Businessman named to Rio Nuevo Board [The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson]

June 21--The Rio Nuevo District has picked up another board member.

Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin appointed Tucson businessman Cody Ritchie on Friday to fill the seat previously held by Jonathan Paton.

Ritchie, who is managing partner at Crest Insurance Group and serves on the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce board, said he volunteered for the position because he became fed up with all the discord surrounding the district and the way it has been managed over the past decade.

"I was just tired of everybody else complaining about it, so I said somebody's got to do it," Ritchie said. "And as a taxpayer, I was hugely disappointed to know that millions were wasted and there is nothing to show for it."

Ritchie said he is not interested in rehashing old battles or settling political vendettas, but instead wants to focus on the district's mission of developing the downtown Tucson area.

"The past is the past," he said. "My job is to see how we can move this forward and make it a win-win for everybody."

Concerning the partisan clashes that defined the Jodi Bain-led board and the acrimony and lawsuits between the district and city, Ritchie said he won't engage in political grandstanding or mudslinging.

"I really have no agenda, no alliances with anybody. I am just a businessperson who's concerned about the future of our community," he said.

Current board member Mark Irvin said Ritchie's presence is a boon to the district.

"He will be an excellent addition," Irvin said. "He brings a skill set the district really needs and I am tickled to see him join us."

With the appointment, two vacancies remain on the board. Both must be filled by Gov. Jan Brewer.

Contact reporter Darren DaRonco at ddaronco@azstarnet.com or 573-4243.

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