Karrin Kunasek Taylor
Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Economic Development
DMB Associates, Inc.
Fighter Country Partnership is proud to feature Karrin Kunasek Taylor, an alumni member of the Honorary Commanders Program. Karrin was assigned to the Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing from 2005-2007.
Karrin Kunasek Taylor is Executive Vice President for DMB Associates and is responsible for ongoing land use entitlement matters and other value enhancing efforts for DMB communities and businesses. Ms. Taylor also provides oversight for the Company’s government and political affairs efforts and economic development activities at the local, state and federal level. Ms. Taylor has been a member of DMB’s entitlements team for more than 15 years. Under her leadership, the entitlements team has worked on public-private partnership agreements, negotiated GPLET agreements, CFDs and other complex development plans for projects around Arizona. Additionally, Ms. Taylor worked with DMB’s Pacific team to develop federal strategies to ensure compliance with governing agencies. She has been responsible for the successful entitlement of many of the Company’s projects including Verrado, and Eastmark, 3,200 acres of the former General Motors Proving Grounds in Mesa, Arizona.
Prior to joining DMB, Ms. Taylor was a principal with the law firm of Biskind, Hunt & Taylor, P.L.C., where she practiced in the areas of land use, development and zoning law representing large landowners, including DMB, on significant and complex land use cases.
Her professional affiliations include the Foundation for Environmental and Economic Progress (FEEP), President of the Board of the Directors (Representing major landowners and stakeholders across the country, FEEP works to advance balanced federal environmental law and policy on endangered species acts and wetlands issues.)
State Bar of Arizona – U.S. District Court for Arizona
Maricopa County Bar Association
Maricopa Association of Governments, Transportation Policy Committee,
Arizona State Land Department’s Conservation Advisory Committee
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Leadership Advisory Council
Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series, Advisory Board
Honorary Wing Commander, Luke Air Force Base
USAF Air Education Training Command Commander’s Group
USAF Chief of Staff’s Civic Leaders Group
Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Board of Directors
Valley Partnership, Board of Directors
Great Hearts Academies, Board of Directors
Arizona Aerospace Institute, Advisory Board
Maricopa County Parks and Trails Foundation
Joe Foss Institute, Board of Directors
Xavier College Preparatory Academy, Board of Trustees
Education
ASU’s College of Law, Juris Doctorate
Arizona State University, Bachelors of Arts in History
Arizona State University, Bachelors of Arts in Political Science
When asked what it was like to be the Honorary Commander for General Robin Rand, the Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Karrin explained,
“To be an honorary commander is both an honor and a privilege. The work that the men and women of the U.S. Air Force do for the rest of us day in and day out is humbling. The Honorary Commander program does a fantastic job of exposing the civilian world to the great things the Air Force does for us.”
In 2005, Karrin was selected to be a member of the prestigious Air Force’s Chief of Staff’s Civic Leader program. The Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program’s membership is composed of respected community leaders nominated by the Air Force major commands, the National Guard Bureau and Headquarters Air Force. These unpaid advisors provide unfiltered feedback from their communities and invaluable insight on local public opinion on Air Force issues.
“Being selected to serve on the Chief’s Civic Leaders Group was a tremendous honor. It’s been a privilege to serve these past eight years and the wealth of information I have gained has helped me to better advocate for issues of importance to the Air Force, Karrin stated.”
Mr. Ron Sites, Executive Director, Fighter Country Partnership, stated, “I have worked with Karrin while planning key events for senior military leaders from the Air Force when visiting the Valley. At these events, I heard first hand from leaders like General Teed Michael Moseley, U.S. Air Force, retired, who served as the 20th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, how significant Karrin’s participation has been in supporting Luke AFB…and for that, FCP says thank you”
The Honorary Commanders program is designed to promote mutual partnerships with the local community and to promote a better understanding of the important Air Force mission. Its goal is to gain positive public opinion with influencers.
“The Honorary Commanders program is a big reason why Luke Forward was successful in its goal of landing the F-35 mission at Luke,” Karrin said.
Karrin Kunasek Taylor receives an F-16 orientation flight at Luke AFB.
Luke Forward is a campaign launched by the West Valley Partners and Fighter Country Partnership to generate awareness and support of the positive impacts the F-35 will bring to Arizona. The goal was to show decision makers in Washington, D.C., that Arizona strongly supports Luke Air Force Base continuing to serve as the nation’s premier fighter-pilot training facility.
Karrin explained, “The reach of the Honorary Commander’s group is region-wide which is imperative to sustain the community support of the Base. A healthy, vibrant and robust mission at Luke is critical for the economic well-being of the Valley and the State of Arizona.”
“As the Honorary Commander to General Robin Rand, the Commander at Luke AFB, I spent a great deal of time introducing him to the community generally, and business and elected officials specifically. These commanders are only here for two years and we do everything we can to integrate them into the community during that time.”
Rusty Mitchell, the director of the Community Initiatives Team at Luke AFB, praises Karrin Kunasek Taylor for her significant contributions by saying …
“Karrin has given a significant amount of personal time in support of the base and the U.S. Air Force.” Luke AFB could not have a better community representative of Luke AFB issues than Karrin. She has tirelessly spent her time and fortune in providing senior Air Force leadership critical insight to the local environment that surrounds Luke AFB. Her close and trusted association with three different Air Force Chiefs of Staff has put Luke AFB and its mission in the best possible position for long-term mission sustainability. Her actions have convinced the Air Force leadership of the unwavering public, private and political support for the continued mission of Luke AFB. The Air Force will be forever in her debt.”
