SAEDG Board of Directors

David is a lifelong resident of Benson, Cochise County, AZ. After graduating from Benson High School, he received his AA degree from Cochise College and completed his BS degree from the University of Arizona.  David completed studies at the Hogan School of Real Estate and obtained his real estate sales, broker and appraisal license.

David’s business experience as a loan officer and appraiser for Farmers Home Administration, owning and operating the Red Bird Ranch in Cochise County (for 12 years) and since 2000 owning and operating DiPeso Real Estate and Appraisal allows David to offer varied business perspectives for numerous civic organizations.

David has actively participated in the following organizations: Past Member of Benson Planning & Zoning commission, Benson City Council, Mayor of Benson, AZ.  President of MLS of Cochise County, President of Benson San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Benson Task Force leader and Vice President of the Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group.  Board Member of the Cochise College Governing Board, Member of Cochise College Foundation Board.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Arizona and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California Kevin worked for two publicly held corporations. Deciding he enjoyed his independence he left and became a partner in a southern Arizona development company. Since that time, he has been actively involved in many different businesses in southern Arizona.

With his commitment to Benson and Cochise County, he looks forward to assisting in the future economic prosperity of the area.

Douglas V. Fant graduated with a B.A. in History and German from Stanford University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. He obtained the Diplom Wirtschaftsdeutsch International in 1990 from the Goethe Insititut. He served as a law clerk to the U.S. Senate Committee on Interior & Insular Affairs, and subsequently served as an Honors Program Attorney in energy and environmental issues for the United States Department of Interior. Mr. Fant worked for Mobil Oil Corporation where he served as the Lead EHS/Transportation Attorney for the Americas and then later served as an EHS Manager for the Mobil West U.S. business entity. Mr. Fant also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership and as President of the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce. He also served as General Counsel to the Arizona Power Authority representing the State of Arizona’s interest in Hoover Dam. Mr. Fant is a member of the Arizona, California, District of Columbia, and Texas Bar Associations.

Patrick served as corporate counsel and chief operating officer for Arizona G&T Cooperatives before being appointed chief executive officer in 2011. He is the former president of the G&T Managers Association and a member of its communications committee. He is a director, and former chairman, on the ACES Power Marketing board of directors in Carmel, Indiana. He is also a director on the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association board of directors, in Phoenix, Arizona, and chairman of its legislative and government relations and political action committee.

Patrick was born in Durango, Colorado, and graduated high school there. He received a B.A. degree from Colorado College, and M.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Arizona.

Geoff is owner of PowerPlus Media LLC, a media consulting company specializing in video documentaries and production for electric utilities and individual clients. He lives with his wife Kerri in rural Arizona near the original J6 Ranch west of Benson. 

Geoff is a third-generation Arizona native, and he and his family are well known throughout Southeastern Arizona. Evidence of his long-standing roots can be seen in the titles of Oldfather Road, Oldfather Circle, and Oldfather Lane in Northwest Tucson, which are all named after his family. His early years were spent on the family farm in St. David. He grew up in St. David and Benson, where Geoff’s parents taught him to respect the land and its resources, and instilled the principle of good stewardship of those resources to ensure a healthy future for his own children, grandson, and the generations to come.

Geoff graduated from the University of Arizona with a major in Journalism. After a successful 30-year career as an award-winning journalist that spanned newspapers, working in TV news as an anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates, a senior correspondent and political columnist with Scripps-Howard newspapers, and even his own talk radio show while living in Florida, he returned to Arizona in 2009. Upon returning home he began his position as Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations Director at Arizona G&T Cooperatives/Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO), a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative. There he communicated the concepts of, and advocated for, a mix of energy resources that include industrial-scale solar, battery storage, wind, and other renewable energy resources.

Throughout his career, Geoff worked with state legislatures and Congress, both as a journalist covering their activities, as well as direct involvement in lobbying, and shaping and guiding policy as a stakeholder representative in the energy generation and transmission industry.

One of Geoff’s proudest personal accomplishments is that of being a father. His son Kyle works at Desert Survivors, a native-plant nursery in Tucson that employs special-needs individuals, and his daughter Brisa, is the Marketing Director for one of Tucson’s oldest family-owned general contractors, Lloyd Construction Company, Inc.

A native Tucsonan, Hal founded Diversified Design & Construction, Inc. in 1976. Hal currently serves as Chairman of Diversified. He has many years of experience in design, development and construction.

With his knowledge and service as Chairman of Diversified Hal brings a valued voice to the board of directors at SAEDG.

Courtney Jordan is a passionate individual who recently relocated to St. David, Arizona, driven by her deep appreciation for the area. Having spent over five years in Arizona before her career in the federal government took her to Washington DC, Courtney has developed a strong connection to the community and its breathtaking natural surroundings. Her decision to move to St. David and the Benson area reflects her love for the region and her desire to contribute to its growth and development.

Courtney attended the University of South Alabama in which she obtained her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and continued her education at the University of Alabama where she studied Masters of Business Administration. 

In her previous roles, Courtney demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and dedication to serving others. As the President of the Pacific Region of the National Association of Disability Examiners, she played a crucial role in advocating for individuals with disabilities and ensuring fair and timely accurate disability assessments. Additionally, Courtney served as a squad leader for the Girls Scouts of America, guiding and inspiring young girls to become confident, resourceful, and compassionate individuals. With her extensive experience as a GS-14 and her decades of dedicated service in the government sector, she is bringing her experience to work for southern Arizona. Courtney's leadership, combined with her passion for community development, will undoubtedly make a significant and positive impact on the future of this area and its residents.

Norma Kastre moved with her parents to Arizona from western Pennsylvania as one of five children. The PA oil and steel industry was experiencing a decline as more companies left the area for the western states. This move offered the large family new business opportunities with educational advantages for all. Norma chose to raise her family in the Valley while attending ASU for completion of her BA, MA, and PhD in Education and Learning Theory. During those years she taught different subjects to students from elementary to college graduate programs, played an active role in community projects, and managed Kastre Enterprises, her small family business.

Several years ago she relocated to the Tucson, Dragoon Mountain area where she currently owns and operates BJ Drilling and Pump Company, founded by the late Bob Jackson in 1973. The company employs locally, and continues Bob’s water well legacy through the family ties of their daughters, Becky, and Tammy.

Though Norma stays actively involved in her company, she continues her contribution of time and funds to nonprofit organizations such as Patranados of San Xavier del Bac Mission, Benson Food Pantry, San Pedro Little League, and Rancho Feliz.

With business interests and investments in southern Arizona, Norma recognizes, appreciates, and supports the current sustainable economic growth trends, with the potential for continued responsible use of natural resources. 

Jennifer has been in the mortgage business since 2001.  The mortgage industry was introduced to her after she concluded that nursing school was not for her.  Immediately starting in the mortgage division at a large Bank, Jennifer knew this was where she was meant to be.  Jennifer enjoys helping her clients navigate the home buying process and coming up with options and solutions. Jennifer believes homeownership is the American dream and wants to help as many people as possible become a homeowner.  Nothing is more satisfying to Jennifer than the call to a first-time buyer who never thought homeownership was possible on the day of closing to congratulate them.

Jennifer grew up in Southern Arizona and has a love for the area.  She sits on the Southern Arizona Economic Development board and Benson Chamber.  She has a desire to support the community, local business owners and encourage positive growth in Southern Arizona.

When Jennifer and Wade, her husband are not working, they spend time with their 6 dogs; 2 Saint Bernards, 3 mini Aussie’s and 1 Papillion.  On the weekends Wade will likely be out riding his Harley across Arizona and beyond.  While Jennifer is riding and competing with her 2 horses, Rayna and Geneva.

Julia is a member of the board of directors for the Southern Arizona Hospital Alliance and the Affiliated Partners Program, the service corporation of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. She serves on numerous community boards including Northern Cochise Community Hospital, Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce, Copper Queen Hospital Foundation, Tucson Festival of Books, Beyond Foundation, HealthOn Tucson, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Formerly, she served on the Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Science of Sport, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, Mobile Meals of Tucson, the Tucson Healthcare Federal Credit Union and the Employers Health Alliance of Arizona. In 2016, Strange was awarded the Grassroots Advocate Award for Arizona from the American Hospital Association. In 2018, she was a finalist for the Tucson Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award.

Prior to joining TMC Health in 1996, Julia was a reporter/writer for University of Southern California, Inside Tucson Business and the Indianapolis Business Journal. She is a 1988 graduate of the Indiana University School of Journalism. Julia received a Master’s in Jurisprudence from Seton Hall School of Law in 2017.

George Scott was born on January 1, 1947 in Tucson, Arizona. George is a lifelong resident of Benson, Arizona. Graduating from Benson Union High School in 1965. He attended Arizona Western College in 1965-1966 on a football scholarship. In December of 1966 he joined the US Army and served until December of 1969 to return home with an honorable discharge as a Sergeant (E-5).Upon returning to Arizona, George managed the family Redi-mix/Sand and Gravel company in Benson and attended Cochise College. He graduated in 1974 and managed the family business until 1976.George has experience in the Real Estate Business, Truck Leasing and RV sales. In 1996 George and his wife built a 105 space RV park, Pato Blanco Lakes RV Parkin Benson AZ. They were owner/managers until it was sold in 2005.

In 2001, George was elected to serve as Vice-Mayor of Benson, AZ. He had served two years as Vice-Mayor when he was elected as the Mayor of Benson. George was elected as Mayor to help clean up the small-town politics and bring progress to the area. Under his tenure new home development was approved and new retail businesses located to Benson including a Walmart Supercenter. Because of George’s efforts city revenues increased and continues to grow.

After leaving the mayor’s office in the summer of 2007 George and a group of local businessmen formed the Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group to help promote business in Cochise County.

George is married to MaryAnn; between them they have five adult children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Cindy Batten, National Bank of Arizona

Brisa Boyd, Lloyd Construction/Tucson

Jerry DeGrazia, San Pedro Partners

Mark Fenn, Old Homestead

Eric Hollensbee, El Dorado Holdings

Gary Kartchner, Benson Hospital

Kimberly Lockhart, Pioneer Title Agency

Gil Lusk, National Park Service (retired)