Hizzoner John Giles Has A New MAG One-Year Gig: The Agency's Chair

This big responsibility is giving Mesa's Mayor some added work in his last term

Press Release

MAG Elects New Officers Working to Improve Transportation and Quality of Life

azmag.gov

PHOENIX (June 23, 2021)—A new Regional Transportation Plan that will guide transportation investments for decades to come is just one of the important activities that will be a focus for newly elected officers for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG).

At today’s Annual Meeting of the MAG Regional Council, Mesa Mayor John Giles was elected to be the agency’s new chair. Avondale Mayor Kenneth Weise was elected to serve as vice chair. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will serve as treasurer.  Those selected to serve as at-large members include Carefree Mayor Les Peterson, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, and El Mirage Mayor Alexis Hermosillo. Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers will move into the position of past chair. The MAG Regional Council is a 32-member board that serves as the governing and policy-making body for MAG.

Mayor Giles outlined three key priorities for the coming year, including

> finalizing the Regional Transportation Plan, MOMENTUM;

> implementing regional strategies to end homelessness; and

> ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion in MAG’s work.

“I am proud of MAG for continuing to be the consummate forum of collaboration, bringing leaders from around the region to a single table,” Mayor Giles said as he accepted the gavel at the meeting. “As elected officials, there is peace of mind knowing we are not alone when it comes to facing challenges. We rely on each other – for counsel, for collective problem solving, and for creating a competitive, thriving region.”

Other newly elected officers include Tempe City Manager Andrew Ching, who will serve as chair for the MAG Management Committee. Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher will serve as the vice chair. The Management Committee is responsible for receiving input from MAG technical committees, analyzing the technical and policy implications, and providing recommendations to the MAG Regional Council.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke will serve as chair of the Transportation Policy Committee, with Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers as the vice chair. The TPC is responsible for overseeing the development of the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan and to guide transportation planning in the region.

The MAG Economic Development Committee also will welcome new officers, with El Mirage Mayor Alexis Hermosillo selected as chair and Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis as vice chair. The EDC develops initiatives to advance economic vitality in the region, especially transportation infrastructure.

All newly elected officers will serve a one-year term.

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) provides a forum for local governments working together on issues that affect the lives of everyone in the greater Phoenix region. We are a regional agency that conducts planning and makes policy decisions in a number of core areas. These include safe and smart travel, the economy and growth, environment and sustainability, and improving quality of life, all with a focus on efficient and effective operations. Our members include 27 cities and towns, 3 Native nations, Maricopa County, portions of Pinal County, and the Arizona Department of Transportation. Our planning area encompasses about 10,600 square miles.