Chandler's city government has made a strategic move by appointing Marge Zylla as the city's new Strategic Initiatives Director, a role that will see her steering the ship for government relations, transportation policy, and grants teams. According to a city press release, Zylla, who brings nearly two decades of public policy experience to the table, will take on her new responsibilities starting October 6. Her track record includes a stint as the Arizona Governor’s Office Director of Fiscal and Legislative Affairs, where she has been employed since 2023, and prior roles in the City of Tempe and the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
With her extensive background serving various municipalities and the state, Zylla has cultivated a deep understanding of the inner workings of government operations and budget management. During her tenure at the Arizona Governor’s Office, she commanded fiscal and legislative affairs, a position that leveraged her sophisticated grasp of state and municipal relationships. Now tasked with executing Chandler's policy agenda, she will also oversee compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and manage the city's transit system, already humming with anticipation for her arrival.
Not just a tactician in policy arenas, Zylla's academic credentials complement her professional prowess. She is armed with a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in finance, both from Arizona State University, with a minor in communication to boot. Chandler's Acting City Manager, John Pombier, expressed confidence in Zylla's abilities, stating, " She also will serve as the principal person responsible for complex negotiations on behalf of the city," pinpointing the broad scope of challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Zylla's role is pivotal. She will not only pursue regional, state, and federal transportation funding but also assist city departments in mining the landscape for grant opportunities. Reflecting on the importance of such a position, Zylla herself emphasized the necessity of aligning financial and policy priorities to yield tangible benefits for the community, committed to "translating complex fiscal data into actionable insights for elected officials and executive leadership," as she succeeds Ryan Peters, who has stepped up as Deputy City Manager back in August.
