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.

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.

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.

Jennifer Reichelt has over two decades of experience in local government and currently serves as Deputy City Administrator for the City of Yuma, Arizona. In this role, she helps lead city operations with a focus on strategic planning, economic development, communications, and organizational development.

Prior to joining Yuma, Jennifer was a manager at Raftelis (formerly The Novak Consulting Group), leading executive recruitments and organizational assessments nationwide. Her previous roles include Deputy City Manager for the City of Great Falls, Montana, and Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications for the City of Glendale, Arizona.

Jennifer holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University. She is an ICMA Credentialed Manager, LEAN certified, and a graduate of Leadership ICMA and the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Arizona Women Leading Government and the Arizona City/County Management Association and is deeply involved in advancing the profession through mentorship, public speaking, and training. She also chairs the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance and helped launch the Southwest Arizona Women Leading Government chapter.

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.

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.

Jenna has more than 19 years of government experience and currently serves as the Strategic Planning and Organizational Performance Manager for the city of Goodyear, AZ. In this role she oversees the city’s strategic planning, performance management, and continuous improvement programs. Previously, as Assistant to the City Manager, Jenna supervised the administrative functions of the City Manager’s Office, including the Council Office and the Neighborhood Services division, in addition to leading special projects. Prior to joining Goodyear, 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).

Becca McCarthy began with the City of Phoenix in 2018 and has worked in various roles within the City Manager’s Office and Aviation Department. Currently, she serves as a Special Projects Administrator in the City Manager’s Office overseeing the strategic and effective use of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds, supporting the Assistant City Manager, and overseeing the PHX311 Information Center.

During her time at the Aviation Department, Becca served as a Project Manager in the Planning and Environmental Division, where she oversaw the administrative team, managed the budget, and coordinated process improvements. She later transitioned to a Management Assistant II in the Business and Properties Division, where she developed contract compliance trainings and supported new and ongoing business programs. In the City Manager’s Office, she worked as a Management Assistant II, supporting two Deputy City Managers and contributing to key programs and initiatives, including the Ethics Commission.

Becca earned her Master’s in Public Policy from Arizona State University, while serving as a Marvin Andrews Fellow, and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Sustainability. Becca takes pride in continuing to support young professionals in the field and the Marvin Andrews and Jane Morris Fellows, which includes leading an Alumni Committee for Mock Interviews. She serves on the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) Board of Directors and is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Bryan Layton was appointed as the County Manager by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors on July 18, 2023. Bryan joined Navajo County in January 2016 as the Assistant County Manager. Prior to joining Navajo County, Bryan worked for the City of San Antonio for nearly 10 years where he developed and led the city's nationally recognized Office of Innovation.

Bryan is a native of Tempe, AZ and attended Mesa Community College before receiving a B.A. in International Relations and a M.A. in Public Administration from Brigham Young University. Bryan and his wife Heather have six children and reside in the Town of Snowflake.

Andrew Ching is the Town Manager for the Town of Paradise Valley, a position he has held since June 2023. He served as City Manager of Tempe from 2013 until leaving for Paradise Valley last year. Before that, he was Tempe’s City Attorney from 2006 to 2013, served as a trial prosecutor for the City of Mesa, and as an associate in a local law firm, primarily representing Arizona cities and towns in land use litigation. Ching is an Arizona native, born in Tucson and raised in Tempe. He has been a Valley resident for nearly 50 years. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1991 and earned a law degree from Arizona State University in 1994.

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.