FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2014
Contact: Mike Sakal, Public Information Officer
Office:
623-882-7053; michael.sakal@goodyearaz.gov
Goodyear
Mayor Among 50 “Most Influential Women in Arizona Business”
Only
elected city official to be selected
Goodyear Mayor
Georgia Lord – mayor of the 6th Fastest Growing City in the United
States - has been selected as one of Arizona Business Magazine’s 50 Most
Influential Women in Arizona Business.
Lord has served as the mayor of Goodyear since 2011 when she filled the
unexpired term of the previous mayor and was re-elected in 2013. She
began serving on Goodyear City Council in 2005.
Mayor Lord was informed earlier this year by editors of the Phoenix-based AZBig
Media’s Arizona Business Magazine that she was selected for the distinction.
The award recognizes business leaders as well as those in the medical field and
government. She is the only elected city official on the list this year.
“Being selected as
one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business is quite an honor and
comes as a pleasant surprise,” Mayor Lord said. “I am supported by a
hard-working and creative staff, and we’re all working hard to make Goodyear an
exciting place to be.”
Overall, Mayor
Lord was selected out of about 1,000 who were in the running for the honor from
a year ago that included those who were nominated. After editors review the
candidates, that number gets pared down to about 150 before those are forwarded
on to a 12-member judging panel.
In the article accompanying the list of the 50 Most Influential Women, Arizona
Business Magazine Writer Leslie K. Hughes describes those recognized as “the
state’s female leaders as redefining traditional gender roles and becoming
economic juggernauts.”
Michael Gossie
editor-in-chief of Arizona Business Magazine, said that he also sets the names
of candidates aside if they have been in the news for achievements throughout
the year or if they acquire a high-profile job.
“Goodyear Mayor
Georgia Lord has done so much, and a lot is happening in Goodyear,” Gossie
said.
Mayor Lord, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Greater
Phoenix Economic Council for her promotion and support of regional economic
development in October 2013, also serves
on numerous board and committees. She is co-chair of the Luke West Valley
Council which supports projects at Luke Air Force Base and was instrumental in
helping to land the F-35 Fighter Jet pilot training program
there.
According to
American Express OPEN’S 2014 State of Women-owned Business Report, Arizona
ranks fourth in the United States for its economic power of women-owned
businesses. Arizona women also led in areas once thought to be exclusively male
fields, such as government.
“The most important quality that has helped me in leadership positions is my
ability to build relationships and coalitions,” Mayor Lord said.
Mayor
Lord represents Goodyear on the Maricopa County Association of Governments
(MAG) Regional Council, Transportation Policy Committee, and Economic
Development Committee. She serves on the WESTMARC Board of Directors and
Executive Committee, and the West-MEC Bond Committee. She is also a member of
the Arizona Mayor’s Education Roundtable, Arizona Town Hall alumni, and
previously served as Vice Chair of the Arizona Municipal Tax Code Commission.
A native of Michigan, Mayor Lord comes from a military background as her
husband, Ron, is a retired Air Force Colonel. She has four children and also
has five grandchildren.
Editor Gossie said that next year’s process for the Fifty Most Influential
Women in Arizona Business already is underway, and if anyone is interested in
nominating anyone for the 2015 class, to visit www.azbigmedia.com and do a search for the
Fifty Most Influential Women to complete the nomination form.
– GOODYEARAZ.GOV –
