Welcome to the 2021 League Annual Conference!

As President of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, it is my honor to welcome you to the 2021 League Annual Conference at the newly renovated and iconic Arizona Biltmore. League staff has worked closely with the Biltmore to ensure proper health and safety protocols are in place.

This past legislative session amplified the critical need for cities and towns to speak in unity to protect shared revenues and local control. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns successfully represented our common interests with unshakable dedication, while enhancing our reputation for solution-based collaboration.

These unprecedented times have not weakened our prospects of a bright future. This conference will provide engaging sessions, innovative solutions, and best practices to add to the quality of life in our respective communities.

It is an honor to serve as League President, working side by side with fellow Mayors and Councilmembers. I look forward to joining you as we engage and connect in a meaningful way.

Thank you to League staff for all of your efforts in bringing this conference together.

Sincerely,

Cathy Carlat
President, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Mayor, City of Peoria

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Wednesday, September 1

Opening General Session

Keynote Presenter: Dr. Rick Rigsby

Presentation: None

Trends in Housing & Real Estate – Ensuring Arizona Has Vibrant Communities

Presider:
Jordan Rose, Founder and President, Rose Law Group
Speakers:
Anubhav Bagley, Analytics Director, Maricopa Association of Governments
John Bradley, President, Brookfield Residential
Deb Stark, Councilmember, Phoenix
Kevin Thompson, Councilmember, Mesa

Presentation: Socioeconomic & Housing Trends

Cybersecurity for Cities and Towns

Presider:
Megan Schmitz, Horizon Strategies
Speakers:
Peter Clay, CEO and Founder, CyberOpz
Tim Roemer, Director, Arizona Department of Homeland Security

Presentation: None

Development Incentives Post-Schires

Presider:
Nancy Davidson, General Counsel, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Speakers:
Cameron C. Artigue, Member, Gammage and Burnham
Carrie Kelly, Executive Director, Arizona Association for Economic Development
Bill Sims, Attorney, Sims Mackin, Ltd., Legal Advisor to the AMRRP

Presentation: Shires-v.-Carlat

Energy & Storage – The Opportunities Ahead

Presider:
Lea Marquez Peterson, Chairwoman, Arizona Corporation Commission
Speakers:
Erik Bakken, Vice President, System Operations and Energy Resources, Tucson Electric Power
Will Mitchell, Vice President, Business Development, Strata Clean Energy
Daniel Valenzuela, Glendale Fire Fighter, former Phoenix City Councilmember

Presentation: None

Arizona - The Future of the Semiconductor Industry

Presider:
Austin Kennedy, Legislative Liaison, Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s Office
Speakers:
Rebecca Butler, Director of Arizona Government Affairs, Intel
Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority

Presentation: None

AMRRP: A Valuable Partner to Arizona’s Cities and Towns

Speaker:
Ed Bantel, Program Administrator, Arizona Municipal Risk Retention Pool Presentation: Enterprise Fleet Management Presentation

Capital Pipeline, A New Tool to Understand and Utilize Capital Projects for Arizona’s Cities and Towns

Presider:
Joe Yuhas, Co-Founder, Capital Pipeline
Speakers:
Stephanie Nelson, Co-Founder, Capital Pipeline
Deidre Gilmore-Booth, CMO, Capital Pipeline

Presentation: None

Pathways to Trade – Is there a “Silk Road” in Arizona?

Presider:
Chris Camacho, President & CEO, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Speakers:
Christian Price, Mayor, Maricopa, Member, League Executive Committee
Luis Ramirez, President at Ramirez Advisors Inter-National
Donald Huish, Mayor, Douglas

Presentation: Border and Mexico Update Presentation

Tourism Recovery in a Post-COVID World

Presider:
Mark Stanton, Vice Mayor, Paradise Valley
Speakers:
Brady Harris, Vice Mayor, Tusayan
Alix Ridgway, Director of Government & Community Affairs, Arizona Office of Tourism
Kim Sabow, President & CEO, Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association

Presentation: None

The Economic Impact of Housing Diversity

Presider:
Nico Howard, Attorney/Developer
Speakers:
Paul Johnson, CEO and founder, Redirect Health
Elliot Pollack, CEO, Elliot D. Pollack and Company
Clay Richardson, Managing Partner, Wood Partners

Presentation: None

League Legislative Update and Look Ahead

Speakers:
Roxanna Pitones, Legislative Associate, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Tom Savage, Senior Legislative Associate, League of Arizona Cities and Towns

Presentation: League Legislative Update and Look Ahead

Arizona's Future: Electric Vehicles

Presider:
Chris Richardson, Deputy CIO, ASU
Speakers:
Kathy Knoop, Energy Innovation Advisor, Arizona Public Service
Daniel Witt, Public Policy Lead, Lucid Motors
Marisa Walker, SVP, Strategic Planning & Infrastructure at the Arizona Commerce Authority and Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Mobility

Presentation: None

Colorado River Shortage - What it Means to Arizona

Presider:
Terry Goddard, CAWCD Board President and former City of Phoenix Mayor
Speakers:
Tom Buschatzke, Director, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Ted Cooke, General Manager, Central Arizona Project
Jessica Marlow, Public Works Director, Gilbert
John Kmiec, Water Director, Tucson

Presentation: None

Supporting Emerging Women Leaders

Presider:
Cathy Carlat, Mayor, Peoria, President, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Speakers:
Alexis Hermosillo, Mayor, El Mirage, Member, League Executive Committee
Rachel Gray, Vice Mayor of Sierra Vista
Yassamin Ansari, District 7 Councilmember, Phoenix

Presentation: None

Navigating an Ever-Changing Media Landscape

Presider:
Jenna Rowell, Director of External Communications, Arizona Public Service
Speakers:
Rachel Leingang, Co-Founder, Arizona Agenda
Patrick Ptak, Senior Vice President, Executive Initiatives, Arizona Commerce Authority
Matt Benson, Director, Veridus

Presentation: None

Dinner and Entertainment

Presider:
Christian Price, Mayor, Maricopa, Member, League Executive Committee
Speaker:
Cathy Carlat, Mayor, Peoria, President, League of Arizona Cities and Towns

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Thursday, September 2

Recycling and Sustainable Practices: Current Challenges and Solutions

Presider:
Skip Hall, Mayor, Surprise
Speakers:
Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager, Surprise
Pete Keller, Vice President of Recycling and Sustainability, Republic Services
Paul Montes, Environmental Services Manager, Town of Gilbert

Presentation: None

Rural Blight: A Critical Issue in Our Communities

Presider:
Mila Besich, Mayor, Superior, Member, League Executive Committee
Speakers:
T.J. Shope, Senator, Legislative District 8
Travis Barnum, Project Manager, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Presentation: None

Who Does the City or Town Attorney Represent and How Do I Utilize My Attorney?

Presider:
Nancy Davidson, General Counsel, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Speakers:
Jenn Daniels, Director of Horizon Strategies AZ
Jim Thompson, City Manager, City of Scottsdale
Jon Paladini, Attorney, Pierce Coleman
Rodney Short, Deputy City Attorney, City of Yuma

Presentation: None

Overcoming the Challenges of Development

Presider:
Cheryl Lombard, President/CEO, Valley Partnership
Speakers:
John Graham, Chairman and CEO, Sunbelt Holdings
Joe Gysel, President, EPCOR USA
Steve Trussell, Executive Director, Arizona Rock Products Association

Presentation: None

Keeping the Lights On – Energy & Grid Health

Presider:
Megan Schmitz, Director, Horizon Strategies
Speakers:
Dave Lock, CEO, Grand Canyon Electric Cooperative Association
Marc Romito, Vice President Utility Solutions, Elevation Home Energy
Rob Taylor, Chief Public Affairs Executive, Salt River Project

Presentation:
Salt River Project Presentation
Grand Canyon Electric Cooperative Association Presentation

More Solutions than Money – Maximizing the Transportation Dollar

Presider:
Sintra Hoffman, President and CEO, Westmarc
Speakers:
Tom Cooper, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, NoTraffic
Dallas Hammit, State Engineer and Deputy Director for Transportation, ADOT
Kevin Adam, Legislative Liaison, Rural Transportation Advisory Council

Presentation: Transportation Combined Presentation

The Local Challenge – Homelessness and a Holistic Approach

Presider:
Amy St. Peter, Deputy Executive Director, Maricopa Association of Governments
Speakers:
Sandi Flores, Senior Programs Director, Catholic Charities
Liz Morales, Housing and Community Development Director, Tucson
Cindy Stotler, Deputy Director, Arizona Department of Housing

Presentation: None

What's the Next Pandemic? Lessons Learned From 2020 and Improving Processes for the Future

Presider:
Ben Blink, Governor's Office
Speakers:
Joe Hughes, Managing Director, Global Government Affairs, American Airlines
Adjutant General, Major General Kerry Muehlenbeck, National Guard

Presentation: None

Tech Can Make It Better – Finding Smart City Solutions

Presider:
Dominic Papa, Vice President, Smart State Initiatives, Arizona Commerce Authority
Speakers:
Darryl Kysar, Sr. Business Development Manager, Procore
Bianca Lochner, CIO at City of Scottsdale
Daver Malik, Deputy Aviation Director - Technology, Sky Harbor International Airport, City of Phoenix
Feroz Merchiya, CIO at City of Glendale
Jason Whittet, Digital Innovation Lead, Amazon Web Services

Presentation: None

Tapping into the Benefits of a Council-Manager Form of Government

This session sponsored by the Arizona City/County Management Association

Presider:
Bryant Powell, City Manager, Apache Junction
Speakers:
Jerry Bien-Willner, Mayor, Paradise Valley
Bridget Binsbacher, Councilmember, Peoria
Julie Karins, City Manager, Goodyear
Mike LeVault, Mayor, Youngtown

Presentation: None

Cybersecurity Case Study

Presider:
Megan Schmitz, Director, Horizon Strategies
Panelists:
David Jemmett, Chief Executive Officer, Cerberus Sentinel
Peter Clay, Executive Director , Risk Solutions Group

Presentation: None

Reading the Tea Leaves: Political Pundits Discuss Issues Impacting Arizona

Presider:
Nick Ponder, Legislative Director, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Speakers:
Paul Bentz, Senior Vice President - Research & Strategy, HighGround
Chad Campbell, Senior Vice President – Arizona, Strategies 360
J. Charles ‘Chuck’ Coughlin, CEO and President, HighGround
Scott A. Smith, Senior Vice President - Governmental Affairs, HighGround

Presentation: None

Update on PSPRS and Tools to Help Cities Manage their plans

Presider:
Scott McCarty, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System

Speakers:
Harry Papp, Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System
Mark Reader, Managing Director, Stifel
Maureen Toal, Executive Vice President, PARS

Presentation: PSPRS Update Combined Presentation

Workforce Development - The Pipeline

Presider:
Liza Noland, Director of Rural Programs, Local First Arizona
Speakers:
Arlynn Godinez, Seed Spot/Copper Corridor Economic Development
Sintra Hoffman, President and CEO, Westmarc
Leah Palmer, Executive Director, AZ Advanced Manufacturing Institute AzAMI, Mesa Community College

Presentations:
State of the Workforce in Arizona Presentation
Workforce Panel Presentation

Short Term Rentals Discussion

Presider:
Jerald Bien-Willner, Mayor, Paradise Valley
Speakers:
Justin Clifton, City Manager at City of Palm Springs
Erica N. Rogers, Assistant City Attorney, City & County of Denver

Presentations: Short Term Rentals Presentation

Resilient Cities & Towns: Reducing Risks and Seizing Opportunities

Presider:
Anne Reichman, Director, Sustainable Cities Network & Project Cities Program
Speakers:
Jenn Duff, Vice Mayor, Mesa
Scott Bouchie, Director of Environmental Management, Mesa
Holli Ploog, Council, Sedona
McKenzie Jones, Sustainability Manager, Sedona
Lauren Kuby, Councilmember, Tempe
Braden Kay, Sustainability Director, Tempe

Presentation: Resilient Cities & Towns Combined Presentation

The Backbone of Arizona’s Economy – Supporting Small Businesses

Presider:
Jim Rounds, President, Rounds Consulting Group
Speakers:
Thomas Barr, Vice President of Business Development, Local First Arizona
Debbie Hann, Chief Operating Officer, Arizona Small Business Association
Jeanine Jerkovic, Economic Development Director, Surprise

Presentation: None

The Programs That Give Back

Presider:
Donna McBride, Councilmember, Casa Grande
Speakers:
Michelle Jameson, Executive Director, USVets
Michelle Jones, Chief External Affairs Officer, Money Management International
Josh Stine, Director Of External Affairs, Boys and Girls Club

Presentation: The Programs That Give Back Presentation

5G in Your Community

Presider:
Patrick Banger, Manager, Gilbert
Speakers:
Matt Clark, State Government Affairs Manager, Verizon
Robert Pizorno, Government Affairs Manager, Crown Castle
Dr. Eric Swanson, Health and Safety Expert

Presentation: 5G in Your Community Presentation

Affiliate Group Meetings - Arizona City Attorneys Association

2:30 p.m. – Aztec

Documents: Resources.zip

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Friday, September 3

Closing General Session +

Georgia Dow, MA - Georgia hosts several podcasts dealing with technology and psychology. She also has over 20 years of experience in teaching and counselling. With degrees in Psychology and Education, a teaching degree, a Master’s degree with Distinction in Art Therapy as well as two-time Canadian Jujitsu Champion.

She specializes in treating anxiety and stress management for both children and adults. Georgia also hosts Apple Talk and her own YouTube site on dealing with Anxiety and social media.

Presentation: None

Thank you to our Sponsors

KEY PARTNER

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

Brown & Associates
CORE Construction
EPCOR
Gammage and Burnham
HighGround
PROCORE
Public Trust Advisors
Resolution Copper
TEP and UniSource Energy Services

BRONZE SPONSORS

Amazon Web Services
American Medical Response
Arizona Office of Tourism
AT&T Brevet Capital Management
Central Arizona Project
Crown Castle
Gallagher Benefit Services
Kutak Rock
Midstate Energy
Piper Sandler
Public Agency Retirement Services
RBC Capital Markets
Salesforce Carahsoft
Salt River Project
Strata Clean Energy
UMB Bank
Union Pacific Railroad
Waymo