Who is on Buckeye City Council? What to know about the members
The Buckeye City Council is comprised of six members who have 4-year terms. Here's what to know.
Vice Mayor Michelle Hess, District 3
Vice Mayor Michelle Hess was first elected to City Council in 2012. She was appointed vice mayor in 2023.
Hess was a founding member of the Buckeye Youth Council in 2014. She's also been involved in other statewide education initiatives, such as the Arizona SciTech Festival for Buckeye, which is an initiative to attract STEAM curriculum.
Hess grew up in Arizona and has lived in Buckeye since 2006. She and her husband, McKenzie, are parents to three children. Her term expires in 2024.
Councilmember Tony Youngker, District 1
Tony Youngker was first elected to Buckeye City Council in 2016.
Youngker is a Buckeye native and graduated from Buckeye Union High School. He has a degree in culinary arts and sciences and restaurant management from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and owns Café 25:35 in downtown Buckeye. He and his wife are parents to four children.
Youngker's term expires in 2024.
Councilmember Jeanine Guy, District 2
Councilmember Jeanine Guy was first elected to Buckeye City Council in 2016. But before that, she worked for the city from 1992 until her retirement in 2010. She worked as library director, community services director, assistant town manager and town manager.
Guy also served on the Buckeye Union High School District Governing Board and the Western Maricopa County Education District Governing Board.
Guy and her husband Jerry have lived in downtown Buckeye for 36 years. They have three sons and eight grandchildren. Her term will expire in 2024.
Councilmember Patrick HagEstad, District 4
Councilmember G. Patrick HagEstad was elected to the City Council in 2022.
HagEstad graduated from the University of Tulsa and the school's College of Law. He is an attorney and managing partner at HagEstad Law Group. He is licensed in Arizona and Montana with over 23 years of experience.
HadEstad has lived in Buckeye since 2013. He and his wife, Rachel, are parents to three children. His term will expire in 2026.
Councilmember Craig Heustis, District 5
Councilmember Craig Heustis was re-elected to his fifth City Council term in 2022. He serves as the council’s liaison for the Planning & Zoning Commission, Buckeye Pollution Control Board, Buckeye Public Library Advisory Board, Public Safety Fire Retirement Board and is a founding member of the Buckeye Patriotic Committee. He previously served on the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Heustis was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. He later became a police officer and detective in St. Louis County and then earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, owning and operating several small businesses.
Heustis worked for the Anheuser Busch Co. for more than 25 years. He has lived in Buckeye since 2006, and his term will expire in 2026.
Councilmember Clay Goodman, District 6
Councilmember Clay Goodman was first appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council in 2020 and was elected in 2022.
Goodman has lived in the West Valley for 30 years and has resided in Verrado since 2012. He recently was a training manager (non-nuclear generation fleet) for the Arizona Public Service. Prior to that, he worked in administration at Estrella Mountain Community College for 25 years. He contributed to several education projects in Buckeye, including the development of the of the Buckeye Education Center.
Goodman is active in several groups, including the White Tank Mountain Conservancy, WestMarc and the National League of Cities 2023 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Federal Advocacy Committee.
Goodman and his wife Lynda have two children and one grandchild. His term will expire in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who is on Buckeye City Council? What to know about the members
