The City of Tucson is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Debra L.
Chandler as the City’s new Economic Development Manager. Ms. Chandler
was selected from over 40 highly qualified applicants following a
state-wide recruitment process. Ms. Chandler is currently the Executive
Director of the Microbusiness Advancement Center in Tucson where she has
worked since 2006. Previous to that Ms. Chandler worked as an executive
in the banking industry for many years. Ms. Chandler has served on the
City’s Small Business Commission since 2009 and is active in several
local and national economic development associations. Her first day of
work will be May 1, 2012.
She will work closely with the Mayor’s Business Advocate and with
other City staff that support business development, such as the Planning
and Development Services department.
“Economic development is our top priority,” said City Manager
Richard Miranda. “Ms. Chandler will report directly to me and will be
responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan that will
make the City of Tucson a driving force for growing the local
economy.”
Miranda also announced today organizational changes at the Tucson
Convention Center (TCC). In July 2011, the TCC director’s position was
eliminated. Since that time, Fred Gray, Director of Parks and
Recreation, has divided his time overseeing Parks and Recreation, Tucson
Golf and the TCC. Today, Miranda named Mr. Mark Timpf as the Interim
Director of the TCC, overseeing the administrative and operations side
of the convention center. With the addition of Mr. Timpf to the
leadership team, TCC Deputy Director Tommy Obermaier will focus on event
management and promotions.
“Mr. Timpf is a Tucson Police Department Captain with over 20 years
of experience in operations and management,” Miranda said. “He
brings expertise in the areas of budgeting, finance, contracts,
facilities, and capital project management. He is proficient in
personnel management and has a strong customer service ethic.”
