Management Committee

Mr. Barton is the City Manager for the City of Phoenix and oversees the largest council-manager form of government in the United States, with 14,500 city employees, including seven employee unions and associations, and a $3.4 billion annual budget.

Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps is the top executive for the city of Glendale, which is part of a growing area of Maricopa County and the sixth largest city in AZ. His responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations and policy implementation for all city departments and divisions and ensuring prudent fiscal stewardship for the city.

Mr. Phelps was appointed in November 2015 and considers it his priority to bring effective and transparent government practices to the community he serves with an emphasis on leveraging technology and innovation.

Recognizing that it is in Glendale’s interest to have a robust business sector, his desire is that Glendale become both a major job center, and the most business-friendly city in the Valley. His focus is on encouraging initiatives that will grow the city’s economy, increase employment and encourage growth for businesses’ large and small. Glendale is a full-service community offering public safety, water, public works, library and recreation services for residents as well as offering business development services to support a strong economic base.

Mr. Phelps began a comprehensive strategic planning process using the City Council’s newly created mission, vision and value statements. The intent is that Glendale will demonstrate measurable results toward being the community of choice for residents, businesses and employees. To accomplish this work, he has introduced the Balanced Scorecard approach to lead organizational development and set priorities for city staff.

Under his leadership, the city has continued to stabilize financially and operationally after experiencing a serious fiscal crisis that occurred several years prior to his hiring. The turnaround has resulted in credit rating upgrades and a growing fund balance that has been achieved through policy reforms, growth of new revenue streams and a long-term financial plan.

Kevin Phelps is a board member of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, a member of International City/County Management Association (ICMA)and a member of the Arizona City/County Management Association ACMA.

Mr. Phelps’ government leadership includes serving as the highest ranking appointed official in Pierce County, Washington, an area that includes greater Tacoma and is the states second largest county. Prior to that, he was a deputy auditor for the Washington State Auditor’s office, and was a councilmember for the city of Tacoma, Washington.

Before his tenure in government, he was the founder and managing partner of the Landmark Convention Center in Tacoma.

Chris Brady became City Manager of Mesa, Arizona in January 2006. With more than 25 years of public sector management experience, he is the Chief Administrative Officer of a municipality with approximately 3,500 employees, an annual operating and capital budget of $1.2 billion and a population of 450,000 residents. Mesa, Arizona is the nation's 39th largest city.

He was hired by the Mayor and City Council in 2005 to bring new leadership and direction to City government. During his tenure, Brady has reorganized City departments, streamlined business operations, improved customer service and professionalism of City staff, and steered the City through some of the most difficult economic times in recent history.

Working with the Mayor, City Council, business and community leaders and residents, he has been instrumental in improving the City's financial and budgeting models earning the respect of his peers, and more importantly, Mesa residents. These efforts included the passage of several capital bond initiatives for streets and public safety, with debt service being tied to a secondary property tax (the first in more than 65 years). The City's general obligation bond rating was upgraded by Standard and Poor's Rating Service to AA and in 2010, the City's Aa2 general obligation bond rating was reaffirmed by major rating agencies.

Brady has also used his experience and expertise in economic development to guide the City's business attraction and retention efforts including the executive role in the City's H.E.A.T. initiative which focuses economic development activity on Mesa's key industries - Healthcare, Educations, Aerospace, Tourism and Technology. Some of these successes are First Solar, Banner Health facilities expansions, Able Engineering, Crescent Crown Distributing, Embraer, Cessna, Waxie, Air Force Research Lab and the Chicago Cubs Western U.S. Headquarters and Spring Training Facility.

Prior to joining the City of Mesa, Brady served as Assistant City Manager of the City of San Antonio for ten years. He also served in various executive management and administrative positions for Bellaire, TX, Houston, TX, and Provo, UT.

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).

Biography coming soon.

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.

Joshua Wright was named City Manager in August 2021 after serving as Acting City Manager since March 2021. He joined the City of Chandler as Assistant City Manager in May 2017. He previously served as town manager of Wickenburg, Arizona, from 2011 to 2017. Prior to Wickenburg, Wright worked at the Town of Marana, Arizona, from 2006 to 2011 in a variety of roles, including assistant to the town manager and director of strategic initiatives.

Wright is a past president of the Arizona City/County Management Association and received its Associate's Award for Excellence in Leadership in 2010. He also was named Economic Developer of the Year by the Arizona Association for Economic Development in 2011. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and religious studies from the University of Arizona.

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.

Coming soon

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.

Patrick Banger is Gilbert’s Town Manager, a position he has held since August 14, 2011. Banger served as city administrator of O’Fallon, MO, for six years prior to working in the private sector, in a role that emphasized smart planning during a period of tremendous growth, and increasing efficiency and the value of government while decreasing employee turnover and cost of services.

Banger has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Missouri State University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Management from Webster University.

Banger has also taken part in several executive education programs: Strategic Thinking & Executive Team Dynamics, at The Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania; Strategy & Organization as well as Negotiation Tactics at Stanford University Graduate School of Business; Corporate Financial Analysis at the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business; and Sr. Executives in State & Local Government at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

Banger lives in Gilbert with his wife, Belinda, and her daughter Sydney. He has two other daughters Brittany and Erin.

Wynette Reed was appointed City Manager in February, 2023. Wynette has more than 36 years of municipal government experience, including over 25 years in management/leadership roles.

She came to Goodyear in 2011 as the city's Human Resources Director and was soon promoted to Deputy City Manager in March 2013 and has overseen every department in the city during her tenure.

Prior to joining Goodyear, Reed held the Human Resources Director position for the City of Peoria for 3½ years. Before making her home in Arizona in 2008, she served as HR Director for Larimer County and Assistant HR Director for Fort Collins, Colorado. Reed has experience in strategic planning, organizational development and human capital planning. She graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership. She was also awarded a certificate of completion for the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, July 2015, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education. Reed has demonstrated her leadership acumen throughout her career through building collaborative relationships and a focus on innovative thinking.

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.

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.

Henry Darwin brings more than 26 years of experience serving in numerous leadership and executive positions. He most recently served as an Environmental Attorney/Shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy. Previously, Darwin served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As EPA COO, he single-handedly designed and led deployment of the first agency-wide lean management system in the US federal government, known as the EPA Lean Management System (ELMS).

Prior to joining the EPA, Darwin served as the State of Arizona’s COO, where he oversaw the operations of its 35 state agencies and over 35,000 employees. As COO, Darwin implemented Arizona government’s first intentional management system based upon lean principles known as the Arizona Management System (AMS).

Darwin holds a Bachelor of Science, Hydrology in Engineering from the University of Arizona, and a Juris Doctorate from Lewis & Clark College's Northwestern School of Law. He is a licensed attorney in the State of Arizona.

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

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.

The Surprise City Manager is Bob Wingenroth, who began June 11, 2014. Prior to his appointment as manager by the city council, Wingenroth was the Surprise Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Assistant City Manager overseeing Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology, posts he assumed when he started with the city in June, 2013.

Wingenroth is the former City Manager of Anaheim, California and spent 28 years with the City of Phoenix, departing as the Phoenix Finance Director in 2009 to become Chief Financial Officer in Huntington Beach, CA. He was the CFO in Anaheim in 2010 before accepting the city manager position in 2012.

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.

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.

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.

Jeanne Blackman was appointed Town Manager on July 2, 2013 by the Mayor and Town Council and is responsible for all operations of the Town in accordance with policies and directives set forth by them.

The Town Manager oversees all Town employee operations and serves as a liaison between our elected officials, residents and local businesses in our community. The Town Manager also serves on a number of Metro Phoenix and West Valley committees and organizations representing our community on a number of important regional issues.