Avondale Mayor Awarded for Regional Excellence, Takes Helm as new MAG Chair

Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers recently received the 2012 Maricopa Association of Governments' (MAG) Regional Excellence Award. Mayor Rogers has dedicated herself to guiding the transformation of not only her own community of Avondale, but also the entire region through her engagement in a number of national and regional leadership roles. She was recently named the incoming Chair of the MAG Regional Council, and currently serves as the Vice President of the National League of Cities.

At the MAG Desert Peaks Awards event held in Phoenix, Mayor Rogers took the Regional Excellence Award, an honor she shared with Tempe Councilmember Shana Ellis for her role as a key regional leader in transportation. Mayor Rogers grew up in farm labor camps in the West Valley, and she has been a role model for both women and Hispanics throughout her career. She became Avondale's first Latina mayor in January 2006, after serving on the city council for 14 years. A key supporter of transportation, she, along with the Avondale City Council, brought the Zoom neighborhood circulator to Avondale. She also spearheaded the formation of the Southwest Valley Multi-Modal Partnership to expand multimodal transportation options.

As Chair of the MAG Regional Council, Mayor Rogers said she would be focused on MAG's economic development efforts, particularly as they pertain to fostering a successful and viable mega-region known as the Sun Corridor.

"One key area of focus for us will be working to improve our trade relations with Mexico and Canada and enhancing the flow of commerce into Arizona," she said, pointing out that Arizona's border is the gateway for $26 billion worth of imports and exports and 44 million people each year. "We must learn how to maximize the opportunities that this flow of goods and people present. During my recent conversation with President Obama's Executive Team about the need for investment in border transportation infrastructure, they assured me of their desire to work with Arizona leaders and our southern neighbors in a positive and proactive way. I am honored to be able to help in that capacity in my role as MAG Chair."

Also in June, the City of Avondale also received the Desert Peaks Award Public-Private Partnership for its collaboration with Gangplank Collective to form Gangplank Avondale, a collaborative workspace located in the city's revitalization core serving technology-focused small businesses and entrepreneurs.
 

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