Gallagher & Kennedy’s Jonathan Litster earns appointments
Gallagher & Kennedy announced that associate attorney Jonathan Litster has been appointed to serve on three national committees within the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Jonathan will serve as a member of the Law Schools Committee through July 31, 2026, and on both the Exchange Advisory Committee and the Public Education Committee through July 31, 2028.
These appointments reflect Jonathan’s continued commitment to advancing legal education, fostering professional development, and supporting the broader mission of the AAJ.
The American Association for Justice (AAJ) is dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have been injured and ensuring access to justice through a strong civil justice system. With a global membership and a network of affiliates across the U.S. and Canada, AAJ supports trial attorneys through advocacy, education, and the exchange of critical information related to public health and safety. The organization works to uphold the right to a jury trial and promote the core democratic values that are fundamental to civil justice.
Greater Phoenix Chamber announces new board
The Greater Phoenix Chamber announced new leaders within its board of directors to lead the organization in its mission to catalyze regional prosperity through forward-thinking public policy, intentional economic growth, and diverse, prepared talent in fiscal year 2026.
Stacy Derstine, vice president of external affairs, APS, will serve as the fiscal year 2026 board chair, succeeding Laura Lynn Smith, division vice president and general manager, ADP, Inc. Francis McAllister, vice president of liability management and land & water, Freeport-McMoRan, will serve as chair-elect.
Serving on the Executive Committee of the board of directors are the following officers:
Board Chair – Stacy Derstine, APS
Chair-Elect – Francis McAllister, Freeport-McMoRan
Legal Counsel – Ryan Curtis, Fennemore Craig
Audit and Governance Committee Chair – Kris Newman, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Finance Committee Chair – Guy Berry, Redirect Health
Human Resources Chair – Shannon Butler, CVS Health
Investment Committee Chair – Francis McAllister, Freeport-McMoRan
Nominating Committee Chair – Rob Taylor, SRP
Public Affairs Committee Chair – Susan Anable, Cox Communications
Strategic Direction Committee Chair – Michelle Walker, SSC Underground
Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation Chair – Jay Kaprosy, Veridus
Member at Large – Jennifer Carusetta, Phoenix Children’s
Member at Large – Ravi Gupta, Ernst & Young
Member at Large – Kelsey Lundy, Compass Strategies
Member at Large – Chet Samuelson, BOK Financial
The Chamber is proud to have the following business leaders complete its board of directors for fiscal year 2026:
Justin Anthony, Rocket Mortgage **
Emily Breuker, University of Phoenix
Johnathan Buxton, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association
Peter Chuchro, Cigna Healthcare
Matthew Clark, Verizon
Craig Culy, Musical Instrument Museum
Joanna Dwyer, PetSmart
Joel Eberhart, Ideas Collide
Lorraine Field, Sonora Quest
Patrick Fitzhugh, USAA**
Allen Fore, Kinder Morgan, Inc.
Sonia Bradley Gleason, LocaliQ/USA TODAY Network**
Joe Grossman, EPCOR, Inc.
Helen Heiden, Southwest Gas**
Chad Heinrich, Arizonans for Affordable Health Coverage
Kim Ho, evolvedMD
Joe Hughes, American Airlines
Carla Vargas Jasa, Valley of the Sun United Way
Eric E. Lynch, Polsinelli
Jim Macdonald, JPMorgan Chase & Company
Cullen Mahoney, Trammell Crow
Grenee Martacho, Concord General Contracting Inc.
Tamala McBath, Dress for Success Phoenix
Jennifer Nelson, Honeywell Aerospace
Paul Penzone, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Amilyn Pierce, Arizona Diamondbacks
Ron Price, Visit Phoenix
April Rhodes, The Stile Group
Genevra Richardson, UnitedHealth Group**
Dr. Doug Ross, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital**
Chad Sampson, Arizona Board of Regents**
Chris Sarver, National Bank of Arizona
Jeff Schelter, Western Alliance Bank**
Dave Smith, Carlisle Companies Incorporated
Andi St. John, CBRE
James Stover, Arizona Complete Health
Donna Taylor, Beatitudes Campus
Vince Thelander, Bank of America
Jim Tomes, Telgian Holdings, Inc.
Emily Ward, Fennemore**
Craig Waugh, Greenberg Traurig
Doug Welzel, Amazon
Jennifer Yee, Snell & Wilmer
**New board members for FY 2026
“The leadership of our board of directors is vital, as we continue to lead the local business community in navigating the rapidly growing Phoenix economy,” said Todd Sanders, president & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “I am eager to work with our incoming Board leaders and members as we tackle the concerns of local businesses and implement long-term solutions while continuing to provide valuable tools and resources to our members and community.”
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation board of directors for fiscal year 2026 includes:
Board Chair – Jay Kaprosy, Veridus
Vice-Chair – Stacy Derstine, APS
Treasurer – Doris Savron, University of Phoenix
Cheryl Bond, ADP, Inc.
Phillip Huhta
Mike Lee, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.**
Adriana Murrietta, Pharos Foundation
De Anne Russell, Common Spirit Health
Kim Samuel, Kitchell Corporation
Shannon Warner, JPMorgan Chase**
**New board members for FY 2026
The newly appointed board leaders and members officially assume their duties on July 1, 2025.
