Transportation Policy Committee

Since being elected to the Phoenix City Council in 2013, Kate Gallego's entrepreneurial spirit and extensive economic development knowledge have helped transform Phoenix's economy and revitalize the city's transportation system. Kate's proven track record includes leading the campaign to pass Phoenix's citywide transportation plan and spearheading the successful Phoenix Equal Pay Ordinance.

Kate is passionate about building a Phoenix that works for everybody. She led the effort for the city to partner with AARP to better serve older adults. She has worked with Councilwoman Debra Stark to support more young people entering the construction workforce, and Kate has championed innovative partnerships with ASU and the University of Arizona. Kate Gallego believes that everyone should have access to cutting edge medical care, and she has been the city council lead on expanding Phoenix's biomedical campus.

A strong proponent of investing in the infrastructure that Phoenix needs to grow, Kate is a member of the bi-partisan coalition Building America's Future. Her work on infrastructure has earned recognition from Women in Transportation and Friends of Transit. Her work on equity issues has earned her the recognition of the "Courage" Award from the Girl Scouts Cactus-Pine Council, Elected Official of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers Arizona Chapter, and the Rising Leader Award from the Anti-Defamation League. AZ Business Magazine named her as one of the most influential women in business.

Prior to being elected, Kate worked on Strategic Planning and Economic Development for Salt River Project. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University and earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2015 the Wharton School of Business named her in its "40 Under 40" list. She is the proud mom of Michael Gallego.

Mayor Scott Anderson was elected to the Town Council in 2016 and as Mayor in 2024, with his mayoral term beginning in early January 2025. He has been involved in the planning and development of Gilbert as a staff member since moving here in 1988 with his wife EJ, and five children. In 2013, he retired from the Town of Gilbert and in his downtime, he enjoys spending time with his family, serving in leadership roles in his church and connecting with nature.

Mayor Anderson is considered the founding father of the Gilbert Riparian Preserve as it was his idea to transform a wastewater treatment site from simple water recharge into a national award-winning project that is one of the most popular visitor destinations in Arizona. The preserve has been studied and reproduced by communities around the world who seek ways to be more sustainable.

Mayor Anderson has a degree in Geography and International Relations from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.

Mayor Chip Wilson was elected mayor in November 2020, taking office in January 2021. He had served the previous four years as vice mayor of Apache Junction. He spent nine years on council prior to that.

An U.S. Air Force veteran of 22 years, Wilson worked for Boeing in Mesa beginning in 1997 until his retirement in 2014. He has also served as president of the Superstition Horsemen’s Association from 1997-2006 and currently serves as president of the Arizona Horse Council. He is also on the board of the East Valley Back Country Horsemen.

Wilson has two sons and four grandchildren and recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary to his wife, Peggy.

Eric Orsborn was elected Mayor in 2020, after serving on the Buckeye City Council as the District 6 representative from 2010 to 2020.

Mayor Orsborn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management from Arizona State University.

Mayor Orsborn is the owner of OCM, a Construction and Maintenance company based in Buckeye, Arizona. He has previously been employed in construction and land development and project management.

A graduate of the first Buckeye Leadership Academy, Mayor Orsborn is also a Blue Blazer and member of Fighter Country Partnership, a group that supports the men, women and the mission of Luke Air Force Base. He also serves on the MAG Regional Council, MAG Executive and Transportation Policy Committees, and Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) boards.

Mayor Orsborn is a native of Arizona. He and his wife, Tina, have a daughter and son, Emma and Jack. Mayor Orsborn and his family reside in the community of Verrado.

Jane Poston was elected to the Chandler City Council starting in January 2023. As a former city employee, Councilmember Poston has worked with every department and possesses a strong understanding of the workings of municipal government from the inside out, including the budget, economic development, Mayor & Council and community events. In short, she understands how government works, and which questions to ask. She is an advocate for fiscal responsibility, government transparency, communication and responsiveness.

Councilmember Poston owns J2 Media, a 22-year video production and communications company, in partnership with her husband Jason. Together, they have raised a family and built their business in Chandler, while devoting time to supporting their community through service. As a small business owner who grew up in the East Valley, Councilmember Poston has experienced the enormous growth of Arizona, and managed and grown her successful small business through times of prosperity and times of national crisis. She plans to apply her business experience to develop a creative and innovative vision of what Chandler can be.

Councilmember Poston’s community experience includes serving in leadership roles on several board and committees including the 2021 Citizens Bond Committee (Airport), Chandler Chamber Board, Women in Leadership, CUSD Bond and Override Marketing, Chandler Education Foundation Board, East Valley JCC, Arizona Center for Blind and Visually Impaired, Pro bono work for Chandler Firefighter Charities, AZCEND, ACEE, and Fans Across America.

Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers is a husband, father, grandfather and devoted public servant who has spent his adult life owning and operating successful businesses, volunteering with non-profit organizations, and serving his community through public service. He and his wife Sandy have been married for 33 years and have lived in Arizona since 1966. Together, they have one daughter and two grandsons. A battle with cancer as a young man gave Mayor Weiers an outlook on life, focused on service, creative problem solving, and enjoying life to the fullest. It is with these values that he diligently serves as Mayor of Glendale every day.

Since taking office in January 2013, Mayor Weiers has actively worked to bring new economic and community activity to Glendale. In just his first year, Mayor Weiers helped the city obtain more than a million dollars in grants for public safety and local non-profit groups, established an annual event to help military veterans, and welcomed many new businesses to Glendale as the City strives to be the most business friendly community in Arizona.

Prior to taking office in Glendale, Mayor Weiers served four terms in the Arizona State Legislature. During that time, he chaired the Natural Resources, Military Affairs and Public Safety, and Rules Committees. Mayor Weiers also served Arizona on the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Military Sustainability Task Force.

Throughout his life, Mayor Weiers has been devoted to serving his community. His long and impressive record has earned him recognition for his work on behalf of sportsmen, motorcyclists, and military veterans groups, to name a few.

Mayor Weiers is also an accomplished pilot as well as a member of the Civil Air Patrol with over two decades of flying experience. He owns a hangar and flies out of his home base at the Glendale Airport.

Doug DeClusin is the founder, President and CEO of Sunland Asphalt, a full-service commercial grading, asphalt paving and Heavy Highway contractor. Founded in 1979, Sunland has grown from two to over 350 employees, with offices in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico and revenues reaching $100 million in 2014.

Over the last 35 years, Sunland Asphalt has completed a myriad of projects ranging from highways to parking lots. Sunland Asphalt has completed projects in over 30 states and Mexico. Sunland was named one of the “Top 50 Private Companies in Arizona” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In 2013, Sunland was named one of “Arizona's Fastest Growing Private Companies” and was most recently recognized as a “Top 5 Company in Heavy Construction” by Ranking Arizona, the Best of Arizona Business.

An active participant in the construction industry, DeClusin is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Chapter of The Associated General Contractors where he has been a member since 2007 and is on the Board of Directors for Pantheon Enterprises. He is also an active member of the Executives’ Association of Greater Phoenix. Doug was finalist for Construction Executive of the Year in 2009 by the Construction Financial Management Association and CEO of the Year by Phoenix Business Journal in 2012. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, Horses Help, the Ronald McDonald charities, as well as the ASU Del E. Webb School of Construction.

Mr. Woolson is the owner of Transport Capacity Solutions, LLC a consultancy focused on the open deck transport segment, providing support to flatbed and specialized businesses including independent contractors, small business owners and startups by sharing his experience of over 40 years. Currently involved in a long-term engagement with PGT Trucking, one of the nation’s largest flatbed transportation providers.

Larry first touched a truck while attending the UofA in the 1970s through an association with Walter Holm & Company, a produce distributor in Nogales, Arizona. He soon filled the role of reporting the road and fuel taxes to the various states the U.S. truck fleet operated in. After earning a B.A. in Sociology, he joined the company full time to manage that small fleet of U.S. operated trucks. This led to an opportunity with Kaibab Transportation in Phoenix where he discovered flatbed trailers, culminating as Vice President and Director. Kaibab Transportation sold to Swift in 1990 with Mr. Woolson’s transportation career taking on leadership positions with several flatbed operators, PFT-Roberson, Vice President of Operations; J. B. Hunt Flatbed, Vice President of Operations; FastTrack Group as Partner and Chief Operations Officer; System Transport, Regional Manager; and Roehl Transport, Regional Operations Manager.

Larry is committed to representing the trucking industry positively and has been involved in the Arizona Trucking Association since the 1980s contributing by serving many leadership roles, including twice as Chairman of the Board. He also participated in leadership with the American Trucking Associations chairing two policy committees, a member of the board of directors and a board member of The Litigation Center. As an involved industry advocate, Larry has testified before committees in the Arizona legislature and made several trips to Washington, D.C. to tell the trucking story to Arizona’s elected delegates as well as serving in advocacy initiatives with other business groups such as the National Federation of Independent Business.

Born in upstate New York, Larry Woolson moved west to Arizona with his family at the age of fourteen. Graduating from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, as well as The University of Arizona in Tucson, it is safe to say he found his home in Arizona.

Larry and Denise, his wife of forty-two years, have lived in Gilbert, Arizona for thirty years and have three grown children.

"I am proud to have been elected to serve the residents of the city of Goodyear over these past years. I work hard to ensure that the city is providing the cost-effective and efficient services that our residents deserve, while focusing on attracting businesses and amenities that improve our quality of life. I will continue to work on behalf of our citizens to make Goodyear an even better place to work, live, and raise a family."

On Dec. 17, 2021, the Goodyear City Council appointed Joe Pizzillo to serve as Goodyear’s Mayor. This, after the passing of Mayor Georgia Lord.

Mayor Pizzillo has served on the Goodyear City Council since 2009. He served as vice mayor and acting mayor in 2010 through 2011 and in 2013, he was re-elected to his second council term and served as vice mayor. In 2017, he was re-elected to serve as a councilmember through 2022.

His priorities as a Mayor include: ensuring the city’s financial stability, maintaining quality services that are cost-effective, and protecting our neighborhoods by improving public safety.

Mayor Pizzillo brings 30 years of experience in state and local government budgeting and finance to his seat on the council. Prior to his retirement from the city of Goodyear in 2008, he served as the city’s Budget Manager. Currently, he is an adjunct professor of Accounting and Finance with Estrella Mountain Community College, Grand Canyon University and Park University.

Mayor Pizzillo serves on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Lending Closet and sits two Council Subcommittees, City Audit Committee and Community Funding Committee. He is also an active member of the Pebble Creek Rotary Club and represents the city on the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Budget, Finance and Economic Development (BFED) Policy Committee.

He earned his business degree from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

A valley resident since 1986, Joe and his wife Vickie live in Goodyear. Joe’s son, Nicholas, and his wife Kristen, have blessed him with two granddaughters, Sophia and Aubrey.

Vincent Manfredi and his family made Maricopa their home in 2010. Upon arriving in Maricopa, he saw a community with great promise and decided to get involved.

He has volunteered his time for many causes in the community helping many non-profit organizations and collecting food donations for our food banks. He set up a pop-up food bank utilizing private funds during the Pandemic of 2020. Manfredi served on the Maricopa Board of Adjustment and the Zoning Re-Write Task Force, which produced a new zoning code in 2014. He is an ardent supporter of youth sports and has volunteered with Babe Ruth League, Maricopa Little League and Maricopa High School Softball.

Manfredi is an advocate for public education and has been devoted to bringing proper funding to Maricopa schools. He understands the need for continual growth and learning new skills in order to keep pace with an ever-changing workplace. He holds a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Business Administration and Social Sciences with an emphasis on education.

Manfredi’s belief that transportation is a primary driver of economic development led him to represent the city of Maricopa on many regional transportation committees. Improving Maricopa roads, including the SR 347, SR 238 and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway are on the top of his list. His SR 347 efforts are summarized by the acronym MOVE: More lanes, Overpasses and interchanges, Violation enforcement and Education.

Among the organizations of which Manfredi is current a member:

- City of Maricopa Budget and Finance City Council Subcommittee

- Central Arizona Governments Governing Board

- Arizona Rural Transportation Advocacy Council Board of Directors

- Pinal Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors

- Arizona League of Cities & Towns Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Works Committee

- Central Arizona Governments Economic Development District Board

- Maricopa Associations of Governments Transportation Policy Committee

In July, 2022, Manfredi assumed the responsibilities of the mayor when Mayor Christian Price resigned until the City Council selected Mayor Nancy Smith to serve as the permanent successor for the remainder of the term.

Vice Chair Debbie Lesko represents District 4 on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. She was elected in November 2024 and took office in January 2025.

Jon and his wife Brenda have been married since 1991, and they have lived in Peoria since 2001. The Edwards have three children who all attended local district schools.

Mr. Edwards was elected Vice Mayor in 2015 and re-elected in 2017. He was appointed to the National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Committee in 2015. He was appointed by the Mayor the Peoria Not-For-Profit Committee in 2014 and was appointed to the City Council Policy and Appointments Subcommittee in 2013.

Julia Wheatley was elected Queen Creek Mayor in August 2022. She previously served as Town Council Member, first elected in June 2010 and re-elected in November 2014, and again in August 2018. She represents the Town on the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council and Transportation Policy Committees, and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Association Board of Directors.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration to extend her great interest in law, politics and local government.

Wheatley, an Arizona native and her husband Benjamin made Queen Creek their home in 2007 and have loved raising their four children in our family-friendly community, Queen Creek.

In the private industry, Wheatley and her husband own a mortgage and real estate company.

Jay Beeber is Executive Director of Policy for the National Motorists Association (NMA), a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair, effective, and evidence-based transportation policies across all 50 states. In this role, Mr. Beeber leads national efforts to evaluate the safety, economic, and societal impacts of traffic regulations and enforcement programs, with a focus on advancing transportation solutions that are both effective and equitable.

Mr. Beeber is recognized for his data-driven approach to transportation policy analysis, particularly in the areas of traffic signal timing, pedestrian safety, and cost-benefit evaluation of enforcement practices. His research has been published in the ITE Journal, and he has presented findings at national conferences, including the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Annual Meeting. He is a member of ITE and currently serves on its Safety Cameras and Systems Informational Report Committee. He previously served on the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee on Traffic Law Enforcement (ACS30).

Locally, Mr. Beeber served on the City of Phoenix Pedestrian Advisory Committee, contributing insight on multimodal safety, enforcement policy, and roadway design.

A frequent commentator in the media, Mr. Beeber has been featured on Good Morning America, MSNBC, CNBC, NPR, and other national and regional news outlets, where he provides expert analysis on transportation issues. He is often called upon to communicate complex traffic policy topics to both the public and policymakers in a clear and accessible manner.

Mr. Beeber is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has received multiple recognitions for his work in public policy and transportation reform.

Martin Ramirez is a Vice President with FNF Construction Inc and has been with the company since 1995. FNF Construction provides infrastructure construction and general engineering work as a general contractor and manufacturer/producer of aggregates, asphalt, concrete and asphalt-rubber binder. FNF Construction was founded in 1984 and has over 750 employees, with offices in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas with annual revenues over $550 million.

Martin grew up in Casa Grande, AZ and is a proud Arizona State University Del E. Webb School of Construction Alumni and graduated in 1996. An Active participant in the construction industry, Ramirez is a life member and past chairman of the Board of Directors for Arizona Rock Products and has been a member since 2016. Martin has been a faculty associate professor for the Del E Webb School of Construction at ASU since 2009. He is also an active member as a Del E. Webb School of Construction Executive Council at ASU that provides industry guidance for the DEWSC program. He also represents Arizona Rock Products on the ADOT Standards Specification since 2016.

Mark Reardon is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC). Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 Index, is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates, and a major producer of asphalt and ready mix concrete.

Mark has been with Vulcan since 1988, holding various business and legal positions.

Mark graduated with honors from Arizona State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and received his law degree from Creighton University.

Mark is a Life Member and past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arizona Rock Products Association. He is also a past member of the boards of directors of the New Mexico Mining Association and the Concrete Industry Management Program of the Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University. He also served on the Arizona Mining Advisory Council.

His community involvement has included memberships on the boards of directors of Arizona Special Olympics and the Boy and Girls Club of the East Valley.

Mr. Jack Sellers was a Supervisor with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

He is the retired Facilities Manager for the General Motors Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, Arizona, and he has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University.

Mr. Sellers was a member of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Council. His previous Maricopa Association of Governments committees include Regional Council, Economic Development Committee as well as serving as Past Chair of the Transportation Policy Committee.

Mr. Sellers was part of the Ari-Son Megaregion Group, Arizona-Mexico Commission and a member of the Transportation Committee.

As part of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Mr. Sellers served as a member of the International Leadership Council, Past Member of the Board and Executive Committee, as well as a Board Member of the East Valley Partnership.

Other association position that Mr. Sellers has held include Member of Transportation Business Partners; President of Chandler, Arizona Sister Cities; Vice President of Arizona Sister Cities; Member and Past Board Member of Arizona Town Hall; Member of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce; Member of Intel Corporation Community Advisory Panel; Past Chairman of the City of Chandler Transportation Commission; and Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

In 2004 Mr. Sellers was awarded Business Leader of the Year.

Jacob Butler is a member of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and was elected to the SRPMIC Tribal Council in 2022. He is Onk Akimel O’Odham and has lived within his Community his entire life. Councilman Butler is the District A Representative.

Councilmember Butler has worked for his community for the past 20 years. He previously worked as the Cultural Resource Specialist and was the primary contact for the Section 106 government to government Consultation for the tribe and has worked with many indigenous communities across the country during his time as the Community Garden Coordinator. Councilman Butler is a strong advocate of supporting and maintaining ancestral lands of the Onk Akimel O’Odham and strongly supports representation of indigenous people.

Councilmember Butler is currently serving as Chair of the Non-profit Organization Native Seed Search and is a board member of the Friends of Pueblo Grande Auxiliary. Councilman Butler has also been appointed to serve on Salt River Fields Board and Salt River DEVCO boards.

Councilmember Butler is also an avid artist. He practices the O’odham tradition of shell-etching and has participated in a number of events and galleries around the world, including (but not limited to): Prehistoric Collectors Gallery of the Southwest Potters, SRPMIC Huhugam Ki Museum, Arizona Heard Museum, Smithsonian Institute National Museum of American Indian video, wall art panel for the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, wall art panel at the Odysea Aquarium, Gateway Airport traditional tools and shell, Great Wolf Lodge, Hayden House Rehabilitation Project, Pueblo Grand Museum, Huhugam Heritage Center. In 2018, Councilman Butler presented Colorado Rockies player, Ian Desmond with his personal fielding glove that was designed to represent the culture of the Akimel O’odham as a way to maintain and honor the unique connection and relationship the Colorado Rockies have established with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Lisa Borowsky began her first term as mayor of Scottsdale in January 2025.

Lisa is a lifelong Scottsdale resident where she grew up riding and showing quarter horses competitively, earning extensive local, state and national championships. She attended Scottsdale public schools, obtained her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University, and went on to get her J.D. at St. John’s University, School of Law in New York. She returned home to begin her career in commercial litigation. Throughout her legal career, Lisa represented homeowners plagued by construction failures, the result of shoddy construction, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of her clients.

Lisa’s most important accomplishment, however, is raising her beautiful daughter, Savannah, here in Scottsdale where they enjoy spending time with family, their dogs and horses, and playing tennis!

Active in the community throughout her life, Lisa previously served on the Scottsdale City Council from 2008 to 2012, where she led the charge for meaningful structural changes to the budget process, including obtaining a voter approved City Charter amendment which strengthened the city’s fiscal accountability to taxpayers.

Lisa has served on numerous city and philanthropic boards and committees, including the Scottsdale Charros Foundation Board, Experience Scottsdale Board of Directors, TGen’s Center for Rare Childhood Disease Research, the city’s Audit Committee, Water Subcommittee, and Scottsdale WestWorld Subcommittee. She has a strong passion for promoting the city’s hospitality industry and is committed to maintaining and growing Scottsdale as a premiere tourist destination recognized throughout the world. However, fostering a community where residents are proud to call home will always be her top priority.

In her “downtime”, Lisa still enjoys riding and showing her horses (Arabians now-which Scottsdale has become so well known for), enjoying our great restaurants, resorts and events, and her daily barre class.

Lisa loves meeting residents and is always interested in hearing from them. Please reach out with ideas, concerns or if you are interested in getting involved in one of the many volunteer opportunities available throughout our great city!

Alexis Hermosillo, a fifth-generation resident of El Mirage, serves her second term as Mayor. She is dedicated to enhancing the lives of residents and has a strong commitment to her community. Her background includes roles at a major public transportation company in Maricopa County, managing a radio network under the Cesar Chavez Foundation, and serving as a District Representative for Arizona Congressional District 3.

Mayor Hermosillo is an advocate for climate improvement through carbon pricing and provides support to nonprofits at both state and national levels. She is actively involved in various boards and committees, such as the City of El Mirage Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Committee, League of Arizona Cities and Towns Executive Committee, several leadership committees at the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), among others.

Passionate about women's empowerment, she has served on the YWCA of Metropolitan Phoenix's Board of Directors and collaborated with the Hispanic Women’s Corporation on youth initiatives. Mayor Hermosillo is committed to investing in youth and participates in leadership development programs, including with UnidosUS. She holds degrees from Arizona State University, including a master’s in Journalism and a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Bio coming soon.

Kevin McCarthy is the President of the Arizona Tax Research Association (ATRA). ATRA is an independent, statewide taxpayer organization whose purpose is to promote the efficient and effective use of tax dollars through sound fiscal policies.

Kevin graduated from the University of San Diego in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a minor in economics.

Kevin joined ATRA in 1986 as a research analyst responsible for the oversight of county, community college, and school district finance issues. Kevin also served as ATRA’s legislative representative promoting sound tax policy in the legislature. Kevin has served as ATRA’s President since 1991.

A recognized expert in public finance, Kevin has represented Arizona taxpayers on a variety of different boards and commissions. He was appointed to and served on the Property Tax Oversight Commission, Debt Oversight Commission, State Board of School Capital Facilities, Arizona State Retirement System Board of Trustees, as well as numerous legislative and executive study committees.

Kevin is married and has five children and 14 grandchildren.

Bio coming soon.

Tyler Pace is a founding member and Managing Partner of Aegis Health Care, a leading provider in integrated care models for home-bound seniors; servicing thousands of individuals through multiple brands and business lines across the United States, including Triton Transport which provides Non-Emergency Transportation services in Arizona, Alaska, and rural Utah. Tyler is a former Arizona State Senator, serving his community as Chairman of the Transportation and Technology Committee, championing sustainable long-term investments in infrastructure. Tyler graduated Suma Cum Lade from ASU’s Hugh Downs School of Communication with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication and currently sits as member in multiple national associations and committees in the fields of healthcare, technology, and transportation. Tyler is focused on raising the bar, both personally and professionally. He believes in constant self-improvement and corporate responsibility. As a policy maker, entrepreneur and employer, Tyler is dedicated to improving his industry and community.

Amapola Judd- Shimp is the Vice President of the West Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, where she is dedicated to empowering women in business and supporting the growth and development of small businesses throughout the West Valley area. As a committed and resourceful leader, Amapola provides essential resources and guidance to help entrepreneurs expand and strengthen their businesses. Her mission is to make a meaningful difference for every business she serves, fostering a thriving local economy and vibrant community.

Amapola is a lifelong learner who values continuing education and personal growth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services (2007) and a Master of Business Administration in Business Administration and Management (2011) from the University of Phoenix, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Life Coaching and Mentoring (2021) from Grand Canyon University. She has also maintained an active real estate license since 2004.

With over a decade of experience building relationships and partnerships at the University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University, Amapola has worked extensively with teachers across the country, assisting them in obtaining certificates and endorsements. She is truly committed to supporting educators, recognizing that their success opens doors to the future for children.

Amapola Judd Shimp is a passionate advocate for small businesses, education, and workforce development in the West Valley. Her dedication to fostering community collaboration and partnerships has made a significant impact on the local economy and residents' lives. As a single mother and Arizona native, she is deeply invested in the prosperity of her community, and her unwavering commitment continues to shape a brighter future for the West Valley.

John Giles served as the Mayor of Mesa, Arizona from 2014 to 2025, leading a decade of transformative progress for the state's third-largest city. Bloomberg Philanthropies wrote, “Widely recognized for his forward-looking leadership, he positioned Mesa as a model for how cities can grow their economies, invest in residents, and prepare for the future.”

Under his leadership, Mesa achieved historic economic growth, including the expansion of Arizona State University into downtown Mesa— a catalyst for millions of dollars in investment and a vibrant downtown revitalization. Mayor Giles also championed a landmark nondiscrimination ordinance that helped attract several Fortune 50 companies to Mesa, creating thousands of new, high-quality jobs.

During his tenure, he launched Mesa College Promise, providing free college tuition for eligible Mesa students, and expanded access to early childhood education through the city's free pre-kindergarten program. He also advanced bold sustainability goals through a new Climate Action Plan.

Today, Giles serves as a Mayoral Ambassador for Bloomberg Philanthropies and practices government relations law with Udall Shumway. He finds his greatest joy in spending time with his ten grandchildren, traveling with his wife, Dawn, and exploring Arizona's trails.