Leadership Staff

Portrait of Elizabeth Alvarado-Thorson

Elizabeth Alvarado-Thorson

Interim Director
Read Bio

 

Elizabeth Thorson was appointed Interim Director of the Arizona Department of Administration in February 2019. Elizabeth oversees the direction of policy and operations of all the divisions within the agency. Prior to her appointment, Elizabeth served as Deputy Director and prior to that, was the Assistant Director of the Human Resources Division. 

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

 

Portrait of Ray Di Ciccio

Ray Di Ciccio

Interim Deputy Director
Read Bio

 

Ray Di Ciccio is the State Risk Manager and Director of the Risk Management Division for the Arizona Department of Administration. Ray has statewide management responsibility for property, liability and workers’ compensation claims management, loss prevention, environmental remediation, risk financing, excess insurance and occupational health. Prior to his appointment, he served as the State Risk Management Finance and Insurance Manager. Outside of State service, Ray is an active member of the State Risk and Insurance Management Association.

Ray earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1982 and Certified Public Accountant designation in 1985. He and his wife Hollie live in Gilbert with their two sons.

Ray is currently serving as the Interim Deputy Director for the Arizona Department of Administration as of April 1, 2019.

 

Portrait of Megan Rose

Megan Rose

Director of Statewide Communications
Read Bio

 

Megan Rose serves as the Director of Statewide Communications for the Arizona Department of Administration. Megan oversees 35 cabinet agency communication professionals throughout the State of Arizona relating to internal and external communications and is lead for all agency affairs and communications. Prior to joining the State, Megan worked in public relations at Gordon C. James Public Relations for 16 years. Megan is the recipient of one Silver Anvil award, three Copper Anvil awards and ten Phoenix Merit awards.

Megan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Journalism and Urban Studies from University of Arizona. Megan and her husband Scott live in Laveen with their four children.

 

Portrait of Derik Leavitt

Derik Leavitt

Assistant Director, Budget and Resource Planning
Read Bio

 

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.

 

Portrait of Nicole Sornsin

Nicole Sornsin

General Counsel
Chair, Governor's Regulatory Review Council
Read Bio

 

Nicole Sornsin serves as ADOA’s General Counsel and Chair of the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. Before joining ADOA, Nicole served as Chief Legal Counsel and head of the Legal Department and Recovery Fund at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Prior to joining the State, she spent nearly a decade working as a business litigator at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, LLP, in Phoenix, where her practice focused on, among other areas, general business torts, construction, financial services, employment discrimination, consumer fraud, unfair competition, and complex contract-related disputes. Nicole was recognized as a Southwest Super Lawyers, “Rising Star” in the area of Business Litigation for 2014-2017.

Nicole earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Arizona State University and her law degree in 2009 from William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia.

 

Portrait of Morgan Reed

Morgan Reed

State Chief Information Officer
Arizona Strategic Enterprise Technology (ASET)
Read Bio

 

Morgan Reed serves as the Chief Information Officer for the State of Arizona, heading up the Arizona Strategic Enterprise Technology (ASET) division at the Arizona Department of Administration. Morgan is responsible for driving the State of Arizona’s technology strategy. Prior to joining the State of Arizona, Morgan has nearly 20 years of experience in information technology in the private sector working with technology giants such as Intel, GoDaddy and Expedia.

Morgan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Operations from DeVry University. In his spare time, Morgan loves hiking and spending time outdoors.

 

Picture of Clark Partridge

Clark Partridge

State Comptroller
Assistant Director, General Accounting Office
Read Bio

 

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.

 

Portrait of Nola Barnes

Nola Barnes

Assistant Director, General Services Division
Read Bio

 

Nola Barnes serves as the Director of the General Services Division for the Arizona Department of Administration. Nola is responsible for facilities operations and maintenance, fleet management and surplus property, as well as planning and construction services. Prior to her appointment to Assistant Director, Nola was the General Manager for General Services for nine 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.

 

Portrait of Matthew Hanson

Matthew Hanson

Director of Grants and Federal Resources
Read Bio

 

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.

 

Nancy Gomez

Interim Assistant Director, Human Resources Division
Read Bio

 

Nancy Gomez serves as the Interim Human Resources Director for the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA).  The Human Resources Division (HRD) manages the State Personnel System which consists of approximately 34,000 employees from over 100 state agencies, boards and commissions. Prior to her ADOA HR roles, Nancy served as the Assistant Division Director for the Department of Transportation overseeing Human Resources, Affirmative Action and the Civil Rights Office and also worked at the Department of Economic Security for 16 years.  

 

Portrait of Ed Jimenez

Ed Jimenez

State Procurement Administrator
Assistant Director, State Procurement Office
Read Bio

 

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.

 

 

Portrait of Paul Shannon

Paul Shannon

Assistant Director, Benefit Services Division
Read Bio

 

Paul Shannon serves as the Acting Director of the Benefit Services Division for the Arizona Department of Administration. Paul has direct oversight and responsibility for administering the benefits insurance programs for State employees, State University employees and retirees. Paul has more than 30 years of experience with government programs, ranging from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to the U.S. Peace Corps.

Paul earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Master’s degree in Applied Sociology from Northern Arizona University.

 

Liz Pence

Interim State Risk Manager
Read Bio

Liz Pence serves as the Deputy Risk Manager for the Arizona Department of Administration.  Liz is responsible for the management of Property and Casualty claims and Insurance for the state agencies, boards, commissions, and universities. Liz has over thirty years in claims and litigation management experience and over ten years managing the excess insurance program.

As of April 1, 2019, Liz is currently serving as the Interim State Risk Manager for the Arizona Department of Administration.