MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWS RELEASE  

For Immediate Release – August 13, 2025  

Contact: Sally Harrison, President & CEO,  

Mesa Chamber of Commerce  

480.969.1307, ext. 26 

sharrison@mesachamber.org

Mesa Chamber Hosts Panel on The Realities of Water in Arizona and Mesa Moderated by Mayor Mark Freeman – Featuring Water Experts from SRP, CAP, and City of Mesa 

Mesa, AZ – August 13, 2025 – With water scarcity and sustainability at the forefront of Arizona and Mesa’s future, the Mesa Chamber Government Affairs Committee will present an informative stakeholder panel discussion, The Realities of Water in Arizona and Mesa, on August 15 at The Post, featuring experts from Salt River Project, Central Arizona Project, and the City of Mesa.  

Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman will moderate the discussion that will feature three key experts in regional water management: 

• Christa McJunkin, Senior Director of Water Supply System, Salt River Project 
• Darrin Francom, Assistant General Manager, Central Arizona Project 
• Nicole Petker, Water Resources Advisor, City of Mesa 

The discussion will cover several key topics, including the current state of water resources in Mesa and throughout Arizona, common misconceptions regarding water availability and usage, the regional challenges related to water planning today, and strategies for ensuring water availability in the future. 

This event provides a valuable opportunity for community members to learn about the local water supply, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of Arizona’s complex water landscape. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. with a complimentary light breakfast sponsored by Salt River Project and Central Arizona Project. The program will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. 

If you would like to attend the panel discussion on one of Arizona’s most critical issues, please register at linke.to/mcocwaterpanel. 

About our Panelists 

Christa McJunkin holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from NAU and a Master’s of Public Administration from ASU. Christa joined SRP in 2011 to work on water resource planning and the day-to-day operations of SRP’s joint venture with the Gila River Indian Community, the Gila River Water Storage, LLC. In her current role as Senior Director of Water Supply and System, she is responsible for leading SRP’s water resource management group, water engineering and transmission group, and construction and maintenance groups for SRP’s groundwater wells and water delivery system. 

Darrin Francom began his career at the Central Arizona Project in 2001 as a Civil Engineer, after proudly serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. Over the years, he has held various leadership positions within Engineering and Maintenance, including Engineering Services Manager, Project Management Division Supervisor, Centralized Maintenance Manager, and leadership roles in the Fleet Maintenance, Machine Shop, and Headquarters Maintenance divisions. Before taking on his current role as Assistant General Manager, Darrin served as the Director of Operations, Power, and Engineering. 

Nicole Petker is the Water Resources Advisor for the City of Mesa, where she leads strategic planning and policy efforts to ensure long-term water sustainability as a registered Professional Engineer. A Mesa native with nearly 20 years of experience in water resource management, engineering, and utility operations, she brings both deep technical expertise and local insight to her work. Her leadership is helping position Mesa as a regional example for resilience and forward-thinking water management. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time outdoors and giving back to the community. 

About Salt River Project 

SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit organization providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable water and energy to more than 2 million people in central Arizona. 

About Central Arizona Project 

CAP is a 336-mile system that supplies Colorado River water to the most populated regions in Arizona and delivers more tribal water than any other organization in the United States. It is an engineering marvel that has contributed dramatically to our quality of life and the sustainability of the state’s water supply and economy. 

About City of Mesa Water Resources 

For more than a century, the Water Resources Department has provided reliable, safe, economical, and environmentally responsible water and wastewater services for the community. 

About Mesa Chamber of Commerce 

For over 130 years, the Mesa Chamber has served as the primary voice and strong advocate for businesses in Mesa, Arizona. Its mission is to improve, promote, and advocate for the interests of these businesses. As a member-supported civic organization, the Mesa Chamber plays a significant role in the development of Mesa, which is currently the 36th largest city in the United States.