“It is time for me to retire from the best job I have ever had the opportunity to hold. I will be stepping down as Executive Director of the Maricopa Association of Governments effective July 1, 2023,” Anderson told employees in a written statement announcing his retirement. “Whether in the private or the public sector, helping make communities better has been a common theme of my career. But the best memories that I will have from my work life will be the experiences I have had with the amazing MAG family.”
Anderson first began working with MAG in 1983 preparing socioeconomic projections for the region. In 1992, he was retained by MAG to lead the Fiscal Analysis Unit, which was charged with putting a solid foundation in place for the management and financial integrity of the MAG Freeway Program. He was hired in 2000 as Transportation Director and was appointed Executive Director in 2018.
“Eric is an outstanding leader and a true champion for this region,” said MAG Chair Kenn Weise, mayor of Avondale. “On behalf of the Regional Council and for the residents whose lives have been improved by the work of MAG, I want to thank him for his service.”
Over his career, Anderson’s work has focused on regional and urban growth, economic development, and economic impact analysis. He has been involved in a number of planning and research efforts related to technology, including autonomous and connected vehicles. He has focused on the urban form and social impacts of new technology and the implications for the regional transportation system. Recent efforts include overseeing the development of a 25-year regional transportation investment plan known as MOMENTUM 2050. Funding for the plan would need to come through an extension of the half-cent sales tax for transportation, which was approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 as Proposition 400. The current funding expires in 2025.
“The work to extend Proposition 400 will continue and I will be available to provide whatever assistance I can to make sure this region continues to have a world class transportation system,” said Anderson. “Our members and business community understand how critical this is to not only the MAG region, but to the state of Arizona. The MAG staff has no equal in terms of expertise, professionalism and commitment to improving our community,” he said.
Anderson served as Interim CEO for Valley Metro prior to the appointment of Scott Smith in 2016. He is member of the Urban Land Institute Arizona Advisory Board, Lambda Alpha International, and the board of directors of the Arizona Transit Association. Anderson holds an M.S. degree in Economics from Arizona State University.
Anderson said he will work together with MAG member agencies to ensure a smooth transition.
