Southern Arizona Leadership Council

05/29/2026

In a new Op-Ed, SALC President & CEO Ted Maxwell calls for stronger local leadership and a greater willingness for leaders to speak out against what is wrong. Taking a stand is the first step toward changing the direction of Tucson and the region. When leaders speak up, it sends a clear signal that helps rebuild public trust and confidence in local government. Read it here

An opinion writer says growing concerns over crime, homelessness, public safety and city services are leaving many Tucson residents frustrated and questioning whether local leaders are doing enough to address

05/05/2026

SALC Welcomes Dr. Aaron Ball as Vice President to Advance Education Policy

Tucson, AZ - The Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC) today announced the hiring of Dr. Aaron Ball as Vice President, where he will lead and expand the organization’s P–20 education policy portfolio on behalf of the Southern Arizona community.

Dr. Ball brings deep experience across the full education continuum, from early learning through K–12, higher education, and workforce alignment. In his new role, he will guide SALC’s efforts to strengthen Southern Arizona’s education pipeline, improve student outcomes, and better connect education systems with the skills and credentials demanded by today’s economy.

“Ensuring a strong, aligned P–20 education system is essential to Southern Arizona’s long-term competitiveness,” said SALC President & CEO, Ted Maxwell. “Dr. Ball’s expertise across education sectors and his ability to translate policy into practice will be instrumental as we work with our members to advance meaningful, outcomes-driven reforms. He understands the importance of a qualified workforce for our region.”

Prior to joining SALC, Dr. Ball served as Director of College & Career Pathways Liaison for Southern Arizona at the Center for the Future of Arizona, where he worked at the intersection of education and workforce systems to advance statewide pathways initiatives. He began his career as an agriscience teacher before moving into school leadership, serving as both a high school assistant principal and an elementary principal.

He later served nearly seven years as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer for the Pima County Joint Technical Education District, where he built partnerships across K–12 systems, higher education institutions, employers, and community organizations to expand career-connected learning opportunities. His work has consistently focused on improving student pathways, strengthening workforce alignment, and driving systems-level change across education sectors.

Dr. Ball holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture and agricultural education from the University of Arizona. He is a fourth-generation Arizonan with a longstanding commitment to expanding opportunity for students across the state.

“I’m honored to join SALC and help advance a more connected and effective education system,” said Dr. Ball. “From early learning through postsecondary and career, we have an opportunity to better align our systems around student success and economic mobility. I look forward to working with SALC members to support policies that deliver results.”

04/07/2026

AZ Tech Week is in full swing until Sunday, April 12th with events across Arizona. SALC is proud to support Tucson’s own tech community, who will be holding dozens of events throughout the coming week:

Check out the complete AZTW calendar here: https://www.azcommerce.com/az-tech-week/aztw-calendar/

See what the University of Arizona is hosting here: https://research.arizona.edu/aztechweek

See what Southern Arizona Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Pima Community College has planned: https://www.pima.edu/news/announcements/2026/202603-16-satec-open-house.html

Discover AZ Commerce Authority’s events: https://www.azcommerce.com/news-events/news/2026/2/arizona-tech-week-calendar/

Attend AZTW Happy Hour with UACI, Startup Tucson, CIC, Pima County Economic Development: https://partiful.com/e/GrhS8nt1gSd1PO9nDX6s

Celebrate the close of AZ Tech Week at Pitch, Connect, Celebrate: AZ Tech Week Finale, bringing together Southern Arizona’s entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community leaders. Sponsored by Vantage West and HUSTL, the evening will feature IdeaFunding finalist presentations and an introduction t...

04/01/2026

The intersection of innovation and sustainability starts here. 💧✨

Discover the future of Arizona’s most vital resources at the WRRC 2026 Annual Conference: Water for Tech, Mining & Energy. From fueling tech hubs to powering the mining industry, this event explores the critical pathways defining state resilience.

🌵 Join the Water Resources Research Center at The University of Arizona to bridge the gap between industrial demand and long-term water security.

Image When 1:00 pm, April 14, 2026 to 4:30 pm MST, April 15, 2026 eventAdd to Calendar Add Event to Calendar WRRC 2026 Annual Conference: Water for Tech, Mining & Energy: Pathways to Arizona's Future 1:00 pm, April 14, 2026 × Select your calendar type below: Google iCal File Outlook Enterprise (Off...

03/11/2026

Together, we did it! Thanks to your leadership and commitment, Pima County has made a critical investment in our region’s future. With your support, both propositions 418 & 419 have passed, ensuring safer roads, improved transit, and stronger infrastructure for all who live and work here.

We truly believe this pivotal outcome is the result of a broad swath of business leaders, jurisdictional partners, and community members who believe in regional coordination and came together to prioritize investing in ourselves. With both a targeted, sophisticated campaign strategy and a hands-on grassroots outreach, we reached voters where they live, work and play. And they responded in record numbers for a Special Election – with more than 200,000 ballots returned.

We are proud to call Pima County home and grateful to have leaders like you who step up to make a difference. Whether you contributed time, financial resources or personal influence on the Campaign, celebrate the work we accomplished together and know that your impact will be felt for a generation, as we move our region forward!

03/09/2026

Election day is tomorrow!

If your ballot is still sitting on the counter or in your bag, please take a moment to return it. Ask your colleagues, neighbors and extended family to do the same. This will be a very close election and every voice matters!

03/08/2026

Tucson’s Transit at a Crossroads: Mayor Regina Romero warns of "horrible consequences," including layoffs and massive service cuts, if the $2.67 billion RTA Next plan is rejected. Don't wait—mail your ballot today or find your nearest drop-off site at pima.vote before the March 10 deadline.

Layoffs and transit service cuts are among the most immediate effects of voters rejecting a massive transportation plant later this month, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and others warn.

03/07/2026

For a better, safer Pima County. 🌵✨Larry Lucero knows our home well, and he’s reminding us why our voices matter this election season. Proposals 418 and 419 are key to keeping our community moving forward—literally! Let’s invest in our roads, transit, and safety. Fill out your ballot, return it by March 10th, and let’s keep Pima advancing.

03/07/2026

Transit helps people get to work, school, and healthcare. Voting YES on Prop 418 & 419 will protect access, reliability, and mobility for thousands of families across Tucson.

Whether you drive a car, ride the bus, walk or ride a bike, the $2.67 billion RTA Next plan will deliver transportation enhancements to get you where you’re going faster, easier and more affordably. The Regional Transportation Authority’s proposed plan and half-cent sales tax to fund it, if appr...

03/06/2026

Ballots are due in 4 days!! The March 10 special election will shape our region for decades. Get informed, share the facts, and vote YES on Props 418 & 419 for safer roads and reliable transit.

Connect Pima includes business, community, and public sector leaders advocating to extend RTA 1 and secure long-term transportation funding for our region.