Better Arizona is a dynamic gathering designed to bring leaders together to learn, share, and grow alongside other influential voices in our community. This is a space where collaboration sparks innovation, and where practical insights from experienced leaders help shape stronger, more impactful leadership for the future.

Friday, April 10

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

April Gathering Topic

Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance - Project Management at Your Fingertips

Unpacking project management (what is it and how does it work) and how the art and science of project management helps to turn your ideas into reality - guiding teams, timelines and resources to deliver successful outcomes or just getting things done in some sort of organized way.

Speaker

Tim Phillips

Picture of Tim Phillips

Tim Phillips has served in senior leadership roles in both the public and private engineering and construction industries. Tim has taught leadership, communication and project management at Grand Canyon University and Arizona State University as adjunct faculty. His senior leadership roles included VP of Operations for Caruso Construction, Director for Ordinance Operations at Camp Navajo outside of Flagstaff and as the Chief Engineer and General Manager for the Flood Control District of Maricopa County.

He has over 45 years of water resources and public agency experience. Tim received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University and is a registered professional engineer in Civil Engineering in the State of Arizona. He holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. In 2010, Brigadier General Phillips retired from military service after 31 years with the Arizona Army National Guard.

Leadership

Mary Kominska Picture
Mary Kominska

Mary was born in Chicago, Illinois, and has lived in Kokomo, Indiana. She currently lives in Mesa, Arizona, with her husband Scott, and their dog Titus. Mary has been an entrepreneur most of her life (leaving corporate in 2012) and has over 18 years of experience as an Ambassador and Team Leader with Avon. She is passionate about empowering people...to be the best and beautiful you that you were created to be...inside and out. Her life journey guided her to become a Certified Master Mindset Coach in 2021. She shares her experience and knowledge in a 4-week course she wrote called TEA (Thoughts guide our Emotions and influence our Actions). Mary believes in continued personal growth. She was a Boundaries Facilitator at Central Christian Church for 5 years and a few of her other certifications are Insane Productivity, People School, and Avon Elite Leadership Academy.

Gary Small Picture
Gary Small

Gary, a graduate in geology and hydrology, spent 18 years leading water resources and environmental teams at Salt River Project. After leaving the corporate world in 1994, he ran a water resource consulting firm, HydroSystems Inc, for 25 years before retiring in 2021. With 45 years in Arizona’s Water Industry, he focused on leading teams to solve water resource challenges for municipalities and corporations. Gary also held leadership roles at Central Christian Church, including 16 years on the Executive Board. He and his wife Roxanne have been married for 47 years, with three adult children and seven grandchildren living in Arizona.

FAQ'S

Central Christian Church in partnership with Midwest Food Bank of Arizona will be hosted at Midwest Food Bank at 725 E Baseline Rd Gilbert

We meet from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Snacks and drinks will be provided. 
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