The Westmarc Executive Committee has selected longtime community college Director of Government Relations and External Affairs, Jack Lunsford – one of the original founders of the group that preceded Westmarc -- as its new president. He fills the vacancy created by Diane McCarthy, who left after 11 years to run the Arizona State University Alumni Association. 

 

For the past 20 years, Lunsford has served as Director of Government Relations and External Affairs for the Maricopa County Community College District, the largest community college district in the nation. In that role, he became known as “Mr. Community College” at the Legislature and among many business organizations. 

 

Legislatively, he led the District’s efforts to secure state aid for year around enrollment and for assisting students receiving training from federal welfare reform, both of which benefit business greatly. He also led the effort to preserve dual enrollment funding for students, popularly supported by both businesses and parents alike.  Most recently he drafted the most comprehensive change in community college legislation since their creation. 

 

Lunsford expanded the District’s government relations operation to include the federal level, and he was immediately successful in securing funding for the District while developing legislation that will be beneficial to community colleges nationwide. 

 

In the business community, Lunsford represented the District on the Board’s of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Arizonans for Cultural Development, the Arizona Policy Forum, the Phoenix Community Alliance, and served in a variety of capacities with various Chambers of  Commerce, business, transit, and other public policy organizations. 

 

“The Maricopa District gave me the opportunity to develop into a leader,”  Lunsford said, “and for that I’m most grateful. However, the opportunity  to become President and CEO of WESTMARC, to return to an organization I helped found, was just too great to pass by. The public policy and advocacy challenges for the West Valley are truly dynamic,” Lunsford  continued. “I am truly excited to be part them, and I look forward to  providing the leadership necessary to help the West Valley grow and  prosper.” 

 

Lunsford also has held management positions with AT&T/Mountain Bell, First National Bank of Arizona, and KBWA radio station in Northern Arizona, and has served as Coconino County Assessor. He was also a Congressional Fellow in the Office of Senator Dennis DeConcini. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Methodist University, a Master’s in Public Administration from ASU, and is enrolled in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at NAU. Jack and his wife Anna have 10-year old twin daughters, and Jack has a daughter who is a 5th grade teacher in the Peoria School District. Jack is a native of Phoenix.