Growing with Intention: Explore Class 4 Visits Buckeye, Arizona

Explore Class 4 traveled to Buckeye, Arizona, for a full day of learning about one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. We began at the Buckeye Valley Museum, where Chris Larson of the Buckeye Valley Historical and Archaeological Society welcomed us with a look at the city’s past. Former Mayor Jackie Meck and current Councilmember Tony Youngker shared stories of Buckeye’s growth and transformation over the decades, while Ken Galica, Principal Planner for the City of Buckeye, outlined ongoing downtown revitalization efforts focused on maintaining community character amid rapid change. Our next stop was the Buckeye Municipal Airport, where Airport Director Scott Gray spoke about the airport’s expanding role in regional connectivity and future infrastructure development.

Lunch at The Vic Bar & Kitchen featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Todd Hornback of DMB Associates. The conversation centered on intentional growth, with Adam Copeland, Lead Planner for the City of Buckeye, Charley Freericks of the Howard Hughes Corporation, and Sharma Torrens of the White Tank Mountains Conservancy offering insights into planning, conservation, and collaboration. The discussion emphasized the importance of aligning development with long-term sustainability. We also heard from Harry Paxton, Economic Development Manager for the City of Buckeye, who shared a broader view of the city’s economic priorities and regional positioning. The day concluded with Mayor Eric Orsborn, who spoke passionately about Buckeye’s future, his personal journey into public service, and the importance of visionary, inclusive leadership.

As we reflected on our visit, the cohort considered our program themes of equity, adaptability, and interconnectedness. While the city’s focus on growth and planning was clear, our group also noted the absence of certain community voices in the day’s discussions. This underscored the critical need to ensure all residents are engaged and represented in shaping Buckeye’s future—a valuable leadership lesson as we continue exploring Arizona’s diverse communities.

Thank you to all of our Buckeye partners who made our trip such a success! See all the pictures from our trip on Facebook.