Community Relations

The Community Relations Department is a diverse workgroup that serves the community, elected officials and city departments to deliver Tempe’s message and information to the public.

Community Relations Manager Shelley Hearn
Community Relations Manager Shelley Hearn began her City of Tempe career in 1989 as a graphic designer, a position she held for 15 years. Shelley received a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University and was promoted to Communication and Media Relations Director. She was promoted again to Community Relations Manager in October 2005. Shelley takes pride in her department’s role in assisting Tempe residents and Council members, and she is committed to helping the city communicate its messages and developing partnerships with local organizations.
 

The Community Relations team is dedicated to serving the public. We provide Tempe residents with information about what is taking place in their community, how to resolve issues in their neighborhoods and where to go for programs and services. The divisions that make up the Community Relations Department include:

Mayor and Council Offices
Tempe City Councilmembers are assisted by a team of aides that conduct research, write correspondence, take care of scheduling and respond to inquiries from residents and business owners. Chief of Staff Mike Crusa, Mayoral Aide Molly Enright and Executive Assistant Lillian Woods assist Mayor Hugh Hallman’s office. Council Aide Mari Yennie assists Councilmembers Ben Arredondo and Mark Mitchell. Council Aide Sheri Partridge assists Councilmembers Barb Carter and Onnie Shekerjian. Council Aide Kathy Gasperich assists Vice Mayor Hut Hutson and Councilmember Shana Ellis.  

Neighborhood Services
The Neighborhood Services division consists of Shauna Warner, Neighborhood Services Director, and Elizabeth Thomas, Neighborhood Services Specialist. The division is designed to preserve the integrity of Tempe’s residential areas and to promote a sense of community by encouraging citizen participation in problem-solving and planning activities with elected officials and city staff. The division also provides technical and informational services to 72 neighborhood associations (ranging in membership from 20 to 1,500 households), 114 homeowners’ associations and five affiliate groups.

Communication and Media Relations
Local, national and international media turn to the city’s Communication and Media Relations division when they need information about Tempe programs, services and events. Communication and Media Relations Director Nikki Ripley focuses the division on getting valuable information to residents and businesses in Tempe through a monthly water bill newsletter, Tempe 11, media outreach, events and other efforts.

Tempe 11
The city’s government access channel, Tempe 11, is a 24-hour information source for residents and businesses that is run by a three-person team: Media Services Administrator Skip Neeley and Media Services Producers Greg Wolfe and Jason Wolf. Programming includes live coverage of City Council meetings, event previews and recaps, a monthly public safety call-in show and other unique programming.

Graphic design
Community Relations Coordinators Michele Gurrieri and Martha Garner develop impactful information pieces that are disseminated by various city departments. Everything from the monthly city newsletter and department brochures to event banners and gifts for visiting dignitaries are produced by the graphic design area of the division.

Government Relations
Government Relations Director Amber Wakeman works with various entities to communicate the City of Tempe’s legislative goals and initiatives, with the aim of preserving and enhancing the city’s quality of life. To ensure that Tempe’s point of view is communicated on many issues, Wakeman works daily with neighboring cities, state agencies, the Arizona Legislature, federal agencies, Congress and Indian communities. She also oversees the city’s two outside lobbying contracts.

All phone numbers are in the 480 area code unless otherwise noted.