Growing Smarter in Apache Junction E10
Getting ahead of the exponential growth Arizona has recently experienced has been nearly impossible. Smaller communities like the city of Apache Junction have been closely monitoring this growth and drafting meticulous plans for the future of their city.
Join Carla and visionaries at the forefront, Rudy Esquivias and Bryant Powell as they walk us through what makes Apache Junction special and what it takes to bring in great jobs, housing, and so much more. This isn’t the land of storage units and snow birds anymore, it’s a vibrant, forward thinking oasis!
Shhhhhhh! Apache Junction is a best kept secret in Arizona! You’ve seen the iconic Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix but did you know about the beautiful community at the base? Listen in as we take you on a guided tour of this city’s past, present, and future with decision makers and folks in the know. Find out about big plans to accommodate our every growing valley! 
Nestled at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction is strategically positioned as the eastern gateway into the Greater Phoenix metro area (Valley of the Sun) and the western entry to the Tonto National Forest’s recreation venues.
The surrounding geography and western atmosphere draw more than half a million visitors through the city annually. From the mysterious stories of hidden treasures to the people who follow them, Apache Junction is surrounded by legends.
Bryant Powell started with the City of Apache Junction as the Assistant City Manager in 2001. In July of 2015, he became the City Manager. As City Manager, he assists the City Council in developing and implementing a successful strategic plan to maintain and enhance the quality of life of all those who live, visit, work or invest in the City of Apache Junction.
Prior to coming to the City of Apache Junction, Bryant served as a Senior Budget Analyst for the City of San Antonio, Texas. Before that, he served as a Management Intern with the City Manager’s Offices in Cedar City, Utah; Orem, Utah; and Orange, California.
Bryant holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Utah University and attended Eastern Arizona College. Bryant lives in Apache Junction, is married and has three daughters.
Rudy Esquivias, a native of Nogales, Arizona, graduated from Arizona State University in 1989, with a Bachelor of Science in Design, concentration in urban planning. He went to work for the City of Apache Junction, fresh out of school in June of 1989. Rudy has been with Apache Junction his entire professional career, now 33 years.
He rose through the ranks of the Development Services Department, starting as an Assistant Planner, and working his way up to Director in May of 2022, after former Director, Larry Kirch retired. Rudy had also served as Director in 2002-2005 during a transitional period for the city. Most recently Rudy had served as Planning Manager and Zoning Administrator.
Rudy has seen the city grow from a population of just over 18,000 residents to just under 40,000 residents (according to the last census). He has also been witness to the city’s physical growth through many annexations throughout the years, many of which he personally handled.
The most recent annexation consisted of 6,600 acres of state trust land, on which the city’s first master planned communities are being developed, taking the city into an exciting new direction into the future. Hosting a range and mix of low density equestrian living, all the way to modern urban lifestyles, Rudy finds Apache Junction an ever exciting and dynamic place to be.
Follow City of Apache Junction on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
About the Show
Smashing Through Walls is geared toward a guide through complex commercial real estate and finance topics while adding humor and anecdotes along the way. Discover what is going on in the valley and beyond with host Carla Magee, broker at MHG Commercial.
About Our Host
Carla Magee’s background is designed with the investor in mind. After obtaining her finance degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, she worked for large corporations like Boeing and Microsoft. With a critical eye and flair for analytics, she was able to shave millions in lost profits, managing cross-functional teams by utilizing her Green Belt in Six Sigma and Masters Certification in Project Management.
Ultimately she realized that she couldn’t be contained in an office environment working for the corporate world. Being an investor herself, she came into real estate as an investment & multifamily property specialist, effectively applying her education & skillset. Carla excels in helping investors make sound decisions for their financial goals, in real estate negotiations, and takes deep pride in educating homebuyers and sellers.
On a personal note, Carla is a busy wife & mother to two daughters. In addition to an ever growing career and podcast, she also enjoys volunteering and being active in the community. She has a deep love for Arizona and although she travels whenever possible, she always finds her way back to the beautiful Sonoran Desert.
Connect with Carla on LinkedIn.
About Our Sponsor
MHG Commercial emerged from the highly successful and innovative residential brokerage: My Home Group. MHG Commercial’s vetted and experienced advisors have a wide range of complementary professional expertise that span over 100 years of cumulative experience.
Encompassing every aspect of commercial real estate from office to industrial development, raw land to luxury commercial, and multifamily to subdivision development. We excel at out of the box thinking and transactions that require a more hands-on approach and ingenuity.
No matter the property type or service need, our commercial advisors are committed to your objectives. Combined with business finesse and unsurpassed market intelligence, MHG Commercial brokers help you determine and surpass your business goals.
