City of Casa Grande

Born in Whitefish, Montana, Mayor Robert Jackson has lived in Casa Grande since 1991. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, holding a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Jackson retired from the City of Casa Grande as Public Works Director in 2002. He is now self-employed as an engineering consultant.

Mayor Jackson is serving his fourth and last term in office, which extends through June 2015.  He has been Mayor of Casa Grande since June 2007.  Under the city charter, the Mayor may not serve for more than four terms.

Bob has a long history of service with the City, including membership on the Golf Advisory Board, Redevelopment Committee (Vice-Chair), Charter Review Committee (Chair), Electric Light Parade Committee (founding member), Casa Grande Boys and Girls Club Board, and the Historical Society Board. He currently serves as Chair of Against Abuse Inc.and the Arizona Rural Education Alliance.

Jackson has three children, Matt, Kristin and Anthony and three grandchildren, Landon, Mason and Haydon. His wife, Judee, recently retired as the manager of Community Development for Arizona Public Service - southeast division.

You can reach the Mayor at:
City of Casa Grande     Phone: (520) 421-8600
510 E. Florence Blvd.     Fax: (520) 421-8602
Casa Grande, Az 85122     Email Bob Jackson

Lisa Navarro Fitzgibbons was appointed to fill a vacated seat on the City Council in May 2010 and was later elected to serve her first term through 2015.  She currently serves as the Mayor Pro Tempore.

Moving to Casa Grande in the early 1970’s from Chicago, Illinois, Lisa is almost a native. She attended elementary school and high school in Casa Grande and then went to Arizona State University and received her B.S. in Organizational Communications. While at ASU she interned with Xerox Corporation, Governor Bruce Babbitt’s Office, and Shearson Lehman Brothers in New York City. After graduation she worked for The Pepsi-Cola Company for 10 years in various Sales and Marketing positions. She was also their Hispanic Community Relations Manager for the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
 

After taking a few years off work to spend time with her young children, she continued her career in Casa Grande. She worked for United Way of Pinal County as the Success by 6 Director, Fidelity National Title as their Builder Services Representative, and is currently employed at Fitzgibbons Law Offices as the Director of Marketing and Business Development.
 

Lisa is Past President of the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Advisory Board, Current President of the Latino Familia Initiative, Past Board Member for Community Action Human Resource Agency(CAHRA) , and facilitated the Hispanic Leadership Institute for 5 years.

Lisa and her husband Denis have three daughters, Ashley, Molly, and Grace.

You can reach Mrs. Fitzgibbons at:
City of Casa Grande     Phone: (520) 421-8600
510 E. Florence Blvd.     Fax: (520) 421-8602
Casa Grande, AZ 85122    Email Lisa Fitzgibbons

Mr. Dick Powell is currently serving his fifth term in office, which extends through June 2017.  He has been a member of the City Council since June 1997 and has served as Mayor Pro Tempore for four years, most recently from June 2012 to June 2013.  He is a member of the Republican Party.

Mr. Powell graduated from Casa Grande Union High School and holds a double degree in Marketing and Management from Northern Arizona University. He operates a 50-year-old Casa Grande retail business, is married and has four children..

Mr. Powell’s civic involvement includes membership in the Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, Life member of the West Pinal Sheriff Posse (past President), 4-H Club member for 10 years - serving as a local and county leader, Town Hall Delegate to Casa Grande, Pinal County and Arizona Town Halls, Founding Member of the Greater Casa Grande Economic Development Foundation (past executive committee member), First Presbyterian Church member and elder, and member of the Casa Grande General Plan Update Committee. Additionally, Mr. Powell formerly served on the Casa Grande Union High School Governing Board for eight years during which he served as President for four years.

You can reach Mr. Powell at:
City of Casa Grande     Phone: (520) 421-8600
510 E. Florence Blvd.     Fax: (520) 421-8602
Casa Grande, AZ 85122     Email Dick Powell

Almost a native of Casa Grande, Mary Kortsen is serving her second term on the City Council through June 2015. She was first elected in June 2007.

Born in Nebraska, Kortsen was raised in Casa Grande and has lived in the City for more than 50 years. She attended Central Arizona College and the University of Arizona.

 Kortsen was practically born and raised in public service. Her father, Dr. William Ford, served on the City Council from March 1965 to April 1969 and her father-in-law, James Kortsen Jr., served 12 years as a Pinal County Supervisor. One of Mary’s first jobs was working for the City as a lifeguard and concession stand attendant during her teenage years.

Kortsen served on the Stanfield Elementary School Board from 1978 -1986, Casa Grande Regional Medical Center Board of Directors from 1984 -1997, and as Chairman of the Desert Valley Care Center from 1993 to 1997.

Today, Kortsen is self-employed as an independent paralegal and certified legal document preparer. She has two daughters, Jennifer and Amy, a son, Jimmy, and seven grandchildren.

You can reach Ms. Kortsen at:
City of Casa Grande     Phone: (520) 421-8600
510 E. Florence Blvd.     Fax: (520) 421-8602
Casa Grande, AZ 85122    Email Mary Kortsen

Karl Montoya is serving his second term on the City Council, extending through 2015. He was first elected to the City Council in 2007. He is proud to admit that he has lived in the same house in Casa Grande since birth.

A native of Casa Grande, Montoya attended Casa Grande Union High School and went on to attend Central Arizona College and is currently employed by Fertizona as an agriculture consultant. He serves as a youth advisor for the Youth Commission, Safety Officer for Casa Grande Little League, President of Casa Grande Silent Witness and is a Posse member for the Pinal County Sheriffs Office. He is also the city liaison for the Emergency Assistance Ministry.

As a father of two, Montoya believes in the investment and commitment of the youth of the city and the county.

You can reach Mr. Montoya at:
City of Casa Grande     Phone: (520) 421-8600
510 E. Florence Blvd.     Fax: (520) 421-8602
Casa Grande, AZ 85122     Email Karl Montoya

You can reach Mr. Herman at:
City of Casa Grande     Phone: (520) 421-8600
510 E. Florence Blvd.     Fax: (520) 421-8602
Casa Grande, AZ 85122    Email Matt Herman

Mr. Ralph Varela is serving his fourth term in office through June 2017.  Previously, he served on the Casa Grande City Council from June 2003-June 2010, resigning during his second term.  He was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the City Council on April 3, 2012 through June 2013.


Mr. Varela holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University. Mr. Varela has been Chief Executive Officer for the Pinal Hispanic Council for twenty two years. He is a National Consultant in the areas of non-profit fiscal management, cultural competency, and community mobilization. Mr. Varela has been a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Federal Grant Reviewer for the past twelve years.

Mr. Varela currently serves on the Pinal County Merit Commission. He is the Chairman of the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Committee of Pinal County. He is the Finance Chair for Corazon de Latino Unidos. Mr. Varela is the Vice-Chairman on the Board of Directors for Sun Life Family Health Center and a Member of the Sunrise Optimist Club. Mr. Varela served on the Arizona State Liquor Board as appointed by Governor Hull from 1998 to May 2003. He served on the Casa Grande Police Advisory Board and Heritage Commission. He served on the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Board and the Tradition of Faith Facilities Committee. He was a basketball and soccer coach, and served on the Pinal County Juvenile Court Community Advisory Board.

He is married and has two daughters. Mr. Varela believes in community inclusion and representing all constituents

You can reach Mr. Varela at:
City of Casa Grande     Phone: (520) 421-8600
510 E. Florence Blvd.     Fax: (520) 421-8602
Casa Grande, AZ 85122     Email Ralph Varela