Re-Appointment Memo

City of Mesa — City Council Study Session (2026-06-08)

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June 8, 2026 
 
TO: 
 
CITY COUNCILMEMBERS 
  
FROM: 
MAYOR MARK FREEMAN 
  
SUBJECT: 
Reappointments to Boards and Committees 
  
The following are my recommendations for reappointments to the City of Mesa Advisory 
Boards and Committees:  
 
Building Board of Appeals – Nine-member board 
 
Charles (Charlie) Fruit, District 1. Mr. Fruit holds an active KB-2 Dual Residential and 
Small Commercial Arizona Registrar of Contractors license and has over 30 years of 
experience as a construction professional. He is the owner of Charles Wesley Homes in 
Phoenix and was previously a Project Manager and Superintendent for Morgan Taylor 
Homes. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University 
of New Mexico. His partial term began 7/1/24 and expires 6/30/26. His first term will expire 
June 30, 2029. 
 
Gary Golka, District 1. Mr. Golka is president of Golka Electric, Inc. He earned a 
bachelor’s degree in music education from Northern Arizona University and a master’s 
degree in business administration from Arizona State University. He holds both L-11 and 
C-11 electrical contracting licenses from the State of Arizona. His second term will expire 
June 30, 2029. 
 
Design Review Board – Seven-member board 
 
Nicole Lynam, District 3. Ms. Lynam is a registered architect and owner of KE Design 
LLC. She holds an associate’s degree in architectural design from Lansing Community 
College and a bachelor’s degree in housing and urban development from Arizona State 
University. Her partial term began 4/30/26 and expires 6/30/26. Her first term will expire 
June 30, 2029. 
 
Megan Neal, District 3. Ms. Neal is a land entitlement manager with Toll Brothers and 
former transit project manager with the City of Phoenix. She holds a bachelor’s degree in 
urban planning and a master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State 
University. Her partial term began 2/9/26 and expires 6/30/26. Her first term will expire 
June 30, 2029.

Economic Development Advisory Board – Nine-member board 
 
J. Steven Beck, District 1. Mr. Beck is the President and Associate Broker at COBE Real 
Estate. He holds a bachelor's degree in international business management from Utah 
Valley University and a master’s of real estate development from Arizona State University. 
His partial term began 7/1/25 and expires 6/30/26. His first term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Michelle Genereux, District 1. Ms. Genereux is a land rights management supervisor at 
Salt River Project and has over 20 years’ experience in the public utility industry. She 
earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Western International University and a 
master’s degree in business administration from Ottawa University. Her second term will 
expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Andrew Schreiner, District 1. Mr. Schreiner is the president and general manager of 
Nammo Defense Systems. He earned a bachelor’s degree in global business with a focus 
in finance from Arizona State University West and a master’s degree in business 
administration from Grand Canyon University. His partial term began 7/1/25 and expires 
6/30/26. His first term will expire June 30, 2029.  
 
Education and Workforce Development Roundtable – Seventeen-member board 
 
Marcie Hutchinson. Ms. Hutchinson is a member of the Mesa Public Schools Governing 
Board. She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in 
history and has 31 years of public high school teaching experience. Her partial term began 
2/24/25 and expires 6/30/26. Her first term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Rich Nickel. Mr. Nickel is President and CEO of Education Forward Arizona, a non-profit 
focused on assisting all Arizona residents in gaining post-secondary credentials. He 
earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in telecommunications. His 
second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Vince Yanez. Mr. Yanez is senior vice president of Arizona community engagement at 
Helios Education Foundation. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre 
Dame in government and Spanish and a master’s degree from Arizona State University 
in social work. His second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Historic Preservation Board – Seven-member board 
 
Jason Ludwig, District 5. Mr. Ludwig serves as the Director of Content at the Council on 
Foundations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from 
Arizona State University. His partial term began 8/14/25 and expires 6/30/26. His first 
term will expire June 30, 2029.

Housing & Community Development Advisory Board – Eleven-member board 
 
Dr. Nicolle Karantinos, District 5. Dr. Karantinos is a realtor with Realty Executives and 
has extensive background in education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and 
communication from University of Northern Iowa, master’s degree in secondary education 
from Northern Arizona University, and a Ph.D. in educational administration and 
supervision from Arizona State University. Her second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Amanda Miller, District 4. Ms. Miller is director of sales operations for Elevation, a solar 
energy company. She earned an associate degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of 
Culinary Arts and studied history at Ashford University. Her second term will expire June 
30, 2029. 
 
Human Relations Advisory Board – Eleven-member board 
 
Spencer Beck, District 3. Mr. Beck is employed with Rowan Solar Cleaning as a 
salesperson and is an active member in the Arizona Army National Guard serving as an 
infantryman. His partial term began 4/3/25 and expires 6/30/26. His first term will expire 
June 30, 2029. 
 
Sabrina Dobson, District 3. Ms. Dobson is a clinical coordinator and trauma therapist at 
La Frontera EMPACT-SPC. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the 
University of Arizona and a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. 
Her second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Abram Ellsworth, District 4. Mr. Ellsworth is COO at Rocket Lister, a talent acquisition, 
coaching and empowerment company. He earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational 
management from Charter Oak State College and an MBA from the University of Arizona. 
His second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Perla Sandberg, District 4. Ms. Sandberg has a background in strategic planning, conflict 
resolution and collaboration, and she holds certifications in project management and 
diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English 
Literature from Arizona State University. Her partial term began 7/1/24 and expires 
6/30/26. Her first term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Library Advisory Board – Nine-member board 
 
Lonica Rowley, District 1. Ms. Rowley is currently a substitute teacher at Mesa Public 
Schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Arizona State 
University and a master’s degree in library and information science from Kent State 
University. Her second term will expire June 30, 2029.

Museum & Cultural Advisory Board – Eleven-member board 
 
Gregory DeSimone, District 2. Mr. DeSimone is a procurement manager at WillScot, Inc. 
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Valparaiso University, is 
a Certified Purchasing Manager, and a member of the Institute for Sully Management. 
His second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Todd Hanle, District 6. Mr. Hanle is Vice President of Marketing for Super Star Car Wash. 
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Watterson School of Design and has held various 
roles in marketing, brand management, and communications. His partial term began 
7/1/24 and expires 6/30/26. His first term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Bradley Peterson, District 6. Mr. Peterson is an educational technology trainer at Mesa 
Public Schools. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s 
degree in educational technology from Arizona State University. His second term will 
expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Karen Rolston, District 6. Ms. Rolston is a retired arts professional with a long career 
teaching at Mesa Public Schools, serving as Artistic Director at East Valley Children’s 
Theatre and several roles in arts, music and theater. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 
instrumental music and a master’s degree in music history and literature from Arizona 
State University. Her partial term began 10/12/23 and expires 6/30/26. Her first term will 
expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Parks & Recreation Board – Eleven-member board 
 
Benjamin Manning, District 5. Mr. Manning is a commercial appraiser trainer at the 
Maricopa County Assessor’s Office. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from 
Radford University in Radford, VA. His second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Michelle Streeter, District 6. Ms. Streeter is the senior project manager for marketing and 
communication in the Town of Gilbert’s Office of Economic Development. She earned a 
bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University. Her second term will expire 
June 30, 2029. 
 
Planning & Zoning Board – Seven-member board 
 
Jayson Carpenter, District 3. Mr. Carpenter is a lead land management agent at Salt River 
Project. He earned a bachelor’s degree in real estate from Arizona State University and 
a master’s degree in business administration from Western International University. He is 
a Senior Right of Way Agent. His second term will expire June 30, 2029.

Personnel Appeals Board – Five-member board 
 
Craig Freeman, District 1. Mr. Freeman is a retired management professional. He 
previously worked in the corporate financial office at Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association and 
served as Arizona District Manager for HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd. He earned a 
bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arizona State University. His second term will expire 
June 30, 2029. 
 
Dr. Catherine Jiang, District 1. Dr. Jiang owns the Law Office of Catherine Jiang, PLLC. 
She has a juris doctorate from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of 
Law and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Seoul National University. Her second 
term will expire June 30, 2029.  
 
Dr. Christopher Nickerson, District 6. Dr. Nickerson is director of provider network 
development at Banner Health. He has a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders 
and master’s degree in audiology from the University of Northern Colorado and a doctoral 
degree in audiology from Florida State University. His second term will expire June 30, 
2029. 
 
Mesa Local Fire and Police Pension Board – Seven-member board 
 
Dee Ann Mickelsen, District 2. Ms. Mickelsen retired from the City of Mesa after 25 years, 
including serving as the City Clerk. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from 
Arizona State University. Her second term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Self-Insurance Board of Trustees – Five-member board 
 
Katherine Callaway, District 3. Ms. Callaway has extensive experience in the risk 
management and insurance professions and is currently a Risk Management Analyst and 
Risk Management & Insurance Administrator at Central Arizona Project. She earned a 
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Insurance from Arizona State 
University. Her partial term began 1/27/25 and expires 6/30/26. Her first term will expire 
June 30, 2029. 
 
Transportation Advisory Board – Eleven-member board 
 
Lea Bertoni, District 1. Ms. Bertoni is an occupational therapist and driver rehabilitation 
specialist at Driving to Independence. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health science  
and a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, 
PA. Her second term will expire June 30, 2029.

Melissa Leon, District 6. Ms. Leon is the owner of Two Sense Consulting, LLC, and is a 
business development consultant and QuickBooks ProAdvisor. She earned a master’s in 
business administration from Aspen University, a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and 
Restaurant Management from Northern Arizona University, and a Project Management 
Professional certification from Project Management Institute. Her partial term began 
5/12/25 and expires 6/30/26. Her first term will expire June 30, 2029. 
 
Michelle McCroskey, District 1. Ms. McCroskey worked in human resources at State 
Farm. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arizona State 
University and has served on several local and regional transportation and trail projects. 
Her second term will expire June 30, 2029.