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Leadership

AAED Board of Directors (2023-2024)

AAED’s Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of the Association. Their duties include the adoption of strategic and management policies and the employment of an Executive Director.

AAED Officers (2023-2024)

AAED’s Officers are comprised of elected board leaders who act as a steering committee for the full board.

Vincent "Skip" Becker, AZED Pro

Vincent "Skip" Becker, AZED Pro

PRESIDENT

Becker Development & Consulting

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Vincent "Skip" Becker, AZED Pro

AAED President
President, Becker Development & Consulting

Skip currently serves as the President-Elect of AAED. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Association for Economic Development since 2015. Mr. Becker served as the Vice Chair of AAED’s Rural Committee from 2016 thru 2019, and as the Chairman from 2019-2020.

Mr. Becker is the President of Becker Development and Consulting LLC. He was previously at Terrapin Care Station, a multi-state cannabis company. From 2013-2021 Mr. Becker served as the President and CEO of the La Paz Economic Development Corporation.

In 2015 Mr. Becker Received the AAED Developer of the Year Award for his work in La Paz County, with Rose Acre Farms. In 2017 Mr. Becker was Elected to and continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Rose Acre Farms, Rose Acre Farms is the 2nd largest egg producer in the United States, with International Farming Operations. From 2020 to 2021 He served as the Vice Chairman of the Mohave-La Paz Workforce Development Board. Mr. Becker graduated with a BS in Business Administration from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri and received his Certified Developer Certification From the National Development Council in 2002. Mr. Becker and his wife Carol have four sons. They enjoy golfing, hiking, off-roading, traveling, and fine wine.

Karla Moran, AZED Pro

Karla Moran, AZED Pro

PRESIDENT ELECT

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Karla Moran, AZED Pro

AAED President Elect
Economic Development Principal, SRP

Karla Moran is a Principal Economic Development Analyst for the Salt River Project. She is responsible for attracting and expanding business and industry within SRP’s service territory; providing site-specific electrical infrastructure identification and cost analysis; and working collaboratively alongside state, regional and municipal partners to identify targeted company attraction, expansion and retention efforts conducive to building a healthy economy to advance well-planned growth throughout the Valley.

Moran has been in economic development for more than 15 years, including roles at the Arizona Department of Commerce, the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Town of Gilbert. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University and is also pursuing a Certified Economic Developer designation with the International Economic Development Council as well as Arizona Economic Development Professional certification. Moran serves on the boards of CoreNet Global (Arizona chapter), Arizona Association for Economic Development and the Real Estate Investment Advisory Council and is a GPEC-Certified Ambassador.

Jennifer Lindley, AZED Pro

Jennifer Lindley, AZED Pro

VICE PRESIDENT

Town of Queen Creek

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Jennifer Lindley, AZED Pro

AAED Vice President
Downtown Development Manager, Town of Queen Creek

Jennifer Lindley has served in the Town of Queen Creek’s Economic Development Department since 2014 and is the key staff member for all downtown economic development projects. Jennifer has over 17 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and economic development.

Before joining the Town of Queen Creek, Jennifer was the Executive Director for the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership and served as the Vice President of the East Valley Partnership.

Jennifer is Treasurer for the Board of Directors for the Arizona Association for Economic Development, Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Neighbors Who Care and a fellow of the International Downtown Association Emerging Leaders Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and a Master in Business Administration from Benedictine University. Jennifer was recently named one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award winners for 2022.

Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, AZED Pro

Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, AZED Pro

SECRETARY / TREASURER

Pima County

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Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, AZED Pro

AAED Secretary / Treasurer
Director, Economic Development at Pima County

Heath Vescovi-Chiordi is currently the Director of Economic Development for Pima County, AZ. Heath graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Spanish as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis on local government.

Heath’s areas of focus at Pima County include both Economic Development and Workforce Development initiatives, including specific programs to aid in sustainable and diverse economic growth that increases the viability of Pima County for business attraction, retention, and expansion purposes, and by extension, creation of upwards economic mobility for the community.

Wendy Bridges, AZED Pro

Wendy Bridges, AZED Pro

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

City of Goodyear

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Wendy Bridges, AZED Pro

AAED Immediate Past President
Economic Development Director, City of Goodyear

With over 25 years of experience in county and municipal government, Wendy Bridges has served communities throughout Arizona. Before joining the Goodyear team in January 2022, Wendy served as the Business Development Manager for the City of Avondale, where she was responsible for closing deals at The BLVD, the city’s premier retail mixed-use district. She also led the launch of their new tourism DMO, the innovative Local EDGE program and the Local EDGE HUUB.

Wendy was honored as the 2018 Economic Developer of the Year by the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED), and also won Golden Prospector awards for Marketing, Website, and Deal of the Year.

As an active member in key industry associations, Wendy is the current President for AAED and serves on its Governmental Affairs committee. Past leadership roles included the Economic Development Council for NACOG, Yavapai County Workforce Development Board, two terms as chair of AAED Northern Committee, chair of the AAED Finance Committee, chair of the NACOG Tourism Committee, Prescott Area Leadership Board of Directors, and founding Board member for Prescott Area Young Professionals.

Wendy is licensed in real estate, holds a degree in Management from Yavapai College, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with B.A. in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University.

AAED Directors – Metro Area

Suzanne Boyles, AZED Pro

Suzanne Boyles, AZED Pro

METRO AREA: PHOENIX

City of Buckeye

Amanda Bruno, AZED Pro

Amanda Bruno, AZED Pro

METRO AREA: TUCSON

Pima Association of Governments

Kirsten Hall, AZED Pro

Kirsten Hall, AZED Pro

METRO AREA: PHOENIX

City of Surprise

Michael Jansen, AZED Pro

Michael Jansen, AZED Pro

METRO AREA: TUCSON

Trico Electric Cooperative

Jaye O’Donnell

Jaye O’Donnell

METRO AREA: PHOENIX

City of Mesa

Kristen Stephenson, CEcD

Kristen Stephenson, CEcD

METRO AREA: PHOENIX

Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Rebecca Timmer, AZED Pro

Rebecca Timmer, AZED Pro

METRO AREA: PHOENIX

Stantec

AAED Directors – Rural Area

Cutter Chamberlain, AZED Pro

Cutter Chamberlain, AZED Pro

RURAL AREA: PRESCOTT VALLEY

Town of Prescott Valley

Jack Fitchett

Jack Fitchett

RURAL AREA: FLAGSTAFF

City of Winslow

Richard Hernandez, AZED Pro

Richard Hernandez, AZED Pro

RURAL AREA: PRESCOTT

Yavapai College

Tom Pitts

Tom Pitts

RURAL AREA: JEROME

Tom Pitts Consulting

James Smith, CEcD

James Smith, CEcD

RURAL AREA: FLORENCE

Pinal County

Tim Suan

Tim Suan

RURAL AREA: WICKENBURG

Town of Wickenburg

Maggie Tidaback

Maggie Tidaback

RURAL AREA: CHINO VALLEY

Town of Chino Valley

AAED Advisory Directors

Mackenzie Fitz-Gerald, AZED Pro

Mackenzie Fitz-Gerald, AZED Pro

APS

Melissa Johnson, AZED Pro

Melissa Johnson, AZED Pro

Danson Construction

James Kerr

James Kerr

Arizona Commerce Authority

Chad Schleicher

Chad Schleicher

Adolfson & Peterson Construction

Richard Wilkie, CEcD, AZED Pro

Richard Wilkie, CEcD, AZED Pro

City of Casa Grande

Curt Woody, AZED Pro

Curt Woody, AZED Pro

Town of Marana

AAED Past Presidents

AAED has a proud history of strong leadership. Click the link below to view all past presidents, going back to our founding in 1974.

View the Full List of Past Presidents

Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED)

Wendy Bridges, AZED Pro 2022-2023
Lori Collins, AZED Pro 2021-2022
Mignonne Hollis, AZED Pro 2020-2021
Nicole Snyder, AZED Pro 2019-2020
Richard Wilkie, CEcD, AZED Pro 2018-2019
Curt Woody, AZED Pro 2017-2018
Jennifer Graves, CEcD 2016-2017
Julie Engel, CEcD 2015-2016
Danielle Casey, CEcD 2014-2015
Eric Larson 2013-2014
Teri Drew 2012-2013
Chris Camacho 2011-2012
Lori M. Gary, CEcD 2010-2011
Rock Rickert 2009-2010
Jane Bristol, CEcD 2008-2009
Garrett Newland 2007-2008
L.H. Hamilton 2006-2007
Stephanie Healy 2005-2006
David Bentler 2004-2005
Bruce Coomer 2003-2004
Robert Tippett 2002-2003
Wade Nafzger 2001-2002
Kim Soulé 2000-2001
Donald J. Myers 1999-2000
Evelyn Casuga, CEcD 1998-1999
Brian Dalke, CEcD 1997-1998
Betty J. Niles 1996-1997
Dee Dee Bark 1995-1996
David Kincaid 1994-1995
Valerie Manning 1993-1994
William Grace 1992-1993

 

Arizona Association for Industrial Development (AAID)

Janice Schaefer 1991-1992
Allan E. Bartels, Jr. 1990-1991
Judie Scalise 1989-1990
Michael Hammond 1988-1989
Robert Riley 1987-1988
Herman Orcutt 1986-1987
William Stephenson 1985-1986
Stephen Paquette 1984-1985
John Camper 1983-1984
Dunbar Norton 1982-1983
Charles Civer 1981-1982
James Gullyes 1980-1981
Milan Srnka 1979-1980
Ben Warren 1978-1979
Richard C. Ireland 1977-1978
Richard S. Parker 1976-1977
William W. Lampkin 1975-1976
Shelby Dill 1975-1976
David Richmond 1974-1974