Speakers

Eric Orsborn was re-elected for a second term as Mayor of Buckeye in 2024, following 10 years of service on the Buckeye City Council.  In 2026, Orsborn as elected Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments. 

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) was founded in the spirit of cooperation. MAG members believe that by uniting, they can solve common problems, take an active role in long range regional issues, and address concerns that affect communities in the greater Phoenix region.

Spanning 10,600 miles in central Arizona, MAG’s regional planning area and member agencies include 28 cities and towns, three Native nations, the Arizona Department of Transportation, all of Maricopa County, and parts of Pinal County. Our primary focus areas include transportation planning, including the implementation of Proposition 479, environmental and air quality planning, and human services planning. MAG member agencies work collaboratively to shape the future of the region and serve approximately 5 million people -- nearly 70 percent of the state’s population.

As a child, he always dreamed of being a pilot... and that dream came true.  Col. Rusty Mitchell, Ret. served in the United States Air Force for more than 22 years, and over that span was a fighter pilot and squadron commander in the Far East, Europe, and finally, the first commander of the 21st Fighter Squadron at our own Luke Air Force Base. 

Toward the end of his career, Mitchell was selected for promotion to colonel, but due to family priorities chose to decline, and retired in 1998.   "The decision to retire was hard, especially with having a line number for colonel but at the time my kids were transitioning to high school, my wife Pat had a job she loved as a registered nurse and the New Parents Support Program director here at Luke, and we wanted to ensure we stayed in the Phoenix area," he said.  He then enjoyed two decades as an Airline Captain with United Airlines, where he was based out of the San Francisco Bay area.

Mr Mitchell has served as a consultant to the City of Buckeye in helping to develope a long term plan for the use of the airport.  

 

Courtney Ophaug was named CEO of Banner Estrella Medical Center in 2015.

In her greater than 20 years with Banner Health, she has served in a variety of roles including Hospital Administrator at Banner Boswell and Banner Thunderbird Medical Centers before moving to Banner Estrella. Her Banner Health journey started in Industrial Engineering working within the Quality and Organizational Performance team. 

Ophaug has an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Master’s in business administration with an emphasis in leadership from Grand Canyon University. She serves on multiple community boards, maintains her Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has received numerous recognitions for her leadership accomplishments to date.

Charley Freericks is President of the Phoenix Region of Howard Hughes Holdings, Inc., a position he assumed in August 2024.  In this position he leads the residential and commercial development, leasing and operations of Teravalis, a 37,000 acre master planned community.  He previously served as President of DMB Associates, Inc from 1997-2016.

Doug Sandstrom, Buckeye’s new city manager, was approved for appointment as the city’s next permanent city manager in August 2025, after a nationwide search.

Sandstrom, who has over 25 years of experience in municipal government, most recently served as Buckeye’s deputy city manager. He previously worked in finance, infrastructure, and long-range planning roles in Surprise, Show Low, Casa Grande and Goodyear.

Erin Kerr Kuiper comes from long time Buckeye family and was appointed President & CEO of the Buckeye Chamber of Commerce in August, 2025.

Mr Pryor is Special Projects Administrator with the Maricopa Association of Govenments.  Velvet Mathew is a Transportation Engineer Manager with the Arizona Departement of Transportation.  They will be discussing the I-10 reliever highway State Route 30.  

Brian Elisco has been Arizona Group CEO for Tenet Healthcare since 2020.  The Arizona Group includes Abrazo Heart Hospital, Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, Abrazo Central Campus, Abrazo Scottsdale Campus and Abrazo West Campus.