AFP's Chad Kirkpatrick named to Gov. Brewer's cabinet as Director of GITA

Congratulations Chad!

Governor Jan Brewer Announces Director of Housing, Director of GITA

PHOENIX ‐ Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today named Donald E. Cardon as Director of the Department of Housing, and Chad Kirkpatrick as the Director of the Government Information Technology Agency (GITA). “These individuals will be tremendous assets to their respective agencies and to the State of Arizona,” stated Brewer. “Mr. Cardon brings with him expertise and innovation that will prove invaluable to Arizona citizens coping with the current housing climate. Mr. Kirkpatrick is widely respected and recognized in his field and possesses a unique blend and broad range of technical and leadership skills.”

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Cardon served as President and CEO of Cardon Development Group, LLC, creating low‐income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects throughout the State. His company was responsible for creating affordable housing communities in Phoenix, Gilbert, Eloy and Winslow. In addition, he helped envision and initiate the formation of Phoenix Future, which assembled the key business leaders, political leaders and financial institutions necessary to create CityScape, a mixed‐use development in downtown Phoenix. He also has several years of experience in the public sector of the housing industry. Mr. Cardon has worked as Deputy Housing Director at the City of Phoenix, where he was responsible for overseeing eight
housing programs and all housing development activities within the City of Phoenix. He began his career in Longview, Washington, where he served as Executive Director for the Longview Housing Authority, and then as Community and Economic Development Director at the City of Longview. In these capacities he gained knowledge in financial planning, zoning activities, marketing and partnership development. Mr. Cardon received his Masters of Public Administration from Lewis and Clark College, and his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Point Loma College. He is a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and a board member of Helping Hands Housing Services.

Mr. Kirkpatrick’s appointment as Director of GITA, places him at the helm of an agency created in 1996 to serve as Arizona’s official entity for strategic planning and coordination of all state information technology. He will oversee day‐to‐day operations of: IT coordination and planning, IT project review and monitoring, and maintenance of e‐government.