Mayra Baquera, Aaron Mertz and Nicole Williams have been selected to participate in the city of Phoenix’s 59th annual Management Intern Program.

The Management Intern Program is designed to attract, develop and retain innovative people in local government. The three participants, who were selected from a competitive group of applicants from across the country, began their internships June 30 and will rotate through the City Manager's Office, Budget and Research Department and other departments providing direct public services in order to experience the spectrum of municipal government.

The Management Intern Program allows individuals who have earned or completed course work toward a master's degree to work for the city for one year. Upon completion of the internship, candidates may apply for permanent positions with the city.

Baquera earned her master’s in public administration degree from Arizona State University. Previously, she worked as a research assistant for the Alliance for Innovation, a public affairs intern for the U.S. State Department and a caseworker for Southwest Key Program Unaccompanied Minors Shelter. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in justice studies from ASU.

Mertz earned his master’s in public administration degree from the University of Georgia in Athens, where he also worked as a research/teaching assistant. Last summer, he interned with Metro Portland’s Finance and Administrative Services Department. He also has served as an Arizona State Senate page. Prior to that, Mertz worked for Leadership Catalyst Inc. and United Methodist Outreach Ministries’ New Day Centers. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education from the University of Arizona.

Williams earned her master’s in public administration degree from the University of Dayton in Ohio, where she also worked as a graduate assistant/intern for the President’s Office implementing programs which promoted institutional inclusion and diversity. She also has interned for the Cincinnati City Council president pro-tem and Montgomery Watson Harza Inc., a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta. Williams has a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and politics from St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York.

During the history of Phoenix's internship program, many participants have continued employment with the city after their internship year. Others have gone on to hold positions in federal, state, county and other city governments, including many who are city managers or assistant city managers throughout the nation.

Among the alumni of the Management Intern Program currently employed by the city are Ruth Osuna, chief of staff to Mayor Gordon; Rick Naimark, deputy city manager; David Cavazos, deputy city manager; Ed Zuercher, deputy city manager; Tammy Perkins, executive assistant to the city manager; Lisa Takata, executive assistant to the city manager; Lionel Lyons, equal opportunity director; and Carolyn Bristo, assistant public works director.

For more information, visit phoenix.gov/interns or call 602-262-4800.