July 2026 Member Spotlight
Marissa Garnett
Economic Development Project Manager, Town of Queen Creek
Where are you originally from and what brought you to Arizona?
I’m originally from Maine, and came to Arizona, sight unseen, for grad school, to get a Masters in Urban Planning from ASU. Maine and Arizona couldn’t be more different on MANY levels. But I’ve been here for 16 years now, and my mom moved out here many years ago, so now it’s home.
How did you come to work in the economic development profession?
In 2014, I was working for the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office (which turned out to provide a wealth of knowledge for my move to economic development) when I saw the Research Assistant position in Queen Creek open. The job seemed to align with my planning skills and experience, especially as it related to the type of tools and research I did, and the rest is history. I always tell people economic development is the best area to work in as a planner, and try to encourage others to make that leap.
What drew you to the opportunity at Queen Creek and how long have you been in your current role?
I have worked for the Town of Queen Creek for almost 12 years altogether. The Town has grown 170% since I started here, and I have been fortunate to progress my role and responsibilities and grow my career here. I have also been a resident of the Town for the last decade, so I’m always half thinking as a resident and half as an economic developer about challenges facing the community, and potential solutions.
What are your thoughts and experiences with AAED?
My boss, Doreen Cott, encouraged me to join AAED shortly after starting with the Town. AAED is a best-in-class professional organization. It’s so welcoming for new professionals and members, offers great continuing and timely education on key issues Arizona economic developers need to be well-versed in, and also has a great partnership with IEDC. I always recommend the IEDC Basic Course hosted by AAED for new professionals. Two of the individuals in my group when I took the course in 2015 are colleagues I still work with regularly today! I’ve been fortunate to instruct a portion in the Basic course the last two years. I was also a member of and co-chaired the Professional Education Committee, and have great respect for the critical work that group does. AAED was also a great resource to me when I was working on earning my CEcD a few years ago. But the best part of AAED is the people- the members and staff. I think you’d be hard pressed to find another group of professionals that are so willing to brainstorm, share their experiences, and help each other to forward economic development throughout the State.
Are there any economic development projects that you’re particularly proud of?
Since Queen Creek is growing, like many Valley cities, we are working on everything all at once. I’m fortunate to have worked with mostly the same team for the entire time I have worked at the Town. I am proud of the campaign we did to attract the Town’s first brewery, which just celebrated its 9th anniversary this month, as well as the small business grant support program, we rolled out during COVID-19, and it’s been so rewarding to be a part of the transformative LG Energy Solution multibillion dollar investment. As a fast-growing community we have to pivot constantly, and our director, Doreen Cott, has consistently led us to do that, time after time.
What comes to mind when you think about Arizona?
Being from the very green Pine Tree state, it took me a LONG time to appreciate the beauty of the mostly brown desert, but I do now! I think about how so many of us are not from here, and how that transplant identity and rapid population growth means Arizona is always evolving, which is exciting! Queen Creek is not the same community it was in 2014, as it is today, as it’ll be in 2040; that’s not the case for many places. I love that ability to maintain what’s great about a community, but also work towards what makes sense for today, and what might be the right approach for the future.
What is it that you like to do outside of work?
I’m a big reader! Mostly mysteries, thrillers, fiction, and memoirs. If there’s a thriller show or podcast, I’m always there. I also am always happy at TJMaxx, often with my mom. I have the sweetest son, Henry, with my fiancé, James. Henry is obsessed with splash pads and pools, so you can find me somewhere in the East Valley at one of those places with him. As someone who grew up with long winters, and also loves to swim, I still marvel at how many months of pool weather we have here!
