The new Arizona-Mexico Commission
Who applied for the Hobbs appointment?
In February, Governor Katie Hobbs sent out letters to 31 people informing them she was removing them from their positions on the Arizona-Mexico Commission and that if they wanted to remain on the board, they would have to apply.
It was a political move that confused practically everyone involved in Arizona politics and government.
The board works to promote business, among other areas, across the border.
Hobbs took more than five months to appoint the entire commission, which she did this month in one fell swoop.
Her office took even longer to fulfill my public records request of every person who had applied for an appointment, even though the application period closed months earlier. Her office conveniently sent over the records days after the appointments were public and after several follow up emails from me.
Here is the list of everyone who applied, with those who Hobbs appointed listed in bold. Click here to see everyone’s application and materials.
David Adame
James Ahlers, Maricopa County, TSMC
Erik Bakken, Pima County, Tucson Electric Power
Former Speaker Russell “Rusty” Bowers, Maricopa County, RWB Worldwide
John Braswell
Adam Brake, Cochise County, Healthcare Industry
Chris Camacho, Maricopa County, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Jaime Chamberlain, Santa Cruz County, Chamberlain Distributing, Inc.
Gema Duarte Luna, Maricopa County, Luna Valencia
Javier Duran, Pima County, University of Arizona
Julie Engel, Yuma County, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
Laura Franco French, Maricopa County, TSMC
Adam Falk
Arturo Gabaldón, Pima County, Community Water Company of Green Valley
Felix Garcia
Buna George, Yuma County, Greater Yuma Port Authority
Molly Greene, Maricopa County, Salt River Project
Paola Hidalgo
Mignonne Hollis, Cochise County, Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation
Rhett Larson, Maricopa County, Arizona State University
Rana Lashgari, Maricopa County, Arizona Municipal Solutions, LLC
Shane Leonard
Leonardo Loo
Andrés Martínez, Maricopa County, Arizona State University
Vicki Mayo, Maricopa County, Global Market Innovators
Jack McCain, Maricopa County, American Airlines
Ayensa Millan, Maricopa County, CIMA Law Group
Claire Merkel
Tim Nelson, Maricopa County, Nelson Law Group, PLLC
Jim Pederson, Maricopa County, Pederson Group, Inc.
Josh Rubin
Todd Sanders, Maricopa County, Greater Phoenix Chamber
Lee Stein
Mark Taylor
Donna Valdés, Maricopa County, Xico
Guillermo Valencia, Santa Cruz County, Valencia International, Inc.
Yimin Wang, Coconino County, Northern Arizona University