GPEC stands out from our peer economic development organizations in that we are fortunate to have the active involvement of the region’s and state’s leading business and civic leaders sitting at the table

New members added to GPEC Board of Directors

Published: 09/26/2017
Updated: 03/21/2022

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) Board of Directors voted to approve a dozen new board directors and the slate of executive officers for the fiscal year at its annual meeting.

Chris Zaharis, executive vice president of Empire Southwest will continue as Chairman, with Andy Warren, president of Maracay Homes serving as the Vice Chairman. Newly approved board director Jeff Guldner, executive vice president, public policy, and general counsel at APS, will assume the role of Secretary; and Neil Irwin, senior counsel at Bryan Cave will remain Treasurer.

The other new board directors include: Kevin Eichner, president, Ottawa University; Don Garner, CEO, Alliance Bank of Arizona; Bruce Hoechner, president and CEO, Rogers Corporation; Brett Johnson, Partner, Snell & Wilmer; Andre? Kudelski, president and Chief Executive Officer, Kudeslki Group; Michelle Lawrie, Economic Development Director, city of Goodyear; Dr. Robert Robbins, president, University of Arizona; former Congressman Matt Salmon, Vice President of Government Affairs, ASU; Marc Schmittlein, president and CEO, CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company; Steven Schwarz, Founding Partner, ViaWest Group; and the Honorable Jeff Struble, councilmember, city of Apache Junction.

“GPEC stands out from our peer economic development organizations in that we are fortunate to have the active involvement of the region’s and state’s leading business and civic leaders sitting at the table,” said Chris Camacho, president and CEO. “The gathering of the public and private sector to drive the economic strategy for the region is not taken for granted. We look forward to working with the new members of the board as we continue the momentum for a strong fiscal year.”

For the full listing of GPEC’s Board of Directors, click here.