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Liz Barker Alvarez Hired as Avondale Intergovernmental Affairs Administrator



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The City of Avondale has hired Liz Barker Alvarez as its Intergovernmental Affairs Administrator.

As Intergovernmental Affairs Administrator, Liz Barker Alvarez will oversee Avondale’s state and federal legislative agenda, making recommendations to staff and council and advocating on behalf of the city regarding key priorities. She will also represent the City at regional agencies such as the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and WESTMARC, as well as advise and assist the Mayor and members of the City Council, who serve on various regional committees.

“Liz brings a wealth of experience to this important role at the City of Avondale, ensuring that our voice is heard at the regional, state, and federal levels,” said Cherlene Penilla, Acting City Manager. “She will work closely with our new City Manager Ron Corbin, Mayor Kenn Weise who is currently serving as MAG Regional Chair, the City Council, as well as city department leaders to advocate on behalf of our community.”

Liz Barker Alvarez Hired as Avondale Intergovernmental Affairs Administrator signals az

Prior to joining Avondale, Liz Barker Alvarez served as Chief Policy Advisor for First Things First, a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. In that role, Liz was responsible for strategic planning and oversight of FTF’s efforts to build awareness of the importance of early childhood among Arizona’s elected leaders and to work with policymakers at all levels to promote public policy that improves outcomes for young children. Her unit’s work encompassed government affairs, tribal affairs, and statewide media. In addition, she advised the First Things First Board and Executive Team on communication/public affairs matters and served as the primary media spokesperson for First Things First.

Liz brings nearly 25 years of communications experience in the education, non-profit, and government sectors. Prior to joining First Things First, she spent six years as Communications Director for the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), overseeing all of the communications functions of a statewide agency responsible for administering more than 50 programs. In that capacity, Liz served as the primary media spokesperson for all DES programs and advised DES leadership on a variety of sensitive communication issues.

Liz Barker Alvarez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a minor in sociology from the University of Arizona and has her credentials as a Certified Public Manager from Arizona State University

For more information visit www.avondaleaz.gov.

Read more stories from the Phoenix Area on Signals A Z.com.


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