East Valley Executive Council 

Kathy Tilque, East Valley Executive Council Chair
President & CEO, Gilbert Chamber of Commere

 Kathy Tilque has served as the President/CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce since 1996.  During this time the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce has more than doubled its membership.  She is committed to serving as the business community advocate through proactive public policy efforts at both the local and state levels.

Kathy has served on a variety of community committees over the  years including the Community with Character Steering Committee, Downtown Heritage Merchants Association, Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Council, Developming Services Stakeholders groups, Gilbert Sister Cities, Gilbert General Plan Steering Committees, Gilbert Public Schools’ Bond and Strategic Planning committees, Gilbert Leadership Steering Committee and Board.

Kathy began her chamber career at the Copperas Cove, Texas Chamber in 1987 and has had the opportunity to work with the Clarksville, Tennessee and Tempe, Arizona Chambers of Commerce prior to serving in her current position.

Kathy recently celebrated 23-years in the chamber business. She is a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) program, American Chambers of Commerce Executives Board member, past president for the Arizona Chamber Executives organization, Western Association of Chamber Executives Board member, member of the US Chamber of Commerce Board of Regents, former board member of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Arizona Chamber’s Local Chamber Committee, and is a founding member of the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance.

East Valley Executive Council


Mary Baldwin
The Boeing Company

Lorraine Bergman
President/CEO
Caliente Construction

Kathleen Dowler
Director Community Integration
CHW East Valley Arizona

Dr. Sally E. Downey
Superintendent/CEO
East Valley Institute of Technology

Trinity Donovan
Executive Director
Chandler Christian Community Center

Maria Hesse, Ed.D.
Vice Provost Transfer Partnerships
Arizona State University

Sandra Hudson
President, East Valley
Northern Trust

Becky Jackson
 President & CEO
ICAN

Dawn Jones
Communications Manager
Intel

Joan Krueger
President
JEK Strategies

Joan Saba
Saba's Western Wear

Kathy Tilque
President/CEO
Gilbert Chamber of Commerce

Jacki Tatman
Owner
Leidan Mitchell Salon & Spa

Fresh Start Foundation

Our Founders ­ Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart

Even as young teens, Pat and Beverly wanted to help women, who like their grandmother, suddenly became the sole support of their families. Over the years, the Arizona natives became ardent community activists on behalf of women. In 1992, Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart were in a position to personally and professionally reach out to women in need. The initial offering was a day of pampering at Rolf’s Salon, then co-owned by Pat, Beverly and Rolf Lohse. The women theorized that a new hair style and personalized make-up were immediate ways to boost one’s confidence and increase self-esteem. Each month 20 women from shelters and social service agencies were invited to “A Fresh Start Day of Beauty at Rolf’s.” This core Fresh Start service remains in place today through Rolf’s Salon as well as through the Self-Esteem Room at the Foundation’s Women’s Resource Center.

Board of Directors

1995 '96 Sandy Cowen
1997 '98, 1999 Barbara Ralston
2000 '01 Marlene Klotz Collins
2002 Michelle Kerrick
2003 '04 Barbara Hoffnagle
2005 '06 Mary P. Upchurch
2007 Becky Jackson
2008 '09 Kim McWaters
2010 Nancy Loftin                                                                                                                                                             

2011 Leah Hoffman Langerman