Chris Bridges, Executive Director of ACEC-AZ, talks aboutthe importance of stepping into opportunity—even when  it’s unexpected or uncertain. In this episode of Lōkahi Backstage, he shares how embracing new challenges has shapedhis leadership journey and opened doors for growth and connection. Chris Bridges’ journey is one of confidence, steady growth, and bold decisions. From starting out in urban planning to leading statewide advocacy for Arizona’s engineering industry, his story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out to take the next step—and that sometimes, the biggest opportunities come when youleast expect them.He opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped his path—stepping into leadership without formal experience, takinga career leap during a recession, and moving his family across the state in the middle of a pandemic. Along the way, he shares what those experiences taught him about trust, risk, and the kind of leader he strives to be.Whether you’re facing uncertainty, weighing a big decision, or figuring out how to lead with integrity, Chris’s story will remind you that it’s okay not to have the full plan—you just have to be willing to say yes to the opportunity in front of you.-Chris Bridges is Executive Director for ACEC of Arizona. He brings over 26 years of industry experience from practitioner, government management, and executive director roles. Chris was born in Dayton Ohio before relocating to and being raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. Chris attended both the Northern Arizona University and Capella University and currently holds both a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.  Chris began his professional career as an Urban Planner for Yavapai County, eventually moving over to Yavapai County Engineering to be the county’s Transportation PlanningManager before being appointed the Executive Director of the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization (CYMPO), a regional transportation planning agency in Prescott, Arizona. In 2020, Chris and his Wife Wendy and son Alec relocated from Prescott to the Phoenix metro region where he most recently served as the Deputy Director of Engineering for the City of Goodyear.Chris has a proud background of building collaborative relationships with ACEC members; state and federal agencies; local governments, regional agencies, elected boards, mayors, city councils, and staff at all levels; including working with industry partners. He has a strategic understanding of how to advance initiatives, managemulti-million-dollar budgets, and deliver results. Chris has been a long-time advocate for promoting the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and services throughout Arizona and brings that same passion to the Executive Director role for ACEC.

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