| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Kelly Taft, APR
Communications Manager
(602) 452-5020 MAG Selects New OfficersPHOENIX (June 27, 2008)—Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross has been selected to lead the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the regional planning agency for the metropolitan Phoenix area. MAG is a Council of Governments that provides a regional forum for analysis, discussion and resolution of regional issues, including transportation, air quality, and human services. MAG was founded in 1967. Mayor Manross was elected Chair of the MAG Regional Council during MAG's Annual Meeting in Phoenix on June 25, 2008. She succeeds Goodyear Mayor James Cavanaugh, who has chaired the Regional Council since 2006. Mayor Manross will lead the organization for the next two years and will also preside over the MAG Executive Committee, which serves as MAG's finance committee. "This is an honor and I pledge to do my best to represent MAG and the citizens of this region,” stated Mayor Manross during the formal passing of the gavel. “MAG has remained true to its underlying mission. Cities, towns, counties and Indian communities, which are closest to the people, should exercise the basic initiative, leadership and the primary responsibility for addressing local problems that require action on a regional basis.” Mayor Manross noted that the Regional Council will need to come together to address a $4 to $6 billion deficit in the Regional Transportation Plan due to the economic downturn and increases in construction costs. Manross has served on the MAG Regional Council since 2000. She has been a member of the MAG Executive Committee since 2002, serving as Treasurer from 2004 to 2005 and as Vice Chair since 2006. She has also served as Chair of the MAG Regional Domestic Violence Council for the past two years. In addition to Manross's election as Chair, Phoenix Vice Mayor Peggy Neely was elected Vice Chair and Litchfield Park Mayor Thomas Schoaf to serve as Treasurer. Elected as at-large members of the Executive Committee were Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers, Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman, and Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman. Goodyear Mayor James Cavanaugh remains on the Executive Committee as Past Chair. The Regional Council also approved new officers and members of the MAG Transportation Policy Committee (TPC). Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman was elected to serve as TPC Chair, with Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers selected as Vice Chair. New members include Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. The TPC is responsible for making policy recommendations to the Regional Council on transportation issues, including the Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program. For more information, contact Kelly Taft, MAG Communications Manager, (602) 254-6300. # # # | 
