About the Ombudsman and Staff

Patrick Shannahan, Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide. Pat was appointed Arizona’s first Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide on July 1, 1996. He is a former military officer with extensive experience in management, problem solving, strategic planning, and negotiation. Pat's last military assignment was with the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he participated in international arms control negotiations, represented the Joint Chiefs at interagency working groups and helped formulate national security policy. Pat has completed the mediation training program presented by the Attorney General's Office and investigator training through the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation. He has a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University, a master's degree from Webster University and was a research fellow at the National Defense University in Washington DC. He is active in the United States Ombudsman Association and the Arizona State University Alumni Association.

Joanne C. MacDonnell - Deputy Ombudsman. Joanne joined the office in 2005 after serving nearly eight years as the Director of the Corporations Division at the Arizona Corporation Commission. She has experience in management, human resources, problem resolution, customer service, strategic planning and process analysis. Joanne was an active member of the International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) and served as a director of its Business Sections Committee. Prior to working in government, Joanne worked in the private sector, serving on the Board of Directors and as a division accountant for FCC Investors, Inc. She also worked in real estate as a licensed realtor associate and real estate appraiser. Joanne has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona in Business Administration and Real Estate. She has completed additional training including the Executive Course, procurement, ethics and various risk management courses through Arizona Government University (AZGU); the Leadership Module through Rio Salado College and AZGU; and ombudsman training prescribed by the US Ombudsman Association (USOA). Joanne is a notary. She is active in the United States Ombudsman Association and is a member of the Associated Regulatory Investigators and the American Society of Public Administrators.

Kara VanHise - Assistant Ombudsman for Child Protective Services. Kara joined the office in 2007 after serving for nearly 3 years as a program supervisor for foster care with Catholic Community Services. Prior to this Kara worked for five and a half years as a Child Protective Services specialist for the State of Arizona. Kara has also worked for the Salvation Army providing case management services to homeless individuals and families. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Portland State University. In addition to her work for the Ombudsman - Citizens' Aide office Kara participates as a member of the State Citizen Review Panel on child fatalities, the Court Improvement Project and the Children’s Action Alliance Child Welfare Committee.

Carmen Salas, Assistant Ombudsman. Carmen joined the Ombudsman’s office in 2005. She previously worked at the Arizona Corporation Commission for nine years. For three of those years she was the Supervisor in the Corporations Division’s Annual Reports Section. For the last two years she was the Management Analyst for the division. Carmen has experience in customer service, process analysis and problem resolution. She will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in October 2005. She has completed additional training including ethics and various risk management courses through Arizona Government University. She has also completed the Leadership Module through AZGU. Carmen is fluent in Spanish.

Therasia Roland, Assistant Ombudsman. Therasia joined the Ombudsman's office in 2006. She has a master's degree in Social Work from Arizona State University, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois. During her graduate study, she served as an intern with DES Division of Aging and Community Services and worked with the Arizona Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Nutrition Services. She has also served as a Compliance Principal for AIG financial group and managed a vocational rehabilitation program for Goodwill Industries.

Elizabeth S. Hill, Assistant Ombudsman for Public Access. Elizabeth joined the office in February 2007, after serving three years as an Arizona Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division and as a member of the Open Meeting Law Enforcement Team. Prior to working at the Office of the Arizona Attorney General, Elizabeth spent two years working with the Arizona Department of Revenue as a Tax Analyst and Tax Counsel. She has a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law, and is licensed to practice law in Arizona. She is an active member of the American Bar Association, Arizona State Bar Association, and the United States Ombudsman Association.

Linda Stiles, Assistant Ombudsman. Linda rejoined the office in January 2008 after having served four years as the Executive Director for the Arizona Optometric Association and Arizona Clean and Beautiful, a non-profit association. In addition, she served ten years with the Governor’s Office and on contract to various state agencies and private businesses. At the Governor’s Office, she held several positions geared toward improving the lives of Arizona’s citizens, including serving as the director of the Governor's Office of Community and Family Programs, the Governor’s Division for Children, the Office of Constituent Services, and as special assistant for Appointments to Boards and Commissions. Linda completed mediation training through Hy-View Mediation Services and Ombudsman training through the United States Ombudsman Association. In addition, she completed the Basic Regulatory Investigator Course. She is a University of Arizona graduate.