Mayor of Irving; Texas

A 25-year Irving resident, Beth Van Duyne was honored to be elected Mayor of

the City of Irving in 2011, having served as a city council representative from 2004-2010. She fought hard against tax and fee increases, championed the movement against more apartment complexes and promoted smart development backed by legitimate investors. Beth is a dedicated volunteer, experienced professional, involved homeowner and devoted mother of two. 

Throughout her 20 year career, she has had the opportunity to work with small startup companies, mid-size private companies and Fortune 500 corporations like Verizon, American Airlines and SAP. She also founded and ran her own consulting business, working with executives to develop strategic business plans, negotiation strategies, grassroots coalition building, and federal and state legislative policy strategies.

Beth is experienced in testifying and advocating at the local, state and federal levels for energy, economic development, transportation and water resources and funding. She has extensive experience and strong relationships in the transportation, healthcare, energy and telecommunication industries and is a past member of the North Texas Healthcare Tax Force, President of the Irving Republican Women's Club and Board member of New Tech High. Beth was the first council member to participate in the Irving Citizens Police Academy and the Irving Fire Academy.

A frequently interviewed official, Beth has appeared in The New York Times, CNN, USA Today, ESPN and Dallas Morning News. Former Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, she established and chaired Irving's Communications Committee and has done extensive coalition building among local, state and federal officials and community leaders throughout the country through her activities with the US Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, Texas Municipal League and North Central Texas Council of Governments. Beth is the council liaison for the Chamber of Commerce, DFW Board, Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition, TEX-21, Regional Transportation Council, and the Uban Center Task Force.

Beth is a magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with studies in City and Regional Planning, Government and Law. She has two wonderful children, Katie and Pearce, who attend school in Irving. 

Mayor of Scottsdale; Arizona

W.J. "Jim" Lane is a former Scottsdale, Arizona city councilman and the

current mayor of Scottsdale. Lane is a resident of north Scottsdale.

 Lane joined other new council members-elect in criticizing the outgoing council's decision to vote on a controversial new compensation plan for the city manager on their last meeting, calling provisions that restricted the city council's ability to remove the city manager a violation of the city charter. An opponent of the city's expenditures on the development of the Los Arcos Mall site, in July 2004 Lane opposed the proposed ASU Scottsdale Center for New Technology and Innovation (later known as SkySong) on the same site, which he considered a risky investment not worth the city's subsidy. Lane expressed support for the banning of all subsidies and tax incentives for private businesses by the city government, and supported state legislation making such practices illegal. After Lane and fellow conservative Bob Littlefield were left out of the budget subcommittee's membership, Lane accused Mayor Mary Manross of politicizing the subcommittee appointments. In late 2005, Lane voted against the installation of photo radar speed enforcement on the Loop 101 freeway. Lane was sharply critical of three fellow council members during the Scottsdale's city council 2006 election, after, in what became a minor scandal, secretly "having a shill, Karl J. Kulick, represent himself as an independent voter to challenge" a candidate, who was disqualified for coming just under the signature requirement. However, Lane and some other council members raised eyebrows by endorsing candidates for the first time, rather than remaining neutral as had previously been traditional for sitting city council members; the candidate Lane endorsed, Bob Littlefield, was one of the council members Lane had accused of deceptive campaign practices. In 2007, Lane voted against a proposed plan to extend protections against discriminatory hiring practices to gay and transgender employees; the measure ultimately failed. In December 2007 a similar measure was passed by the City Council, again with Lane's opposition.

Lane has been a Scottsdale resident since 1973, when he moved from New Jersey. Prior to entering politics, Lane was a businessman; he was described as a "technology consultant" by the Arizona Republic during his first political campaign. He attended Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, New Jersey. Having graduated with a BS in accounting from Saint Joseph's University, Lane went on to work as a certified public accountant and financial statement auditor for KPMG for 20 years, between 1976 and 1996. Lane was elected president and chief operating officer of StatesWest Airlines on January 31, 1990. Shortly after, StatesWest Airlines discontinued all flying under its own name and entered into an agreement with USAir to operate as USAir Express. He is the owner of Scottsdale-based internet service provider, financial consulting, and telecommunications company Chatham Hill Group LLC. Lane was also an adjunct instructor of business and accounting at Scottsdale Community College. Outside of business, Lane also spent several years as an officer of the Board Of Management of the Scottsdale Paradise Valley YMCA.

Mayor of North Las Vegas; Nevada

John Jay Lee (born August 20, 1955) is an American entrepreneur and

politician. He is the current mayor of North Las Vegas, a former member of the Nevada Senate, representing Clark County District 1 (2004–2012), and a former member of the Nevada Assembly, representing District 3 (1996–2000).

On April 2, 2013, Lee was elected Mayor of North Las Vegas defeating incumbent Mayor Shari Buck. Lee assumed office on July 1, 2013. At the time of his election, North Las Vegas was facing large monetary challenges including a deficit of more than $150 million.  Because of employee concessions and a strong management team, he was able to balance the budget without tax increases or layoffs in less than a year. 

Lee has made the expansion and enhancement of North Las Vegas Libraries and parks two of his biggest priorities. In addition, his administration has streamlined business licensing procedures, attracting new businesses to the City. Lee also initiated an innovative plan to use state tax credits as an incentive to jumpstart development at the Apex Industrial Park, an effort that could eventually result in the creation of 116,000 jobs to the area.

Lee met his first girlfriend, Marilyn Ruesch, in high school on a blind date. They married and had their first two children to the family a year apart. Today, they are the parents of seven children and twenty-three grandchildren.

In 2007, Lee was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, which he overcame in 2009.

Lee is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America Executive Board. His commitment to the Boy Scouts began through his affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Mayor of Fremont; California

Bill Harrison is the mayor of Fremont, California, succeeding appointed mayor

Gus Morrison.

His term began December 2012, and expires December 2016.

He was born and raised in Fremont, is a graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a Certified Public Accountant Harrison has promoted business incentives to manufacturers, in particular companies associated with nearby Silicon Valley. He has supported Tesla Motors' plan for a controversial outsized billboard at its Fremont plant. He has also presided over redevelopment efforts centered on transforming Fremont from a suburban city to an urban hub.

Prior to 2012, Harrison was a city councilman. On November 6, 2012, Harrison out-polled four rivals to win the independently elected mayor's office, with 34% of the vote.

Mayor of Gilbert town, Arizona

John Lewis (born October 3, 1957) is an American politician who has been serving as the mayor of Gilbert, Arizona since 2009. Lewis is a member of the Republican Party.

John Lewis was elected as Mayor of Gilbert in May 2009. Prior community involvement included serving as Co-Chairman of the Town's Diversity Task Force, Organizer of Community Interfaith activities, and Founder of Gilbert's "Constitution Week" celebration.

He has 28 years of private sector business experience including 19 years with Apollo Group (parent company to the University of Phoenix) and 9 years with Ernst & Young (International Accounting Firm). Assignments have included information technology management, leadership development, and management consulting. He also served in a staff position with U.S. Senator Jake Garn, in Washington DC. He is currently serving as an Adjunct Faculty teacher in the Business Department at Mesa Community College.

Mayor Lewis earned an MBA from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University. He has been married to LaCinda Smoot for 35 years and together they have eight children and twelve grandchildren. The Lewis Family has lived in Gilbert for 30 years.

In addition to his mayoral duties, Mayor Lewis also serves on the following regional boards and committees: Arizona League of Cities Executive Committee, Maricopa Association of Government (MAG) Regional Council, MAG Economic Development Committee (Past Chair), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Board, Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board, East Valley Partnership Board, Arizona BrainFood Executive Board, Care for Life Advisory Board and Ascenda Executive Board.

Mayor of San Bernardino; California

R. Carey Davis is the 28th mayor of San Bernardino, California.

Davis was born in San Bernardino and graduated from Pacific High School there. He received his bachelor's degree from the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his master's in business administration from California State University, San Bernardino.

Davis is a certified public accountant. who works as a controller in Los Angeles for Hehr International, a manufacturer of RV doors and windows.

He became involved in city politics in spring 2013. He ran for mayor in a ten-candidate field and in the November 5, 2013 election gained second place, being narrowly edged for first place by 7th Ward city council member Wendy McCammack. Davis and McCammack then proceeded to a February 4, 2014 runoff election, in which Davis defeated Wendy McCammack; turnout was low. He was sworn in on March 3, 2014.

Mayor of Boise; Idaho

David Harold "Dave" Bieter (born November 1, 1959) has served as mayor of

Boise, Idaho since 2004. He is a Democrat though the office of mayor is officially nonpartisan.

Bieter was born in Boise and graduated from Bishop Kelly High School in 1978. Bieter earned a bachelor's degree in international studies from University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and a law degree from the University of Idaho. He was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1986. In addition to his native English, Bieter is fluent in Spanish and Basque.

In 1999 Bieter was appointed to the Idaho House of Representatives as a Democrat to succeed his late father, Pat Bieter, in District 19 (north Boise). Bieter was elected to a full term in 2000 and reelected in 2002.

In 2003 Bieter was elected Boise mayor in a nonpartisan contest, defeating Republican Party activist Chuck Winder and Ada County Sheriff Vaughn Killeen. He was reelected in 2007 with 64 percent of the vote, defeating city councilman Jim Tibbs.

Bieter was an early supporter of Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. It had been speculated Bieter might emerge as a Democratic candidate for Governor of Idaho in 2010,however he declined to file as a candidate. Rumors of a possible 2014 Bieter candidacy for governor or another higher office circulated as well.

According to the New York Times, "Bieter spent part of his youth in the Basque Country and is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the only Basque-speaking mayor in the United States." Boise is home to the largest Basque population outside of Europe, with 15,000 Basques.

Bieter married his wife Julia in 1998. The couple has one daughter.

Mayor of Birmingham; Alabama

William A. Bell, Sr. (born June 1, 1949) is an American politician who is the

current Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama. He took office in 2010. Bell previously held the office on an interim basis in 1999. Bell was elected following a run-off with Patrick Cooper. Bell won the run-off with 53.6% to Cooper's 46.4%. He is a Democrat.

Bell served several terms on the Birmingham City Council. In 1985, he became the first African-American to serve as President of the Birmingham City Council, having been elected to that position by the members of the council.

On December 15, 2015, Bell and city councilor Marcus Lundy were involved in a physical altercation with one another.

Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. is one of the most dynamic, effective and respected public servants in Birmingham, Alabama, having served the City of Birmingham as City Councilor and Council President for over twenty-five years. Mayor Bell was elected to a full term as Mayor of Birmingham, the largest city in the state of Alabama, in 2011. He was re-elected Mayor again in 2013. In 1985 during his third term on the Council, he was elected to serve as the first African-American President of the Birmingham City Council. He was again chosen as President following the Birmingham City Council elections in 1987 and 1997. While serving as President, he was instrumental in implementing the consent agenda and designing the new council chamber which other local governments modeled and integrated into their city‘s plans.

In 1988, Dr. Bell pushed through funding for Child Care Resources, Incorporated. This service provided assistance for poor and working mothers who needed decent and affordable childcare.

Dr. Bell also worked with the Merchants of the Fourth Avenue Business District to transform that area into a productive business corridor so that blacks could purchase their own building where they worked each day. He also assisted in funding capital improvement projects for the YWCA and the YMCA.

As Chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee, he was responsible for various revitalization projects in neighborhoods such as the Norwood Community Program that received national recognition for its model neighborhood concept. Druid Hills, Avondale, Woodlawn, Five Points South, and Fountain Heights have also benefited from Dr. Bell’s efforts to revitalize communities and provide more green space for families to enjoy.

During his tenure, he meets with the corporate leaders of the Birmingham Banking and Financial Industry to push for more women and minorities to serve on boards and be promoted to administrative positions. When Mayor Bell became the interim Mayor, the city of Birmingham received over twenty-five millions dollars in federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Hope VI Project downtown that transformed local inner city projects into decent, affordable, mixed housing communities where citizens could live and thrive.