Mayor John Lewis was elected as Mayor of Gilbert in May 2009. Prior community involvement included serving as co-chairman of the Town’s Diversity Task Force, organizer of Community Interfaith activities, and founder of Gilbert’s first “Constitution Week.”

He has 28 years of private sector business experience including 19 years with Apollo Group (parent company to the University of Phoenix) and 9 years with Ernst & Young (International Accounting Firm). Assignments have included information technology management, leadership development, and management consulting. He also served in a staff position with U.S. Senator Jake Gam, in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Lewis earned an MBA from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Science (Finance) from Brigham Young University.

Mayor Lewis serves on the Maricopa Association of Government (MAG) Regional Council, MAG Economic Development Committee, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Board/Chair, Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board, and East Valley Partnership Board.

As a first-time political candidate, Scott Smith was elected Mayor of Mesa in May 2008.

In his first year, Mayor Smith announced the H.E.A.T. Initiative for Economic Development where Mesa focused its efforts on its economic development strengths in healthcare, education, aerospace and tourism. These efforts are paying off with keeping the 60 year tradition of Cubs Spring Training in Mesa, the announcement of two private colleges coming to downtown Mesa and AzLabs at the former Air Force Research Lab.

As a strong proponent of regional solutions, Mayor Smith serves in key roles on many local, state and national boards and committees. Smith was elected as the Second Vice President of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). He will become the organization's president in 2013 and the first Arizona mayor to serve as president of the organization.

Mayor Smith earned a degree in Accounting from BYU, and MBA and JD degrees from Arizona State. He and his wife Kim have been married for more than 30 years and have three children and three grandchildren.

Thelda Williams was reelected in 2011 for a second four-year term as District 1 Councilwoman. She has served on the Phoenix City Council since 2008. Previously, she served on the council from 1989 to 1996 and as interim mayor in 1994.

Before joining the Council, she was the Division Commander of the Custody Support/Inmate Programs Division at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, where she supervised the Sheriff’s MASH Unit for abused and neglected animals, Hard Knocks High School for incarcerated juveniles, the Alpha Program for drug and/or alcohol-addicted inmates, and all religious and adult programs.

Councilwoman Williams has been active in community affairs for a number of years, having served on numerous boards and commissions including the City of Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board, the City of Phoenix Transit Commission, the Block Watch Oversight Committee, the Deer Valley Village Planning Committee, the Phoenix Planning and Zoning Committee, the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Board, Women in Local Government Association, Governor’s Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women, and the Maricopa County Adult Probation Advisory Board.

She is currently a member of the City Council’s Audit Committee and the following Subcommittees: Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Education; Public Safety, Veterans, Transparency and Ethics; and Transportation and Infrastructure. In addition, she is a member of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority Board of Directors and the Luke West Valley Council.

Gail Barney served on the Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission from 1998 to 2002. He was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Town Council in January 2002 and was elected Mayor in June 2010. As Mayor, Barney represents Queen Creek on the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council, the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Board of Directors and the Maricopa/Northern Pinal Gateway Alliance.

Barney earned an associate degree from Mesa Community College and a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University. He is an Eagle Scout. A lifelong Queen Creek resident, he operates his family farm in the community.

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