Mayor and Council

Current Term: January 2025 - January 2029

Email Vice Mayor Christine Ellis

Vice Mayor Christine Ellis was born and raised in Haiti and moved to the United States in 1982. She has resided in Chandler since 1987. She has been married to her husband, Benjamin, for 36 years with daughter Taliah, and son Sean, who forever lives in their hearts.

Vice Mayor Ellis has a Bachelor of Science, in Nursing from Grand Canyon University and currently attends Walden University in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program. She has worked as an RN for many large hospitals and care facilities while holding many high-level positions such as Director of Nursing in the Metro Phoenix area. Christine has also taught various medical fields and certified nursing classes in Arizona’s community colleges. She holds an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities as presented by the 1000 Shades of Women International.

From 1998 to 2015, she founded and operated Cedar Sanctuary LLC, realizing that families needed an alternative to caring for their loved ones. In addition to caring for the elderly, she has been a part of the foundation of the Bridge/FCS Ministry for more than 22 years which helps feed the local homeless population and provides to their spiritual needs, partnering with other ministries in Arizona. Vice Mayor Ellis was honored with a Presidential Medal for her commitment and dedication to community outreach services.

As Vice Mayor, Christine serves on local and regional committees, including:

• Chandler City Council subcommittees for Mobility and Quality of Life
• Vice-Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Domestic Violence Council, Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Human Services and Community Initiatives Committee, National League of Cities (NLC) Women in Municipal Government and National Black Caucus and the Human Development Committee.
• National Haitian American Elected Officials Networks (NHAEON) Executive Board

Current Term: January 2023 – January 2027

Email Councilmember Angel Encinas

Councilmember Angel Encinas is your hometown councilmember. Raised in the heart of downtown, where he still lives to this day. Councilmember Encinas manages an immigration consulting firm and also is a realtor. Both professions give him a reach into the community on several important levels. Councilmember Encinas is a product of our Chandler public schools and holds a degree in Business from Arizona State University with a minor in Sustainability.

As a Councilmember, he serves on the following City of Chandler Subcommittees:

• Community Safety
• Neighborhoods
• Sustainability and Technology

Councilmember Encinas also serves on the following:

• Chandler Commerce Education Workforce Development Coalition
• Chandler Chamber Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion Committee
• Chandler Chamber Education & Workforce Committee
• CUSD Diversity Advisory Board
• Board member with East Valley Dream Center

Current Term: January 2025 - January 2029

Email Councilmember OD Harris

Councilmember OD Harris began his first term in January 2021. He is a proud U.S. Army Veteran, successful entrepreneur, a best-selling author, and founder of the National Ready Set Go Foundation (RSG).

Councilmember Harris began his entrepreneurial journey by opening one of the largest minority-owned accounting firms and successfully franchised the business.

Councilmember Harris’ passion and commitment is building an inclusive city, mental health, and economic development. It is through his beliefs and forward-thinking on these issues and others unmentioned that makes Chandler a great place to live, work, and play.

Harris is a man of faith, a devoted husband and father. He leads as a servant-leader on local, regional, and national committees and boards. With a master’s degree in accounting and lived experiences, formed through the perseverance and pursuit of education and business opportunities, that he brings a well-rounded and enthusiastic perspective when serving his community.

Current Term: January 2025 - January 2029

Email Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins

Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins

Councilmember Hawkins is an Arizona native. She spent most of her youth in Payson, Arizona, and has lived in Chandler for the past 19 years with her husband, Wes, and their two daughters. She began her career as a purchaser for a local building materials supplier and, thereafter, took it nationwide. Jennifer and her husband opened their automotive repair shop, Highline Car Care, in 2010.

Hawkins has always found ways to give back and serve her community. Donating her time to local food banks as well as founding an annual toy drive benefiting Phoenix Children’s and Banner Hospitals. She was previously a board member for her legislative district and is the current Teen Queen State Director for Miss Rodeo Arizona, Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting young women who serve their community while emphasizing Arizona’s traditional western way of life.

Current Term: January 2023 – January 2027

Email Councilmember Matt Orlando

Councilmember Matt Orlando has been a resident of Chandler since 1983 and began his sixth term on the City Council in January 2023. He served as Vice Mayor from January 2023-January 2024, and also served as a City Councilmember from 1990-1998, 2004-2013, and 2019-2023.

In November of 2016, he retired from Honeywell. His final role was Director of Technical Sales and was responsible for business development, sales and marketing of more than $500M worth of satellite, space and missile technology communications products for the military and other government agencies. He led a worldwide sales and business team of 26 people and directed successful business ventures in both the U.S. and international markets.

Councilmember Orlando retired as a Colonel in the US Air Force after serving 30 years on active duty and in the Arizona Air National Guard. His last assignment was serving as the Chief of Staff for the Arizona Air Staff Headquarters.

He is married to Pat and they have three children and two grandchildren. A native of Newark, NJ, he graduated from Rutgers University, New Jersey with a BA in Political Science and received an MBA from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA.

Current Term: January 2023 – January 2027

Email Councilmember Jane Poston

Councilmember Jane Poston owns J2 Media, a 22-year video production and communications company, in partnership with her husband Jason. Together, they have raised a family and built their business in Chandler, while devoting time to supporting their community through service. As a small business owner who grew up in the East Valley, Councilmember Poston has experienced the enormous growth of Arizona, and managed and grown her successful small business through times of prosperity and times of national crisis.

As a former city employee, Councilmember Poston has worked with every department and possesses a strong understanding of the workings of municipal government from the inside out, including the budget, economic development, Mayor & Council and community events. In short, she understands how government works, and which questions to ask. She is an advocate for fiscal responsibility, government transparency, communication and responsiveness.

She plans to apply her business experience to develop a creative and innovative vision of what Chandler can be.