The Western Way is pleased to announce its Arizona Advisory Board. The Board will help TWW identify and provide guidance on the pertinent conservation issues in Arizona. The Western Way is grateful to have the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of these Arizona leaders who bring so much experience on the critical issues facing Arizona.
TWW Arizona Advisory Board
- Rusty Bowers serves as a state representative in LD25. Bowers has years of experience in the legislature. He currently serves on the Appropriations and Education Committees and is chairman of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources committee. Rusty served with honor and distinction for several years in the Arizona legislature before engaging in several community and career endeavors. Rusty has had an active career in construction, education, the legislature and as a professional artist who is well-known for his outstanding talents, skills and diverse artistic ability. Bowers is a fourth generation Arizonan and attended Maricopa Community College, ASU and Brigham Young University.
- T.J. Shope serves as a state representative in LD8. In the House of Representatives, Shope has served on the House Committee on Agriculture & Water as well as the House Committee on Energy, Environment & Natural Resources. He currently serves as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House as well as chairing the House Committee on Rules. T.J. has received recognition from all types of organizations because of his work at the capitol. He won the "Freshman of the Year" award from the Arizona Mining Association, was recognized as one of the "Tech Ten" legislators by the Arizona Technology Council, and many other impressive accolades.
- Karen Fann serves as the state senator for LD1. Senator Fann was elected in November of 2016 to represent Legislative District 1, which covers 8,000 square smiles throughout Yavapai County and portions of Maricopa County. She previously served this district from 2011 to 2016 as a State Representative. Karen is the owner and CEO of a highway construction company specializing in the installation of guardrail and signs throughout the State of Arizona, which recently celebrated its 33rd business anniversary. Karen is a licensed contractor with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, past president of Yavapai County Contractors Association and past president of Prescott Chapter National Association of Women in Construction.
- Lisa Atkins was appointed in 2015 by Governor Ducey to serve as State Land Commissioner (approved unanimously by the Senate). Ms. Atkins, when asked to serve by Governor Ducey, requested that she be allowed to stay on the Board of Central Arizona Project (CAP) where she was elected to serve as the President of the Board. Lisa Atkins has a long history of service to the State of Arizona, with more than 40 years of experience in the federal and state legislative and policy arenas. Ms. Atkins served for more than 23 years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Bob Stump, 18 months as the Executive Director of the County Supervisors Association of Arizona and 11 years as the Vice President for Public Policy for Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL). Ms. Atkins also serves as a member of the Arizona State Parks and Trails Board and the Arizona Military Affairs Commission, of which she is co-chair.
- Cheryl Lombard has more than 20 years experience in politics, public affairs, media and community relations, and nonprofit management. She became the President and CEO of Valley Partnership in March 2015. Before joining Valley Partnership, Cheryl was the Government Relations Director for The Nature Conservancy in Arizona. There she received many awards and most recently served as the Co-Chair of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s Transition Committee on State Lands. She has previously served on Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s Transition Team. Cheryl was the Director of Public Affairs with Davies Communications in Santa Barbara, California where she headed the Land Use/Real Estate Group and led several commercial and residential development clients successfully through the California land entitlement process.
- Peter Hayes serves as Chief Public Affairs Executive and Associate General Manager of Salt River Project. Mr. Hayes served as Head of Public Affairs at Salt River Project since July 2011. Peter Hayes is responsible for managing relationships with all governmental entities, as well as public involvement, consumer affairs and community outreach. SRP is one of Arizona’s largest utility companies. They provide electricity to approximately 1 million retail customers in a 2,900-square-mile service area that spans three Arizona counties, including most of the Phoenix metropolitan area. SRP's water business is one of the largest raw-water suppliers in Arizona. They deliver about 800,000 acre-feet of water annually to a 375-square-mile service area and manage a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals.