Billy Kovacs

Director of Federal Affairs, Office of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs

Billy Kovacs is the Director of Federal Affairs for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, serving as the Governor’s chief liaison to the White House, Congress, and federal agencies. In this role, he leads efforts to secure federal investments, shape national policy, and advocate for Arizona’s interests across key issues, including border security, infrastructure, public health, and economic development on behalf of the Governor.

Born in Alaska and raised with a strong sense of public service, Billy has built a career at the intersection of policy, politics, and diplomacy. He was appointed Arizona’s Title 42 Coordinator in 2023 by Governor Hobbs, where he directed intergovernmental coordination through the policy’s sunset, working with local, tribal, state, and federal partners to manage migration and humanitarian response. He also helped establish the Arizona Border Coordination Office and secured a $95 million federal grant to expand Interstate 10, among other key projects.

Billy is deeply involved in strengthening Arizona’s international partnerships. He has supported delegation work and strategic engagement with Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other global partners, advancing Arizona’s role in trade, innovation, defense, and investment.

He represents Governor Hobbs on the Western Governors’ Association Staff Advisory Council and serves as Arizona’s delegate to the National Governors Association Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force.

Prior to joining the Hobbs Administration, Billy served as District Director and Policy Advisor to U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick, where he advanced key legislative initiatives in defense and agriculture and helped secure federal funding for community infrastructure projects. He also brings a strong background in political campaigns and civic engagement across Arizona.

Billy earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Management and Policy with honors from the University of Arizona. He is a Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellow and remains active in Arizona’s policy and civic leadership networks. Though no longer involved in operations, he previously co-founded the popular Tucson restaurant Prep & Pastry and revitalized his family’s vineyard, Sandor Vineyards.