Committees

Chair: Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD (City of Surprise)
Vice Chair: Caitlin Boarder, AZED Pro (Town of Gilbert)
Board Liaison: James Smith, CEcD (A.R. Mays)

Determines award criteria, nomination opportunities, and oversees the Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) and Golden Prospector awards selection process. The EDDE Awards are presented at the Spring Conference, and the Golden Prospector Awards at the Fall Forum. 

Chair: Jamie Schindeldecker (UES, formerly Speedie & Associates)
Vice Chair: Bridgette Blair, AZED Pro (Town of Queen Creek)
Board Liaison: Kirsten Hall, CEcD, AZED Pro (City of Surprise)

This committee plans the annual banquet at the Spring Conference. It is responsible for determining the theme, developing the program, preparing presenters, preparing for the banquet, and assisting AAED staff with onsite management of the event.  

Chair: Madalaine McConville, AZED Pro (City of Tempe)
Vice Chair: Ryan Wissmann, AZED Pro (Town of Marana)
Board Liaison: Bryan Smith (City of Phoenix)

Design programs that enhance the experience of Emerging Leaders (under 35 or with less than five years of industry experience) within AAED and create opportunities across the state for those entering the economic development profession. The committee also manages AAED’s mentoring program.

Chair: Erica Sturwold, AZED Pro (SRP)
Vice Chair: Cassie Wells (Modern Business Development)
Vice Chair: Marci Utakis, AZED Pro (Rider Levett Bucknall)
Board Liaison: Melissa Johnson, AZED Pro (Danson Construction)

The Fall Forum provides professional networking opportunities, educational workshops, and hosts knowledgeable speakers. The committee is responsible for program development, including building the schedule, speaker outreach, and preparation. Committee members also assist AAED staff with sponsor outreach, marketing, and onsite event management.

Chair: Dean Howard (Integrity Building Corp)
Vice Chair: Francesca Miller, AZED Pro (Cole Architects)
Board Liaison: Kristen Stephenson, CEcD (Greater Phoenix Economic Council)

Educates and informs Arizona legislators and AAED members on economic development issues. This includes developing policy statements, planning an annual legislative forum, and distributing legislative updates and advocacy alerts regarding crucial economic development-related issues. 

Chair: Chris Maroney (Sazan Group)
Vice Chair: Ashley Mazariegos, AZED Pro (City of Buckeye)
Board Liaison: MaKenzie Wilson, AZED Pro (Town of Gilbert)

Focused on encouraging member engagement and raising awareness of the exciting initiatives in the greater Phoenix area. Strives to create interactive meetings that provide opportunities for learning, sharing ideas, celebrating achievements, and fostering collaboration. Facilitates relationship building that inspires collective action and supports economic development.

Chair: Katie Rausch (The Illuminary)
Chair: Cutter Chamberlain, AZED Pro (City of Glendale)

Works to attract new members, engage current members, and amplify member knowledge and expertise. Committee members publish a monthly e-newsletter, plan annual member celebrations, and assist the Membership & Development Manager with outreach to potential and new members.

Chair: Katherine Anderson, AZED Pro (U.S. Vets)
Vice Chair: Creag Znetko, AZED Pro (City of Flagstaff)
Board Liaison: Terri Curtis, AZED Pro (City of Kingman)

Designs programs to increase membership value and participation in the Northern AZ region and educate about Northern AZ issues. Committee members are responsible for planning tours, mixers, and one annual half-day summit in addition to sharing best practices and projects from the Northern AZ area.

Chair: Sarah Richardson (First Things First)
Board Liaison: Suzie Boyles, AZED Pro (City of Buckeye)

Committee members create and maintain curriculum standards for all AZED Pro certification courses and plan all Academy courses, including developing the schedule, speaker outreach and preparation, and assisting with event marketing. The committee also assists AAED’s Executive Director with planning the Basic Economic Development Course.

Chair: Sylvia Shaffer, AZED Pro (City of Page)
Board Liaison: Bryan Seppala, AZED Pro (Resolution Copper)

Designs programs that benefit members in rural communities and monitors legislative issues that impact economic development in rural communities. The Committee holds Rural Roundtables to discuss rural community issues and activities. 

Chair: Sarah Pacheco, AZED Pro (Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation)
Vice Chair: Mike Czechowski, CEcD (City of Tucson)
Vice Chair: Alejandro Figueroa, AZED Pro (Yuma County)
Board Liaison: Michael Jansen, CEcD, AZED Pro (Trico Electric Co-op)

Designs programs to increase membership value and participation in the Southern AZ region and educate about Southern AZ issues. Committee members are responsible for planning tours, mixers, and one annual half-day summit in addition to sharing best practices and projects from the Southern AZ area.

Chair: Kelle Maslyn, AZED Pro (Pima County)
Vice Chair: Kirsten Hall, CEcD, AZED Pro (City of Surprise)
Board Liaison: Mike Czechowski, CEcD (City of Tucson)

*Membership in this committee is by application only.

The Spring Conference provides professional networking opportunities, educational workshops, hosts knowledgeable speakers, and celebrates the EDDE award winners. The committee is responsible for program development, including building the schedule, speaker outreach, and preparation. Committee members also assist AAED staff with sponsor outreach, marketing, and onsite event management.

Fosters productive relationships between AAED members and Native American communities in Arizona. 

Chair: Katelyn Harris Lange, AZED Pro (Maricopa County)
Vice Chair: Amber Folkman (Pipeline Connects)
Vice Chair: Chandler Escalante (City of Chandler)
Board Liaison: Jaye O’Donnell (City of Mesa)

Designs programs to educate AAED members and the public on workforce development issues across the state as well as shares best practices among members.