Supervisor Denny Barney, District 1, will be serving the East Valley in a new way. The sixth-generation Arizonan will be slowly transitioning out of his position on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to assume a new role as President and CEO of East Valley Partnership.
The current CEO and former Gilbert Mayor, John Lewis, will step down at the end of May. Barney agreed to serve as part-time CEO, without pay, effective June 1. As his role at the Partnership expands, he will resign his seat on the Board of Supervisors, likely in 2019.
“It’s never easy to leave a job you enjoy, but the chance to have a direct influence on economic development in the region my family helped found is one I couldn’t pass up” said Barney. “At the same time, I know I have a responsibility to the people who elected me to the Board of Supervisors, and I want to honor their trust and support by ensuring my job with the Board is a primary focus for the remainder of my time in office.”
Supervisor Barney was elected in 2012 and served as Board Chairman in 2014 and 2017. His district includes Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Tempe, Sun Lakes, West Mesa and Ahwatukee.
“Denny and I joined the Board at the same time. He has been a good colleague and friend for the past five years,” said current Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Chucri, District 2. “I’ve appreciated his perspective and leadership. I am confident he will continue to represent the East Valley well in his new role.”
Maricopa County is governed by five district supervisors, each representing a geographic area of roughly the same population. County supervisors are elected positions and serve four-year terms. Arizona Revised Statute 16-230(A)2 will determine the way in which Barney’s seat will be filled.
“Supervisor Barney has made it clear to me that he remains dedicated to Maricopa County and will continue to bring all of his energy to the job he was elected to do,” said County Manager Joy Rich. “Although it is sad to know he will ultimately be leaving his position, I know he will make his constituents a priority during his remaining time on the Board.”
East Valley Partnership was created in 1982 as a 501(c)(6) nonpartisan coalition of civic, business, education and political leaders dedicated to the economic development and promotion of the East Valley of Greater Phoenix. The partnership advocates in areas such as economic development, education, transportation and infrastructure, arts and healthcare.
“The way I look at it, these two roles complement each other well and have in common the desire to make Maricopa County, and the East Valley in particular, a desirable place to work and live for generations to come,” said Barney.