1) Out of the estimated 300 candidates for the chamber's CEO position, why do you think you were chosen?
My enthusiasm for the position played a role. To work at an organization that serves as the state's leading business advocate at the state capital is a dream position for me. Additionally, I believe that my track record of attracting talent helped. I am extremely proud of the team that we are putting together at the chamber.

2) What has been the biggest challenge stepping into a CEO position?
Prioritization. There are so many opportunities, but time and resources are limited. The chamber needs to focus on what some would term as the "meat and potatoes" business agenda. The Arizona chamber’s core product is the development of sound public policy and then executing it at the state capital.

3) How did you develop legislative priorities?
We have an inclusive process for developing the policy positions that make up our annual business agenda. We have 12 policy committees, which are open to all Arizona chamber members. Each committee deals with a separate policy area of interest to the business community. For example, we have Tax, Education & Workforce Development, Immigration, and Health Care committees, to name a few. Policy committees recommend positions on issues that fall within their respective domains. They also suggest which issues should be priorities for the chamber. These recommendations go to the Public Affairs Committee, which assesses their political viability. Finally, our board of directors reviews and approves the full business agenda as well as the priorities.

4) How will you help the chamber achieve the chamber's legislative agenda?
It will take teamwork. We will work as a partner with chambers throughout the state as well as trade associations. There’s a tremendous amount of leadership in chambers and trade associations in Arizona. A united business front provides the best chance for success.

5) What is the most important lesson you learned during your six years at the White House and how will you use that in your new role?
One important lesson learned is that if you are pursuing a good legislative product, it will move forward with persistence. The legislative process contains many hurdles. Persistence, combined with patience and diplomacy, are generally prerequisites in terms of advancing legislation. I also learned of the importance of bipartisan support for initiatives. In the U.S. Senate, 60 votes are required for most pieces of legislation to move forward. Since neither political party is even close to sixty votes, bipartisan support is required to advance legislation. In Arizona, a similar dynamic exists. It is simply impossible to get a piece of legislation signed into law without support from both parties.

6) Which job or position have you held in your career that has prepared you the most for your role as CEO?
I believe that my role as executive director of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) best prepared me for my job at the Arizona chamber. Most people may not be aware of this, but there are a number of different technologies covered under the umbrella of solar energy. Obviously, there are many different industry sectors represented by the chamber. It takes skill and a lot of listening to make sure that a trade association is meeting the needs of all of its members. At SEIA, I also learned the importance of working with like-minded organizations to advance legislation and the importance of building strong relationships with legislative and executive branches.

7) What does the chamber have planned to support small businesses?
The chamber’s agenda supports businesses of every size and sector in the state of Arizona. Property and income tax relief for businesses provide relief regardless of size. I would argue that some of our efforts are critical to the survival of small businesses. Take the issue of employer sanctions, for example. If a regulatory scheme emerges that provides draconian sanctions to businesses acting in good faith in hiring decisions, many small businesses will lack the resources to survive, even if they are unfairly implicated.

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