Jen Marson is AACo’s Executive Director. She manages the daily operations of the Association and the Government Services Foundation, directs the state and federal government affairs program and cultivates new business and membership opportunities. She also serves as the primary liaison to the National Association of Counties, other state associations, and coordinates the Association’s educational outreach programs.

Jen’s research and advocacy areas of expertise include property taxes, elections, public records, criminal justice, law enforcement, justice and superior courts, and education. Jen has been with AACo since 2002 when she started as the legislative intern. Since then, she has worn nearly every hat in the Association before being selected as Executive Director in 2013. Jen received the “Friend of Education “award in 2011, the “Affiliate Champion Award” in 2022 and has been a Certified Election Officer since 2007. Since 2017 she has been consistently nominated by the capitol community for her work at the Legislature, most recently winning “Best Government Lobbyist” in 2022 and 2023.

She serves on several boards and committees including: the Academic Advisory Board for ASU’s School of Public Affairs, the Audit Committee for the National Sheriffs Association, and the Membership Committee of the National Association of Counties.

Jen is a yoga enthusiast and native of Arizona. She received both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Arizona State University with an emphasis in rhetoric and advocacy.

As AACo’s Finance & Event Manager Gideon is responsible for performing a number of mission-critical tasks on behalf of the Association and its membership. He is primarily responsible for the administrative functions of the office including maintaining financial operations, membership databases and conference coordination. He is responsible for developing all content for external publication tools including the association’s website, newsletters and annual publications.  Gideon also coordinates the production of several promotional materials for the Association, its conferences, training, research products, program reports, and special events.