FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 24, 2022
President Fann and Speaker Bowers Send WIFA Nominations
to Governor Ducey
PHOENIX, ARIZONA-- State Senate President Karen Fann and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rusty Bowers today submitted a list of five qualified applicants to Governor Ducey for his selection of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) Board Member specializing in finance or statewide water needs.
In addition to their own direct appointments, the President and Speaker are responsible for submitting a list of five qualified applicants to serve in the WIFA Board Member position specializing in finance or statewide water needs. The Governor must select from the list to fill this important role. In continuing a transparent process throughout this legislative and executive effort, the President and Speaker together have announced submission of the following individuals:
• Karl Polen, retired Chief Investment Officer of the Arizona State Retirement System
• Mark Bonsall, retired Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of Salt River Project
• Mark Holmes, hydrogeologist, consultant and former municipal water manager
• Peter Kim, technology entrepreneur and global marketing executive
• Shane Leonard, General Manager of the Roosevelt Water Conservation District
Back in June, the Governor signed SB 1740, sponsored by Senator Sine Kerr (R-13), which greatly enhances WIFA as the statewide entity responsible for managing a historic $1.2 billion appropriation passed this session to address the water issues our state is currently facing. The goal of this in is to ensure Arizona families, businesses, farmers, and ranchers will continue to have an adequate water supply for the next 100 years.
"The Board Member position specializing in finance or statewide water needs will provide a critical role in guiding our state's commitment to jumpstarting water resource augmentation and conservation solutions through the revamped Water Infrastructure Finance Authority," said President Karen Fann (R-1). "The individuals we have submitted to the Governor have the requisite financial expertise and understanding of diverse, multi-sector water needs to get the job done."
"Each of these individuals bring experience and expertise that will greatly benefit the WIFA Board and, by extension, our entire state," said Speaker Rusty Bowers (R-25). "I commend Governor Ducey and my fellow legislative leaders for working quickly to finalize the WIFA Board's membership so that they can begin the important work of securing Arizona's water future."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov
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