| State of Arizona - Tribal Liaison |
This model was developed in the spirit of cooperation to strengthen government-to-government relationships between the State and the tribes to ensure that meaningful and timely consultation was taking place with Arizona’s Tribal leaders to facilitate better understanding and informed decision making. Executive Order 2006-14 Consultation and Cooperation with Arizona Tribes required each Executive Branch agency to designate a principle point of contact for tribal issues. |
| BIOGRAPHIES |
| Office of the Governor – Katosha Nakai Katosha Nakai currently serves as a Policy Advisor on Tribal Affairs to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Prior to state service, she practiced law at Lewis and Roca, LLP in Phoenix, where her practice focused on government regulation, infrastructure and resource development. She regularly represented corporate, small business, tribal and non-profit interests, focusing primarily on matters relating to water, environmental, natural resources, mining, utility and gaming issues. Ms. Nakai also held a prestigious judicial clerkship with Chief Judge Mary M. Schroeder at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and has experience with the Arizona Supreme Court Staff Attorneys’ Office, Judge James Tielborg of the United States District Court, District of Arizona, and as a law clerk to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Legal Department. Before entering the legal profession, Ms. Nakai worked in television news as a reporter, anchor and producer in both Oklahoma City and Minneapolis/St. Paul. She also served as media coordinator of the National Marrow Donor Program, communications director for the American Indian College Fund, and communications director of the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning. She has a long list of professional accomplishments and has been featured in various publications. Ms. Nakai is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and earned both her Juris Doctorate and her Indian Law Certificate from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. AZ Commission of Indian Affairs – Kristine Thomas Ms. Thomas is a member of the Navajo Nation and has made a career in working with tribal communities on various economic development initiatives. Appointed by Governor Brewer as the Executive Director for the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs, Kristine oversees the coordination of Tribal Consultation Policy implementation across state agencies, facilitating partnerships and educating both the public and private sectors on the unique government-to-government relationships between Tribal, State, Federal entities. In conjunction to her appointment, Kristine serves as the Equal Opportunity Coordinator in the Arizona Governor’s Office to ensure compliance with state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination and promoting programs to enrich economic growth in low income and minority populations. Kristine has worked previously with the Arizona Department of Commerce at the Greater Arizona Development Authority (GADA) promoting bond sales for the development of public infrastructure throughout rural Arizona, and has served as a liaison to the Visual Arts Industry. Kristine holds a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Kristine can be reached at (602) 542-4421 or email kthomas@az.gov Department of Economic Security - Judith Fritsch Judith is the Program Administrator for the Division of Aging and Adult Services, Community Services Office as well as Interim Tribal Liaison for the Department. Responsibilities include oversight for statewide Emergency Services and Community Action Programs, Utility Discount Programs, State Homeless Coordination office, Domestic Violence Prevention Program, and the Community Development Coordination office, which includes a targeted effort to increasing the capacity of Arizona communities and engaging in Faith-Based partnerships. Prior roles within DES include various management positions with the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility, Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services and as the Intergovernmental Tribal and Community Liaison for the Director’s Office of Intergovernmental Operations. Judith has 21 years of experience as a DES employee. Judith can be reached at (602) 542-2255 or by email at jfritsch@azdes.gov Department of Education – Debora Norris Debora Norris is Director of the Arizona Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education. Debora is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. She is a former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, having served for three terms from 1997-2002. She is one of the first two Native American women elected at the same time to serve in the Arizona Legislature in 1996 (the other one is Sally Gonzales from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe). She has a background in Education policy and legislation from having served on the Arizona House of Representatives Education Committee for four years. Debora grew up in Sells, Arizona on the Tohono O’odham Nation. She graduated from Baboquivari High School in 1989. Four years later she graduated from of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California in 1993 with a B.A. in History and a minor Education. In 2006 Debora graduated with her Master’s in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Debora has worked with many Arizona Tribes, reservation school districts, and urban school districts with high Native American enrollment on public policy and education issues. In addition, she continues to work on Education issues in the Native American community and provides advocacy and technical assistance with NCLB, AZ LEARNS, AIMS, Title I, Title VII, and JOM. Ms. Norris is the first Director appointed under the Arizona Indian Education Act to implement A.R.S. 15-244, the state law that officially establishes the Office of Indian Education within the Arizona Department of Education. Debora is also the appointed tribal liaison to the Arizona Department of Education by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. Debora can be reached at (602)542-2784 or email Debora.Norris@azed.gov AZ Department of Environmental Quality – Brian Davidson Brian Davidson is the Ombudsman, Tribal Liaison and Central Arizona Community Liaison at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. He has worked for ADEQ for five years and has been the Tribal Liaison for four years. Tribal members have given him the nickname “Sunshine.” Although he was born in Southern California, Brian moved to Arizona before he was one year old. He is a graduate of Maryvale High School and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Northern Arizona University. While at NAU he served as the Student Body Vice President and learned the value of serving his fellow students and their concerns. Brian currently works with the many different tribes in Arizona, as the state’s decisions can affect tribal lands just as much as federal decisions. Development permits and compliance issues near and around tribal lands are the main reasons why tribes work with Brian and ADEQ. In addition, tribes have applied for and received Recycling Grants and Water Quality Improvement Grants through ADEQ. Brian’s hard work in building relationships with tribes has enabled Arizona tribes to have more say in developments that may have an environmental impact on their land. Brian can be reached at (602) 771-4881 Bd1@azdeq.gov AZ Health Care Cost Containment System – Carol Chicharello Carol Chicharello is the Tribal Relations Liaison at AHCCCS – the state agency that oversees the Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Arizona. Carol is the point of contact for AHCCCS tribal consultation and serves as a resource on matters relating to Indian health care. Carol works with the tribes, Indian Health Service (IHS) Areas, tribal health programs operated under P.L. 93-638, urban Indian health programs, and other stakeholders in Arizona to work toward increased accessibility to comprehensive, quality health care for American Indian AHCCCS members. Carol has been employed with AHCCCS since February 2006. Prior to her appointment at AHCCCS, Carol was employed by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc (ITCA). At ITCA, she coordinated the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and the Senior Medicare Patrol Project under the Area Agency on Aging. Carol worked with the tribes, IHS, Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Veterans Affairs, AHCCCS, and other agencies to provide health care benefits outreach and assistance to American Indian elders and individuals with disabilities. Carol holds previous experience in the private sector through employment at Hayden Family Medical Center, a general family practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Carol received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Arizona State University. Carol can be reached at (602) 417-4610 or email carol.chicharello@azahcccs.gov Department of Commerce – Debby Tewa Debby is a Hopi Tribal member from Hotevilla, Arizona. Debby is currently the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office’s Renewable & Tribal Energy Coordinator and serves as the state’s Tribal Energy Liaison. Tewa’s current role is providing education and outreach to Arizona State and Tribal communities on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Prior to joining the Energy Office, Debby worked at Sandia National Laboratories Tribal Energy Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Debby provided technical assistance to tribes with their renewable energy portfolio to promote employment and economic development in Indian Country. While at Sandia, she co-taught Women’s Photovoltaic courses in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society conferences. Debby also served as Project Manager for NativeSUN on the Hopi Reservation. NativeSUN deployed over 300 stand-alone photovoltaic systems on the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo reservations and rural Flagstaff. Debby holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Indigenous Studies (2004) from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. Debby can be reached at (602) 771-1241 or email deboraht@azcommerce.gov Department of Corrections – Leticia Smith Leticia (Navajo) has been employed with Arizona Department of Corrections since February 1999. Leticia graduated from Holbrook High School in 1983. She attended Grand Canyon University and University of New Mexico for three years, majoring in Business Administration and Criminal Justice. Family and finances landed her working for Ganado Unified Schools for six years. Leticia also ran a business in Winslow (Southwest Seams) for three years until the demand of both employments became too much to handle. Leticia's interests include: professional sewing, food catering and playing volleyball. Leticia's family participated in the 2008 Super Bowl NFL Experience, selling burgers and tacos. Leticia is currently an Investigator III after being a Correctional Sergeant and Officer for nine years; also serving as a Tribal Liaison for ADOC for four years. Her motto is: be positive and help others. Leticia can be reached at (602) 542-1212 or email lperez@azcorrections.gov Department of Emergency and Military Affairs – Ed Flinn Edward (Ed) Flinn has worked for DEMA as Director of Joint Programs since January 2006. Ed supervises the State Functions of the Agency to include: Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, Purchasing and Contracting, Auditing, Morale Welfare & Recreation, Arizona Project ChalleNGe and represents the Agency at the legislature for the Adjutant General. Prior to 2006 he was in the United States Army. In 2006, after 30 years service, he retired as a Colonel. Ed graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. Ed has served in a variety of command and staff assignments. He has had overseas tours in The Federal Republic of Germany and in the Republic of Korea. He has commanded a field artillery battery in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and commanded the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He has been a staff officer in units from Battalion through Corps level. He was the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, California before his last active duty assignment as the Inspector General for the Arizona National Guard. Ed is a graduate of numerous military schools to include: Airborne, Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, The Army Command and Staff College, The Inspector General Course and the United States Army War College with a Masters in Strategic Studies. Ed has numerous military awards including: The Legion of Merit (1 oak leaf cluster), The Meritorious Service Medal (3 oak leaf clusters) and the Army Commendation Medal (4 oak leaf clusters). Ed can be reached at (602) 267-2732 or email Edward.Flinn@azdema.gov Department of Public Safety – Larry Scarber Larry Scarber is currently the Southern Highway Patrol Bureau commander stationed in Tucson. He has served in that capacity since April 2006, and has responsibility over the Casa Grande, Sierra Vista, Tucson, and Yuma Highway Patrol districts. In 1987, Larry was hired by DPS. Following graduation from the Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy, he was assigned as a Highway Patrolman to Kayenta, and later to Gila Bend. In 1993, he promoted to sergeant in Coolidge. In 1998, he promoted to lieutenant in Globe and oversaw the operations of Highway Patrol District 11 for eight years before promoting to commander and moving to Tucson. In addition to his Southern bureau duties, Larry currently serves as the Tribal liaison for DPS and interacts regularly with Arizona’s Indian Tribes. He has held this position since 2002. He authored the DPS General Order Enforcement in Indian Country. He is a member of the Indian Country Intelligence Network and the IACP Indian Country Law Enforcement Section. In 2006, he was appointed to the Department of Homeland Security Southern Regional Advisory Council. He is also a member of the National Institute of Justice Pursuit Management Technology Technical Working Group. He served as the mobile field force commander for DPS during the 2007 BCS championship and the 2008 Super Bowl. He is a past president of the Four State Peace Officers Association. Larry attended Brigham Young University, Central Arizona College, Eastern Arizona College, and the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of the 223rd session of the FBI National Academy. Larry can be reached at (520) 746-4506 or email lscarber@azdps.gov Department of Health – Michael Allison Michael joined the Arizona Department of Health Services in January of 2001. His main responsibility, as Native American Liaison, is to enhance effective working relationship between the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Native American health care community comprised of twenty-one tribal health departments, three urban Indian health programs, the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., three Indian Health Service Area Offices, and other agencies providing health services to the Arizona Native American community. Michael is a member of the Navajo Nation originally from Shiprock, New Mexico. His Navajo clans are Ta’chii’nii (red running into the water people) and Naakaaii Dine (the Mexican Navajo people). He earned his Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of New Mexico in 1974 and his Master of Public Health Degree from the University of Arizona in May 2003. He has thirty years of management work experience in small business development, tribal economic development, health care management, and public health. Former positions held by Michael include: Executive Director, Navajo Division of Economic Development; Executive Vice President, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development; and Executive Director, Native American Community Health Center, Inc. Michael serves on the following state commission and boards: Ex-Officio Board Member, Arizona Commission on Indian Affairs; Member, Advisory Council on Indian Health Care. Michael can be reached at (602) 364-1041 or email allisom@azdhs.gov Arizona Department of Health - Lydia Hubbard-Pourier A member of the Navajo and Tohono O’odham nations, Lydia is a Health Administrator with more than 30 years of experience with tribes, state governments and the Indian Health Services (IHS). Lydia utilizes her experience in contract administration and compliance monitoring to work with the five tribes who have Intergovernmental Agreements with the Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS). In addition, she advises on development of access to behavioral health services and the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs) throughout the state. Lydia has a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Arizona State University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of California – Berkeley. Lydia can be reached at (602) 542-1745 or email hubbarl@azdhs.gov Arizona Department of Health Services - Taryn Watson An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation originally from Forest Lake, Arizona, Taryn Watson-Kaye recently joined the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) as the Native American Community Development Manager. Taryn’s primary role is to serve as the primary health care liaison between all tribal entities in Arizona, as well as the local IHS Area Offices and Urban Indian Health Programs. The goal of the Native American Community Development Program (NACDP) within the Bureau of Health Systems Development is to improve the development and accessibility of primary health care for Native Americans throughout Arizona through community development activities, technical assistance, data sharing, and identification of resources. The NACDP will serve as a resource to network with the resources available at the state and federal levels to enhance the capacities of Native American Primary Health Care Systems. Ultimately, the Bureau of Health Systems Development’s (HSD) goal is to work with Native American communities to promote high quality primary care for Native Americans, which is aligned with HSD’s overarching goal to improve access to care and reduce health disparities among uninsured and underserved populations. Prior to joining ADHS, Taryn worked with the Tucson Indian Center (TIC) as the Wellness Director. Ms. Watson-Kaye has experience in administration and grants management working directly with TIC’s Urban Indian Health Program and other Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Community Programs serving areas within the Tucson Area Indian Health Service. Raised in Kayenta, Arizona, Taryn is of the Salt People Clan and born for the Towering House People Clan. Ms. Watson-Kaye earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health Sciences from the University of Arizona and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Taryn can be reached at (602) 542-1292 or email taryn.watson-kaye@azdhs.gov Arizona Department of Health Services - Teresa Ehnert Teresa Ehnert joined the Department of Health Services in August of 2005. Her primary responsibility as Bureau Chief of Public Health Emergency Preparedness is to direct the overall planning, development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the programs for Public Health Emergency Preparedness. Teresa also serves as a member of the State Citizen Corp Council. Teresa is responsible for facilitating the coordination of state and regional committees on preparedness activities with Local Health Officers, Indian Health Services, Tribes, County Health, Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Poison Control and many emergency response partners. She facilitates programs designed to enhance planning and response to public health emergencies. Teresa also provides oversight and leadership for implementation and monitoring of work plans, budgets and deliverables for two public health preparedness grants exceeding $20 million dollars. Prior to her role at the Department of Health Services, Teresa was a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force completing a career of almost 27 years. Teresa was born in Fargo, North Dakota and relocated to Arizona in 2005. Teresa has a Masters Degree in Management from the University of Mary. Teresa can be reached at (602) 364-3571 or email ehnertt@azdhs.gov Department of Homeland Security - Fernando Reyes Fernando Reyes, Border and Tribal Liaison for the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, has served Arizona since 2005. He started working as the Director of Grants Outreach for the Arizona-Mexico Commission supporting border communities in search of grant opportunities. After two years, his interests in law enforcement and security led him to the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, where he has worked since 2007. In his current role, Mr. Reyes provides counsel to Director Gilbert M. Orrantia and staff on Mexico border and Tribal issues, and conducts outreach to both Mexican and Arizona law enforcement agencies. Mr. Reyes received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. While at ASU, he also received a minor in Spanish and an International Business Certificate. Mr. Reyes is bilingual in English and Spanish. Fernando can be reached at (602) 542-7008 or email Freyes@azdohs.gov Department of Housing - Karia Basta Karia has been with the Arizona Department of Housing since February of 2007. However, she has been in the housing field, both public and private for the past 19 years. Over half of those years were spent in the behavioral health arena along with several years in multi-family property management. Her current primary responsibilities include working with local governments, not for profit agencies and tribal authorities who have expressed an interest in developing affordable housing. She assists them to determine exactly what the perceived housing issue is and to determine if ADOH funds might be a potential funding source to meet the need and what other sources of funding might be available. She also represents the department on the Smart Growth Interagency Committee, the Arizona Behavioral Health Planning Council, and the Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness (ICCH). At one time in her career Karia was a Tribal Advocate on the Navajo Nation and also worked with several New Mexico tribes when she worked as a contract manager with the New Mexico Department of Human Services. She received both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Arizona State University. Karia also holds certifications as an Apartment Manager, Housing Development Finance Professional and Public Housing Manager. She likes to tell people that her claim to fame is having been born in Telluride, Colorado. Karia can be reached at (602) 771-1085 or email Karia.Basta@azhousing.gov Department of Juvenile Corrections – Marie Bahe The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) is dedicated to the mission of enhancing public protection by changing the delinquent thinking and behaviors of juvenile offenders committed to the department. To this endeavor and in recognition of the unique sovereign nation status of Tribal Nations, ADJC has designated Marie Bahe as the agency’s Tribal Liaison. Ms. Bahe is a registered member of the Navajo Nation. She brings a wealth of hands-on experience in assisting Native American youth and their families. Ms. Bahe provides technical assistance in locating services and vital information, which will enhance youths’ successful transition back into their tribal communities. Marie can be reached at (602) 542-4354 or email mbahe@azdjc.gov Registrar of Contractors – Wilma Himel Wilma Himel is the Assistant Director for Administration for the Registrar of Contractors. She was appointed to this position in December 2005. She has worked for the Arizona Registrar of Contractors since 1995 in Accounting, Business and Finance, and Budget positions which involved procurement, payroll system implementation, preparing and monitoring the biennial agency budget and preparing other agency plans and reports, including the strategic plan, equal employment opportunity plan and the performance incentive pay plan. She also serves as a Tribal Liaison for the agency. Ms. Himel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Accounting and is a Certified Public Manager. She has over 30-years of experience in local, tribal, federal and state governments and is a member of Arizona Affirmative Action Association, the Government Finance Officers’ Association, a board member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Managers and sits on the agency Incentive Pay Steering Committee, Transportation Committee and Public Information Team. Ms. Himel can be reached at (602) 771-6893 or email Wilma.Himel@azroc.gov Office of Tourism – Dawn Melvin As the Native American Tourism Development Manager Dawn provides outreach to Tribes providing information on the agency’s expertise and programs. As the agency raises awareness of these opportunities and expands work with the Tribes, it gains a better understanding of the Tribal communities’ tourism development goals. The Arizona Office of Tourism created the position to guide its efforts to assist Arizona’s Native American communities in developing and promoting their tourism offerings. Dawn also provides assistance to internal divisions to support the division’s work with Tribes. She is responsible for oversight of AOT’s Native American Tourism Advisory Committee and serves as a liaison to its members. For five years Dawn previously worked at the Arizona State University on the West Campus, where she served as Senior Coordinator for Student Development and Native American Student Services Programs. Dawn received a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Tourism Management and a post graduate certificate in Gerontology from Arizona State University in 1999. Dawn can be reached at (602) 364-3707 or email dmelvin@azot.gov Department of Transportation – Misty Dayzie Misty is a Tribal Planner for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Planning Division (ADOT-MPD). Misty has worked for ADOT from 2001-2005 as a scheduler and as a project manager. Prior to her current role as a Tribal Planner and Coordinator, she worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Misty is responsible for managing the establishment or update of long range transportation plans for Tribal Governments. She provides regional transportation planning support and coordination for the 22 Federally recognized Tribal Governments and communities across the state. She also functions as an in-house expert on tribal issues and is accountable to maintain compliance with federal and state laws, regulations and policies. Most recently, Misty has been assigned the leading role of recommending updates to current ADOT planning processes, procedures and policies to incorporate tribal consultation, cooperation and coordination with the Arizona Tribes. Misty can be reached at (602) 712-7029 or email Mdayzie@azdot.gov Department of Veteran Services – Mike Klier Mike Klier is the Assistant Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Veteran Services. His primary responsibilities are the Veteran Benefits Counseling throughout the state where there are 19 offices and 40 benefits counselors. These trained counselors assist Arizona veterans with their claims through the VA (Veterans Affairs) for pension and or compensation. Veterans have many entitlements to include education, medical care, and disability to name a few. He also manages the Southern Arizona Veterans State Cemetery in Sierra Vista where a veteran along with his or her spouse can be provided their final resting place. Mike is also responsible for the land acquisition process in regards to the enhancement of our military bases and their mission. Primary goal is to stop encroachment issues by protecting the base through these purchases. The funding for this purpose is set up through the military installation fund and properties to be acquired are done by an application and priority listing. Mike manages the Troops to Teachers office inside the agency, which is a federally funded program that takes a veteran in to the classroom of our Arizona schools as a teacher. He is also the agency contact for all veteran license plate issues. Mike is a Vietnam veteran and came to Arizona in 1991, he has been with the Department of Veteran Services since 2003. Mike can be reached at (602) 255-3373 or email mklier@azdvs.gov Department of Water Resources – Fred Breedlove Fred Breedlove joined the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) in November 2006. His primary responsibility is to act as the liaison to the Arizona legislature. Fred also serves as Deputy Counsel and tribal liaison. Prior to his role at ADWR, Fred was a research analyst at the Arizona Senate where he staffed the late Senator Jake Flake’s Natural Resource and Rural Affairs committee. Fred has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental policy and assessment from Western Washington University, Master of Studies in Environmental Law and a Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School. Fred can be reached at (602) 771-4881 or email febreedlove@azwater.gov |
