Patena Endorses Finn for Mayor

Former Ironwood District Councilmember who served Peoria for more than three decades says Finn “understands that leadership is not about recognition, but about service.”

Contact: Michael Finn, 623-308-5919

PEORIA (December 15, 2025) — Former Ironwood Councilmember Bill Patena has endorsed Michel Finn in his bid to be the next Mayor of Peoria, Arizona. Patena recently retired at the end of 2024 after serving 12 years on the Peoria City Council and 18 years as a city employee.

Patena said in his endorsement, “It is with great pride and confidence that I endorse Michael Finn for Mayor of the City of Peoria. I have had the privilege of working alongside Michael on the Peoria City Council for over ten years. During that time, I have witnessed firsthand his unwavering dedication, intelligence, and passion for serving the community. Michael is not only a thoughtful and strategic leader, but also someone who genuinely loves the city and its people. His ability to listen, collaborate, and find solutions to complex challenges has consistently impressed me.”

“Whether addressing issues of growth, public safety, or community development, Michael approaches every decision with integrity and a deep commitment to improving the lives of residents. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael has always demonstrated a personal devotion to the well-being of our city,” continued the former councilmember, “He understands that leadership is not about recognition, but about service. He embodies that principle in every action he takes. I am confident that as Mayor, Michael will continue to lead with vision, compassion and a steadfast dedication to the future of our community. It is without hesitation that I give my full endorsement to Michael for this important role."

One year ago, local leaders renamed the  Peoria Community Center to the William L. Patena Community Center to honor his three decades of service to Peoria.  As part of the dedication, the City declared, “Councilman Patena has been a steadfast advocate for Peoria’s residents.  Throughout his time in office, he dedicated himself to building healthy, vibrant neighborhoods and enhancing community services.  His unwavering support for the Peoria Community Outreach Services and human services programs was a hallmark of his leadership.”

Mayor Pro Tem Michael Finn concluded, “It is an incredible honor to have the support of a former colleague and community leader like Bill Patena. From his passion to helping those in need to his deep commitment to Peoria’s veterans, Bill Patena has been a model of servant leadership for more than 30 years. I am truly thankful for his support and will continue to seek his guidance as the next Mayor of Peoria.” 

About Michael Finn

Mayor Pro Tem Michael Finn has served on the Peoria City Council for more than a decade representing the Palo Verde District. During his time on council, he has served twice as Vice Mayor as well as Mayor Pro Tem and has been committed to financial responsibility, public safety, and economic development. 

As a fiscal conservative, Finn utilizes his more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sector to protect Peoria taxpayers and keep taxes low. For the past decade, while also serving on city council, he has been a member of the Executive Leadership Team for a private equity backed commercial heating and cooling company that stretches across the southern belt of the United States. Finn also previously served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Peoria Unified School District – managing a staff of over 400 people and an annual budget over $200 million. During his time, he earned several awards for transparency and helped the district develop a reputation for sound financial management. In addition, Finn brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the private sector with United Parcel Service (UPS) and US Airways. Finn graduated from Arizona State University and has earned a master’s degree in business administration. 

During his time on council, Finn has developed a reputation as a consensus builder – bringing people to address important issues and find creative, common-sense solutions. He has been dedicated to listening to residents and addressing the issues that impact their day-to-day lives. Through these efforts, Finn has been instrumental in creating a more responsive local government that gets things accomplished quickly and efficiently.

Mike has been married to his wife Joy for more than 30 years and, together, they have lived in Peoria for more than two decades raising three children. They are immersed in their neighborhood, schools, and recreational programs. They take great pride in working in their community to ensure that it remains safe and a great place to raise a family.