Your chance to ask questions and discuss issues with in-house counsel for Arizona companies.
Stacey Kelly is the General Counsel of Empire Southwest, LLC. In her current role, Stacey manages the diverse legal, compliance, and risk management efforts for one of the world’s top Caterpillar dealers. Stacey was recognized for her legal skill and contributions to Arizona’s communities at the 2016 Arizona Corporate Counsel Awards.
Stacey began her career in 1996, practicing business and real estate law at Fennemore Craig. In 2001, Stacey left private practice and became Corporate Counsel at Robson Communities, Inc., one of the pioneering developers of active adult master planned communities in Arizona. Stacey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in 1993, magna cum laude, and her Juris Doctor from Arizona State University in 1996, magna cum laude.
Stacey is also actively engaged in the Arizona community. She currently serves on the Xavier College Preparatory Board of Trustees and on the Board of Directors for Ben’s Bells. She is a member of the Arizona Board of Visitors. She previously served on the St. Thomas the Apostle School Board, chaired Xavier’s Development Committee, and co-chaired the 2018 X Breakfast.
Nina Russell is In-house counsel and the co-owner of Kleen Concepts, LLC, a Scottsdale-based manufacturing and packaging company (founded in 2007), which specializes in luxury beauty and healthcare products.
Before Kleen Concepts, she specialized in securities law at Vedder Price, LLP in Chicago. She later worked for McDermott, Will & Emory prior to moving to Arizona in 2002. However, before attending law school, she had a career in the institutional investment industry. She handled marketing and business development for Loomis, Sayles & Company and Chicago Equity Partners, LLC. This experience allowed her to use her combined legal and business development skills in the role of Business Development Manager at Lewis Roca, LLP upon moving to the Phoenix area. She worked closely with Lewis Roca’s Managing Partner and Practice Group Leaders to attract new clients, retain current ones and promote the firm throughout the community. Shortly after leaving Lewis Roca, she and her husband started Kleen Concepts.
Bill Gates is Associate General Counsel & Director of Distribution for PING, a Phoenix-based golf equipment manufacturer. Prior to working for PING in 2001, Supervisor Gates was an associate at the firm of Fennemore Craig, practicing commercial litigation with an emphasis in property tax litigation. He was appointed by Governor Brewer to the Municipal Tax Code Commission and the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. He also served as a member of Governor Ducey’s Transition Team.
Gates served on the Phoenix City Council representing District 3 from June, 2009 through May, 2016. Gates also served as Vice Mayor of Phoenix from January 2013 to February 2014. Supervisor Gates has represented District 3 on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors since 2017 and was elected Chairman of the Board by his colleagues in 2019.
Gates has served in a variety of capacities with nonprofit and community organizations such as Valley Leadership, the Phoenix Symphony, INROADS, American Legion Boys State, the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar, Disabled Sports USA and the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. He is currently a Board Member for the Foundation for Blind Children, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Arizona Workforce Council and Vitalant, the second largest blood bank in the United States.
The Phoenix Business Journal honored him in 2010 with a Forty under 40 Award, which recognizes prominent young leaders in various industries in metropolitan Phoenix. In 2012, the Arizona School of Public Relations Association presented him with the Award of Excellence for his contributions to public education and he received the Sentinel Award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in recognition for his work to improve Arizona’s business climate.
Gates is a graduate of Deer Valley High School in Glendale, Arizona. He attended Drake University where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science and economics in 1993 and he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1996. Councilman Gates is married and has three teenage daughters. Bill Gates is a Republican.