Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs names 4 cabinet members focused on economy

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday, the day following her inauguration ceremony, named four more cabinet members for tourism, transportation, commerce and administration.

Sandra Watson will return to her role as president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, a position she has held since October 2012.

Lisa Urias was named director of the Office of Tourism, Jennifer Toth will direct the Department of Transportation and Elizabeth Alvarado-Thorson was selected as director of the Department of Administration, which she most recently served as deputy director.

“My cabinet will hit the ground running by implementing our shared economic vision for this great state,” Hobbs said in a press release. “The expertise represented in this group makes me excited about the bright future we will be able to build together.”

The Arizona Commerce Authority is a partnership between the state government and private sector.

Watson was its executive vice president and chief operating officer for more than 16 years before becoming president and CEO. She also oversees the Office of Economic Opportunity for the ACA, which tracks economic data in the state.

In her tenure as president and CEO, the ACA has attracted 1,100 companies that committed to creating 240,000 jobs in Arizona, according to the ACA’s website and the release.

I was honored to attend the inauguration of @GovernorHobbs on this historic day for Arizona. I’m looking forward to working with @GovernorHobbs and all our state’s leaders to build on our incredible momentum ahead. #AZforEveryone https://t.co/X7AkmGjP3w

— Sandra Watson (@SandraWatsonAZ) January 5, 2023

Urias will enter a new role after most recently working as chief program and community engagement officer for the Arizona Community Foundation, which works to connect donors to nonprofit organizations.

She previously spent 20 years as the CEO of Urias Communications, a marketing and public relations agency she founded.

Toth has spent more than eight years as the director for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation after she was the state engineer and deputy director of the department.

Alvarado-Thorson has been the deputy director of the ADOA since 2018. She was previously the director of the state’s human resources division which oversaw more than 32,000 employees.

“These cabinet members will strengthen our economy to ensure that every Arizonan can benefit,” Hobbs said in a tweet announcing the appointments.

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