John Meza
Chandler
Summary
Executive level experience, with strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership. Utilizes effective communication and decision-making skills to drive organizational success and excellence. Track record of fostering innovation and improving operational processes.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
President & CEO
Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network
02.2025 - Current
- Direct and lead the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network organization in combating Human Trafficking in Arizona through a collaboration of programs working in unison to fight the multi-dimensions of Human Trafficking. AATN programs encompass a broad range of initiatives, including community education, outreach, public awareness, prevention, demand reduction, male engagement and targeted efforts within the tourism hospitality sectors.
Inspector General (Office of Inspector General)
Arizona Department of Economic Security
04.2019 - 02.2025
- Direct and lead the Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) Office of Inspector General (OIG) in safeguarding Arizonans by preventing and detecting fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct. Oversee all six OIG principal functions: Protective Services Administration; Internal Audit Administration; Administrative and Criminal Investigation Administration; Emergency Planning and Preparedness Administration, Appellate Services Administration, and the OIG Business Administration.
Director of Student Affairs and District Safety
Tempe Union High School District
01.2017 - 04.2019
- Direct and lead all emergency management planning and security operations for the Tempe Union High School District including direct liaison with all local police and fire departments within and adjoining the City of Tempe. Conduct facility security assessments for all district schools and facilities. Audit all security operations and compliance with required Arizona Department of Education security regulations for the school district. Developed training and instruct all District personal in emergency responses and situational awareness training. Responsible for all drug prevention strategies at the school district through the management of 3 Health & Wellness Coaches assigned to all seven high schools. Lead and direct the District’s Crisis Team responsible for response to critical incidents including post-suicide intervention and counseling for students and staff and liaison with the City of Tempe’s Care 7 crisis response team. Assist in student discipline and currently serve as a certified disciplinary hearing officer for the school district.
Chief of Police
Mesa Police Department
02.2015 - 01.2017
- Command and lead over 1,200 sworn and civilian police department personnel. Oversee and responsible for all department functions and manage a departmental budget of approximately 150 million dollars. Liaison with community leaders ensuring comprehensive community engagement efforts are accomplished while building trust and legitimacy in all aspects of community and police relations. Partner with various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies through the use of joint task forces, East Valley Fusion Center and multi-jurisdictional operations. Work in conjunction with Mesa City Management and City Council in various aspects of municipal government.
Assistant Chief of Police/Chief of Operations
Mesa Police Department
09.2013 - 02.2015
- Act as Chief of Police for 1,210 person department in the absence of the police chief; command and manage all department functions relating to Police Operations including, Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Street Crime Investigations, Crime Prevention, Special Weapons and Tactics, Organized Crime, Career Criminal Unit, various multi-agency task forces and the Violent Offender Unit. Command and run all aspects of Compstat functions in relations to the Office of Operations. Manage a departmental budget of approximately 141 million dollars and responsible for 639 sworn and civilian employees.
Assistant Chief of Police/Executive Officer
Mesa Police Department
07.2010 - 09.2013
- Act as Chief of Police for 1,210 person department in the absence of the police chief; command and manage all department functions relating to the Executive Officer Bureau including, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Community Partnership, Professional Standards, Internal Affairs, Police Department Information and Technology, and also serve as the department’s City Council Liaison, interacting with city councilmembers and conducting city council presentations. Manage a departmental budget of approximately 141 million dollars and responsible for 333 sworn and civilian employees, along with planning and managing department capital improvement projects.
Assistant to the City Manager
City of Mesa - Mesa, Arizona
10.2012 - 01.2013
- Command and manage all functions relating to the position of Assistant to the City Manager including, Arts and Cultural Department, Library Services, Fleet Services, and the City of Mesa Housing Department, with an overall staff of 547 employees. Received various accolades for leadership and emphasis on team building. Successful implementation of a comprehensive strategic and marketing plan for the City of Mesa Housing Department. Successful management of an $800,000.00 contingency request and various grant projects for the Mesa Arts Center.
Assistant Chief of Police/Chief of Operations
Mesa Police Department
07.2007 - 07.2010
- Act as Chief of Police for 1,210 person department in the absence of the police chief; command and manage all department functions relating to Police Operations including, Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Street Crime Investigations, Crime Prevention, Special Weapons and Tactics, Organized Crime, Center Against Family Violence, Computer Forensics, Traffic Unit, East Valley Gang and Criminal Information Fusion Center, various multi-agency task forces and the Major Felony Unit. Command and run all aspects of Compstat functions in relations to the Office of Operations. Manage a departmental budget of approximately 141 million dollars with a staff of 639.
Police Commander
Mesa Police Department
03.2004 - 07.2007
- Command and manage all aspects of crime prevention and law enforcement operations occurring in the Superstition and Central Division in the furtherance of the goals of the Mesa Police Department. Coordinate law enforcement efforts through the use of Compstat system and a manage budget of approximately 16 million dollars.
Police Lieutenant
Mesa Police Department
07.2000 - 03.2004
Police Sergeant
Mesa Police Department
07.1993 - 07.2000
Police Detective
Mesa Police Department
09.1989 - 07.1993
Police Officer
Mesa Police Department
09.1986 - 09.1989
Education
Masters of Education - Counseling-Human Relations
Northern Arizona University
Mesa, Arizona01.2003
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona01.2000
Skills
- Leadership team building
- Organizational leadership
- Strategic planning
- Operational excellence
Accomplishments
- Led and directed the Arizona Department of Economic Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) in all Arizona pandemic unemployment fraud investigations, working with Federal agencies and financial institutions to recover monies fraudulently taken during the pandemic. OIG investigations resulted in over 900 convictions and recovery of $1.83 billion in pandemic employment fraud.
- In addition, led and directed the ADES internal affair unit which successfully investigated two ADES employees convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims of over 4 million dollars.
Affiliations
- National Association of Inspectors General, member
- Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, Member
- International Association of Chiefs of Police, Member
- Code 9 Project, first responder mental health initiative, Ambassador/Instructor
- Major Cities Chiefs Association
- Police Executive Research Forum
- East Valley Chiefs of Police Association
- National Tactical Officers Association Wellness Committee, Prior Chairperson
Certification
- Shared Hope Just Conference Human Trafficking Training, 2024, 2022 & 2014
- 2019 AIG Certified Inspector General Institute, graduate
- Graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Police Staff and Command School 2004 - Gilbert, Arizona
- Advanced Critical Infrastructure Protection- MGT414-001, 2018
- Critical Asset Risk Assessment – MGT 315-001, 2018
- Campus Emergencies, Prevention, Response and Recovery – MGT324-002, 2018
- Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Awareness – AWR213-001, 2018
- Extensive, leadership, management, investigative training through the Mesa Police Department. (Transcript can be provided upon request)
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
President & CEO
Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network
02.2025 - Current
Inspector General (Office of Inspector General)
Arizona Department of Economic Security
04.2019 - 02.2025
Director of Student Affairs and District Safety
Tempe Union High School District
01.2017 - 04.2019
Chief of Police
Mesa Police Department
02.2015 - 01.2017
Assistant Chief of Police/Chief of Operations
Mesa Police Department
09.2013 - 02.2015
Assistant to the City Manager
City of Mesa - Mesa, Arizona
10.2012 - 01.2013
Assistant Chief of Police/Executive Officer
Mesa Police Department
07.2010 - 09.2013
Assistant Chief of Police/Chief of Operations
Mesa Police Department
07.2007 - 07.2010
Police Commander
Mesa Police Department
03.2004 - 07.2007
Police Lieutenant
Mesa Police Department
07.2000 - 03.2004
Police Sergeant
Mesa Police Department
07.1993 - 07.2000
Police Detective
Mesa Police Department
09.1989 - 07.1993
Police Officer
Mesa Police Department
09.1986 - 09.1989
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Masters of Education - Counseling-Human Relations
Northern Arizona University
Community Interests
- Current Board of Trustee member for the Hickey Family Foundation
- Current Board member for the Valley Leadership Institute, empowering Arizona’s leaders
- Current Board Member for Community Bridges Inc.
- Current Fiesta Bowl, Yellow Jacket Committee member
- Presenter at the 2018 Mesa Community College “Human Library Project”
- Board Secretary for the Tempe Coalition to reduce underage drinking and drug abuse
- Board Member of Mesa MARC Center
- Adjunct Instructor, Maricopa Community College District, 25 years
- Mesa Rotary Club Member
- 2016, Keynote Speaker South Mountain Community College Commencement Ceremony
Awards
- Fiesta Bowl Volunteer of the Year Award, 2024
- Arizona Department of Economic Security, Exemplary Service award for service during the COVID 19 Pandemic, 2022
- Inductee to the Mesa Community College Hall of Fame, 2019
- Arizona Gang Investigators Association Lifetime Achievement Award 2017
- Recipient of the Maricopa Community Colleges, “College Hero” leadership award, 2016
- Recipient of Mesa Latino Town Hall, Leader of the Year award, 2016
- Recipient of the Code 9 Project, Outstanding Achievement award for raising PTSD awareness in Law Enforcement, 2016
- Recipient of the East Valley Hispanic Leadership Institute, 2014 Public Service Award
- Recipient of the Mesa Community College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, 2013 Mentor of the Year award
- 2009 Excellence in Border Initiatives, Southwest Security Summit, for the East Valley Gang and Criminal Information Fusion Center
- The Maricopa Association of Governments, 2008 Desert Peaks Regional Partnership Award for the East Valley Gang and Criminal Information Fusion Center
Similar Profiles
SHEPELLA E. WYATTSHEPELLA E. WYATT
Public Relations Volunteer at Anti-Trafficking InternationalPublic Relations Volunteer at Anti-Trafficking International
Amy RamirezAmy Ramirez
Case Manager at Still Waters Anti-trafficking, Reform church of HiCase Manager at Still Waters Anti-trafficking, Reform church of Hi
Benjamini Leonard KisangaBenjamini Leonard Kisanga
Program Manager at Tanzania Anti-Human Trafficking and Legal InitiativesProgram Manager at Tanzania Anti-Human Trafficking and Legal Initiatives
MADISON FRYEMADISON FRYE
Trauma ICU Nurse at UT Health East Texas HospitalTrauma ICU Nurse at UT Health East Texas Hospital
Jason LiningerJason Lininger
Territory Sales Representative at Allen EngineeringTerritory Sales Representative at Allen Engineering