Welcome to Oro Valley!
Hello, Oro Valley! It’s a joy to be here, and I’m grateful to our Town Council for their trust in me. Since I began serving this beautiful town on June 12, 2023, I’ve been lucky to meet many community leaders and stakeholders. A common thread in our conversations is a shared passion for Oro Valley’s future. We all want our town to be the perfect place to live, work, play, and raise families.
In my short time here, I’ve seen our town’s incredible dedication. We have wonderful volunteers, advisory committees, and community organizations. Whether you’re serving on a board or commission or volunteering with the Police Department, every bit of effort counts. A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers, past and present, for being part of Oro Valley’s story.
Our town is also blessed with an experienced leadership team and staff who are committed to planning our future neighborhoods, parks, and infrastructure. They’ve built strong partnerships with other government levels, nonprofits, and community organizations, all working to make Oro Valley a special place. We’ll continue seeking opportunities to collaborate with our partners, supporting shared goals.
We’re dedicated to providing top-notch services to residents and supporting local businesses through our Business Retention and Expansion Program. This initiative helps employers with expansion and employee training, ensuring our local economy thrives.
With such a talented team and quality services, I’m excited to help guide Oro Valley into the future. But first, let me share a bit about myself.
I’ve dedicated 27 years to local government, serving communities experiencing fast and slow growth as well as redevelopment. My journey has taken me to roles like County Administrator in Kendall County, Illinois; City Manager in Buchanan, Michigan; Assistant Town Manager in Fishers, Indiana; and Director of Administration and Treasurer in Greater Columbus, Ohio.
Though Arizona’s challenges are unique, some values in public service are universal: leadership, collaboration, efficiency, and transparency. My leadership philosophy revolves around “servant leadership,” and I focus on partnerships with community stakeholders. My experience has honed my skills in strategic planning, intergovernmental relations, economic development, and more.
I’m committed to running a transparent and efficient organization. I’ve asked each department to develop performance measures related to customer service and efficiency. These will be shared with the Town Council and residents, aiming to improve transparency and public understanding of our work.
Oro Valley faces unique challenges and opportunities. For instance, many residents commute to jobs outside of town, and many local jobs are filled by commuters. We’re working to attract major employers and support local businesses to keep our workforce within Oro Valley.
One exciting opportunity is the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. A big thank you to our residents who raised over $1.8 million to secure the land purchase. I’m keen to gather more input from nearby residents and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board before we proceed with any improvements. We’ll hold a planning exercise to ensure the implementation plan aligns with our community’s needs.
Looking ahead, 2024 marks Oro Valley’s 50th Anniversary! I encourage everyone to come up with creative activities to celebrate our town’s civic pride and history. Let’s show off what makes Oro Valley special!
In the coming weeks and months, I’ll keep learning from our community to lead effectively alongside the Town Council. Oro Valley is a community of choice, and I’m committed to ensuring it stays that way.
Sources