The former city manager of Phoenix has been voted to lead the Maricopa Association of Governments, a planning organization for Maricopa and parts of Pinal counties.

Ed Zuercher, who worked for Phoenix for 28 years including eight as city manager, was chosen in a unanimous vote Monday by the MAG Regional Council.

Zuercher has entered into a two-year contract as the incoming executive director, following the retirement of Executive Director Eric Anderson on July 1.

“Leading a local government organization in the fifth-largest and fastest-growing city in the United States afforded me a rare perspective on local, state, regional, national and international government administration and leadership,” Zuercher said.

 “In this role, I often worked with MAG and my colleagues in cities, towns, counties and Native nations, and I look forward to helping local governments solve complex problems through collaborative regional solutions.”

As a city manager, Zuercher served on MAG’s Management Committee.

MAG is a council of governments that serves as the metropolitan planning organization for transportation for the greater Maricopa region, with a planning area of more than 10,000 square miles, according to a release.

MAG’s members include 27 cities and towns, three Native nations, Maricopa County, portions of Pinal County and the Arizona Department of Transportation

“MAG conducts planning and makes policy decisions in a number of core areas,” the release stated. “These include safe and smart travel, the economy and growth, environment and sustainability, and improving quality of life, all with a focus on efficient and effective operations. The agency is guided by a staff of 120.”

Zuercher retired as Phoenix city manager in 2021, with a career at Phoenix going back to the 1990s, including serving as the public transit director. He currently serves as a managing director at Ernst & Young, LLP.

“I have known Ed since his early days at Phoenix and have the utmost respect for him,” Anderson said. “I do think he is one of only a few people I know who can come into an organization like MAG and hit the ground running."

Zuercher will join MAG before Anderson retires for transition purposes. His start date will be March 6.