Announcing the second class of Flinn-Brown Fellows

August 4, 2011

By The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership

The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is pleased to introduce the 26 Arizonans who have been selected as the second class of Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellows. Coming from many cities and towns, a broad spectrum of professions, and many walks of life, the group will begin the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy on September 9.

The Flinn-Brown Academy, one of three core components of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, is anchored by a 12-session seminar series that emphasizes the skills and knowledge necessary to become state leaders and resolve state-level challenges. The Academy is presented in the fall and spring each year.

The nonpartisan Academy’s content is based on the critical issues facing Arizona today and in the coming years. Current and former public-policy experts, scholars, and leaders—drawn from the public and private sectors—share with Fellows not only facts and figures, but also a wide variety of perspectives and leadership skills.

Beyond the seminars, the Academy includes mentoring, an individual plan for civic leadership, and an alumni network.

The 26 Flinn-Brown Fellows were selected in a highly competitive process that involved formal nominations, a written application, and an in-person interview. The Leadership Council of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership made the final selection of Fellows.

The Spring 2012 class of the Academy will begin in March. Information about becoming a member of the third Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy will be available on the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership’s website by September 1.

Fall 2011 Flinn-Brown Fellows

Jodi Bain, J.D.Jodi Bain, J.D., Tucson

Attorney, Munger Chadwick PLC

Malena BarajasMagdalena (Malena) Barajas, Tucson

Advisor, Pima County Board of Supervisors

Terry BenelliTerry Benelli, Mesa

Executive Director, Neighborhood Economic Development Corp.

Stacey ButtonStacey Button, Flagstaff

Economic Vitality Director, City of Flagstaff

Molly EdwardsMolly Edwards, Scottsdale

Marketing Manager, Polsinelli Shughart PC

Tony Gonzales, J.D.Tony Gonzales, J.D., Flagstaff

Attorney, private practice

Stephanie HealyStephanie Healy, Tucson

President, Hospital Council of Southern Arizona

Daniel HernandezDaniel Hernandez, Jr., Tucson

Intern, Office of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords

Cassie HilpmanCassandra (Cassie) Hilpman, Phoenix

Director of Alumni Affairs, Teach For America-Phoenix

Norman HonieNorman Honie, Kykotsmovi

Director, Office of Mining & Mineral Resources, The Hopi Tribe

Brandi HuntBrandi Hunt, Scottsdale

President and CEO, Gauge Construction Corp.

Justin JohnsonJustin Johnson, Phoenix

CEO, Old World Communities LLC

Diane LandisDiane Landis, C.P.A., Litchfield Park

Councilmember, City of Litchfield Park

Stefanie MachStefanie Mach, Tucson

CEO, CM Concordia Consulting LLC

Christopher H. MathisChristopher H. Mathis, J.D., Tucson

Attorney, Law Office of Christopher H. Mathis PLC

Lea Marquez PetersonLea Marquez Peterson, Tucson

President and CEO, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Beatriz RendónBeatriz Elisabeth Rendón, J.D., Tempe

Associate Vice President for Educational Outreach, Arizona State University

Brett RustandBrett Rustand, Tucson

Vice President, Crest Insurance Group

Jay SchlumJay Schlum, Fountain Hills

Mayor, Town of Fountain Hills; Cloud Communications, Telesphere Networks Ltd.

Suzanne Sisley, M.D.Suzanne Sisley, M.D., Phoenix

Clinical Faculty, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Arizona Telemedicine Program

Audra Koester ThomasAudra Koester Thomas, Fountain Hills

Senior Associate, Partners for Strategic Action Inc.

Douglas Von GausigDouglas Von Gausig, Clarkdale

Mayor, Town of Clarkdale

Brad Vynalek, J.D.Brad Vynalek, J.D., Phoenix

Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP

Tonya WatsonTonya Watson, Ph.D., Flagstaff

President and CEO, Senior Services Inc.

Thea Wilshire, Ph.D.Thea Wilshire, Ph.D., Globe

Vice Mayor, City of Globe; Clinical Director, San Carlos Apache Wellness Center

Kim Winzer, J.D.Kimulet (Kim) Winzer, J.D., Phoenix

Director of Compliance – West Region, UnitedHealthcare Arizona Physicians IPA

Four other Arizonans have been tapped for the Spring 2012 Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. These include:

  • Carl Zaragoza, Advocacy Director, Stand for Children;
  • Talonya Adams, Attorney, People Caring for People;
  • Stacy Reinstein, Senior Projects Manager-Policy, Program and Process Improvement, Division of Children, Youth and Families, Arizona Department of Economic Security;
  • Deborah Gonzalez, Chief Academic Officer, ASU/University Public Schools.