Chandler council hopeful Lopez wants city on right path

• Council candidate Rene Lopez wants Chandler to be place where his kids will want to raise their kids
• Years as project manager%2C endorsements from mayor%2C 4 council members show he work well with others

Chandler City Council candidate Rene Lopez prefers to focus on one major goal.

"I (want) to keep Chandler on the right path so that in the future my kids are going to want to raise kids here," said Lopez, who has children ages 16 and 12.

His strength, he said, lies in the process improvement and management skills learned from more than 13 years as a project manager, most recently with Avnet Inc. Lopez said it comes down to learning the existing process to spot areas that can be improved upon. This often includes easy solutions to minor things that nobody has dealt with or noticed before, he said.

"My goal for Chandler is to keep it growing so that we're still effectively using our resources, that we're keeping our eyes on the ball so we don't get surprised by any problems that arise," Lopez said. "(So) we're not having to react to problems, but that we'll be proactive in our goals and our vision for Chandler."

The 42-year-old Arizona native graduated from Dobson High School in Mesa, received a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Arizona and served more than four years as a U.S. Navy officer. He graduated from the Navy's Nuclear Power School — among his most challenging accomplishments, he said — then worked in cryptology and was deployed on submarines doing special operations.

After leaving the Navy in 2000, he began a lengthy career in project management at companies in the Southwest. After several years in California, the third-generation Arizonan wanted to come home. He has been in Chandler since 2007.

This is Lopez's first run for public office. He said he has always been fascinated with politics and has held leadership roles in other campaigns and political organizations. He is on Chandler's Park and Recreation Board.

His campaign website lists three top issues: to enhance economic development, especially in the Price Corridor and Chandler Airpark areas; to protect public safety, which includes making sure safety personnel have the resources they need, as well as keeping them fiscally responsible; and to provide low-cost, high-quality services, such as those provided in the parks and recreation programs.

However, he remains focused on learning what it takes to invest in the future of Chandler. Among the city's upcoming challenges, Lopez said, is build-out within the next decade.

"With the skills I bring, with project management, leadership, with a technical education ... I can lead Chandler (to stay) fiduciarily responsible, keep it running well," Lopez said.

Lopez cites Council member Jeff Weninger as his campaign chairman and consultant.

He also cites a large support structure from friends and family, but as for a formal campaign or official base of volunteers, it's only him.

"I'm the treasurer and I'm the campaign manager. I don't have any staff," Lopez said.

Lopez didn't put up any campaign signs until Juneand won't be doing any mailings until closer to July 30 when early-voting ballots are mailed out. His first door-to-door walk was this month.

Lopez takes heart in his endorsements — Chandler Law Enforcement Association, the Chandler Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, four City Council members — and time he has spent with council members, city staff and other community leaders.

"They realize I'm somebody they'd be able to work with," Lopez said.

Lopez walked slowly, calmly, wearing running shoes, jeans, an athletic shirt and a U.S. Navy veterans cap.

"OK, next street," he said after the eighth unanswered door of the day.

He referred to his clipboard and walked on, unfazed and confident.

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Rene Lopez

Age: 42.

Hometown: Mesa.

Resident of Chandler: Seven years.

Occupation: Senior project manager at Avnet Inc.

Top three priorities in Chandler: Economic development; public safety; low-cost, high-quality services.

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Important election dates

July 28: Last day to register to vote in the Aug. 26 primary election.

July 31: Early voting begins for the primary election.

Aug. 15: Last day to request an early ballot by mail.

Aug. 26: Primary election.

Oct. 6: Last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election.

Oct. 9: Early voting begins for the general election.

Nov. 4: General election.