Heather Wilkey Email & Phone Number

Queen Creek, Arizona

• Leads the Town’s government relations efforts on the federal, state and local levels through extensive contacts for one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country.• Facilitates leadership opportunities for the Council and executive staff to take on regional, statewide and national roles to maximize influence and drive public policy outcomes on behalf of the Town.• Partners with municipal elected officials, senior managers and intergovernmental relations staff to accomplish… Show more • Leads the Town’s government relations efforts on the federal, state and local levels through extensive contacts for one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country.• Facilitates leadership opportunities for the Council and executive staff to take on regional, statewide and national roles to maximize influence and drive public policy outcomes on behalf of the Town.• Partners with municipal elected officials, senior managers and intergovernmental relations staff to accomplish the Town’s statewide policy priorities working through the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.• Develops the Town’s legislative agenda and successfully executes it through relationship building with all 90 Arizona Legislators, legislative staff and partnering with key external organizations and stakeholders.• Serves as a member of the Town’s Executive Team and leads Directors and staff through complex and controversial policy discussions to produce successful outcomes.• Drives the strategy and execution of the Town’s transportation priorities through funding opportunities and the development of regional transportation plans while representing and briefing the Town Council and Executive management on all Maricopa Association of Governments, Central Arizona Governments and Pinal Regional Transportation Authority assignments.• Leads the strategy and manages review for the application of grant opportunities for the Town, with a particular focus on transportation, water/wastewater infrastructure, economic development and public safety. • Manages professional government relations and consulting contracts on behalf of a municipal entity. Show less

Phoenix, Arizona

• Led all government affairs engagement on behalf of the agency with federal, state and local government elected officials and their staff as well as the judicial branch.• Executed the strategy for the agency’s legislative agenda while also serving as an extension of legislative staff of the Office of Governor Doug Ducey working with counterparts in all executive state agencies. • Liasioned and worked with the County Supervisors Association, county officials and their staff in the… Show more • Led all government affairs engagement on behalf of the agency with federal, state and local government elected officials and their staff as well as the judicial branch.• Executed the strategy for the agency’s legislative agenda while also serving as an extension of legislative staff of the Office of Governor Doug Ducey working with counterparts in all executive state agencies. • Liasioned and worked with the County Supervisors Association, county officials and their staff in the creation and implementation of public policy surrounding criminal justice as well as key crossover points for youth in the juvenile justice system.• Spearheaded all agency communications, both external and internal, and performed as the agency’s Public Information Officer proactively and reactively engaging with members of the media. • Served as an extension of communications staff of the Office of Governor Doug Ducey and collaborated with Communication Directors from all executive state agencies.• Participated as a member of the Agency’s Executive Team contributing to the strategic direction and key decision points pertaining to the execution of operations.• Conducted engagement with stakeholders and fulfilled constituent inquiries and requests. • Performed special projects as assigned by the Agency Director. Show less

Gilbert, Arizona

• Oversaw the executive operations of the office of the Mayor & Council and served as senior policy advisor to the Mayor on all federal, state, regional and local issues.• Acted as liaison to key policy makers, business executives and local organizations to promote partnership and economic development opportunities and accomplish strategic public policy initiatives.• Coordinated and conducted stakeholder outreach and meetings on behalf of the Town Council on complex public policy… Show more • Oversaw the executive operations of the office of the Mayor & Council and served as senior policy advisor to the Mayor on all federal, state, regional and local issues.• Acted as liaison to key policy makers, business executives and local organizations to promote partnership and economic development opportunities and accomplish strategic public policy initiatives.• Coordinated and conducted stakeholder outreach and meetings on behalf of the Town Council on complex public policy issues, summarized findings and made recommendations relative to ordinances or policies.• Communicated with and hosted industry advisory panels related to business, education and healthcare on behalf of the Mayor.• Researched and worked with Town Departments to successfully resolve constituent inquiries received by the Mayor and Town Council and formulated policy statements as necessary.• Collaborated with the Town’s Communications office to produce editorials, articles and utilize social media through the Mayor’s Office to accomplish public relations campaigns.• Responsible for research and preparation of remarks, speeches, written briefings and presentations to be conducted by or on behalf of the Mayor.• Prepared and reviewed expenses associated with the Mayor/Council budget.• Performed special projects as assigned by the Mayor and City Manager. Show less

Gilbert, Arizona

• Advocated for the interests of one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country as their designated registered lobbyist, leading government relations efforts on all levels of government. • Secured Council appointment for the Town of Gilbert to participate on the National League of Cities Community & Economic Development Committee, generating federal advocacy participation for the first time in over five years in Washington, D.C.• Accomplished the Town’s public policy… Show more • Advocated for the interests of one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country as their designated registered lobbyist, leading government relations efforts on all levels of government. • Secured Council appointment for the Town of Gilbert to participate on the National League of Cities Community & Economic Development Committee, generating federal advocacy participation for the first time in over five years in Washington, D.C.• Accomplished the Town’s public policy priorities working with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Executive Committee, policy committees, resolutions process and active participation in weekly intergovernmental meetings.• Developed the Town’s legislative agenda by researching and working with Department Directors and municipal staff and led the Town’s Executive Team through implementation of enacted legislation.• Represented, briefed and staffed the Town Council and management on all Maricopa Association of Government assignments including Regional Council, Management, Transportation Policy, Economic Development, Human Services and Community Initiatives Committees and the Domestic Violence Council.• Researched and prepared the Town Council and management on other regional assignments including Valley Metro, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.• Facilitated the building and maintaining of relationships with Tribal leaders and the Town, contributing to the success of partnerships resulting in the awarding of grants and water leases.• Assisted in the development of a new constituent inquiry system for the Town. Show less

Gilbert, Arizona

• Managed the Town’s advocacy efforts during the Arizona Legislative session including coordination with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and other intergovernmental relations staff.• Assisted in the development of the Town’s legislative agenda and priorities working with the Town Council, Town Manager and Department Directors and produced weekly legislative reports and presentations to Council or staff.• Staff lead on Valley Metro and Arizona Municipal Water Users Association… Show more • Managed the Town’s advocacy efforts during the Arizona Legislative session including coordination with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and other intergovernmental relations staff.• Assisted in the development of the Town’s legislative agenda and priorities working with the Town Council, Town Manager and Department Directors and produced weekly legislative reports and presentations to Council or staff.• Staff lead on Valley Metro and Arizona Municipal Water Users Association policy issues and provided research and recommendations on Maricopa Association of Government initiatives.• Served as a liaison between the Town Council, the business community and members of the public.• Led internal staff coordination meetings on important transportation projects and initiatives to develop strategies, execute action plans and receive the award of grant funding.• Revamped citizen communication outreach efforts.• Worked with constituents on behalf of the Town Council Members. Show less

Phoenix, Arizona

• Lobbied Legislators on behalf of 15+ clients on various issues. • Knowledgeable in numerous policy areas and identifying the impacts of proposed legislation for clientele.• Skilled in researching, developing and executing legislative agendas.• Worked with various government relations personnel to advance/oppose common legislative interests.• Advised clients of successful legislative strategies including the creation and utilization of grassroots advocacy.• Participated in… Show more • Lobbied Legislators on behalf of 15+ clients on various issues. • Knowledgeable in numerous policy areas and identifying the impacts of proposed legislation for clientele.• Skilled in researching, developing and executing legislative agendas.• Worked with various government relations personnel to advance/oppose common legislative interests.• Advised clients of successful legislative strategies including the creation and utilization of grassroots advocacy.• Participated in numerous government relations meetings at various organizations including the County Supervisors Association, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, East Valley Partnership and other chamber and trade associations.• Influenced state agency rulemakings and administrative procedures on behalf of clientele. Show less

Phoenix, Arizona

• Learned how to read proposed legislation.• Researched and analyzed the background and origin of bills.• Composed fact sheets and amendments for proposed legislation.• Presented bills to Senators in committee and caucus.• Managed constituent requests for Senators.