MARICOPA - Edward Beauvais - a man whose name is synonymous with America West Airlines - now has ties to Maricopa.
 
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to bring Beauvais, the founder and former CEO of America West, on board as a consultant. According to the agreement, Beauvais will provide the city with expert advice, guidance and facilitation of the development of Phoenix Regional Airport, described as "one of the most important economic underpinnings for the city's future."

The airport is located near Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and White and Parker Roads, approximately six miles east of downtown Maricopa. While the airport is not currently within Maricopa's municipal limits, the city is actively involved with Scott Reis, the airport's president, in securing the annexation petition.

"We are working toward the annexation," Reis said. "When you couple the city's commitment to bringing on board strong consultants who are willing to work with us with our commitment to working toward the annexation, it's all very positive."

While Reis has not worked with Beauvais before, he says he's followed his career closely and is excited about the potential in store for Maricopa.

"It's extremely positive. This decision reflects the city's commitment to aviation, transportation and the economic development that the airport and aviation will bring to this community.

"It's certainly to the credit of the mayor and council to commit to a 'name brand' like Ed Beauvais to help in that process. They are really putting their money where their mouth is by getting the best and the brightest like Ioanna (Morfessis) and Ed Beauvais to deliver economic generators that will make the city diversified and balanced."

Morfessis was hired last year as the city of Maricopa's economic development director. City Manager Rick Buss told the council Tuesday that the airport is "probably the most important element for economic development at this time" and that it is important to bring somebody of Beauvais' "stature" on to drive development.

Phoenix Regional Airport is a privately held, public-use airport that represents the core of a 2,000-acre master planned community to be comprised of residential, light industrial, commercial and institutional components. This aviation community features a 5,000-foot paved runway, a 5,000-foot turf runway and a fully automated fuel system.