Guest Speakers
Heather Lappin, Candidate for Pima County Sheriff
John Backer, Candidate for Pima County Board of Supervisors
Joel Strabala, Legislative District 17 Precinct 77 will give a presentation on Rank Choice Voting
Heather Lappin boasts an impressive 19-year career with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, Arizona. Currently serving as the East Section Commander at the Pima County Adult Detention Center, she dedicates herself to improving morale and culture within the facility.
Prior to her current position, she served as the Training Section Commander, overseeing training programs for commissioned and corrections personnel, including firearms, academy, and advanced officer training. Heather has held diverse assignments, including Advanced Training Specialist at AZPOST, District Commander, and work in Internal Affairs. Early in her career, she specialized in training, earning recognition as an AZPOST Subject Matter Expert in the Field Training Program and instructor-level certifications in defensive tactics, firearms, physical fitness, and high-risk stops.
Heather’s commitment to professional growth extends to her attendance at renowned leadership schools nationwide, including the Senior Management Institute for Police, Department of Homeland Security’s Leadership Academy, Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, and Transform Law Enforcement. Her formal education includes an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Arizona State University. Currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership at NAU, Heather also serves as an adjunct professor at Pima Community College.
Recognized for her community involvement, Heather was appointed to the Tucson Women’s Commission in 2021. Beyond her career, Heather treasures her 21-year marriage and three children. She has held leadership positions in various booster clubs, parent-teacher organizations, and youth sports. In her free time, she enjoys CrossFit and passionately supports her children’s competitive sports endeavors.
John Backer is a candidate for Pima County Board of Supervisors for District 2 and has lived in Madera Highlands since 2007. He has been married to Robin for 21 years and is the father to a blended family of 4 adult daughters and an adult son. John is also the grandfather to 6 grandkids ranging in age from 3 months to 13 years.
John is a proud veteran of the US Air Force where he worked as an electrician on the incredible A-10 aircraft. John has also spent over 30 years in the technology industry solving a variety of issues for his clients and customers. For the last 15 years, John’s customers have been law enforcement and intelligence analysts at all levels where John has been “helping good guys catch more bad guys”.
John has been serving on the Town of Sahuarita Planning and Zoning Commision for 8 years and currently serves as the chairman. He has previously served on the Board of Adjustments Commission for Pima county district 4.
Joel Strabala from Legislative District 17 will present “Rank Choice Voting” – a must hear presentation.
Petitions for the Rank Choice Voting / Jungle Primaries ballot initiative are being circulated for voter signatures to qualify for the November 2024 General Election Ballot. To qualify, they will need 383,923 signatures by July 3, 2024.
LD17 Precinct Committeemen (PC) created a 15–20-minute power point presentation on Rank Choice Voting / Jungle Primaries in response to educate voters about the initiative so cleverly titled “Make Elections Fair Arizona”. Our goal is to discourage voters from signing the petitions.