SALC Cohort Five Alumni
Aaron Hartzell
Regional Supervisor
Arizona Game & Fish Department
[email protected]
928-358-0842
Aaron Hartzell currently serves as the Regional Supervisor for the Pinetop Region of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Aaron has been in this position for about 3.5 years and has been with the agency for just over 21 years. Prior to this current position, Aaron served as a Wildlife Manager Supervisor and a Wildlife Manager. For most of his career, Aaron has served in the Pinetop Region, which is where he also grew up.
Aaron currently oversees employees who work in a wide variety of job duties, including law enforcement, terrestrial wildlife, fisheries, habitat, and our front counter and customer service operations. When not at work, Aaron enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and four mostly grown-up children.
Abisogun Kokumo
Educational Administrator
Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry
[email protected]
602-399-3790
Abisogun had very humble beginnings growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio with his mom and older brother. He played right guard on the football team. He first got involved in mentoring when his mom asked her boss to mentor him at age 16. Abisogun's favorite subject in high school was history. "I was fortunate to have a teacher who challenged me to critically think about the world and his place in it. She inspired me to become a history teacher." Abisogun studied history at the University of Cincinnati and then secondary education at Xavier University also in Cincinnati, Ohio. His first "real" job out of college was teaching middle school history and government for Hamilton County Juvenile Court. To date (May 2019), he has spent over 14 years of his career in correctional education. Abisogun currently mentors a young man via Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. He says, "Besides playing chess nothing beats finding the right book at the right time in your life. I'm often looking for the book to help me through today's challenges, whatever they might be."
Andrew Orozco
Major
Arizona Department of Transportation
[email protected]
928-615-0485
This November will be 12 years for Major Orozco with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)/Enforcement and Compliance Division (ECD). He currently overlooking the Enforcement and Service Bureau (ESB) which oversees 16 commercial ports of entries statewide. He serves as the ESB liaison for the ongoing Arizona Commercial Vehicle Safety Partnership (ACVSP) with Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS). Major Orozco is a recipient of the ADOT Medal of Valor for his life saving efforts in the line of duty back in 2014. Major Orozco came to ADOT from the Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) where he served for 11 years as a Deputy as well as the Special Response Team (SRT) the entire time. Major Orozco is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) with one overseas tour being honorably discharged as the rank of Sergeant back in 2002. Major Orozco has a variety of additional leadership and criminal justice training, including being a graduate of the Northwestern University Command and Staff School in 2018.
Anthony Jacovino
Chief Information Officer
Registrar of Contractors
[email protected]
602-771-6726
Anthony Jacovino joined AZ ROC in 2018 as the Information Technology Manager and Senior Project Manager and was promoted to the position of Chief Information Officer in 2021. He started his public service career in 2010 as an IT Technician for the Department of Economic Security and moved to the Registrar of Contractors in 2018. Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Mr. Jacovino moved to Arizona in 2006 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from NAU in 2010 and a Master of Arts in Applied Ethics and the Professions from ASU in 2011. He also graduated from the U of A Southwest Leadership Program in 2020 with training in government leadership and driving growth.
Bethanne Abramovich Smith
Interim Administration Director/Director of Operatinal Projects
Commission on the Arts
[email protected]
602-771-6532
Bethanne Abramovich Smith is the Interim Administration Director and the Director of Operational Projects at the Arizona Commission on the Arts. She has been with the Commission on the Arts since July of 2018, and is also a theatre artist living in Phoenix. Bethanne graduated from Arizona State University in 2013 with a B.A in Theatre and a minor in Nonprofit Administration. After graduation, she spent a year teaching after-school theatre in the Southwest valley, and later worked in technical support, customer service, and operations for a healthcare technology company. As an artist, Bethanne has collaborated with organizations like Space 55, The Bridge Initiative, and 9 the Gallery. She loves working with and leading creative, passionate individuals.
Brandt Smith
Deputy Director
Industrial Commission of Arizona
[email protected]
520-320-4235
Brandt A. Smith was born in Minot, North Dakota in December of 1967 approximately five minutes after his identical twin brother. During my middle school timeframe we moved to northern California before moving back to North Dakota to start my Sophomore year of High School. Both during my time in California and North Dakota I excelled in athletics in several sports. Upon graduation form High School I attending college and after one year we moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1987. I worked for Kmart for approximately 1 year before joining the United States Air Force and became a Gulf War Veteran. Upon leaving the military and returning to Arizona I began working for Fry's Food and Drug (loss prevention) while also volunteering with Juvenile Intensive Probation. I later gained full-time employment in the probation field before enjoying a successful career as a Police Office where I worked in different capacities and assignments. After retiring from law enforcement, I was fortunate to gain employment with State of Arizona as an Investigator with Adult Protective Services where I continued to be a public servant and continue to protect those individuals that at times cannot protect themselves. I later moved to work for the Office of Special Investigations/Office of Inspector General with the Department of Economic Security investigating fraud against state resources and provide public service. In November of 2020 I started my career with Industrial Commission of Arizona/Arizona Division of Occupational Safety Health (ADOSH) as a Retaliation/Discrimination Investigator. A few months later I was selected as the Interim Investigations Manager and later promoted to Investigations Manger. In February of 2024 I was selected and promoted the my current position as Deputy Director with ADOSH. I am married with 2 adult daughters and 3 amazing grandchildren. I like to spend most of my free time with my amazing family and when I have free time I enjoy riding my Harley Davidson Motorcycle. One last thing, my wife and I are season ticket holders for the University of Arizona Men's Basketball Team so BEAR DOWN!
Brian Kennedy
Compliance Supervisor
Arizona Department of Agriculture
[email protected]
520-730-0220
Brian’s career with the State of Arizona began in 1997 when he became a Compliance Inspector with the Structural Pest Control Commission. He currently serves as the Compliance Supervisor with the Department of Agriculture's Pest Management Division, responsible for regulating Arizona's pest management industry. Brian serves on several committees with the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO). He is a 1994 graduate of Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Environmental Science, and is the proud of father of two grown daughters and one grandson. In his spare time, he enjoys rock climbing, camping, hiking and is an avid runner.
Bryce Barraza
Deputy Assistant Director
Arizona Department of Economic Security
[email protected]
602-542-4910
Bryce currently serves as Deputy Assistant Director within the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services. In his current role, Bryce directly supports the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Tax programs. Bryce also shares responsibility for the strategic direction and administration of over 20 state and federal workforce programs in Arizona. Bryce is committed to serving within an organization that works to support and better the community and first joined the Arizona Department of Economic Security in 2012.
Christine Mares
GNA Program Manager
Arizona Department of Forestry & Fire Management
[email protected]
602-717-9015
I was born and raised in Tucson and the Sonoran Desert is near and dear to my heart. My parents and three brothers all still live in there. My undergrad degree is from the U of A, and I attended graduate school at Penn State. My husband and I moved to Flagstaff in 2010 and raised three boys here. Prior to starting work with DFFM in 2020, I was a lecturer and wildland fire educator at the NAU School of Forestry. I love working for DFFM and working with my forestry and fire management peers to increase landscape resiliency to natural disturbances such as wildfire and the changing climate. My job takes me across this amazing state where I never get tired of looking at the different vegetation types and scenery.
Conrad Lindo
Deputy Director
Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family
[email protected]
602-206-5258
Conrad Lindo was appointed Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) in April 2023. He is a results-oriented, bilingual leader with thirty-two years dedicated to public service and making a difference in the lives of young children, youth, families, and underserved communities. His work experience includes the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, Pima County Juvenile Court Center, Child & Family Resources, Inc., Early Childhood and Health Board/First Things First, and Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
Danny Vela
Executive Director, Boxing and MMA Commission
Arizona Department of Gaming
[email protected]
480-340-1583
I was born and raised in Henderson, NV. I studied at the College of Southern Nevada and the University of Arizona. I moved to Arizona when I was hired for my current role about 2 1/2 years ago and I absolutely love it here! Since I was a young child, I've wanted to work in state government and in my current role I have the privilege of combining my love for public service with my passion for combat sports. Outside of work, my favorite hobbies include country swing dancing, camping, motorsports, watersports, and of course, combat sports.
Donita McGlasson
Operations Manager
NCIA Board
[email protected]
602-542-5959
Donita has been with the State of Arizona since 2021 and is currently serving as the Operations Manager/Deputy Director for the NCIA Board and Interim Deputy Director for the Respiratory Board. Prior to joining the state, she worked in the private sector in the finance industry and for Maricopa County at the Justice Courts and the Sheriff’s Office. She graduated with a master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix and served in the Arizona National Guard.
Doug Wells
Labor Market Information Director
Officer of Economic Opportunity
[email protected]
602-771-1258
Doug Walls is a seasoned economist and the current Labor Market Information Director for the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). In his current role, Doug manages a team of economists focused on transforming data into actionable information to support workforce development policy throughout Arizona.
Doug earned a Masters of Science degree in Resource Economics from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from Western Michigan University.
Ena Binns
Bureau Chief
Arizona Department of Economic Security
[email protected]
602-568-2464
Ena Binns serves as the Bureau Chief of the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) in the Department of Economic Security (DES). In this role, Ena is responsible for program administration of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides services and support for families of infants and toddlers (birth - age 2) with disabilities or delays. Ena has worked in the Human Services field, serving children and families through early childhood development and education for almost 25 years. With her formal training in early childhood education and post-secondary education, Ena began her career as a teacher. She then went on to administer a Head Start Tribal Program and eventually became adjunct faculty in the community college setting where she trained new Family Child Care Providers entering the field of Early Childhood. For the last 17 years, she’s served in AZ government in a variety of roles including Early Childhood Policy Specialist, Unit Supervisor and Provider and Contracts Manager with the DES Child Care Administration; Director of Quality First with First Things First; and Operations Compliance Officer with AHCCCS. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from South Carolina State University and her Masters of Arts in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Argosy University in Phoenix.
In addition to her work with AzEIP, Ena enjoys impacting her community through volunteerism and helping the underprivileged and underserved. Outside of work, she volunteers her time leading a nonprofit, Projekt One Five. Founded in 2021, Projekt One Five provides resources and support for women in transition and has given 19 scholarships to young adults who are foster care alumni, experiencing homelessness, or survivors of trafficking.
For relaxation, Ena enjoys reading, singing and exploring new restaurants with her husband.
Felicia Gillis
Division Administrator
Arizona Department of Revenue
[email protected]
602-647-0766
Felicia Gillis, Division Administrator for the Taxpayer Services’ Inquiries and Requests District, is responsible for overseeing Taxpayer Information Assistance, License and Registration, E-Commerce Compliance and Outreach, and lobby operations in Tucson, Mesa, and Phoenix.
Prior to joining the Department of Revenue, Felicia made notable contributions in several roles within the Department of Economic Security. As a Certified Program Manager, she advocates ardently for continuous improvement and is deeply committed to nurturing a culture of human-centered design. Her exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to public service continue to positively impact the teams under her care.
John Seeley
Major-ASD Chief of Staff
Arizona Department of Public Safety
[email protected]
480-548-8394
John Seeley is a Major with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), who is currently assigned to the Agency Support Division as the Chief of Staff. John has been in law enforcement for 30 years, of which 27 years with the DPS. John has served as a State Trooper, Narcotics Detective, and Academy Class Sergeant, overseeing 6 academy classes at the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy. He has been a District Commander in the Highway Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations, overseeing complex operations and personnel. He served as the Bureau Commander for the Licensing and Regulatory Bureau before transferring to his current assignment as the Chief of Staff.
Kimberly Fiumara
Deputy Assistant Director
Arizona Department of Administration
[email protected]
602-880-4708
I was born in Pasadena and grew up in Orange County, California, relocating to Arizona in 2002. I entered Public Service in 1997 and have since been part of the Public Sector. For the last 22 years, my focus and expertise has been in the area of construction and facilities contracting, which led me to my role as Deputy Assistant Director in the General Services Division of ADOA, managing the Construction Procurement Group, Real Estate, the Surplus Property Management Office and the Mailroom.
I hold a Masters Degree in Public Administration and I am always seeking further learning opportunities and knowledge bases to increase my contribution to my organization. In my personal life I am a collector of clothes and shoes, fanatic of everything NFL (Fantasy Football included), devoted Peloton owner, fangirl of all things Marvel, and fierce lover and rescuer of pets.
Krista Osterberg
Chief Legislative Liaison
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
[email protected]
602-292-0820
Krista Osterberg serves as the Chief Legislative Liaison for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). She has worked at ADEQ for 18 years, with much of that time spent managing surface water and Clean Water Act delegated programs in the Water Quality Division. She has helped author laws and regulations providing critical surface water quality protection in Arizona. Krista has her Bachelors’ of Science in Natural Resources Management and in Animal Science, as well as a Master of Science in Water Resources, from the University of Connecticut. She and her husband live in Mesa with their two dogs.
Linda Colwell
IT and Operational System Manager
Arizona State Parks and Trails
[email protected]
602-542-2155
Hello my name is Linda Colwell. I’m currently serving as the IT & Operations System Manager at Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT). I oversee the operation of information, reservations, and communications systems, managing projects and budget to support IT functions for park operations. Prior to joining ASPT, I held different positions in government and private sector entities. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology from Western International University and a Master of Arts in Information Resources and Library Sciences from the UofA. I also earned certification as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certificate of Completion in Information Security Forensics from GCC.
Marianne Morrow
Assistant Director/CFO
Arizona Department of Health Services
[email protected]
602-542-7432
I have been with DHS for over 10 years and have worked in several positions in Budget/Financial Planning within this agency. I started my journey with the State approximately 20 years ago and began with the Department of Education and moved on to the Arizona Supreme Court AOC before coming to DHS. I have a BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration which focused on Government and Policy. I enjoy traveling to new places internationally and spending time with family and friends.
Michael Gurr
Deputy Assistant Director
Arizona Department of Administration
[email protected]
602-625-8325
Mike is a dedicated professional with over eight years of exemplary experience in financial management and leadership roles within state government. His expertise spans overseeing diverse portfolios of programs and managing complex budgets with a keen focus on efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Mike's robust interpersonal skills enable him to foster collaboration across multifaceted teams, driving impactful outcomes and cultivating a culture of achievement. Passionate about public service, he is committed to delivering results that positively impact the public, agencies, stakeholders, and the state at large. Mike's leadership is marked by a proactive approach to problem-solving, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and promoting transparency in all endeavors. His relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation underscores his dedication to driving sustainable growth and success in governmental operations and public administration.
Risa Williams
Lieutenant
Arizona Department of ALiquor License and Control
[email protected]
602-542-9071
Lieutenant Risa Williams has been with the Arizona Department of Liquor for 12 years, she has been a police officer for 17 years. During her time with the Arizona Department of Liquor, she has filled different roles, including being a field investigator in the Tucson office and Phoenix offices. She has been a CUB coordinator, ran the trade practice unit, and worked with many community members. Lieutenant Williams currently supervises the investigations unit for the entire State of Arizona. She holds a Bachelor's from Northern Arizona University and a Masters from Grand Canyon University. Lieutenant Williams, has been married to for 10 years, and has an 8 year old son, she enjoys camping.
Salina Moreno
Program Manager, Protective Services Review Team
Arizona Department of Child Safety
[email protected]
602-255-2661
Salina is a proud Glendale, Arizona native. She earned her Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University and a Master's in Public Administration along with a Graduate Certification in Project Management from Grand Canyon University.
Salina started at DCS in 2013 and currently serves as Program Manager of the Protective Services Review Team. Starting as a case manager, Salina has been a strong advocate for ensuring permanency and strengthening families. Her commitment to supporting families has remained constant. She aims to advance in Arizona’s public sector alongside other state leaders to enhance public service in our communities.
Outside of work, Salina values making the most out of life and spending time with loved ones
SKy Mills
Chief Human Resources Officer
Arizona Department of Administration
[email protected]
602-884-1164
Sky’s career with the State started in 2006 when she joined the HR team at DES within Child Support Services. Following various roles at DES, Sky spent about 8 years at the Department of Health Services. In 2019, Sky accepted her current role as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. In her role as CHRO, she works with agency leadership to create inclusive strategies that align with the vision, goals and objectives, including policies, procedures and programs to attract, retain, develop, and engage the workforce. Sky most enjoys spending time with her two daughters and has a passion for animals as well.
Tenè Marion
Prevention Administrator - Office of Prevention
Arizona Department of Child Safety
[email protected]
602-255-2548
Tenè Marion currently leads the DCS Office of Prevention as the Program Administrator. Over her 13 year career with the Department of Child Safety, Ms. Marion has been an Investigation Specialist then promoted to Supervisor and lastly Program Manager. With a wealth of field facing experience, it has broadened her knowledge to develop strategies to prevent families from entering the child protection system. Ms. Marion's passion is to see Arizona's children and families thrive.
Ms. Marion serves as the Children's Bureau Child Abuse Prevention State Lead, member of the Children's Trust Fund Alliance, Chair of the DCS Internal African American Racial Disparity Committee, a member of the Arizona Commission to Prevent Intimate Partner and Gender-Based Violence and a member of the Children's Justice Taskforce.
Teressa Lopez
Administrator
Arizona Department of Agriculture
[email protected]
602-542-0945
Teressa Lopez has worked for the state of Arizona since 2000. She began state service working for the ITD/AZ LTAP Technical Training program at the Arizona Department of Transportation. Since 2006, she has worked for the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division (CFV) overseeing all fresh produce programs. This includes: Fresh Produce Standardization, AZDA/USDA Cooperative Agreement for Fresh Produce Grade Inspection and Auditing Service, USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program, AZDA/FDA Cooperative Agreement for FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Program Administrator/Ombudswoman for the Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety, Committee and the Arizona Leafy Green Products Shippers Marketing Agreement (AZ LGMA).
Ms. Lopez has a long history of government administration, on-farm food safety program development and strategic initiative development and implementation. In addition to her roles within the AZDA, Ms. Lopez is an active member in state, federal and industry committees and councils.
Travis Gallegos
Deputy Assistant Director
Arizona Department of Revenue
[email protected]
602-587-7955
Hello, I was born and raised in Colorado but moved to Arizona back in 2015. I have one 8-year-old son and I am a huge motorcycle enthusiast. I love to build and ride Harley’s. I love all things gold, especially pamps, jewelry, and bars. One of my favorite hobby’s is prepping for the zombie apocalypse and collecting survival tools and food. I have worked at Arizona Department of Revenue for over 7 years in the Processing district. I am a fun and engaged leader who is there every step of the way to help support and listen to team members. I am there biggest champion and do whatever I can to help others aspire to achieve more. The motto I live by is “stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready”.