Zuercher has entered into a two-year contract as the incoming executive director, following the retirement of Executive Director Eric Anderson on July 1, 2023. Anderson, who served MAG for nearly 40 years, the past five years as executive director, will assist in the transition.

As a city manager, Zuercher served on MAG’s Management Committee and is familiar with MAG’s roles and responsibilities in the region. He believes his experience managing the nation’s largest Council-manager of governance provides a solid foundation for his new role at MAG.

“Leading a local government organization in the 5th largest and fastest-growing city in the United States afforded me a rare perspective on local, state, regional, national, and international government administration and leadership,” said Zuercher. “In this role, I often worked with MAG and my colleagues in cities, towns, counties and Native nations, and I look forward to helping local governments solve complex problems through collaborative regional solutions.”

MAG is a council of governments that serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation for the greater Maricopa region, with a planning area of more than 10,000 square miles. MAG’s members include 27 cities and towns, 3 Native nations, Maricopa County, portions of Pinal County, and the Arizona Department of Transportation MAG conducts planning and makes policy decisions in a number of core areas. These include safe and smart travel, the economy and growth, environment and sustainability, and improving quality of life, all with a focus on efficient and effective operations. The agency is guided by a staff of 120.

Zuercher retired as Phoenix city manager in 2021, with a career at Phoenix going back to the 1990s, including serving as the public transit director. He currently serves as a managing director at Ernst & Young, LLP.

“I have known Ed since his early days at Phoenix and have the upmost respect for him,” said Anderson. “I do think he is one of only a few people I know who can come into an organization like MAG and hit the ground running,” he said.

Zuercher will join MAG before Anderson retires to provide for a smooth transition. His start date will be March 6, 2023.