NOMINEE REQUIRING SENATE
CONFIRMATION
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
NOMINEE: Jody
M. Harwood
POSITION: Independent,
Hotel Industry, Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority
REPLACING: Deborah S. Johnson
APPOINTING GOVERNOR: Janice K. Brewer
DATE OF APPOINTMENT: March 17, 2009
TERM ENDS: July 1, 2013
FUNCTION OF THE Arizona
sports and tourism authority:
The
function of the Authority is to develop a multipurpose facility in Maricopa
County for the use of a professional football franchise, major college bowl
sponsor, sports organizations other than football and/or organizers of other
events; develop and renovate Cactus League baseball spring training facilities;
and develop and improve youth and amateur sports, recreational and community
facilities in Maricopa County. The Board of Directors may adopt necessary rules
and acquire and operate property (A.R.S. § 5-804).
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR
POSITION:
The
Board of Directors (Board) consists of nine members who must reside in the county
in which the Authority is established. Of the Governor’s five appointments,
one member must represent a major league baseball spring training
organization. No member of the Board may simultaneously hold any state or
local elective public office and the appointments must produce a general
geographically diverse representation of areas of the Authority (A.R.S. §
5-803). No more than three of these five members may be from the same political
party. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives appoint two members each, who must be from different political
parties.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP AND
TERM EXPIRATIONS:
Members: Term
Expiration:
Jerry Walker July
2010
Bradley Wright July
2013
Verna M. Pastor July
2009
John D. Benton July
2010
Larry D. Landry July
2009
Jody Harwood* July
2013
Rod C. Williams July
2010
Judy Bernas July
2013
Bill Peltier July
2013
*Pending Confirmation
SALARY OR OTHER
COMPENSATION:
Pursuant
to A.R.S. § 5-803, members of the Board are eligible to receive compensation at
a rate not to exceed $30 for each day engaged in the service of the Board.
According to the Authority, the Board members volunteer their time and accept
no compensation or per diem.
BUDGET AND FTES:
The
Authority maintains an annual budget pursuant to A.R.S. § 5-831. Revenues are
derived from the Hotel Bed Tax, the Car Rental Surcharge, the Arizona Cardinals
Sales Tax Recapture, the NFL Franchise Income Tax, and other revenues derived
from agreements entered into by the Authority. The Authority’s budget for FY 2008-2009
is as follows:
Net Income $35,451,481
Total Expenditures $41,107,725
Operating Surplus/(Deficit) $(5,656,243)
The Authority employees 5
FTEs.
NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Eastern
Washington University
Employment:
Grace
Hospitality President & Managing Director 1992
- Present
Other Qualifications:
Arizona Tourism
Advisory Council – Board of Directors
Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association – Board of
Directors, Past Chairman
Arizona Tourism Alliance – Board of Directors, Past Chairman
Valley Hotel and Resort Association – Board of
Directors
Arizona Centennial
Commission – Member
ASU West and NAU School for Hotel & Restaurant
Management, Advisory Board
Inducted into the Hotel and Lodging Association “Hall
of Fame”, 2005
“Hotelier of the Year” Award, 2000
Commerce and Economic
Development Committee
June 8, 2009
