GPEC announces new board members and officers, releases FY26 annual report

Published: 10/02/2026

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council, which helped 44 companies expand or relocate into the region in FY26, welcomes Tammy McLeod as Board chair

PHOENIX (Oct. 2, 2026) — The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) yesterday released its annual report and announced 13 new members rolling onto its Board of Directors, joining the 11 board members elected midyear.

GPEC’s governing board, consisting of 96 members, provides perspective from a distinct group of public and private entities dedicated to the growth of Greater Phoenix, helping further GPEC’s mission of advancing regional competitiveness. The insights provided from leaders in workforce development, healthcare innovation, high-tech manufacturing, government, nonprofit, real estate and more enable GPEC to prioritize activity that will promote equitable, long-lasting economic growth.

The officer roles shifted to Flinn Foundation President & CEO Tammy McLeod as Chair and Quarles and Brady President Brad Vynalek to Vice Chair as outgoing Chair Derrick Hall, Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO, concludes him term. Brooke Westemeier of Ernst and Young retained her role as treasurer, and Angela Creedon of Intel stepped into the secretary position. Christine Mackay serves as President & CEO of GPEC and its Board.

“GPEC has built extraordinary market momentum across Greater Phoenix, and as I step into the role of Chair, my priority is to lead a board that builds on that progress with a clear focus on our region’s future,” McLeod said. “Together with our talented team and partners, we will strengthen Greater Phoenix as a hub for advanced manufacturing, bio innovation, aviation, and other high-tech industries, creating lasting opportunities for our communities. We are pleased to welcome new Board members whose perspectives and expertise will be pivotal as Greater Phoenix continues to grow as an internationally recognized market.”

View Annual Report here

Fiscal Year 2026 was a year of milestones for GPEC, which crossed the all-time marks of 200,000 jobs created, $100 billion in capital investment, and 1,100 companies assisted in expanding to the region. Across FY26, GPEC helped 44 businesses locate in Greater Phoenix (sixth-most all-time), created 8,942 jobs (fourth-most), and created an organizational record of $671 million in payroll generated.

There continues to be strong engagement from international companies, with 65 of the 246 prospective companies in FY26 hailing from a different country. Backed by funding from the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, GPEC hosted four delegations and attended 13 international conferences and two sales missions across Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Netherlands and England.

This activity was central to one of GPEC’s goals of enhancing the recognition of Greater Phoenix at the national and international level. Between SEMICON West and the adjacent Arizona Semiconductor Leadership Day, the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, and activity with site selectors and venture capital firms during the WM Phoenix open, GPEC helped welcome tens of thousands of guests from around the globe, showcasing Greater Phoenix to businesses and investors seeking new opportunities in key markets. GPEC also hosted its biannual Washington, D.C. ExecMission to engage with federal officials on priorities including foreign direct investment, energy, water, aerospace and air mobility, and finance.

The organization launched its A New Way To City (ANWTC) campaign in FY26, a platform to showcase innovation, creativity and opportunity within Greater Phoenix. The initiative, which airs in select markets around the United States and is prevalent on social media and billboards in Greater Phoenix, has been seen by millions of people nationally.

“I’m immensely proud of the work GPEC did over my first fiscal year as President & CEO to steer organizational shifts and an evolving economic development ecosystem,” Mackay said. “We see our long-term, large-scale work coming to fruition: cranes up across the region, infrastructure projects underway to support growth, and more jobs and opportunities created for our residents. Greater Phoenix has fully emerged as an important market on the international stage, and I’m encouraged by new growth opportunities that continue to arise heading into FY27.”

Explore the full annual report here.

“The dedication and commitment of our Board to forward-thinking progress is at the core of GPEC’s ability to remain on the leading edge of economic development,” said Chief Operating Officer Maureen Howell. “We are proud to welcome the new members and are eager to incorporate their expertise in the work we do to elevate the success of GPEC and opportunities within the market.”

New members approved at the annual board meeting are:

  • Councilmember Rich Adams, City of Mesa
  • Andy Aye, AZ/CO/NM/NV Market Leader, U.S. Bank
  • Brendon Bartholomew, Executive Director and General Manager, USAA
  • Mayor BG Bratcher, Town of Wickenburg
  • Councilwoman Jennifer Crawford, City of Peoria
  • Kate Kaminski, President of the Arizona Region, Howard Hughes Communities
  • Councilmember Randy Keating, City of Tempe
  • Kirk McClure, Vice President of Client Solutions, JE Dunn Construction
  • Mario Paniagua, Town Manager, Town of Gilbert
  • Jim Pratt, General Manager & CEO, Salt River Project
  • Christian Price, Economic Growth Officer, City of Maricopa
  • Clark Princell, President & CEO, Valley Partnership
  • Jennifer Stein, Assistant City Manager, City of Avondale

Plus, 11 new members were appointed in midyear 2026:

  • Patrick Banger, City Manager, City of Glendale
  • Kellen Booher, President & CEO, CopperPoint Insurance Companies
  • Tim Boothe, Chief Administration Officer, Western Alliance Bank
  • Rich DeGraff, President of Control Systems, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies
  • Ashley Dembowski, Executive Vice President – CFO, STORE Capital
  • Stacy Derstine, Vice President, External Affairs, Arizona Public Service
  • Leo Goncalves, Vice President, Workforce Solutions Group at University of Phoenix, University of Phoenix
  • Valerie Jones, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development, Maricopa County Community College District
  • James McCain, Vice President of Strategic Planning, Hensley Beverage
  • Dave Smith, Vice President of Sustainability and Community Relations, The Carlisle Companies
  • Ed Zuercher, City Manager, City of Phoenix

View GPEC’s full board here.

About the Greater Phoenix Economic Council

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), globally recognized as a top economic development organization (EDO), works to attract and grow quality businesses and advocate for the competitiveness of Greater Phoenix. A data-driven regional EDO, GPEC works with 22 member communities, Maricopa and Pinal counties and more than 200 private investors to accomplish its mission and serve as a strategic partner to companies across the world as they expand or relocate to Greater Phoenix. Over the past 37 years, GPEC has fueled the regional economy by helping over 1,130 companies, creating more than 206,000 jobs and over $101 billion in capital investment. Greater Phoenix is in a relentless pursuit of innovative and entrepreneurial-focused companies looking to thrive and scale in a vibrant, dynamic region. There is an undeniable spirit about Greater Phoenix; one rooted in strength, collaboration and resilience. Greater Phoenix is Greater Together. For more information about GPEC and how we can assist your businesses, visit www.gpec.org.