News Releases

PHOENIX (February 3, 2022) – The Maricopa Association of Governments has tapped a well-known leader in Arizona environmental issues to oversee its Environmental Programs Division.

Timothy Franquist has most recently served as the deputy director of the Arizona State Parks Board and served as the director of the Air Quality Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality from 2016-2019. Prior to being named director, Franquist served in a variety of roles at ADEQ, including positions in the waste program division, water quality division, and air quality enforcement unit.

Franquist will fill a position recently vacated by Lindy Bauer, who retired in January after leading environmental programs at MAG for more than 40 years. MAG is designated as the lead air quality planning agency for the Maricopa region.

“Environment and sustainability are a core function and focus area for MAG, and our environmental program includes modeling and planning staff who are at the very top of their field,” says MAG Executive Director Eric Anderson. “Tim is a strategic leader with extensive air quality and environmental experience that has been focused on protecting public health, the environment, and our economy. We are excited to engage someone of Tim’s caliber who can step in and seamlessly continue the important work led by Lindy Bauer for so many years.”

MAG’s Environmental Programs division helps ensure a clean environment in the region by meeting federal and state requirements for air, water, and solid waste management. MAG develops air quality plans for the pollutants carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter, and helps implement them regionwide. MAG also models air quality impacts for planned transportation improvements in accordance with conformity regulations. In addition, MAG develops regional solid waste and water quality plans.

“I’m incredibly honored to join the team at MAG,” says Franquist. “MAG has a stellar reputation for successfully tackling complex environmental issues and I look forward to working with MAG’s dedicated team of professionals to ensure our environment, economy, and community are the best in the nation.”

Franquist has a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Arizona State University. He will begin his position on February 14, 2022.