Last week, we published Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett’s announcement that she is a candidate for mayor. Mark Napier, who announced his own candidacy last August, is also in the race. Our report on is announcement was a brief Bits and Pieces note. So, we asked Napier to share more about himself, why he decided to run, and what he hopes for Oro Valley’s future so that our LOVE readers can learn more about him.
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Brings four decades of public service and leadership and education
Many residents know Mark Napier from his four-year tenure as Pima County Sheriff, but his public service and leadership experience extend well beyond that role.
Napier’s background includes formal training in public administration and public safety. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Boston University. He has completed graduate-level public policy and executive training through the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute.
Brings four decades of public service and leadership and education
Many residents know Mark Napier from his four-year tenure as Pima County Sheriff, but his public service and leadership experience extend well beyond that role.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has held senior leadership positions in law enforcement, county administration, and higher education. In addition to serving as sheriff, Napier later worked as an assistant county administrator, overseeing multiple departments and multi-million dollar operational and capital budgets. His background also includes service on local boards and commissions in Oro Valley, participation in long-range planning efforts, and years of teaching and leadership training focused on public administration and public safety.
Napier's personal ties to Oro Valley shaped decision to run
Napier has lived in Oro Valley for more than 30 years, where he and his wife Marlene raised their four children; and where several of their grandchildren now attend local schools. He said his decision to run for mayor reflects both his personal connection to the community and concern about the town’s long-term direction and fiscal sustainability.
His focus will be on fiscal discipline, public safety, and deliberate, well-planned growth
Napier said his approach to leadership emphasizes fiscal discipline, public safety, and strategic, well-planned growth. He believes that growth must be sensible and consistent with community values. Napier added that decisions should be guided by data, long-range planning, and community input, rather than short-term pressures. “Decisions made today should strengthen the town not just for the next few years, but for the next few decades,” he said.
Campaigns focus on signature gathering to get on ballet for primary election
The mayoral race is expected to draw increased attention as the primary election move on. Voters are being asked to sign nomination petitions to place mayoral and council candidates. You can sign petitions online.
Napier has lived in Oro Valley for more than 30 years, where he and his wife Marlene raised their four children; and where several of their grandchildren now attend local schools. He said his decision to run for mayor reflects both his personal connection to the community and concern about the town’s long-term direction and fiscal sustainability.
His focus will be on fiscal discipline, public safety, and deliberate, well-planned growth
Napier said his approach to leadership emphasizes fiscal discipline, public safety, and strategic, well-planned growth. He believes that growth must be sensible and consistent with community values. Napier added that decisions should be guided by data, long-range planning, and community input, rather than short-term pressures. “Decisions made today should strengthen the town not just for the next few years, but for the next few decades,” he said.
Campaigns focus on signature gathering to get on ballet for primary election
The mayoral race is expected to draw increased attention as the primary election move on. Voters are being asked to sign nomination petitions to place mayoral and council candidates. You can sign petitions online.
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