KEITH BAGWELL
Chief of Staff
Office: (520) 724-8126
Keith Bagwell joined District 5 in early 2002 after a 23-year career as an Arizona newspaper journalist and two years working on election campaigns, writing on a free-lance basis, and working with labor unions.
He is co-chair of the National Writers Union Tucson Chapter, is on the Arizona AFL-CIO General Board, and has held leadership and advisory roles with state and local environmental organizations over the last two decades. He is a precinct committeeman for the Pima County Democratic Party.
As a newspaperman, his assignments included 12 years as The Arizona Daily Star’s environmental reporter, five years covering the Arizona Legislature and state government in Phoenix for the Scottsdale Progress and United Press International, and stints covering city halls, courts, county governments, and on general assignment.
Keith has degrees from the University of Arizona and in his spare time reads, plays bridge and is a baseball nut. He is married to Carolyn Trowbridge and has a step daughter and three granddaughters.
ELVIRA SUAREZ DIN
Director of Community Engagement
Office: (520) 724-8126
Elvira is originally from El Centro California and is the first generation in her family to be born in the United States and to graduate from university.
Growing up in an underserved border community made it clear to Elvira that issues affecting her community and working class people often stemmed from representation that was disconnected from the people they served and inspired her to demystify public service and advocacy.
Elvira's passion for civic engagement and accessibility has led her to register hundreds of voters in Southern Arizona, lobby elected officials, and serve as a vice chair on the Las Adelitas Arizona, a group that aims to get Latina women engaged in politics.
Prior to joining District 5, Elvira was a community organizer and campaign manager for Congressman Raúl Grijalva and Supervisor Adelita Grijalva. Elvira holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of California, San Diego.
In her free time, Elvira enjoys spending time with her family and friends, riding her bicycle, and listening to music.
SAMANTHA NEVILLE
Special Staff Assistant
Office: (520) 724-8126
Samantha Neville joins the District 5 team as Special Staff Assistant. Samantha was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, and has always felt strong ties to her hometown. For most of her grade school education, she attended public schools. She graduated from Tucson High and is a proud badger. She started volunteering with Pima County Teen Court as a high school sophomore, where she met Adelita Grijalva, and began learning about the issues our community faces.
After graduation, Samantha studied at Harvard College and received a degree in English. She has returned to Tucson to pursue a career in public service. Samantha is excited to work with the D5 team and continue to expand her knowledge of the city and local government. She is inspired by community leaders such as Adelita and hopes to contribute to effecting true change and improving the quality of life of this special place we call home. Samantha is an avid reader, a friend, a daughter, and a life-long learner.
NICHOLAS MCCULLOUGH
Special Staff Assistant
Office: (520) 724-8126
Nicholas joins the District 5 team as a Special Staff Assistant. Raised in Tucson, Nicholas attended The Gregory School for high school, during which time he had the privilege to meet and work with Supervisor Adelita Grijalva as first a volunteer Teen Attorney and then as an AmeriCorps member for Pima County Teen Court. His years of learning from Supervisor Grijalva taught him the importance of civic duty and the sense of fulfillment achieved from being committed to one’s community.
Nicholas attended the University of Arizona, where he pursued an Accelerated Master’s Degree in Art History, culminating in his thesis that concentrated on an analysis of French royal portraiture. In joining District 5, he hopes to combine his love of art with his appreciation for the profound cultural impact that it can have upon communities— a particular fascination that was sparked by an art therapy curriculum he developed during his time with Teen Court.
Nicholas uses his leisure time to read books about art and design, to watch favorite movies, to talk with friends, and to catch up on current events.