The Arizona Federation of Taxpayers is a non-profit, public policy advocacy organization dedicated to fighting for lower taxes, reduced regulatory burdens, controlled government spending, and other policies that will expand overall economic growth and prosperity for the working people of Arizona. AFT is now a state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, the nation's premier free-market grassroots organization

Board of Directors

Chairman, Chad Kirkpatrick

Chad Kirkpatrick is a finance and information technology professional, having worked for two Fortune 500 companies and a consulting firm. He is an adjunct professor of economics with the Maricopa Community Colleges, and has worked in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Treasury Dept. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the George Washington University and a masters degree in economics from the American University. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Paul's Catholic Church and the National Rifle Association. chair@aztaxpayers.org

Executive Director, Tom Jenney

Tom Jenney is a Tucson native and a 1988 graduate of University High School. He earned an associate’s degree from the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Georgetown University. Jenney has written and translated articles for the Institute for Justice and the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C., and for the International Center for Pension Reform in Santiago, Chile. His articles have appeared in many local newspapers, including the Arizona Daily Star, the Arizona Republic, the East Valley Tribune, and the Tucson Citizen. Most recently, Jenney taught government, economics, and Spanish at St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy in Phoenix. Before that, he was communications director of the the Goldwater Institute, overseeing the Institute’s media relations and acting as senior editor for its many publications. Prior to joining Goldwater, Jenney served for two years as Administrator for the Unique Learning Center, a faith-based after-school program in Washington, D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood. He serves as an elder at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Phoenix. He is also a member of the PAChyderm Coalition and the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association. vc@aztaxpayers.org

Treasurer, Tom Husband

Tom Husband is a retired IBM salesman who is involved in many local causes, including the effort to keep light rail from invading Scottsdale.

1st Vice Chairman, Mark Zemel

Mark Zemel is the Owner and Designated Broker of 1st Arizona, Realtors in Phoenix. Mark is also an Arizona Department of Real Estate approved Instructor teaching Contract Law and Real Estate Legal Issues. MarkZemel@1AZ.com.

Secretary, Sameer Parekh

Mr. Parekh is a technology entrepreneur who came to Arizona from California to escape high taxes.

Member-at-Large, Lori Klein

Lori Klein is a longtime political activist and lobbyist for free-market causes, including the Fair Tax. Most recently, she was executive director of the Arizona HomeOwner Protection Effort (AZ HOPE), which was successful in passing Prop 207, the Private Property Protection Act.

Member-at-Large, Debbie Lesko

Debbie Lesko is a small business owner, City of Glendale Community Partnership Neighborhood Leader, PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Assoc) member, High School Booster Club member, Member of the City of Glendale 2025 Master Plan Public Focus Group. She is happily married with three fantastic children.

Member-at-Large, Jeff Singer, MD

Dr. Singer, a Valley surgeon, is a longtime political activist and advocate for free-market medicine.