Leadership Staff

Elizabeth Thorson was appointed to Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Administration in May of 2018. Elizabeth oversees the direction of policy and operations of the General Accounting Office, Human Resources, State Procurement Office, and Benefits Services divisions. Prior to her appointment, Elizabeth served as the Director of the Human Resources Division for the Arizona Department of Administration and Chief Human Resources Officer for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Elizabeth earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology and emphasis in Organizational Behavior from Arizona State University. In addition, she is a 2017 Flinn Brown Civic Leadership Academy Fellow. Elizabeth and her husband live in Peoria with their two daughters.

Derik Leavitt serves as the Director of Budget and Resource Planning for the Arizona Department of Administration. Prior to joining the department, Derik served the State in multiple capacities, as Budget and Finance Administrator for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Director of Fiscal Management Services for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections and in the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budget. Derik also spent five years in the private sector as a policy consultant for Burns & Associates.

Derik earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University. He and his wife Debbie live in Avondale with their four children.

Clark Partridge serves as the State Comptroller and Director of the General Accounting Office for the Arizona Department of Administration. Clark has been with the State of Arizona since 1989 and has served in multiple capacities during his tenure. Prior to transitioning to the public sector, Clark worked in public accounting for Arthur Andersen & Co. In addition to public service, Clark serves on various committees and national professional organizations. Clark has been a March of Dimes volunteer for more than 30 years and has served on the board in both Utah and Arizona.

Clark earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Government Financial Manager. Clark enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.

Matthew Hanson serves as the Director of Grants and Federal Resources and Statewide Grants Administrator for the Arizona Department of Administration. Matthew assists in the pursuance and implementation of all federal grants allocated to the State of Arizona. Prior to his appointment, Matthew served at the Governor’s Office of Economic Recovery and as the Intergovernmental and Grants Program Coordinator for the City of Goodyear. Before relocating to Arizona, Matthew was the Director in the Grants Policy Office of the United States Department of Justice.

Matthew earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and Government from Muhlenberg College.

Ed Jimenez serves as the Director of the State Procurement Office for the Arizona Department of Administration. Ed is the State’s central procurement authority and is responsible for the authorization, oversight and management of the contracting and purchasing activities of the State. Prior to his appointment, Ed worked for Supply Chain Whisperer, LLC as a Sr. Supply Chain and Procurement Consultant and as Executive Director in different capacities for The Boeing Company.

Ed earned his Bachelor’s degree in Management from Western International University and Master’s of Business Administration in Commerce and Finance from Villanova University.