SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ — San Tan Valley’s Town Council approved an ESI employee cost agreement for the Public Works Director position at its March 18, 2026 meeting. Under the agreement, Chris Wanamaker will serve as the town’s Public Works Director. Wanamaker currently serves as Pinal County Engineer.
Wanamaker Appointed San Tan Valley Public Works Director
At the March 18, 2026 council meeting, Town Manager Brent Billingsley introduced Wanamaker to the council.
“We received a number of applications and held interviews with the panel,” Billingsley told the council. “Chris was selected as our overwhelming number one applicant with respect to the job. I can say with absolute confidence that there is no one who knows more about San Tan Valley than Chris Wanamaker.”
Wanamaker addressed the council after the vote. “We have some big challenges — traffic, transportation,” he said. “It’s going to be tough, but I’m ready for the challenge.”
Pinal County Engineer Background
As Pinal County Engineer — a role he has held since March 2021 — Wanamaker has overseen the Public Works Department’s Engineering Branch, including Flood Control, Surveying, In-House Design, and Traffic Engineering divisions.
Billingsley spoke to Wanamaker’s local experience. “Chris has worked for Pinal County for more than 20 years,” he said. “He’s been involved in every floodplain project, every traffic signal, every road project, every widening project, every maintenance project in San Tan Valley and the remainder of the county. One of the smartest people I know.”
Wanamaker joined Pinal County in 2006 as a civil engineering intern. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University and an M.S. in Engineering from the University of Arkansas. Additionally, he is a registered Professional Engineer, a Certified Floodplain Manager, and a Certified Public Manager.
Council Approves ESI Agreement, Making Wanamaker Employee Number Eight
The council approved the ESI Employee Cost Agreement for the Public Works Director position. ESI is a public sector workforce staffing provider. Under this arrangement, ESI serves as Wanamaker’s formal employer while he performs duties for the town — the same staffing structure used when the town hired Town Manager Brent Billingsley in December 2025.
Mayor Schnepf declared the motion carried and welcomed Wanamaker as employee number eight.
Wanamaker addressed the council after the vote. “It’s such an honor to be here and to be part of this community and this organization,” he said. “This is so exciting — to help build the future of this community, to be part of something truly historic.”
San Tan Valley Town Employee Roster
| # | Name | Position | Meeting Date Approved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brent Billingsley | Town Manager | December 3, 2025 |
| 2 | Dana DeLong | Town Clerk | February 4, 2026 |
| 3 | Gabriel Garcia | Finance Director | February 4, 2026 |
| 4 | Robert Stanley | IT Director | February 18, 2026 |
| 5 | Janet Dayer | HR Director | February 18, 2026 |
| 6 | Gilbert Olgin | Community Development Director | March 4, 2026 |
| 7 | James Allen | Chief Building Official | March 4, 2026 |
| 8 | Chris Wanamaker | Public Works Director | March 18, 2026 |
Wanamaker Transitions from County to Town Service
San Tan Valley is building its own municipal services ahead of a July 1, 2026 operational deadline, after which Pinal County will no longer be required to provide police protection, street maintenance, permitting, and zoning enforcement.
