Maricopa County Supervisor Denny Barney has taken the baton from John Lewis and will head the East Valley Partnership on a part-time basis.
Lewis, the former mayor of Gilbert who has headed the partnership since 2016, resigned to take a mission leadership position with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia.
For Barney, 48, who did not seek the position but was offered it, the move appears seamless.
As county supervisor, Barney oversees Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee Foothills, Gilbert, west Mesa and Queen Creek. As president and CEO of the partnership, he will oversee the economics and quality of life improvements in Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.
