director in Yuma County, Mr. Corbin championed employee engagement, retention, and training; enhanced the employee recruitment, selection, and onboarding process; restructured performance evaluation systems; reduced unemployment claims; led union contract negotiations; improved relationships with public safety; refined employee health plans; and repaired and reinforced trust and mutual respect of Human Resources.
As Town Manager in Cottonwood and Deputy City Administrator in Yuma, Mr. Corbin focused his efforts on improving interdepartmental communications and City Administrative services; enhancing staff accountability; improving Council relations; strategic performance management; increasing general fund cash reserves; creating an internal “Open for Business” mentality; increasing community inclusion in City government; and creating an atmosphere of accountability, respect, and integrity.
Mr. Corbin holds a Master’s degree of Administration with Distinction from Northern Arizona University, and both a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Eastern Washington University. Mr. Corbin serves as a member of the International City/County Manager Association (ICMA).
Mr. Sandstrom serves as the City Manager for the City of Buckeye. Doug has over 30 years of municipal government experience that includes management, finance, water infrastructure, CIP, budget, long-range financial forecasting, and public/private partnerships. He is dedicated to open, transparent communication giving him strong, collaborative leadership skills. Doug has worked for several cities in Arizona throughout his career, including Gila Bend, Surprise, Show Low, Casa Grande, Goodyear and the best of all Buckeye.
With the City of Buckeye, he successfully lead the successful 2024 GO Bond effort, collaborated with developers on updated Impact Fees and has fostered positive relationships with the city’s labor associations. Doug has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Cloud State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He is an active member in the national and local chapters of Government Finance Officers Associations, the International City Manager’s Association, and President of the Board of the Arizona Municipal Risk Retention Pool.
Kristen Krey, CPM, brings extensive municipal leadership, financial expertise, and executive-level experience to her role as Town Administrator for the Town of Carefree. Krey’s public-sector career spans more than 30 years, including numerous senior roles with the City of Glendale, Arizona. During her tenure there, she served in executive and department-level positions within the City Manager’s Office, Budget and Finance, City Council Administration, Police Administration, and Grants, and Project Management. In addition to her municipal leadership experience, Krey has held consulting and executive compliance roles in the private sector and has taught graduate-level Leadership and MBA courses. She is a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Management.
On January 16, 2024, the Cave Creek Town Council appointed Grady Miller as Town Manager. Miller has over thirty-five years of local government experience in cities and towns in Arizona, California, and Rhode Island. Prior to working as Town Manager of Cave Creek, Miller was the interim City Manager of Kingman, Arizona, for four months after serving as Town Manager of Fountain Hills, Arizona, from 2015 to 2023. In 2010 he was appointed to serve as Town Manager of Narragansett, Rhode Island. From 1990 to 2010 he worked in a variety of management positions with the City of Peoria, Arizona.
Miller holds a Master of Public Administration degree from ASU and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association and Arizona City/County Management Association.
John Pombier was appointed City Manager for the city of Chandler in July 2025. Pombier retired from the City of Mesa in 2022 after 19 years of service, including 11 years as an assistant city manager and eight years as city prosecutor. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy General Counsel at the Arizona Governor’s Office, Director of the Governor’s Division for Prevention of Family Violence, and as a prosecutor with the City of Phoenix, where he spent five years as lead attorney for the Domestic Violence Unit.
Pombier earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University’s College of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 1994. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.
J. Crystal Dyches is a seasoned municipal executive with over 26 years of leadership experience in local government, specializing in strategic planning, economic development, and public service delivery. Since she was appointed City Manager of El Mirage in June 2018, she has overseen daily operations for a city of over 36,000 residents, directed a budget of up to $153 million, and led a team of 230 employees across 12 departments. Under her leadership, El Mirage has experienced substantial economic growth, enhanced public safety, and implemented transformative infrastructure projects.
Dyches has been instrumental in positioning El Mirage as a hub for economic growth, attracting major business investments, resulting in millions of dollars in capital expenditures and creating thousands of jobs. She has spearheaded infrastructure improvements such as the Hohokam Multi-Use Trail and critical roadway projects, including Dysart Road and Olive Avenue upgrades, enhancing residents' connectivity and quality of life. Her innovative approach to urban development includes adaptive reuse projects, such as converting a former fire station into a modern public library and advancing city-wide initiatives like the Downtown Development Plan, zoning code updates, utility rate studies, and public safety master plans. Through her efforts, El Mirage has achieved an AA bond rating, reflecting sound fiscal management, and garnered recognition for financial transparency and excellence in budgeting.
Prior to her role in El Mirage, Dyches served as City Manager in Page, Arizona, Waseca, Minnesota, and St. Charles, Minnesota, and as city administrator. In these roles, she successfully managed multi-million-dollar budgets, restored financial stability, and led critical infrastructure projects, including wastewater treatment plant expansions and public safety facility upgrades.
Dyches holds a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has been recognized for her ability to drive innovation, foster community partnerships, and advance fiscal and environmental sustainability, consistently leaving a positive and lasting impact on the communities she serves.
Bruce Walls was selected as the Town of Florence Police Chief in 2019 after working for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as Assistant Chief of Investigations, this position he held for two years. Chief Walls retired from the Peoria Police Department in 2017 as the Commander of the North Precinct. He worked various assignments to include Patrol, Recruit Training Officer, Family Crimes Detective, Professional Standards, Recruitment/Hiring and Departmental Training. Prior to becoming a police officer Chief Walls retired from the United States Air Force as a First Sergeant after serving 20 years.
Chief Walls has bachelor’s degree (Science in Business Management) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the University of Phoenix. He has attended the Northwestern School of Leadership, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, and a host of other leadership development programs.
Sarah Mott was appointed Acting General Manager for the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, effective May 7, 2026. She now plans, coordinates and directs the operation of Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, to include over 20 government departments and programs.
She is an enrolled member of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and long-time employee since 2002. Sarah has been bringing in more than 24 years of dedicated service to FMYN, having worked in a variety of important capacities including Human Resources, Tribal Affairs & Special Projects, Fire Department and Finance. Throughout her tenure, she has consistently demonstrated leadership and a strong commitment to serving her community.
In addition to her extensive experience in human resources, Sarah has served on the Finance Committee and contributed to several significant FMYN projects, including the construction of the Wekopa Casino Resort and other recent development initiatives.
She is an alumna of Harvard Business School Executive Education program, Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities. She also received a certification as Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) from National Native American Human Resources Association.
Rachael Goodwin was appointed Interim Town Manager for the Town of Fountain Hills effective April 1, 2023. Rachael has been a part of the Town staff for more than nine years and has served in municipal government for almost 20. She started her career with the Town of Fountain Hills as the Recreation and Events Manager, and in 2017 took over the role of the Community Services Director. In July 2023, she was named one of two Deputy Town Managers to help represent the town on regional and statewide platforms. She is a Lumberjack and Sun Devil with a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University. She has served on several regional boards, including the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. She is a national judge for the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration Gold Medal program.
Bio - Coming Soon
Prior to joining the Town of Gilbert, Mario worked for the City of Phoenix for 27 years, with the last 10 years as a Deputy City Manager overseeing several large departments including, Aviation, Information Technology, Neighborhood Services, Public Transit, Public Works, and Street Transportation. Mario’s previous roles included Budget and Research Director, City Clerk, City Council Management Assistant, Family Advocacy Center Management Assistant, and Human Resources Analyst.
Mario served active duty in the US Air Force for seven years and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business, summa cum laude, from Arizona State University.
Mario loves spending time with his family, hiking, and serving in his church.
Patrick Banger has served as Town Manager of Gilbert, Arizona for 14 years, leading 1,850 employees with a $2.49 billion annual budget while transforming the community into a nationally recognized model of economic development and fiscal excellence. Under his leadership, Gilbert has attracted $2.87 billion in capital investment and created 19,024 jobs, successfully recruiting major employers including Deloitte, Northrop Grumman, and numerous Fortune 500 companies. His strategic economic development achievements include leading complex negotiations for the Rivulon Development ($1.25 billion mixed-use project with 15,000+ jobs), orchestrating the Gilbert Heritage District revitalization ($387 million investment, recognized as 'Best Suburban Downtown in America'), and playing a key role in transforming Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport into the 5th fastest growing mid-sized American airport serving 2 million passengers annually. His work with Northrop Grumman exemplifies his innovative approach, creating a foreign trade zone that facilitated the Iridium Next satellite contract, resulting in 280,000 square feet of expansion and 637 high-tech jobs.
Under Patrick's fiscal stewardship, Gilbert has achieved AAA credit ratings from all three major rating agencies—Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings—making it one of only 41 cities nationwide with this distinction. He increased General Fund reserves by 381%, secured 36 credit rating upgrades, generated $21 million in operational savings through zero-based budgeting, and saved $115 million through strategic debt management. These exceptional financial results were achieved while maintaining Gilbert's position as the 2nd Safest City in the Nation over 100,000 in population, with 97% of residents rating quality of life as excellent or good—ranking Gilbert 10th out of 395 cities nationally. His leadership has earned Gilbert recognition as the 1st Most Prosperous City (Economic Innovation Group 2020), 3rd Best City to Find a Job (WalletHub 2015), and 9th Best City to Live In (Travel & Leisure 2024).
Prior to Gilbert, Patrick served as City Administrator in O'Fallon, Missouri, where he led the city through its largest period of sustained economic growth, attracting more than $2 billion in capital investment and creating over 10,000 new jobs in just six years. His successful recruitment efforts included MasterCard International's Global Operations Center (550,000 square feet, $155 million, 2,500 jobs), Citi's National Mortgage Operations Center (500,000 square feet, $85 million, 5,000 jobs), MEMC Electronic Materials expansion ($250 million), and BJC Progress West Hospital ($75 million, 400 jobs). He also brings private sector experience as Director at McCarthy Building Companies, a $4.1 billion construction leader, where he was instrumental in major projects including the $400 million Lumiere Place development and the $500 million Edward Jones headquarters, while increasing his division's annual revenues from $250 million to $1.25 billion in three years.
Patrick holds a B.S. in Political Science from Missouri State University, an M.A. in Management from Webster University, and executive education credentials from the Wharton School of Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Bryan Langley serves as City Manager for the City of Goodyear, where he leads city operations and works alongside the Mayor, City Council, employees, and community partners to support Goodyear’s continued growth and long-term success. Focused on delivering high-quality public services, maintaining strong financial stewardship, and advancing strategic priorities, Langley is committed to strengthening Goodyear as a premier community and employer of choice.
With extensive experience leading fast-growing communities, Langley brings a collaborative and results-driven approach to local government leadership. He is focused on supporting responsible growth, investing in infrastructure, enhancing organizational performance, and ensuring the city remains responsive to the needs of residents and businesses.
Prior to joining Goodyear, Langley served as City Manager for Kyle, Texas, where he advanced major infrastructure and operational initiatives, including a $294 million road bond program and a $200 million wastewater treatment plant expansion, while strengthening economic development efforts and enhancing public services. Langley also served as City Manager in Burleson, Texas, where he improved the city’s financial position, reduced the property tax rate over multiple years, and implemented a citywide strategic plan focused on performance and accountability. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy City Manager/Chief Operating Officer for Denton, Texas.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Texas, as well as a Master of Science in Accounting and Information Management from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Jeff Kulaga was unanimously appointed Town Manager / Clerk for the Town of Guadalupe, Arizona on September 28, 2017. He also serves as the Town’s Zoning Administrator, Business License Administrator, Cemetery Administrator and Community Development Director. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Town, implementing Town Council policy and overseeing the $11.8M annual budget. He has more than 30 years of Arizona municipal government experience, previously serving as Assistant City Manager in Tempe for 9 years and multiple roles in Mesa and Scottsdale, including Government Relations Director and Executive Assistant to the Mayor.
Kulaga is a double Devil earning his Bachelor of Science Degree and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University. He is a member of the Arizona City and County Management Association, the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association and the Urban Land Institute. He is a lifetime member of the Arizona State University Alumni Association and is mentor in the Arizona State University, Student Athletes Mentorship Program. He presently serves as Vice Chairman of the City of Phoenix, Arizona at Works Board, Workforce Development Committee.
Biography coming soon.
Benjamin Bitter is an experienced City Manager, with expertise in public works, personnel, economic development, planning, and financial management. He became the City Manager at the City of Maricopa, Arizona on April 1st, 2024 after serving for two years as its Deputy City Manager, and previously as the Director of Engineering and Capital Improvement Planning. Before his work in Maricopa, he served as the Assistant to the Town Manager and Intergovernmental Relations and Communications Manager for the Town of Florence, Arizona. In his career, Ben also served the City of Ashland, Kentucky as its City Manager and the City of Casa Grande, Arizona as the Senior Management Analyst. He has helped modernize and future-proof organizations through the implementation of new technologies and innovative strategies, to help his organizations better-serve the needs of the citizens. He has a B.A. from Brigham Young University in Political Science (with Minors in Spanish and Statistics), and a Masters of Public Administration from Arizona State University. Ben received a certificate from the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University in 2023. He also holds a certificate of Management and Organizations from the University of Arizona. Ben is married and has three daughters, is fluent in Spanish, and is an avid fan of NASCAR.
Jen Pokorski has worked for Maricopa County since 2005. Prior to being appointed County Manager, she served as an Assistant County Manager, the Planning and Development Director and the director of the Ombudsman Office. As County Manager, Jen oversees more than 40 county departments and works to implement the vision of the elected Board of Supervisors, which includes efficient use of county tax dollars, creating safe and healthy communities, and improving quality of life for all residents through county programs and services.
Scott Butler was appointed in a unanimous vote by City Council to serve as Mesa City Manager effective June 1, 2025. He brings nearly 21 years of dedicated service to the City, most recently serving as Assistant City Manager since July 2022.
Throughout his tenure, Scott has overseen several critical departments including Police, Fire and Medical, Municipal Court, Transportation, Transit, Falson Field Airport, Public Information and Governmental Affairs. His previous roles include Deputy City Manager from 2015-2022 and Director of Governmental Affairs from 2008-2015. He has led numerous transformative projects, including securing the Chicago Cubs’ continued presence in Mesa, acquiring the Air Force Research Labs, developing State Route 24 and securing federal support for Mesa Gateway Airport’s new air traffic control tower.
Before joining Mesa in 2004, Scott served in roles across local, state and federal governments, including as a policy advisor for the Georgia House of Representatives, senior advisor to the Georgia Secretary of State and outreach liaison at the White House Office of Scheduling and Advance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University.
Mr. Andrew Ching began serving the Town of Paradise Valley as Town Manager in June 2023, following his tenure as Tempe City Manager, where he served from 2013-2023. He served as the Tempe City Attorney from August 2006 to January 2013. Mr. Ching is an Arizona native. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1991 and earned a law degree from Arizona State University in 1994.
Peoria, AZ (January 28, 2026) The Peoria City Council approved the appointment of Mike Faust to serve as the city’s next City Manager, effective March 1, at their Regular Meeting Tuesday night.
Faust will replace current City Manager Henry Darwin, who is stepping down to fulfill a one-year transitionary role as Executive Consultant to the City Manager. Darwin’s one-year contract was also approved by Council last night.
Faust, who joined the city in 2023 as Deputy City Manager, has supported Peoria’s Economic Development, Planning, Development and Engineering, Office of Innovation and Neighborhood Services Departments. Prior to his service to Peoria, he served as the Arizona Department of Child Services Director and before that, he worked for the Governor’s Transformation Office. He has more than 25 years of management and consulting experience and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.
“The past three years, this Council has asked for some very heavy lifts in the areas that Mike has overseen and he and his teams have delivered exceptionally well,” said Mayor Jason Beck. “From the historic state land auction that will secure our city revenues and jobs for generations, to inking deals that attracted new medical and education choices to Peoria, Mike was engaged in it all and will continue to lead as the top CEO of the city’s organization moving forward.”
“Peoria has been my home for more than a decade,” said Faust. “To serve as the next City Manager is a privilege knowing that I will continue to work with this incredible Council and staff in keeping our city the most special place to live, do business in, and enjoy the beautiful outdoor amenities that make our city special.”
“I also want to express my gratitude to Henry Darwin who took on the role as City Manager when this Council asked him to do so and for assembling and mentoring the very best executive leadership team and city staff that allows for a smart succession plan to keep our city thriving,” added Mayor Beck. “I’m grateful that he will continue to support in a transitionary role for the next year.”
City Manager Faust will receive an annual base salary of $325,000 under the three-year employment contract.
The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and serves as the city’s chief executive officer; responsible for implementing the policy and programs of the elected body and managing city operations.
Ed Zuercher is the City Manager of the City of Phoenix, the largest council-manager government in the United States. From 2023 through 2025, Ed served as executive director of MAG, where he led staff in bringing the extension of the countywide Proposition 479 transportation sales tax for approval by the state legislature, governor and voters. Ed is in his second stint as city manager of Phoenix, where he had a 28-year career, including serving as city manager from 2013 – 2021. He also worked as a local government consultant for Ernst & Young from 2021-2022.
Leo Lew was appointed County Manager by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors March 3, 2021, stepping up from the role of Deputy County Manager, a position he held since 2013.
Leo is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association, an association of more than 11,000 members dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. He has been serving in local government for over 15 years and here in Pinal County for over a decade.
As a strong proponent of leadership development, he has completed the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia and the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Harvard Kennedy School. He has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is a Certified Public Accountant, having begun his professional career with a Big Four professional services firm.
Leo enjoys surfing, mountain biking, and spending time with his family.
Bruce Gardner is the Town Manager for Queen Creek, Arizona, a position he assumed in January 2023. With more than 28 years in the public sector, Bruce previously served as Queen Creek’s Assistant Town Manager since 2015. Bruce joined the Town of Queen Creek in 2007 as the Human Resources Director. When his duties expanded to include Information Technology, Bruce was promoted to the Workforce and Information Technology Director. Prior to working with the Town of Queen Creek, Gardner served as the Human Resources Administrator for the City of Tempe.
Bruce holds a Master in Public Administration and a Bachelor in Business degrees from Arizona State University. He also received certification as an executive for Human Resources from the Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA).
For the past seven years, Bryan D. Meyers has served as the Community Manager on behalf of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC). In his role as Community Manager, Meyers oversees 25 departments of which he has direct oversight of 11. The Community employs more than 2,000 employees and provides valuable services to more than 8,700 tribal members.
Meyers is responsible for leading and managing all of the personnel, operations and logistics of the Community government.
"My duties are similar to the duties of a City Manager for a municipality, although the Community cannot be only compared to a City," Meyers says. "The SRP-MIC has duties and responsibilities similar to that of the federal, state and county governments as well as private industry all rolled up into one tribal government."
As a full-service government, SRP-MIC operates the daily government operations of the Community which includes Administration, Council, the Office of General Council, Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Budgets and Records, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Treasury, Internal Audit, Purchasing, Cultural Resources and the Community Regulatory Agency.
Other Community operations include: Public Safety, Education and Community Enrichment, Health and Welfare, Public Works-Transportation, Community and Economic Development and Criminal Justice, which all operate numerous programs and offices within their respective departments.
Meyers also serves as a liaison between the Community Council and the Community Government. He carries out administrative requests by the Community Council, assures the day-to-day operations of the departments and programs to ensure that the needs of the Community are met.
Since 1993, the Community has significantly increased services to Community members, said Meyers, who first started with SRP-MIC in 1993. They include the Memorial Hall, the Lehi Community Center, two fire and police substations, housing projects, new school facilities and construction of the new 150,000 square-foot Two Waters Tribal Complex, which includes the 12,800 square-foot Council Chambers and the 12,000 square-foot Community Cafeteria, which are scheduled to open in 2009
Brent D. Billingsley is a seasoned technical professional with over nineteen years of experience across a broad range of public works, transportation, community planning, transit, air quality, economic development, and environmental responsibilities and projects. As Town Manager of Florence, Mr. Billingsley oversees eight diverse departments within the Town organizational structure, including Administration, Finance, Public Works, Engineering, Fire, Police, Community Development, Library, and Parks and Recreation. Since starting with the Town of Florence in December 2015, he has focused on modernizing and enhancing the Town’s policies, practices, and partnerships.
Mr. Billingsley’s professional repertoire includes project management, public works administration, transportation planning, community planning, transit, air quality, Section 208 area-wide water quality, economic development, floodplain administration, construction management, fleet management, and environmental clearance documentation. He is a frequent speaker on the topics of rural transit, access management, transportation planning, financial assurances, rural infrastructure finance, municipal management, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
He is a graduate of Northern Arizona University (NAU), a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and an ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM). Mr. Billingsley is husband to Maria and the proud father of Cecilia and Sophia.
Greg Caton currently serves as Interim City Manager where he oversees Water, Communications and Citizen Service, Human Resources, management associates, and management intern/fellow. Greg is a native Coloradan and previously held city manager positions at the City of Grand Junction, CO., and the Town of Oro Valley, AZ and was assistant city manager with the City of Durango, CO. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. Greg is a credentialed city manager through ICMA and is an active local government professional, participating in statewide multijurisdictional groups and boards.
Andrea Davis serves as the City Manager for the City of Surprise, bringing more than 14 years of dedicated public service, financial expertise, and executive leadership to the role. Appointed by the Surprise City Council on November 4, 2025, she now leads the organization with a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, operational excellence, and community-focused leadership.
Davis began her career with the City of Surprise in 2011 as a Senior Financial Analyst and advanced through key leadership roles including Accounting Manager, Assistant Finance Director, Finance Director, Chief Financial Officer/Deputy City Manager, and Assistant City Manager. Her progression through these positions reflects her proven expertise, thoughtful leadership approach, and deep understanding of municipal operations.
With a strong foundation in finance and public administration, Davis is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from Arizona State University. Prior to joining the City of Surprise, she worked as an auditor before transitioning into consulting for government and nonprofit organizations, strengthening her skills in fiscal oversight, organizational performance, and strategic planning.
As CEO of Valley Metro, Jessica Mefford-Miller is responsible for the operations and expansion of the regional public transportation system in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Mefford-Miller is leading the Valley Metro organization through system expansion and evolution, ensuring that Valley Metro is positioned to deliver and sustain transit projects and programs that connect people and places throughout the fast-growing Phoenix region. Mefford-Miller and the Valley Metro team are committed to creating excellent customer experiences by focusing on safe, reliable operations and maintenance, expanding transit infrastructure and technology and making our services more convenient and accessible for communities across the Valley.
Throughout her 20-year transportation career, Mefford-Miller has focused on social equity, environmental sustainability and contributing to thriving regional economies.
Previously, she held posts at Metro Transit in St. Louis, MO as Executive Director, the National Park Service, the Ohio Department of Transportation and The Ohio State University. She holds a bachelor’s in Geography from Southern Illinois University, a master’s in Geography from Texas State University, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Geography from The Ohio State University.
“The Wickenburg Town Council Members and I are excited to welcome Troy Smith to our team as the Interim Town Manager,” said Mayor BG Bratcher. “Troy brings a wealth of knowledge in municipal management, as well as a proven track record of leadership in public administration. He is the right individual to guide us as we continue our search for a permanent Town Manager. His experience will be invaluable as we maintain the Town’s operations and ensure our continued growth and success.”
Smith comes to Wickenburg with a distinguished career in municipal management. Most recently, he served as the Town Manager for Payson, Arizona, and prior to that, he was Deputy City Manager in Commerce City, Colorado. With over 28 years of experience in public service, including leadership roles in law enforcement, Troy has a deep understanding of the complexities of local government operations. He holds a master’s degree in leadership and management, as well as a bachelor’s degree in business. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Harvard University JFK School of Government Senior Management Institute for Police.
“I am honored to be joining the Town of Wickenburg during this important time,” said Troy Smith. “I look forward to working with the Town Council, staff, and the community to ensure a smooth transition and continue the progress the Town has made. I am committed to maintaining the Town’s high standards of service and leadership.”
Smith will serve as Interim Town Manager while the Town continues its search for a permanent successor. His leadership and experience will provide stability and guidance during this transitional period.
Bio coming soon!
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