East Valley Partnership Welcomes New Board Chair and Vice-Chair

February 7, 2017 EVP News, News & Media Board Chair, Board of Directors

Wells Fargo Bank VP Business Banking Manager Rhonda Curtis to Serve as Board Chair

The East Valley Partnership (EVP), a business advocacy group dedicated to improving business and quality of life in the East Valley region of greater Phoenix, has welcomed new board leadership since the untimely passing of Board Chair, Rick Jones this past December.

During the February board of directors meeting, the board approved interim Chair, Rhonda Curtis of Wells Fargo Bank as the new Board Chair and Jeff Guldner of Arizona Public Service Company as the new Board Vice-Chair. Both Curtis and Guldner will serve through June of 2018.

“We are excited to announce our new Chair and Vice-Chair assignments. Both Rhonda and Jeff have years of Arizona and PHX East Valley experience,” said John Lewis, East Valley Partnership President/CEO. “They have served in many positions in their companies and as volunteers in our communities. They have been active members of the East Valley Partnership and are well prepared to serve in these regional leadership roles,” said John Lewis, East Valley Partnership president and CEO.

Curtis is the Vice President/Business Banking Manager of Wells Fargo Bank. She currently serves on the board of Chandler Compadres Branch of Boys & Girls Club and is a member of RMA, Arizona Society of CPA’s and AICPA.

Guldner is the Senior Vice President of Public Policy at Arizona Public Service Company (APS). He currently serves on community boards including the Arizona Theater Company and the Morrison Institute for Public Policy

East Valley Partnership was created in 1982 as a 501(c)(6) nonpartisan coalition of civic, business, education and political leaders dedicated to the economic development and promotion of the East Valley of Greater Phoenix. The partnership advocates in areas such as economic development, education, transportation and infrastructure, arts and healthcare.

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East Valley Partnership Opposes Prop 206

September 29, 2016 EVP News, News & Media Board of Directors, Prop 206

The East Valley Partnership (EVP) Board of Directors voted to oppose Proposition 206, the ballot initiative to raise minimum wages in the State of Arizona.

EVP President/CEO John Lewis summarized the feelings of the Board by saying, “The Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act does not help us in our efforts to create jobs. It is a job killer which will not benefit our Arizona families! If approved, the proposition would result in decreased employment and increased prices for consumers.”

Additional concerns voiced by the Board include the following:

Will harm low wage workers by reducing the availability of jobs
Will result in job cuts, increased prices and potentially the need for employers to automate processes to replace workers
Creates new government mandates on job creators

“Arizona minimum wage is already higher than federal levels,” commented EVP Senior Business Advisor Mike Hutchinson. “If passed, Prop 206 will increase minimum wage by nearly 50% which will mean that small businesses would need to let some workers go in order to survive.”

Early ballots are expected to arrive in mail boxes during the second week of October with the General Election on Tuesday, November 8th . To enhance job creation in the State, EVP encourages citizens to vote “No” on Proposition 206.

Learn more at www.projectazjobs.com

East Valley Partnership Opposes Prop 205

September 28, 2016 EVP News, News & Media Board of Directors, Prop 205

The East Valley Partnership (EVP) Board of Directors voted to oppose Proposition 205, the ballot initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

Based on significant concerns with the impact on businesses, schools and the community as a whole, Board members voiced opposition to the proposed Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. “After careful review of available information, our Board felt that Prop 205 would not benefit families and communities in our PHX East Valley region,” said EVP President/CEO John Lewis. Mike Hutchinson who serves as EVP Senior Business Advisor added, “With Prop 205, we have significant worries about public safety risks and the negative impact to our youth and schools.”

EVP joins many other organizations and community leaders in opposing Prop 205. Additional details can be found at the Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy web site at NOProp205.com.

Early ballots are expected to arrive in mail boxes during the second week of October with the General Election on Tuesday, November 8th . EVP encourages other organizations and citizens to vote “No” on Proposition 205.

East Valley Partnership Announces New Executive Committee and Board of Directors

June 13, 2016 EVP News Board of Directors, copperpoint mutual, Executive Board, PHX East Valley, Rick Jones

CopperPoint Mutual COO Rick Jones to Serve as Chair

Rick Jones, CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Co.

The East Valley Partnership, a business advocacy group dedicated to improving business and quality of life in the East Valley region of greater Phoenix, has announced its new executive committee and board of directors for 2016/2017.

Executive committee new members are: Rick Jones, Chair, CopperPoint Mutual; Rhonda Curtis, Vice-Chair, Wells Fargo; Brian Campbell, Past Chair, Campbell Law Group; Caryn Gose, Treasurer, Salt River Project; Bill Garfield, Secretary, Arizona Water Company; Angela Creedon, At-Large Member, Arizona State University and Jeff Guldner, At-Large Member, Arizona Public Service.

New board of directors are Rhonda Curtis, Wells Fargo; Sally Downey, EVIT; Sandra Hudson TrustBank; Stephanie Navarro, SRP and Jack Sellers, City of Chandler.

“We’re very excited for the new group of executive committee and board of director members, especially with Rick Jones at the helm,” said Mike Hutchinson, East Valley Partnership interim president and CEO. “I also want to sincerely thank Brian Campbell for his term as past Chair and his many accomplishments achieved in collaboration with community leaders.”

Jones serves as the executive vice president and COO of CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company and president of its subsidiaries. He is a member of the Dean’s Council at the W.P. Carey School of Business of ASU, and serves on the boards of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, Chicanos Por La Causa and Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He also serves on the Rio Salado College President’s Business Roundtable.