Heather Akers

Heather Akers is and Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for National Bank of Arizona.   A Branch Manager, with 14 years experience in financial services, Mrs. Akers provides sales and service leadership for her team and her clients in the Sun City Market.  She is responsible for creating vital sales and service organization, fostering teamwork with corporate partners as well as community partners.  She drives results in developing her team, expanding customer relationships, achieving sales goals and exceeding customer service expectations.

 Mrs. Akers joined National Bank of Arizona in 2004 after more than 7 years in banking.  She is an expert in delivering phenomenal customer service and creating value for her clients.  Heather is a member of the West Valley Women’s Financial Group.  She is involved in several community projects; Salvation Army, Sun City Fire Department, Habitat for Humanity, Teach Our Children to Save, Domestic Violence for Women and Children, The Humane Society, and St. Vincent De Paul. Mrs. Akers has received numerous awards including Sales Excellence Top of the Mark in 2009.  

Janene Van Leeuwen

Janene Van Leeuwen currently serves as the Program Director for the West Valley Arts Council, helping to build audiences, advocate for the arts and champion arts education in the West Valley.  Previously she earned a Teacher Prep Certificate and taught technology to K-8 students for six years.  She was promoted and served as the Community Outreach Coordinator and Public Information Officer for the Liberty School District for four years.  During this time she directed the before and after school program, as well as oversaw community outreach, Homeless Youth , Safety Coordination, Public Relations and Event Planning.  She served as the Interim Director of Youth Ministry for the Church at Litchfield Park, heading the International Council of Community Churches Conference - Youth Component in July.  She also volunteers as the Community Emergency Response Team Coordinator for the City of Goodyear and sits on their Citizen Corp. Council and is a member of Leadership West.

Janene Van Leeuwen is a native of Lakewood Colorado.  She moved to Goodyear Arizona after graduating from Stephens College; located in Columbia Missouri with a Bachelors of Science in Mass Communication with a focus in Broadcast and Public Relations and an emphasis on Documentary Filming and Educational Programming.  She interned with Denver Mile High United Way, American Media Incorporated and the Discovery Channel via the Academy of Arts and Television Sciences.  

Jessie Singer

Jessie Singer is the Executive Director for Dysart Community Center, a nonprofit organization in El Mirage. The mission of the non-profit Center is to provide educational and developmental opportunities for low-income children and adults in our local communities. The Center caters to low-income families and is either free or has minimal cost to the participants. Some of the focuses include 1-on-1 English (ESL) tutoring for adults, GED prep classes, and after school or summer care for school-age youth. Under her leadership, the Center has doubled the number of youth served and had a dramatic increase in funding through grants and private donations.  Her past experience includes Community Program Director for Marley Park and an ESL Instructor for Rio Salado Community College.

Ms. Singer has a passion for the West Valley communities and has serves as District Site Council Member for Dyart School District, Chapter Advisor for the West Valley B’nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO), Secretary for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, and as a Educational Committee Chair and Board Member for Leadership West.   Ms. Singer holds a B.A. in Spanish Literature as well as an Masters in Business Administration.  

Othell Newbill
Othell Newbill is a certified Emergency Manager and currently serves as the as the Emergency Management Coordinator for City of Goodyear where he works with the Mayor, Council, City Manager, and Chiefs in coordinating their response to natural or manmade disasters.  He also spent 9 years as the Emergency Services Planner for Maricopa County. 

Mr. Newbill also served over 20 years in the United States Army Reserves as a Master Sergeant.  While in the military, he was mobilized to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm I (1990-1991) and to Kuwait for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (2005-2006).

Mr. Newbill is also a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, Arizona Emergency Services Association, and the Maricopa County Local Emergency Planning Committee He is also a member of Leadership West.  

Attorney Shawn Nelson

Shawn Nelson has been practicing law for over ten years and has gained invaluable experience in several practice areas, including Real Estate, Commercial Litigation, and Business and Commercial Law.

Mr. Nelson graduated from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. While at law school, he was a Managing Editor for the Arizona State Law Journal and taught other students as a writing instructor.

Other than his time in Law School, Mr. Nelson has lived in the Northwest Phoenix area for almost twenty years. As an undergraduate, he graduated from the west campus of Arizona State University in Glendale. He loves the Northwest Valley, where he is raising his family.

In addition, he is very involved in the community. Mr. Nelson serves as a member of the Deer Valley Village Planning Committee of the City of Phoenix and serves as a volunteer on the Advisory Board of the Arizona Charter Academy, a charter school in the west valley.

Mr. Nelson is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts in Arizona. He is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, as well as the Maricopa County Bar and the West Maricopa Bar Association.

Arizona State Representative Steve Montenegro

Steve Montenegro is one of two State Representatives from Legislative District 12 and the youngest member of the State Legislator. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Arizona State University with a B.S. in Political Science.  He also holds an Associate of Arts in Theology from Logos Christian University. Presently, Representative Montenegro works in the Glendale office of U.S. Congressman Trent Franks, where he represents the office in immigration matters and where he handles constituent casework for residents in the district.

Representative Montenegro also serves as an Assistant Pastor at the Surprise Apostolic Assembly.  As part of his work within his church, he has filled a number of roles including Youth Pastor, Music Director and Teacher.

Representative Montenegro has made working with young people a real priority in his life.  He spent five years as President of Arizona Messengers of Peace, providing counseling and guidance to youth in need. 

Representative Montenegro understands and treasures the gift of freedom, and he shares this message in his daily life. 

Barry McBride, CLU, AEP

A graduate of Grand Canyon University, Barry is President of the Sun Cornerstone Group. As a Chartered Life Underwriter and as an Accredited Estate Planner, his business focus is on assisting individuals through estate and financial planning. He has served as President of both the local and state NAIFA Associations and the General Agent’s and Manager’s Association. Barry is a qualifying and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table and qualified for Top of the Table for 2006. He has been honored with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fund Raising Professionals, and holds the Governor Howard Pyle Award for his more than 26 years of volunteer time with the youth at Canyon State Academy.

With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services profession, Barry enjoys assisting clients to establish financial goals and objectives, and to plan toward their ultimate fulfillment. His community involvements and professional affiliations include: Chairman, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance Emeritus Council, past President, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Central Arizona Estate Planning Council Board of Directors, Canyon State Academy Advisory Council, Canyon State Academy Morale and Ethical Trainer, Canyon State Academy Financial Advisory Member, Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation Past President, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Member, Million Dollar Round Table, Honor Roll, Top of the Table Member, Million Dollar Round Table Foundation, Diamond Knight Member, General Agents and Managers Association Foundation Member, Society of Financial Service Professionals Member, Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Past President, NAIFA Arizona Past President, NAIFA Phoenix Past President, Arizona General Agents and Managers Association, Member, Board of Directors, NAIFA-AZ, B. A., Grand Canyon University Chartered Life Underwriter Accredited Estate Planner Registered Representative, Capital Analysts, Incorporated, Member, FINRA – SIPC AWARDS Robert L. Rose Award for Excellence in Agent Education NAIFA – Phoenix, Association Achievement Award NAIFA – Arizona, Association Achievement Award GAMA Association Achievement Award. Jack E. Bobo Award for Contributions to Industry and Community. Named NAIFA Arizona's Advisor of the year 2009.  Governor Howard Pyle Award recognizing work with troubled youth. Top of the Table, MDRT 2006. In his free time, Barry enjoys rebuilding vintage motorcycles, boating, water and snow skiing, and golf. His true passions include serving the needs of the hungry, challenges that face our youth, and excellence in health care for the sick and injured.

Dr. Cindy Knott

 Dr. Cindy K. Knott has served as Dean for the College of Education at Grand Canyon University (GCU) since 2008, and most recently, she accepted a position with Childhelp as Vice President of Special Projects.

 Dr. Knott is dedicated to inspiring excellence in people to learn, lead, and serve for a brighter future. Under her leadership, Dr. Knott provided oversight and direction for faculty, staff, and students across the College of Education and Grand Canyon University to include training, support, and mentorship assuring the highest academic integrity and ethical standards. Dr. Knott engages a diverse and global community of learners in the pursuit of finding their purpose.

 Dr. Knott has been in the education field for over 25 years. She has been a classroom teacher and assistant director in the public and private school systems primarily in the area of special education. She has also served as an Administrator, Principal, full-time faculty member, and subsequently Dean. Prior to joining GCU, Dr. Knott held the position of Director of Academic Affairs/Regional Assistant Dean for the College of Education at University of Phoenix. Dr. Knott has received numerous awards for her exemplary performance as an educator.

 Dr. Knott earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education/Special Education and a Master of Education degree from Arizona State University. She holds an Administrative Certificate from University of Phoenix and earned her Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, where her dissertation was titled, “Inclusion Relationships: Collaboration in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Process”.

 In addition to Dr. Knott’s lifelong education interests, she is an active community member and has traveled abroad. She participates and presents at many local, state, and national conferences and organizations. Her professional goals include, but are not limited to, promoting servant leadership and lifelong learning in educational communities. 

During his time with Surprise, Lt. Bacon has served in various assignments within the Department. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2003 and was assigned to Field Operations, where he supervised various patrol squads. From there Lt. Bacon served in the Administrative Services Division for approximately 13 months, where he supervised the School Resource Officer program, Training Unit, Hiring & Recruitment and Public Information Officer. He was also the interim Communications Manager for six months during that time and also assisted with the Department’s CALEA Accreditation process. After that Lt. Bacon was selected for assignment to the Criminal Investigations Division, where he supervised the Major Felony Unit Detectives and Crime Scene Specialist for over 2 years.

 Lt. Bacon was promoted to lieutenant in July of 2008, serving over two years as a Field Operations Lieutenant managing various patrol squad sergeants and the Support Services Unit, which includes Animal Control, Jail Transport, Police Canines and Traffic Enforcement Officers.  John has recently been assigned back to Criminal Investigations, where he currently oversees all aspects of the Division which includes the sergeants, detectives, crime scene specialists, property/evidence, victim advocate, and terrorism liaison officers.  Lt. Bacon was also assigned to the Department’s Special Assignments Unit (SWAT) for over 7 years, where he served as a Tactical Officer, then later Team Leader.

 Lt. Bacon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Wayland Baptist University and is currently married and has 3 adult sons and 2 young grandsons.