Phoenix IDA Elects 2016 Board Officers

IDA OfficersPHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix IDA announces the election of officers for its 2016 Board of Directors:

  • Christa Severns – President
  • Judy Bernas – Vice President
  • Sal Rivera – Treasurer
  • Barbara Ryan Thompson – Secretary

Serving a one-year term beginning in January, the officers will lead the nine-member board and direct the Phoenix IDA, which has issued more than $1.5 billion in bonds since 2009.

“Our board officers bring a wealth of valuable experience, wide-ranging expertise and commitment to advancing economic development interests, from education and employment, to home ownership and vital community resources that keep individuals and their families strong,” said Juan Salgado, executive director of the Phoenix IDA.

Christa Severns’ career spans more than 25 years in marketing, communications and public affairs. She is the owner of Christa Severns Communications, a firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation of public relations and public affairs campaigns. Her background includes serving as marketing director for one of the largest law firms in the Southwest and as director of communications for a multi-billion dollar insurance company. Her public sector experience includes serving as the State of Arizona’s spokesperson and press liaison on Indian gaming issues. She joined the Phoenix IDA Board in 2011, serving as vice president in 2015.

As the University of Arizona’s associate vice president for external relations, Judy Bernas oversees and coordinates the university’s presence in Maricopa County. As a loaned executive to the Mayor’s Office at the City of Phoenix, she is working on the Phoenix expansion of the UA Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, and coordinating the growth of the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. Previously, she served as associate vice president for UA federal relations, director of government relations for the Arizona Health Sciences Center (AHSC) and as AHSC associate director of the Office of Public Affairs. She was appointed to the Phoenix IDA Board in 2013 and served as its treasurer in 2015.

Sal Rivera is a partner and shareholder of Rivera Law Group. Rivera practices in the areas of government relations and tort and commercial litigation. He also has significant experience in employment, land use and lender liability litigation. While regularly representing Fortune 500 companies, he also represents individuals and smaller companies. In 2008, Gov. Janet Napolitano appointed Rivera to serve as the founding president/CEO of the Arizona Economic Resource Organization. Key accomplishments during his tenure included the development and implementation of comprehensive solar and capital formation strategies. He joined the Phoenix IDA Board in 2009 and served as its secretary in 2015.

Barbara Ryan Thompson is the executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) for Helios Education Foundation. As COO, she provides strategic direction to the Foundation, overseeing internal operations in addition to fostering external community and stakeholder relations. Prior to joining Helios, Ryan Thompson served six years with Southwest Student Services Corporation first as vice president and then as senior vice president and general counsel. Ryan Thompson was also previously an attorney in private practice at Snell & Wilmer, LLP, where she represented a number of corporate and public clients. She joined the Phoenix IDA Board in 2014.

Established in 1981 by the Phoenix City Council, the Phoenix IDA serves as a conduit issuer of private activity bonds which attract private investment to finance projects that provide a public benefit.  The Phoenix IDA has a long history of providing access to capital for community and economic development projects. By establishing public-private partnerships through revenue bond financing projects, the Phoenix IDA strives to increase job opportunities within the community, support education and health care, and provide housing for underserved communities, all which benefit the residents of the city of Phoenix and the state of Arizona. The Phoenix IDA does not rely on taxpayer or general fund dollars. For additional information, visit www.phoenixida.com.