Here's the press release from the City of Mesa Newsroom on 26 April 2017 at 11:24:00 AM| Mesa seeks to fill openings on advisory boards and committees Link > http://www.mesanow.org/article Are you passionate about open space and would like to help shape Mesa's next great park? Do you have ideas on how to provide greater transportation options for Mesa residents? If so, apply to be a member of one of our advisory boards and committees. Expertise from the community is needed for a host of positions opening up on the Parks and Recreation Board, Transportation Advisory Board and Judicial Advisory Board, to name a few. Mesa residents are invited to participate in the process of City of Mesa government by serving on one of the City's citizen advisory boards and committees. Through this service, civic-minded citizens become involved in their local government and make recommendations to the Mesa City Council. The City, in turn, benefits from the knowledge, experience and expertise of citizens. Each June, as board and committee members end their terms, new members are needed to take their places. For information about advisory board and committee openings along with meeting information and application forms go to www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall/advisory-boards-committees. If you are interested in serving and have questions about a specific board or committee, contact Ian Linssen at (480) 644-3002 or ian.linssen@mesaaz.gov. Prospective board and committee members must complete an application form, which can be filled out and submitted online or printed and mailed. Mail completed forms to the Mayor's Office, P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85211, or fax them to (480) 644-2175. The application deadline is June 9. All appointments to the boards are recommended by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.
Mayor's Office
Contact: Melissa Randazzo Tel. 480-644-3219 melissa.randazzo@mesaaz.gov
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Notes about the presser: Applications are filtered through the Mayor's Chief of Staff, Ian Linssen All appointments to the boards are recommended by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Educational backgrounds: ASU, BYU, NAU, University of Phoenix [online] Related activities: church volunteers, Boy Scouts of America, paralegals and attorneys, military service, homemaker Here's the memo from the mayor to the six members of the Mesa City Council - there was no discussion, no questions asked or comments made before unanimous approval |
TO: CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
FROM: MAYOR JOHN GILES
SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Committees
The following are my recommendations for appointments to City of Mesa Advisory Boards and Committees.
Board of Adjustment – Seven-member board with one reappointment and two new appointments.
Reappointment: Wade Swanson, District 3.
Mr. Swanson is an attorney with Littler Mendelson, P.C. He holds a juris doctor from Arizona State University. His term expires June 30, 2020.
New Appointments:
- Adam Gunderson, District 1.
Mr. Gunderson is an attorney with Gunderson Law Group, P.C. He holds a bachelor of science in Biological Sciences from ASU and a Juris Doctorate from BYU. Mr. Gunderson is a member of the East Valley Estate Planning Council, Board of Directors for the West Mesa CDC, a volunteer leader for the Boy Scouts of America and a volunteer with Project Downtown Mesa. His term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Chris Jones, District 1.
Mr. Jones is an Audit Partner with Schmidt Westergard & Co. He is a CPA who also holds a bachelor of science in accounting from NAU. Mr. Jones volunteers his time in his community through organizations like the Mesa United Way, Waste Not, and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona. Mr. Jones’ appointment will be filing a vacancy created by the resignation of Terry Worcester. His partial term will expire June 30, 2018.
Building Board of Appeals – Nine-member board with two reappointments.
- Natalie Griego-Pavon, District 3.
Ms. Griego-Pavon is currently a Cloud Services Manager with JDA Software and her professional background includes additional roles in IT and construction. Ms. Griego-Pavon holds a Masters in Administration from NAU and a B.S. from ASU. In the past, she has volunteered her time with the Girl Scouts of America and other community organizations. Ms. Griego-Pavon’s term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Dallan Randall, District 6.
Mr. Randall is a licensed plumber and has operated JB Water for the last fifteen years. He has served for fourteen years on the Arizona Water Quality Association Board including one term as president. In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Randall is an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and has served on his HOA. Mr. Randall’s term will expire June 30, 2020.
Design Review Board – Seven-member board with two reappointments.
- Nicole Posten-Thompson, District 1.
Ms. Posten-Thompson is a registered architect with Associated Architects, Inc. She holds a bachelor of science in architecture from Kent State University. Ms. Posten-Thompson serves as a volunteer with her church and Habitat for Humanity. Her term expires June 30, 2020.
- Seth Placko, District 1.
Mr. Placko has over twenty years of experience as a landscape architect and currently works for J2 Engineering and Environmental Design. He holds a bachelor of landscape architecture from Iowa State University and is a current member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Mr. Placko serves as one of the architect positions on the Design Review Board. Mr. Placko’s term will end on June 30, 2020.
Economic Development Advisory Board – Nine-member board with three reappointments and one new appointment.
Reappointments:
- Natascha Ovando-Karadsheh: District 5.
Ms. Ovando-Karadsheh is the owner of and REALTOR with KOR properties, a boutique real estate agency. She has additional small business experience as the founder/owner of Coup de Tartes/Rendez-Vous, an award winning restaurant and private event venue, as well as working as a small business consultant. Ms. Ovando-Karadsheh holds degrees from the French Culinary Institute and Princeton University. Her term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Dominic Perry, District 6.
Mr. Perry works for GPE Commercial Real Estate. He holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Washington. He is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). His term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Scott Rudy, District 6.
Mr. Rudy is a program manager with The Boeing Company where he has been employed for over nineteen years. Prior to his time with Boeing, Mr. Rudy has worked with Goodyear Aerospace, Loral and Lockheed Martin as a software engineer and project manager. He holds a bachelor of science in Computer Science
from the University of Akron. In addition to his professional career, Mr. Rudy volunteers his time with his local church. Mr. Rudy’s term will expire June 30, 2020. New Appointment:
- James Kasselmann, District 5.
Historic Preservation Board – Seven-member board with two reappointments.
- Brandon Benzing, District 1.
Mr. Benzing is an architect with Weddle Gilmore Architects. He holds a bachelor of science in architectural studies and masters of architecture from Arizona State University. He is an American Institute of Architects member. His term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Greg Marek, District 5.
Mr. Marek is a Commercial Real Estate Consultant with COBE Real Estate. Mr. Marek holds a master of public administration with an emphasis in urban planning from Arizona State University and a bachelor of arts from the University of South Dakota. Mr. Marek previously held positions as the redevelopment director and historic preservation officer with the City of Mesa. Mr. Marek is very active in the community serving on the Mesa Historical Museum Board, the Arizona Museum of Natural History Foundation Board and the Mesa YMCA Board of Directors. His term will expire June 30, 2020.
Housing and Community Development Advisory board – Eleven-member board with two reappointments.
- Heather Kay, District 4.
Ms. Kay is the COO for ICC Innovations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She has spent many hours volunteering for both the Child Crisis Center and the Salvation Army. Ms. Kay has previously served on the Housing Advisory Board. Her term expires June 30, 2020.
- Linda Starr, District 3.
Ms. Starr is the Director of Outreach at East Valley Adult Resources. She holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Illinois. She previously served on the Human Services and Housing Advisory Boards. Ms. Starr is a 2003 graduate of Mesa LTD. Her term expires June 30, 2020.
Human Relations Advisory Board – Eleven-member board with three reappointments and one new appointment.
Reappointments:
- Cliff Moon, District 2.
- Cassandra Sampson, District 5.
Ms. Sampson is a 5th and 6th grade language arts teacher with Cambridge Academy East. She is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts in English from Ottawa University. She has volunteered extensively in the community including with organizations such as Hospice for the Valley, Paz de Cristo, Sojourner Center, East Valley Child Crisis Center, Feed My Starving Children, and others. Ms. Sampson’s term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Nadia Kahlighi Taylor, District 5.
Ms. Taylor is a homemaker pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She has 20 years experience in sales, customer service and marketing. She volunteers with the Mesa Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís. Ms. Taylor’s term expires June 30, 2020.
- Silvia Stanford, District 6.
Judicial Advisory Board – Seven-member board with two new appointments.
- The Honorable Michael J. Brown.
Judge Brown of the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, is appointed as a member of the City of Mesa Judicial Advisory Board by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona. Judge Brown’s term expires June 30, 2020.
- Mayra Costa, District 1.
Ms. Costa is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Baltu LLC, a software company. She also currently serves as a paralegal at Rogers Legal Group PLC. Previous employment included paralegal positions at Alex E Navidad PLC and Lance Wells General Counsel PLC. Ms. Costa is a champion of technology and holds monthly community meetings to discuss the latest tech trends. Ms. Costa’s term expires June 30 2020.
Library Advisory Board – Nine-member board with two reappointments.
- Cindy Smith, District 1.
Ms. Smith is a homemaker with a bachelor’s degree in child development. She has given over 20 years of volunteer service to her children’s classrooms and has been an active supporter of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Scout Leaders. Her term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Nathaniel Wadsworth, District 4.
Mr. Wadsworth is an attorney with Rowley Chapman & Barney and has spent the past six and a half years with the firm. Mr. Wadsworth volunteers his time with the Boy Scots of America serving as a merit badge counselor and adviser. His term will expire June 30, 2020.
Merit System Board – Three-member board with one reappointment.
- Michelle Reimann, District 2.
Ms. Reimann is an internal auditor with the City of Phoenix. She holds a master of public administration from Arizona State University. Ms. Reimann volunteers in the community through 4-H, Little League and Rock n’ Roll High School. Her term expires June 30, 2020.
- Michael Darr, District 5.
Mr. Darr is retired from Boeing after eighteen years of service. He holds over twenty one years of military service and is a retired Senior Noncommissioned Officer. Mr. Darr is a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other organizations. His term will expire June 30, 2020.
- David Dean, District 3.
Mr. Dean is a history professor with the University of Phoenix. He holds a doctor of philosophy from Arizona State University. Mr. Dean previously served on the Historic Preservation board. His term expires June 30, 2020.
- Melissa Johnson, District 3.
Ms. Johnson is an elementary teacher with Roosevelt Elementary. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from University of Phoenix. Ms. Johnson volunteers with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and The Humane Society. Her term expires June 30, 2020.
- Robert Valverde, District 3.
Mr. Valverde is an MRI Technologist with SimonMed Imaging. He holds a certificate in radiologic technology from the US Army Academy of Health Sciences. Mr. Valverde is a professional drummer/percussionist and volunteers with his church. His term expires June 30, 2020.
Reappointments:
- Justin Murdock, District 1.
Mr. Murdock is a Territory Manager for Olympus America and previously held positions with Cook Medical. In addition, Mr. Murdock has owned and operated a successful Mesa based small business. Mr. Murdock is involved in service through his church and enjoys taking part in marathon and triathlon training and competitions. His term will expire June 30, 2020.
- Josh Todd, District 1.
Mr. Todd recently held a position as a sports sales manager for Visit Mesa. He holds a master’s degree from Wichita State University. Mr. Todd is a National Association of Sports Commissions member and was a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional. His term expires June 30, 2020.
New Appointment: - Nycole Leyba, District 5.
Ms. Leyba is a full time stay at home mom who is very active in the community. She is the Director of Charitable Alliances for the Guardian Angel Council, a volunteer ambassador for Be the Match, and active runner and member of the Las Sendas Running Swim Tri Group, and an avid parks and recreation user. Ms. Leyba holds a bachelor of arts in Behavioral Science from Cal Poly. Her term expires June 30, 2020.
Reappointment:
- Deborah Reyes, District 5.
New Appointment:
- Patrick Braatz, District 6.
Planning & Zoning Board – Seven-member board with two reappointments and one new appointment.
Reappointments:
- Michelle Dahlke, District 1.
- Jessica Sarkissian, District 5.
New Appointment: Shelly Allen, District 2.
Ms. Allen is a retired City of Mesa employee with over thirty years of experience including in economic development, code enforcement, and public works. Ms. Allen holds a bachelor’s of science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a Masters of Public Administration from ASU. Ms. Allen’s term will expire June 30 2020.
Self-Insurance Program Board of Trustees – Five-member board with one reappointment.
Kelly Vorseth, District 3.
- Ms. Vorseth is a financial analyst with the Mayo Clinic. She holds an MBA from University of Phoenix. Ms. Vorseth is a member of American College of Heatlhcare Executives and volunteers in the community through her church and Habitat for Humanity. Her term expires June 30, 2020.
Reappointments:
- David Camp, District 5.
- Ian Murray, District 1.
Mr. Murray is a risk and IT security manager for American Express. He holds an MBA from University of Phoenix. Mr. Murray volunteers in the community with Arizona One Disaster Medical Assistance Team. His term expires June 30, 2020.
New Appointment:
- Ryan Wozniak, District 1.
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If readers of this blog site want to review the memo here's the link below
| File #: | 17-0787 |
| Type: | Appointment | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | City Council Study Session |
| On agenda: | 7/3/2017 |
| Title: | Appointments to Boards and Committees. |
| Attachments: | 1. Memo |
