Buckeye Appoints Miranda Gomez and James Shano as Deputy City Managers

Both selections were made through an internal recruitment process, reflecting the city's commitment to developing talent from within and building a strong leadership pipeline to support Buckeye's continued growth. The appointments follow two openings on the executive leadership team and bring a combined 55 years of municipal government experience to the Deputy City Manager roles.

Miranda Gomez brings more than 25 years of local government experience, including 20 years with the city of Buckeye. She most recently served as the city's Community Services Director, overseeing Parks, Recreation, Library Services, Human Services, Senior Services, Special Events, and Arts and Culture.

Throughout her career, Gomez has demonstrated a strong commitment to strategic planning, community engagement, organizational development, and delivering high-quality public services. In her leadership role, she helped launch the city's Human Services Program, secured key community partnerships, guided the development of major master plans, and oversaw numerous facility improvements that support Buckeye's growing population.

"Buckeye has been my professional home for 20 years, and I am honored to continue serving this incredible community in a new capacity," said Gomez. "I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead our organization as we continue to grow and meet the needs of our residents. I look forward to working with our employees and community partners to build on the great work already happening across the city."

Gomez holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Management from Grand Canyon University. A Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE), she has served as President of the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association and has contributed at the national level through the National Recreation and Park Association.

James Shano brings nearly 30 years of municipal government experience to the role and is no stranger to the city of Buckeye. This marks his second tenure as Deputy City Manager, having previously served in the position from 2018 to 2023. Most recently, Shano served as Director of the city's Program Management Office, where he oversaw Buckeye's Capital Improvement Program and provided leadership for the planning, design, funding, and delivery of major infrastructure and public facility projects.

Shano also brings extensive experience in municipal leadership, strategic planning, infrastructure development, civil engineering, and construction management. Throughout his career, he has served communities across the Valley, including the cities of Peoria and Surprise and the Town of Paradise Valley.

"I'm honored to step back into the Deputy City Manager role and continue serving this community," said Shano. "The city is experiencing unprecedented growth, and I look forward to working alongside our talented employees and leadership team to ensure we continue providing the high-quality services and infrastructure our residents expect."

A registered Professional Civil Engineer and Certified Public Manager, Shano holds a Certificate in Construction Management from Arizona State University. He also maintains Grade 4 certifications from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment.

Gomez and Shano officially assume their roles as Deputy City Managers in June 2026.