Board of Directors
The Board of Directors includes a bi-partisan group of former state lawmakers, economists, community leaders, and academicians. Over time, the board of the nonprofit will expand and be composed of an even more diverse, broad based, bi-partisan group of business, community, and academic leaders who share the Institute’s vision during the 21st Century.
Carolyn Allen (R) Carolyn Allen is a former member of the Arizona Senate with a distinguished record of community service and leadership. Most recently, she served as Chair of the Senate Health Care and Medical Liability Reform Committee. She was the Development Director for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the Scottsdale Cultural Council. She continues to be involved in activities related to the Arts and Health Care.
Jack L. August, Jr., Ph.D. (D) Jack August is a distinguished historian and author of numerous books and articles on the history of the New American West and is a recognized expert on the legal and political history of water resource development. He is currently Visiting Scholar in Legal History at the Phoenix-based law firm of Snell & Wilmer and serves as Executive Director of the Barry Goldwater Center for the Southwest.
Jeff Chapman, Ph.D. (D) Jeff Chapman is a Foundation Professor at Arizona State University. His Ph.D. is in economics and he has taught economics, urban economics, public finance, and policy courses at both the Ph.D. and Master’s level. Jeff has written four books and has been published in several journals. His research focuses on state and local public finance with his current research focusing on tax limitations and state and local fiscal sustainability.
Tom Chapman (R) Tom Chapman is a community leader who believes that civic involvement in historic preservation and the arts is critical to Arizona's economic development. He Chairs the Phoenix Heritage Commission and serves as Vice Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission. He is Secretary of the Arizona Citizens Action Committee for the Arts and is a member of Arizona's Centennial Commission.
George Cunningham (D) George Cunningham is a former member of both the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives. He was Governor Rose Mofford’s Chief of Staff and Governor Janet Napolitano’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Finance and Budget. At the University of Arizona, he served as Vice-President for Administrative Services. Throughout his career, he focused on fiscal policy, economic expansion and investing in Arizona’s Future.
Susan Gerard (R) Susan Gerard served in both the Arizona House and Senate for 14 years. She concentrated on health policy and chaired the Health Committee in both Chambers. A former Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services and Health Policy Advisor to the Governor, she currently chairs the Public Health Law Review for the RW Johnson Foundation and serves on the Board of Maricopa Integrated Health Systems.
Ryan Harper (R) Harper formerly worked for Governor Janet Napolitano and is currently a public affairs advisor at a local government relations firm. Ryan specialized in Medicaid managed-care program design and cost containment with a Fortune 500 consulting firm. Ryan proudly serves as the Honorary Commander for the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Luke Air Force Base. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology from the University of Arizona and a Master of Arts degree in economics and policy from Duke University.
Pete Hershberger (R) Pete Hershberger is a former member of the Arizona House of Representatives with an extensive record in education, business development, juvenile justice and child welfare. He is a Certified Professional Counselor and is a leader on children’s issues in Arizona. He is active in his community serving as a volunteer and board member on several non-profit organizations.
Paul Johnson (I) Paul Johnson is a former Mayor of the City of Phoenix. Paul is pro-business, with a deep commitment to education. He is a leader in the State initiative campaign to create non-partisan open elections. Paul serves on the executive committee of Greater Phoenix Economic Council, a board member of the John C. Lincoln Foundation, the Arizona Business Bank, and is Chairman of the Board of Arrowhead Health Family Practice.
Bill Konopnicki (R) Bill Konopnicki grew up in Yuma, Arizona. He received his bachelors and masters in education from Arizona State University and an Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Arizona. Currently he and his wife Cathy reside in Safford, Arizona. They are the parents of four children and the grandparents of 10 grandchildren. Bill is the CEO of WSK Management Systems. He served in the Arizona State Legislature for eight years. Bill's strong community service also includes his local school board and local hospital operations board.
George Seitts (R) George Seitts is a former member of Senator Barry Goldwater’s staff and served as the Arizona Director of Weights and Measures. Throughout his career, George has held positions combining his business management experience with government service at the Federal and state levels—focusing on traditional-and non-traditional (renewable) energy development an