Ginger Spencer 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. Her areas of responsibility include Water, City Clerk, Council Agenda Function, Office of Accountability and Transparency, Community Assistance Program, and the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority/Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corporation.

During her 27 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. In addition to serving as President of the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA), she also serves on the board of directors for the Arizona Science Center, Trellis of Arizona and The Recycling Partnership. 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. In 2024, she was awarded the NextGen Mentorship Award by the ACMA.

Ian McGaughey has been County Administrator for Yuma County since June 2022 after serving two years as Deputy County Administrator. He has 19 years of local government experience, including serving as City Manager for Somerton, Arizona, Town Manager for Clifton, Arizona, a department director in Tribal local government in Alaska, and as an elected Council member for a city in New York. He has broad experience in the private sector, including small-business ownership, television communications experience, and public relations responsibilities. Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from American University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Public Administration from Arkansas State University. He has been an ICMA Credentialed Manager since 2020.

Benjamin Bitter has extensive work experience in various leadership and management roles. Benjamin currently holds the position of Deputy City Manager and Chief Product Officer at the City of Maricopa. Prior to this, Benjamin served as the Director of the Arizona City-County Management Association, where they played a significant role in planning conferences and professional development opportunities for local government professionals in Arizona.

Benjamin also gained valuable experience as the Chairperson of the International City/County Management Association and as the Assistant to the Town Manager/Intergovernmental Relations and Communications Manager at the Town of Florence. In these roles, Benjamin worked closely with elected officials, media representatives, citizens, and business leaders to enhance the organization and improve the quality of life within the community. Benjamin was responsible for directing legislative and intergovernmental affairs, managing all communications, and serving as the economic development specialist.

Furthermore, Benjamin’s previous experiences include serving as the City Manager at the City of Ashland Kentucky, where they led a financial turnaround of the organization and oversaw its administration. Benjamin also worked as a Senior Management Analyst at the City of Casa Grande, AZ, where they played a crucial role in strategic planning, performance management, and establishing council priorities.

Earlier in their career, Benjamin worked as a Legislative Intern for the Utah House of Representatives and as a Congressional Intern for the US Congress, where they gained valuable experience in conducting research, participating in the legislative process, and managing constituent requests and correspondence.

Benjamin Bitter has a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a focus on Urban Management from Arizona State University. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Brigham Young University, majoring in Political Science with minors in Spanish and Statistics. In addition to their formal education, Benjamin has also obtained several certifications. Benjamin has completed the Certificate of Completion in Senior Executives in State and Local Government from Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education in June 2023. Benjamin is also a Kentucky Colonel, a recognition bestowed by The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels in 2015. Furthermore, Benjamin holds a Certificate of Management and Organizations, the issuing institution being the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management. Lastly, they have a certification in the National Incident Management System from FEMA.

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.

Jenna Goad has more than 18 years of government experience and currently serves as the Assistant to the City Manager in Goodyear, AZ where she oversees the city’s strategic planning and performance measurement programs, as well as supervises the City Council Office staff and the Neighborhood Services division, in addition to other special projects. Previously, Jenna served in a variety of roles with the city of Glendale, AZ specializing in public affairs and intergovernmental relations, and in two different roles with the state of Arizona. Jenna earned a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Arizona State University. Jenna also has a professional certificate in advanced public engagement for local government from Pepperdine University and was awarded a certificate of completion for the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, July 2023, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education. She serves on the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) Board of Directors and is a member of the International City Management Association (ICMA).

Stacy Hettmansperger returned to the City of Phoenix Public Works Department in September 2021 to serve as Management Assistant II in the Director’s Office. Stacy previously served as the Senior Management Analyst with the City of Avondale’s Fire and Medical Department overseeing their payroll, budget and procurement functions in close partnership with the Finance and Human Resources departments. Stacy also helped the Department develop a data driven fire apparatus replacement schedule. For her service to the Fire and Medical Department, Stacy received honorary firefighter credentials. Prior to joining the City of Avondale, Stacy served over eight years with the City of Phoenix, seven of which were in the Public Works Department Facilities Management and Solid Waste Diversion and Disposal Divisions. As Public Works Operations Manager in the Solid Waste Diversion and Disposal Division, Stacy oversaw the construction and start-up operations of the City’s award-winning industrial scale compost facility as well as the 27th Avenue Transfer Station and recycling operations. In 2017 Stacy was awarded Operations Manager of the Year by the Arizona Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America. Stacy earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University during which time she served as a Marvin Andrews Fellow. Stacy also holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Political Science. Stacy attributes her professional successes from the invaluable experiences in her early career as a Marvin Andrews Fellow and City of Phoenix Management Intern.

Joanne Keene is currently the Deputy City Manager for the City of Flagstaff.

Prior to joining the City of Flagstaff, Joanne served as the Deputy City Manager for the City of Sedona. Joanne also worked for five years as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff for Northern Arizona University managing high priority initiatives. She has also served as a Deputy County Manager and Government Relations Director for Coconino County and Public Information Officer for the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Joanne spent eight years working for the U.S. House of Representatives in several roles, five of those years in Washington, DC.

Joanne is graduate of NAU with a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelors in English and Broadcast Journalism. Joanne is an ICMA Credentialed Manager, a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University and a 2016 Flinn-Brown Fellow. Joanne also serves as a Governor’s appointee to the Arizona State Fair and Exposition Board and Treasurer for the Coconino Community College Foundation Board.

Leo Lew was appointed County Manager by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors on March 3, 2021, stepping up from the role of Deputy County Manager, a position he held since 2013.

Leo is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), an association of more than 11,000 members dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities worldwide. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA), the Leadership Development Advisory Committee for ICMA, and on the Academic Advisory Council for the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University.

He has served in local government for over 18 years, having previously worked for the cities of Sacramento, CA, and Scottsdale, AZ.

As a strong proponent of leadership development, he has completed the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia, the program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University, and the Certified Public Manager Program at the University of Arizona. He has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is a Certified Public Accountant, having begun his professional career with Deloitte, a Big Four professional services firm.

Leo enjoys surfing, mountain biking, paddle boarding, yoga, live music, and spending time with family.

Liz Morales, Assistant City Manager with the City of Tucson, has oversight of various departments including Housing, Police, Fire, and City Courts. 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.

Mike Letcher has over 30 years in city management with 20 years here in Arizona, he is very familiar with the challenges and opportunities for our profession nationally as well as in Arizona. Mike’s background consists of management consulting and serving as an assistant professor at the University of Arizona Masters of Public Administration Program, both which require him to stay current on trends in our profession.

Susan K. Thorpe serves as a Senior Advisor for the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) and International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Prior to becoming a Senior Advisor, Susan served for 38 years in local governments, including serving as Yuma County Administrator in Yuma, Arizona, as well as City Manager for two Texas cities and Assistant/Deputy City Manager for cities in Texas, California and Arizona.

In January 2023, Susan received the John J. “Jack” DeBolske Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Arizona City/County Management Association. This award recognizes City/County Managers who demonstrate the highest level of professional excellence in local government and who have made life contributions in serving the profession.

Previously, Susan was named MPA Alumni of the Year in 1998 by the University of North Texas for her contribution to local government. In 2011, she received the Catherine Connolly Outstanding Assistant City/County Manager Award from ACMA.

Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Economics and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas (UNT). She is a graduate of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. Susan has been an ICMA Credentialed Manager since 2004.