Alan Stephens, co-chief of staff for Gov. Janet Napolitano, is resigning to join Western Progress, a public policy group based in Arizona and Colorado. His last day in the Governor’s Office is July 5.
In an e-mail obtained by Arizona Capitol Times, Stephens writes to his co-workers:
“It been a great experience to work such a great governor and with such a great team. Your leadership has helped the governor move our state ahead. I am immensely proud to have been part of the collective effort. Thanks for all your help and support. It has truly been an honor to work for this governor and with you over the last four and one-half years.”
Napolitano on June 21 issued the following statement regarding Stephens:
“Alan is a brilliant leader with unmatched experience in state government and key Western policy issues. Although it is a tremendous loss to my office, I can understand why leaders working to advance Western-states policy want him at the helm of their new and growing organization.”
Western Progress’ Web sites lists immigration, global warming, education and growth as among the issues it targets.
Stephens joined the governor’s staff as part of the transition team following her election in 2002. The Departments of Juvenile Corrections and Administration have reported directly to him, and he has overseen the policy areas of health, transportation, human services, tribal policy, natural resources and regulatory affairs. He has served as co-chair of the Emergency Preparedness Council and of the Governor’s Growth Cabinet, and was instrumental in the startup of the Arizona Water Institute.
Stephens served in the Legislature from 1985–1992. He was Senate minority leader from 1987-1990, and from 1991–1992 was Senate majority leader. He has worked as executive director of the County Supervisors Association of Arizona, Arizona state director for the USDA’s Rural Development Agency, and director of finance for the Community Care Network in Phoenix.