ADVOCACY

B3 Strategies

Founded in 2014, the B3 team’s approach to public policy begins and ends with communication. Positioned as the Public Policy Architects, B3 builds public policy from the ground up – or brick by brick so to speak.

Led by Chief Executive Officer, Russell Smoldon, the B3 team collectively has nearly forty years of experience in public policy and government relations in the state of Arizona. B3’s team also includes Government Relations Manager, Emily Rice and Government Relations Associate, Diego Leal. B3 represents clients on a range of issues including water, natural resources, energy, governance, economic development, health care, education and criminal justice reform.

Through education and relationship building, B3 assists clients with the development and implementation of public policy and government relations strategy on the local, state, and federal levels.

Ed Gerak

Ed Gerak has nearly 15 years of experience in water and power issues. Ed spent 10 years as the General Manager of the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District (BWCDD), an IEDA member.

In 2009, Ed began representing IEDA on the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association board, becoming president in 2015. In 2017, Ed joined the Arizona Power Authority as Executive Director, managing the Hoover Dam power allocation for the state. Ed sits on the American Public Power Board, representing Region 6.

Ed received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University. Ed is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Arizona.