Infraday Southwest 2026

About Aaron Cohen

Aaron Cohen is a construction technology leader, educator, and author with extensive experience in infrastructure estimating, project controls, and construction management. He currently serves as Manager of Estimating Solutions at DEPCOM Power and as a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University’s Del E. Webb School of Construction. His career includes founding and operating a trenchless construction company and leading the development of enterprise estimating software at InEight. He is also a contributing author of several leading construction textbooks, bringing a unique combination of field experience, technology innovation, and academic expertise to the infrastructure industry.

Related links & documents

• Arizona State University — Aaron Cohen faculty profile ↗
• NASTT — Aaron Cohen instructor profile ↗

About AJ Waters

AJ Waters is Field COO for the Public Sector at Procore Technologies, where he works with public agencies and infrastructure owners to improve construction technology, project delivery, and accountability. He brings more than 20 years of experience across construction, technology, project management, and digital transformation, with a particular focus on helping organizations successfully adopt new tools and processes. Prior to Procore, Waters served as Chief Evangelist at Kahua and held senior industry solutions leadership roles at InEight. He also worked at Google, where he helped lead the digital transformation of the company’s global data center construction organization and implementation of construction management technology. Waters is also the creator of TheEngiNerdLife, a platform and podcast focused on making construction technology, innovation, and digital transformation more accessible to industry professionals. He holds a Master of Science in Management and Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics from Doane University.

Related links & documents

• Procore — construction management for public agencies ↗
• Procore for Government — capital infrastructure platform ↗
• Procore — customer project case studies ↗

About Ben Lewis

Ben Lewis works in innovation and learning at Purpose Built Communities, where he leads the Solutions Lab, coordinates organizational learning and supports field building. His background includes school leadership, teaching and comprehensive community development. Lewis earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Harvard University and holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Alongside his Purpose Built work, he founded Civic Returns to help host communities negotiate benefits from data centers and other major infrastructure investments. At Infraday Southwest, Lewis will contribute a host-community perspective on local opposition, community agreements and the conditions that allow projects to advance.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Brett Dooley

Brett Dooley is a business development leader for Bosch’s industrial vertical in North America. His background includes mechanical engineering, industrial repair, technical sales and service as an electronics technician in the United States Navy submarine force. In earlier work at Bosch Rexroth, he collaborated with business owners and engineers on motion control and automation challenges. Dooley has also been active with the Arizona Technology Council, including its energy and e-mobility community. At Infraday Southwest, he will bring an industrial technology perspective to the discussion of practical automation, robotics and the opportunities to improve how infrastructure and manufacturing assets operate daily.

Related links & documents

• Brett Dooley — factory automation and robotics podcast ↗
• Bosch Rexroth — industrial automation and mobile machinery ↗

About Carol Ackerman

Carol Ackerman is Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Development at MAXUMAL, where she helps drive strategic growth, development partnerships and major project opportunities. She brings extensive experience in large-scale real estate development, including master-planned communities, mixed-use projects, resorts and complex developments requiring coordination across government, investors and private-sector stakeholders. At MAXUMAL, Ackerman has helped secure more than $800 million in MOU pre-sale agreements while supporting the company’s initial projects and market expansion. She is also Principal of Developer Services, where she has advised developers on entitlements, permitting, governance and stakeholder coordination, including projects on the Gila River Indian Community. Based in Phoenix, Ackerman brings a combination of development, strategic partnerships, investor relations and project delivery experience to the rapidly growing Southwest market.

Related links & documents

• MAXUMAL — Component-Ready Construction ↗
• Carol Ackerman on LinkedIn ↗

About Christopher Kuzdas

Christopher Kuzdas is Water Program Director at the Environmental Defense Fund, where he leads work focused on water security, governance, and sustainable water management across Arizona and the Colorado River Basin. He has more than a decade of experience working on Western water issues and previously served as co-lead of the Water for Arizona Coalition. Kuzdas also teaches Water & Society at Coconino Community College and has held research and teaching roles at Arizona State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Sustainability with a focus on water, governance, and political science, as well as a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Related links & documents

• Christopher Kuzdas — Arizona water policy articles ↗
• EDF — building a more resilient Colorado River ↗
• EDF — Arizona groundwater protection update ↗

About Courtney Lee

Biography will be added when supplied.

Related links & documents

• AWS — data center design and energy efficiency ↗
• Amazon — water stewardship and AWS water-positive progress ↗
• AWS — community impact of data center investment ↗

About David Stanley

David Stanley is Manager of Regulatory and External Affairs at Capstone Copper Pinto Valley. His professional background spans more than twenty-five years in business, regulatory, project and risk management. Pinto Valley is an Arizona copper operation in the historic Globe-Miami mining district, where infrastructure, resource availability and responsible production are closely connected. Stanley’s role provides a regulatory and external affairs perspective on the conditions surrounding mine operations and development. At Infraday Southwest, he will join the critical minerals discussion, bringing that perspective to questions about copper production, permitting, supporting infrastructure and the relationships between mining investment and Arizona’s industrial future.

Related links & documents

• Capstone — Pinto Valley operations and growth plans ↗
• Capstone — water stewardship and infrastructure ↗

About Derek Bierd

Derek Bierd is a Project Manager at Haydon Companies in Phoenix, Arizona, with more than 15 years of experience in construction and project delivery. His background includes roles with Kiewit, Okland Construction, and The Walsh Group, spanning engineering, design management, quality control, and construction management. At Haydon, he oversees public-sector and commercial projects, including municipal infrastructure improvements, recreational facilities, and building renovations. Derek holds a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Related links & documents

• Haydon Companies — Parks & Recreation project portfolio ↗
• Haydon Companies — Today’s State-Of-The-Art Parks ↗

About Derrick A. Denis

Derrick A. Denis is a world-renowned practitioner, educator, inventor, author, expert witness, and industry leader whose life's work is dedicated to preventing people from dying early. For more than three decades, he has helped organizations identify, evaluate, and control environmental, occupational, and indoor air quality hazards. An internationally recognized speaker, published author, inventor, and patent holder, Mr. Denis is a trusted authority on industrial hygiene, sewer gas intrusion, Legionella, mold, wildfire contamination, and lithium-ion battery fire investigations.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Heath Vescovi-Chiordi

Heath Vescovi-Chiordi serves as Director of Economic Development for Pima County, Arizona, where he leads efforts focused on economic diversification, business attraction and retention, strategic planning, workforce development and infrastructure investment. His work includes strengthening Southern Arizona’s position in industries such as advanced manufacturing and semiconductors while developing partnerships that support long-term regional growth. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Arizona, teaching economic development to graduate students in the School of Government and Public Policy. Prior to joining Pima County, he held several economic development and local government leadership positions with the Town of Marana. Heath holds both a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Arizona. He is also an AZED Pro certified economic development professional and has served on the boards of the Arizona Association for Economic Development and Arizona Town Hall.

Related links & documents

• Pima County — economic development programs ↗
• Pima County — economic development news and project updates ↗
• Heath Vescovi-Chiordi — Building a Cross-Border Economic Engine (podcast) ↗

About Jessica Larson

Jessica Larson is a Digital Solution Specialist at Microsoft, helping organizations accelerate cloud transformation and adopt AI solutions through Microsoft Azure. She works with customers to align technology investments with business priorities, from solution design and architecture through deployment and adoption. Previously, Larson spent more than six years as a Cloud & AI Solution Advisor at Microsoft, partnering with enterprise and mid-market customers on scalable cloud, data, and AI strategies. She is a Microsoft Certified AI Business Professional with expertise in artificial intelligence, cloud strategy, digital transformation, and strategic planning. Larson is based in the Phoenix area and holds a background in business management from Western Governors University.

Related links & documents

• Microsoft — AI for transportation and urban infrastructure ↗
• Microsoft Learn — Azure Digital Twins overview ↗
• Microsoft and Bentley — infrastructure digital twins collaboration ↗

About John Willett

John Willett leads transportation work for the City of Buckeye, bringing nearly forty years of experience in traffic engineering, design and planning. Previously identified as the city’s traffic engineer, he now serves in a transportation deputy director role. His public discussions address how road networks and traffic infrastructure can keep pace with Buckeye’s growth. He has also highlighted the importance of safely moving vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, students, goods and transit riders. At Infraday Southwest, Willett will bring a municipal transportation perspective to the discussion of investment priorities, expanding capacity and connecting rapidly growing communities with employment and development across Arizona.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Joseph Keffer

Joseph Keffer is Chief Engineer for Hydraulics and Pumping at Freeport-McMoRan, bringing an engineering perspective to the infrastructure supporting mining operations. His professional background includes graduate study at the University of Arizona in mineral processing, geometallurgy and extractive metallurgy. Keffer has served as program chair for the SME Arizona Conference and is listed as immediate past chair of the SME Tucson Section. He has also participated in discussions about mining innovation and technology. At Infraday Southwest, Keffer will join the critical minerals panel to contribute a perspective on pumping, water systems and infrastructure requirements behind copper production and industrial development.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Josh Bowman

Passionate about driving growth and fostering development, Josh is dedicated to enhancing the durability and prosperity of the community. With a unique ability to navigate the intricacies of government processes, Josh leads initiatives that fuel economic growth, attract investment, and elevate the quality of life for residents. As a committed advocate for the city’s success, Josh thrives on transforming visionary projects into tangible outcomes, ensuring that development aligns with both community needs and long-term objectives.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Kimberly Moon

Kimberly Moon serves as Engineering Department Director and City Engineer for the City of Avondale, Arizona, where she leads engineering and capital infrastructure initiatives. She brings nearly 30 years of experience across local government and the private sector, with extensive expertise in capital improvement programs, utilities, transportation, public works, and project delivery. Prior to joining Avondale, Kimberly held several engineering and capital program leadership roles with the City of Chandler and the Town of Prescott Valley. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northern Arizona University as well as a degree in Management from Yavapai College. Throughout her career, Kimberly has focused on collaborative leadership, streamlined project delivery, and building effective teams to deliver infrastructure that supports growing communities.

Related links & documents

• Avondale — engineering department and project contact ↗
• Avondale — active city capital improvement projects ↗
• Avondale — development progress dashboard ↗

About Lauren Hixson

Lauren Hixson is the Water Resources Manager for Gilbert, Arizona, where she leads water resource planning and supports the community’s long-term water security and resiliency efforts. She has held several water and energy planning roles with Gilbert since 2020, providing policy guidance, research, analysis, and long-range resource planning. Previously, Hixson spent more than seven years with WestLand Resources, working on water and wastewater engineering, hydraulic modeling, master planning, infrastructure design, and assured water supply permitting. Her experience spans both the engineering and policy sides of water infrastructure, with a particular focus on water supply and resilience in Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona.

Related links & documents

• Gilbert — water supply portfolio and long-term planning ↗
• Gilbert — reclaimed water and reuse infrastructure ↗
• Gilbert — water management strategies, policies and forms ↗

About Mark Goldstein

Mark Goldstein is President of International Research Center, where he has provided consulting, custom research and strategic support to business, legal and public policy clients since 1992. He is a technology visionary, advisor and entrepreneur with extensive expertise across telecommunications, information technology, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, biotechnology, sustainability and emerging technologies. Goldstein serves on the Board and Executive Committees of the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council and is active across Arizona’s technology and innovation community. His work has included research and thought leadership on smart cities, AI, broadband infrastructure, sustainability and emerging technology trends. He is also a frequent speaker and presenter, sharing insights on how new technologies are transforming cities, infrastructure, business and society. Based in Arizona, Goldstein brings decades of experience connecting technology, public policy and strategic planning to help organizations understand and prepare for the next generation of innovation.

Related links & documents

• Mark Goldstein — public presentation library ↗
• Mark Goldstein — AI in Smart Cities and Smart Places (2026 presentation) ↗
• Mark Goldstein — On-Orbit Compute and Orbital Data Centers (2026 PDF) ↗

About Markus Coleman

Markus Coleman is Assistant Director for the Street Transportation Department at the City of Phoenix, bringing more than three decades of experience with the city. He previously served as Phoenix’s Light Rail Administrator, helping advance major transit investments and light rail expansion across the region. His experience includes transportation planning, project management, transit-oriented development and the delivery of complex infrastructure projects. Coleman has played a key role in Phoenix and Valley Metro initiatives, including the South Central Light Rail Extension and other major investments expanding the region’s transportation network. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Metropolitan Studies from Arizona State University.

Related links & documents

• Phoenix — street transportation projects and capital improvement program ↗
• Phoenix — South Central transit-oriented development community plan ↗
• Phoenix — Transportation 2050 investments ↗

About Matthew Prater

Matthew Prater teaches robotics and digital fabrication at the University of Advancing Technology. His background combines software engineering, chemistry, education and manufacturing. Before teaching at UAT, he spent thirteen years at Cardinal Health in quality, manufacturing and research roles involving radioactive diagnostic medicines. Using robotic synthesis systems sparked his interest in software and embedded systems. He also taught chemistry and research courses and has worked as an application architect in finance. Prater holds graduate degrees from Regis University and Arizona State University. At Infraday Southwest, he will contribute a practical education and engineering perspective on robotics, automation and infrastructure operations.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Melanie Sheldon

Melanie Sheldon is Senior Director of Business Development at the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), where she has spent more than a decade supporting business growth and economic development initiatives across the state. She works at the intersection of government and industry, with particular engagement in sectors including advanced energy, critical minerals, battery materials, and emerging technologies. Her career also includes nearly seven years with the Australian Taxation Office, where she worked in indirect tax and small and medium enterprise compliance. Sheldon studied Business Administration and Management at RMIT and has become an active voice in Nevada’s expanding innovation and economic development ecosystem.

Related links & documents

• Nevada GOED — target industries ↗
• Nevada GOED — business investment incentives ↗
• Nevada GOED — business resources, sites and workforce support ↗

About Milos Vasiljevic

Milos Vasiljevic is Transportation Program Management Director at HDR and a licensed professional engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry. He leads HDR’s transportation program management practice, developing integrated delivery strategies, strengthening project controls and guiding multidisciplinary teams on large, complex infrastructure programs. Throughout his career, he has supported owners in the procurement, design, construction and oversight of major transportation projects, with a focus on execution efficiency, risk mitigation and strategic outcomes. His project experience includes the I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor, Carolina Crossroads, South Mountain Freeway, Eagle P3 Project and Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement. He previously held roles at HDR spanning program management, project management, project controls and bridge engineering. Vasiljevic holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. in Engineering Mechanics from the University of Arizona.

Related links & documents

• Miloš Vasiljević — project controls and data-informed decisions (HDR interview) ↗
• HDR — I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor project ↗
• ADOT — Wild Horse Pass Corridor planning and project documents ↗

About Nick Myers

Nick Myers serves as Chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission, where he helps oversee the regulation of Arizona’s electric, gas, water and telecommunications utilities. He was elected to the Commission in 2022 after previously serving as a policy advisor and later as Vice Chairman. Myers has been actively involved in Arizona’s energy policy, including issues surrounding grid reliability, nuclear power, natural gas infrastructure and the growing electricity demands of data centers. Before entering public service, he spent more than two decades in technology and engineering, including roles as a software engineering manager and technology company CEO. His combination of regulatory, technology and energy experience provides a unique perspective on the infrastructure needed to support Arizona’s continued growth.

Related links & documents

• Arizona Corporation Commission — integrated resource planning ↗
• Arizona Corporation Commission — utilities regulation and resources ↗
• Arizona Corporation Commission — utility planning workshop (2024) ↗

About Nick Osborne

Nick Osborne is an Implementation Manager at Procon Consulting, where he helps infrastructure owners maximize the value of their Project Management Information Systems (PMIS).He brings more than a decade of experience spanning construction technology, product management, solution engineering, product marketing, and software implementation. Prior to Procon, Osborne served as Director of Product Marketing at Kahua and held multiple product, solution engineering, and marketing leadership roles at InEight. His work has focused on bridging the gap between technology and real-world construction challenges, helping organizations implement connected solutions that improve project and program management. Osborne holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Capella University, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Related links & documents

• Procon — PMIS and construction technology solutions ↗
• Procon — program and construction management ↗
• Procon — project portfolio ↗

About Nicole Petker

Nicole Petker, PE, is a Water Resources Advisor with the City of Mesa, where she works on water policy, water law, planning, and management. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Arizona with experience spanning municipal water and wastewater systems, stormwater management, groundwater remediation, and industrial water treatment. Prior to joining Mesa, Petker spent more than seven years with the Town of Queen Creek, managing water resources, regulatory compliance, groundwater recharge, water supply planning, and infrastructure programs. She previously served as an Environmental Engineer and Project Manager with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona, supporting the planning, financing, and delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects. Her background also includes engineering and project management work involving water treatment, flood control, drainage, environmental permitting, and regulatory compliance. Petker studied Environmental Engineering at Arizona State University and earned a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Norwich University.

Related links & documents

• Mesa — Water Resources Strategic Plan (PDF) ↗
• Mesa — wastewater treatment, reclamation and recharge ↗
• Mesa — water infrastructure and master planning ↗

About Rodney Boden

Rodney Boden is Vice President, Investment and Development at ViaWest Group, where he works on industrial development and acquisitions in Arizona and California, as well as build-to-suit relationships. His experience spans investment analysis, underwriting, entitlements, design coordination and construction management. He previously worked in development leadership and at HFF/JLL Capital Markets. Rodney holds an MBA and a Master of Real Estate Development from Arizona State University and serves as a director of the W. P. Carey Foundation.

Related links & documents

• Official ViaWest biography ↗
• ViaWest Group ↗

About Saif Ismail

Biography will be added when supplied.

Related links & documents

• Albuquerque — B.R.A.I.N. energy management initiative ↗
• Albuquerque — energy and sustainability projects ↗
• Albuquerque — real-time facility energy optimization ↗

About Sandy Fabritz

Sandy Fabritz is Director of Water Strategy at Freeport-McMoRan, where she has led water strategy efforts since 2014. She brings more than three decades of experience in water resources, natural resource management, government relations, and environmental policy. Prior to joining Freeport-McMoRan, Fabritz spent more than 20 years with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, including serving as Director and Assistant Director of Water Management. Her background includes extensive experience addressing complex water supply and resource challenges in Arizona and the broader Southwest. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resources from Arizona State University.

Related links & documents

• Freeport-McMoRan — water stewardship and environmental programs ↗
• Freeport-McMoRan — sustainability reports and water disclosures ↗

About Sharon Megdal

Sharon B. Megdal, Ph.D. is Director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), a Cooperative Extension center and a research unit in the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences. Other primary titles are Professor and Specialist in the Department of Environmental Science, C.W. & Modene Neely Endowed Professor, and Distinguished Outreach Professor.

Sharon Megdal bridges the academic, practitioner, and civil society communities through water policy and management research, education, and engagement programs. The geographic scope of Dr. Megdal’s work ranges from local to international. Applied research projects include analysis of water management, policy, and governance in water-scarce regions and transboundary aquifer assessment.

Sharon Megdal is the lead editor of the book, Shared Borders, Shared Waters: Israeli-Palestinian and Colorado River Basin Water Challenges, and she has guest edited several special journal issues. Dr. Megdal teaches the graduate course “Water Policy in Arizona and Semi-arid Regions”. In 2020, she was awarded the Warren A. Hall Medal for lifetime achievement in water resources research and education by the Universities Council on Water Resources, and in 2024 she was named a fellow of the American Water Resources Association.

Sharon Megdal serves on the Board of Governors for the Kasser Joint Institute for Food, Water, and Energy Security, the Leadership Team for the Colorado River Basin Water & Tribes Initiative, the Women in Water Diplomacy Network’s Global Leadership Council, and Governor Hobbs’ Water Policy Council. Past public service includes serving for 12 years as a popularly elected Director for the Central Arizona Project. Other past service includes serving as a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission, the State Transportation Board, and the Arizona Medical Board. Sharon Megdal holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Princeton University.

Related links & documents

• WRRC — Arizona county water factsheets ↗
• WRRC — Arizona water research and publications ↗
• WRRC — Arroyo reports on Arizona water management ↗

About Soma King

Soma King is Manager of Digital Innovation at Arizona Public Service, bringing more than fifteen years of experience in analytics and a doctorate in physics. At APS, Soma helps modernize decisions across customer services, electricity distribution and transmission. Previous work in healthcare included developing analytical models to identify fraud, waste and abuse, alongside improving customer engagement. Soma’s background connects advanced data science with the operational challenges of essential infrastructure. At Infraday Southwest, Soma will bring a utility innovation perspective to the discussion of electricity demand, grid planning and the infrastructure required to support data centers, manufacturing and regional economic growth.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Ted Cooke

Ted Cooke chairs the Long-Term Water Augmentation Committee at the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona and serves on its board. He previously led Central Arizona Project, working with other Colorado River states and federal partners on drought and water supply challenges. His earlier career included the development, financing, operation and management of commercial solar and geothermal power facilities. Cooke holds degrees in physics, business administration and management. At Infraday Southwest, he will bring experience in water policy, utility operations and infrastructure finance to the discussion of augmentation, long-term supply reliability and the investments needed for Arizona’s future economic growth.

Related links & documents

• WIFA — in-state water augmentation funding overview ↗
• Governor’s office — Cooke’s 2026 WIFA reappointment and committee role ↗

About Ted Cross

Ted Cross is Assistant Vice President of Principled Innovation and a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University. He works with university leaders to embed values and character into innovation practices that support human flourishing. Cross holds faculty appointments in the Thunderbird School of Global Management and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Previously, he served as Associate Dean of Innovation at Western Governors University. His education includes degrees from Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, the University of Pennsylvania and Pepperdine University. At Infraday Southwest, he will bring a leadership perspective to responsible adoption of AI and automation.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Teresa Cook

Biography will be added when supplied.

Related links & documents

• Sunport — airport ground transportation and rail connections ↗
• Albuquerque — ABQ RIDE Forward network plan ↗
• Sunport — environmental and sustainability programs ↗

About Timothy Keenan

Timothy Keenan is Vice President of Construction and Development at Castle Hill Partners, where he is responsible for the construction and development of the Saddleback master-planned community in Peoria, Arizona. He brings extensive experience in real estate development, land acquisition, entitlement, planning and engineering across residential, commercial, multifamily and industrial projects. Previously, Keenan held senior development and acquisition roles with Vaulter and DHI Communities/DR Horton, overseeing projects across Arizona and other high-growth U.S. markets. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Arizona State University.

Related links & documents

• Saddleback — master-planned community in Peoria ↗
• Saddleback — project news and updates ↗
• Saddleback infrastructure financing — City of Peoria council record (2025) ↗

About Tim Roemer

In 2025, Tim Roemer was announced as the CEO of GMI. Prior to becoming the CEO, he was the Chief Security Officer at GMI for two years, where he helped protect GMI and our clients from evolving global security threats. He started his career by serving for 10 years at the CIA, including 2 years assigned to the White House Situation Room, where he provided national security updates to the President, Vice President, and the National Security Council.

After ten years at the CIA, he returned to his home state of Arizona to work for Governor Ducey. He was appointed by Governor Ducey and unanimously approved by the Arizona Senate to be the Director of Homeland Security and was the only person in the country to lead the Department of Homeland Security and, at the same time, serve as the Chief Information Security Officer, responsible for overseeing the State’s cybersecurity team. His responsibilities included cybersecurity, border security, and counterterrorism. He also co-chaired the Arizona-Mexico Commission’s Security Committee and served on the Arizona Human Trafficking Council.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.

About Todd Johnson

Todd Johnson is Director of Development for the Mission Critical sector at Ryan Companies, where his work focuses on data center real estate. He brings a development perspective to the infrastructure requirements behind cloud computing and artificial intelligence. In a published Ryan interview, Johnson discusses core, AI and edge facilities, electrical equipment constraints, and the coordination required between site development and building systems. His perspective connects investment decisions with practical delivery requirements. At Infraday Southwest, Johnson will join the conversation about technology campuses, supporting utilities and the conditions communities need to create for the next generation of digital infrastructure investment.

Related links & documents

Presentations, reports, project links and other resources will appear here as they are shared and approved.