Caleb Blaschke – Bio
Caleb Blaschke began working as the City Manager for Willcox in 2018. During his tenure, he has achieved significant milestones such as securing over $14 million in grants, launching a 5311 dial-a-ride transit initiative, fostering a prosperous environment for business growth and attraction, revitalizing parks with upgraded facilities including a splash pad and pool, establishing a marketing, tourism, and economic development division, completing a $16 million upgrade to the waste water treatment facility, obtaining a public safety pension bond that reduces debt expenses by over $80,000 per year, transitioning the local dispatch to a regional center saving $200,000 annually, mapping and documenting the municipal gas, water, and sewer infrastructure, collaborating with Cochise County for shared services in building, planning, and animal control, instituting a cost recovery program for extramural emergency responses, and tripling the budget for street maintenance.

Before his role in Willcox, Caleb worked as the Assistant to the City Manager in Flagstaff, where he managed relationships with governments, tribal communities, upheld the city’s minimum wage law, and fostered partnerships with Northern Arizona University through the city’s town and gown program. In Bakersfield, as a Management Analyst, he focused on special projects and code compliance, served as ADA Coordinator, and facilitated partnerships with the Downtown Association and the Mayors “Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee” that enhanced city aesthetics. His earlier experiences include internships at the City of Sierra Vista and the Town of Marana.

Caleb’s educational background includes degrees from Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Arizona.

Jan Lesher – Bio
Jan Lesher started working for Pima County in 2010, advancing to serve as Deputy County Administrator, Chief Deputy County Administrator and Acting County Administrator prior to her appointment as the first female Pima County Administrator in April 2022. In that role, Lesher oversees a $2.1 billion budget that is comprised of 54 departments and over 7,000 employees.

Lesher returned to her hometown in 2010 after serving former Governor and Secretary Janet Napolitano since January 2003. Lesher served Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano as Chief of Staff, overseeing the daily activities of Agency’s 230,000 employees and $52 billion budget.

Immediately prior to her move with the Secretary to Washington, DC, Lesher was the Governor’s Chief of Staff. Prior to being named to that position, Lesher served as Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce.

Born, raised and educated in Tucson, her professional experience is extensive and her history of community involvement is impressive, including service as a member of the Board of Directors of Arizona Town Hall; the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona; the University of Arizona College of Social & Behavioral Science; the Community Food Bank; and La Frontera. She was named a Woman of Influence by Inside Tucson Business and recognized with the Women Who Lead award from the University of Arizona Women’s Studies Advisory Council in 2004. She was honored as the Metropolitan Tucson Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2005. In 2008 she was the Arizona Capitol Times Leader of the Year in Public Policy and received the YWCA Business Leadership Award. Selected in 2021 by BizTucson as a Woman Leading the Region, she was also named one of the Women Achievers in Arizona by the Arizona Capitol Times in 2022.

Liz Morales– Bio
Liz Morales, Assistant City Manager with the City of Tucson, has oversight of public works departments which include: Department of Transportation and Mobility, Environmental and General Services, Housing and Community Development, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Development Services and Tucson Water. She has a long career working on housing and homeless policy and programs for over 27 years. Her roles include over 8 years as the Director of Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) for the City of Tucson and City of Mesa, served as Housing Choice Voucher Manager for the City of Phoenix Housing Department and Housing Administrator with Arizona Behavioral Health Corporation (ABC).

Liz’s volunteer service includes serving on the Board of Directors for Arizona Housing Coalition, Arizona Behavioral Health Corporation and Arizona Forward. Liz has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Counseling. Liz boasts of her family, which includes her husband Mark, with over 35 years of marriage, two adult children and two granddaughters.

Ginger Spencer – Bio
Ginger Spencere was named Deputy City Manager for the city of Phoenix in May 2021. Prior to that she served as director of the city’s Public Works Department since 2017.

During her 23 years of service with the City of Phoenix, Ginger has served in various leadership positions including Assistant Public Works Director, Deputy Public Works Director, Family Advocacy Center Director, Arts and Culture Administrator, and Special Assistant to the City Manager. She serves on the board of directors for Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corporation, Arizona Science Center and the Arizona City/County Management Association. A native of Phoenix, Ginger holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

In 2013, she was named by The Phoenix Business Journal as one of the “40 under 40″ Top Business Leaders in Phoenix and was also named by the Engaging Local Government Leaders in 2018 as a Traeger 100 Top Influencer in Government. In 2021, Ginger was recognized by the American Public Works Association as one of the Top 10 Public Works Leaders in the nation.

Armando Esparza – Bio
Armando Esparza serves as the Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs for the City of San Luis, where he spearheads programs and policies in economic development, grant administration, and business development. His role includes collaborating with various government agencies and officials, at state, regional, and local levels, to foster economic growth. Previously at the Arizona Commerce Authority, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Small Business Development Center, Mr. Esparza demonstrated an aptitude for driving business growth, managing diverse client portfolios, and producing impactful marketing strategies. His academic credentials from Arizona State University, coupled with active involvement in economic development associations like the AAED and ACMA, highlight his commitment to fostering economic prosperity and business acumen across diverse communities.

Tim Suan– Bio
ince 2021, Tim Suan has been the Deputy Town Manager for Wickenburg, overseeing Community and Economic Development, IT, Public Outreach, Recreation, Library, and Special Events. He also acts as Town Manager when needed among other duties. Tim previously led Community & Economic Development for the City of Page and the Town of Gila Bend. He also gained valuable experience in interim leadership roles for Public Works, Water & Wastewater, and Airport Departments through his career. Tim is actively involved in regional leadership, currently serving on the Board of Directors for Leadership West and the Arizona Association for Economic Development. He holds a Bachelor's in Political Science from Arizona State University, a Master's in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, and is an Air Force Veteran.