SALC Cohort One Alumni
Anna Hunter
Assistant Director
Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services
Arizona Department of Economic Security
[email protected]
480-276-8761
I have been with DES for 14 years. I began leading the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) in 2020. I am inspired by the work of the front line team members, and defines my leadership strategy as recognizing the employees who work with the clients are the most important, and it is the responsibility of leadership, at all levels, to remove roadblocks and allow those employees to do more good. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona, as well as a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law.
Arthur Smith
Business and Finance Administrator
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
[email protected]
602-542-0461
Art Smith serves as Business and Finance Administrator for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, which consists of Accounting, Budgeting, Payroll and Procurement. Art began his career with the state in 2007 after graduating the USC Price School of Public Policy. Prior to ADJC, Art served as a Principal Fiscal Analyst for the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and as a Management Analyst for the Flood Control District of Maricopa County. Art grew up in Tempe and now resides Phoenix.
Daniel Czecholinski
Director – Air Quality Division
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
[email protected]
602-771-4684
Daniel Czecholinski was promoted to ADEQ’s Air Quality Division Director in October 2019 after serving as Deputy Director since June 2018. His role as Director involves protecting public health and the environment by helping control present and future air pollution sources. Mr. Czecholinski has been with ADEQ since November 2006, holding several positions in the Water Quality Division. Before joining ADEQ, Czecholinski had a 15-year career with Clean Harbors and Laidlaw Environmental Services Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities.
Mr. Czecholinski received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1988
Daven Byrd
Assistant Director
Arizona Department of Public Safety
[email protected]
602-223-2438
Daven Byrd started his career with the Department of Public Safety in 2005 after serving with the U.S. Army. He has held assignments as a State Trooper, Major Crimes Detective and Sergeant, Training Commander, Bureau Commander, Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief of Staff. Daven currently serves as the Assistant Director over the Technical Services Division, leading operations of approximately 450 employees in various technical, licensing, business, and engineering roles.
Daven holds a BA in Criminal Justice, and a Master of Public Administration, and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.
Howard Wykes
Community Corrections Bureau Administrator
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
[email protected]
480-229-4831
Howard Wykes serves as the Community Corrections Bureau Administrator for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC). He also serves as the Deputy Compact Administrator for the Interstate Commission of Juveniles (ICJ) in AZ. He oversees all activities related to community supervision of paroled ADJC youth as well as managing the day to day operations of the AZ ICJ office. He has been with ADJC for over twenty-two years. In that time he has been a Youth Corrections Officer I and II, Health and Safety Sergeant, Parole Officer, Parole Supervisor and Deputy Parole Administrator. Howard holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice.
Jakeena Lebsock
Assistant Director
Division of Health Care Services
Arizona Health Cost Containment Care System
[email protected]
602-417-4229
Jakenna Lebsock currently oversees operational, clinical, and program development aspects of Medicaid managed care for AHCCCS. Jakenna has 17 years of industry experience at both a health plan and within the state. Jakenna’s background is steeped in quality management/performance improvement but includes comprehensive efforts in policy development, oversight, stakeholder engagement, and program development. Jakenna currently serves on the ADvancing States National Board of Directors and is also a 2023/24 Milbank Emerging Leader. Jakenna holds Bachelor degrees’ in Marketing and Business Management from Johnson & Wales University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Jena Coolidge McGovern
SVP, Marketing & Communication
Arizona Commerce Authority
[email protected]
505-793-4201
Jena Coolidge McGovern serves at the SVP of Marketing & Communications at the Arizona Commerce Authority. She is responsible for leading and executing the ACA’s strategic marketing plan. Ms. McGovern and her team amplify Arizona’s unique value proposition across a variety of tactics including paid and earned media. She believes the recipe for marketing success is achieved with three key ingredients: a team of passionate professionals, a culture that promotes creativity and leading-edge tech tools. Ms. McGovern is an alumna of Texas State University - San Marcos, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Journalism.
Jennifer Kochanski
Crime Laboratory Manager
Arizona Department of Public Safety
[email protected]
602-223-2795
John Richardson
Assistant State Forester
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
[email protected]
602-771-1420
John Richardson is the Assistant State Forester for Forestry Programs with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM). John has been with DFFM since 2012 and has worked extensively developing the Hazardous Fuel Reduction, Forest Health, Urban and Community Forestry, Forest Stewardship, Good Neighbor Authority, and related grant programs. He is a Northern Arizona University - School of Forestry graduate, ISA Certified Arborist, and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor.
John Riggins
Water Resources Advisor
Water Infrastructure Finance Authority
[email protected]
602-342-5109
I'm a fourth-generation Arizonan, U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, veteran of two combat tours in Afghanistan, a Bronze Star recipient, an ASU Sun Devil, an avid ultra-marathoner, husband, and a father of three awesome kids. I've had the honor of serving the state of Arizona as the Statewide Planning Manager for the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), where I also served as the Department's Ombudsman, Chief Compliance Officer, Legislative Liaison, and on the Arizona Power Plant & Transmission Line Siting Committee. I'm currently the Water Resources Advisor to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA).
Justin Benjamin
Senior Project Manager
Arizona Department of Agriculutre
[email protected]
602-853-3796
Justin Benjamin, a father of five, began his career with the State of Arizona in 2014 at the Bureau of Community Corrections in ADCRR. He's held various roles in the Programs Division at the Arizona Department of Corrections Reentry and Rehabilitation. Currently, he serves as the Sr. PM of IT and MIS at the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Before joining the state, he worked for ten years in the private sector, focusing on healthcare disparities among homeless and addicted populations in non-profits, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, jujitsu, dancing, and singing with his daughters. Mr. Benjamin is dedicated to living life to the fullest.
Kevin Allen
Compliance Manager
Arizona Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Services Division
[email protected]
480-848-1709
I have worked with the Weights and Measures Services Division for 8 years. I started as an Investigator and worked in several different roles within our agency before becoming the Assistant Director for our agency in 2020. I recently stepped down from this role to pursue a new career path. Currently, I work part-time for Weights and Measures as a Compliance Manager.
Lisa Querard
Research and Policy Administrator
Arizona Department of Revenue
[email protected]
602-716-6813
Marianne Cox
Compliance and Strategies Chief
Arizona Game and Fish Department
[email protected]
623-236-7672
Marianne has served at the Arizona Game and Fish Department for 21 years administering and delivering wildlife management and conservation across Arizona. In 2019 she transitioned to the Director’s Office to oversee administration of federal funding and compliance, internal and external audit, strategic and operational planning, rules and policy administration and agreements administration. Marianne is a National Conservation Leadership Institute Fellow and seeks to practice adaptive leadership at every opportunity. She has a BS in Biology and a MS in Aquatic Ecology. Prior to state service she worked as a biologist at the Environment Canada National Hydrology Research Institute.
Michael Cryderman
MVD Operations Administrator
Arizona Department of Transportation
[email protected]
602-712-8014
Michelle Thompson
Chief of Communications
Arizona State Parks and Trails
[email protected]
480-589-8877
Michelle Thompson is a public relations and marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience in various sectors, including government, travel and tourism, and nonprofit. In her current role as chief of communications at Arizona State Parks and Trails, she works to promote the more than 30 parks across the state and educate and inform the public about outdoor recreation opportunities as well as encourage visitation to the parks. She also manages external and internal communications, advertising, public information, website content and social media channels for the agency and serves as a liaison to the public and the Governor’s office.
Nola Barnes
Assistant Director
General Services Division
Arizona Department of Administration
[email protected]
602-361-1636
Nola Barnes serves as the Assistant Director of the General Services Division for the Arizona Department of Administration. Nola is responsible for facilities operations and maintenance, tenant services, real estate, capital outlay planning, construction project management and compliance, physical security, and surplus property. Nola has been with ADOA for 16 years and previously worked at the Arizona Department of Economic Security for 14 years. Nola holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and lives in Phoenix with her husband, Tom.
Ruby Dhillon-Williams
Deputy Director
Arizona Department of Housing
[email protected]
602-771-1010
Ruby Dhillon-Williams, is the Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH). She previously served as the Assistant Deputy Director of Housing & Community Development for ADOH from 2020-2022 overseeing Rental Development, Community Development & Revitalization, Special Needs Housing and Asset Management. Prior to that she served as Rental Programs Administrator from 2010-2012.
Ruby is a progressive leader with more than 20 years of experience in public and private sector housing development with an extensive background in utilizing the LIHTC program.
Sonya Herrera
Assistant Director
Enterprise Safety and Business Continuity
Arizona Department of Transportation
[email protected]
O: 602-712-7745
C:602-571-1007
Prior to taking on the new Office of Enterprise Safety and Business Continuity in 2023, Sonya was the Administrative Services Division Director for 10 years where she managed seven work groups made up of 356 employees and a $100M+ budget. She has been with ADOT since 2001, serving as the Safety and Risk Management manager and the occupational safety administrator. In these positions, she directed the development of the agency's safety processes and loss prevention programs. Prior to joining ADOT, Sonya worked for private-sector companies in the United States and Kuwait. She earned a bachelor's degree from Auburn University and is a US Army Veteran who served in Desert Storm.
Steven Hintze
Chief Data and Product Officer
Arizona Department of Child Safety
[email protected]
602-717-2798
Steven Hintze leads the development of software and data products including the implementation of Guardian, a comprehensive child welfare information system.
Prior to becoming the CDPO, he started as an ongoing Case Manager, lead the highest volume field office in the state as a Program Manager, then did statewide improvement implementing the DCS Management System throughout the field and several strategic initiatives and programs on the lean team and as the Continuous Improvement Administrator. He is passionate about improving the lives of children and families in Arizona, creating a psychologically safe culture, and driving positive change for individuals and outcomes at scale.
Tonya Hamilton
Cabinet Executive Officer/Tribal Liaison
Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family
[email protected]
602-542-1760
Tonya Hamilton was appointed as Director of the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) in January 2023. Previous to Ms. Hamilton's appointment, the native Phoenician served 29 years working for the State of Arizona and its citizens at the Pima County Juvenile Court Center, the Arizona Supreme Court, and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry.
Director Hamilton currently serves as an ex officio member of the Arizona Commission of African American Affairs, a member of the Arizona Human Trafficking Council, a member of the Child, Safety and Empowerment Council, Tribal Liaison and she participates on the Governor’s Veterans Policy Academy Team.