Liaison Biographies

Debora Norris was raised in a native communities in rural northern and southern Arizona. She is a certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute and has a Master's degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University. She also earned her Bachelor's degree from Stanford University. Debora has worked with school districts and education communities on school capital finance and education programs for two decades. Prior to joining the School Facilities Board as a Liaison in 2017, Debora spent three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives. She served four years on the Education Committee helping pass school capital finance laws impacting hundreds of schools. Debora previously served as a Deputy Associate Superintendent at the Arizona Department of Education where she partnered with school districts on programs and initiatives benifitting Arizona students. As part of her duties with the SFB, Debora is also Liaison to all tribal community school districts in the state.

Stephanie Vassar brings a small, rural-school district perspective to the School Facilities Board staff. Prior to joining the SFB, Stephanie worked with Morristown Elementary School District as Facilities Manager where she learned and implemented SFB programs and policies to help maintain the district's facilities standards. In her free time, Stephanie volunteers with her LDC (Local Design Committee) to design and maintain Local Kingdom Halls. Before moving to Arizona, she participated in an outreach program helping the Burmese-speaking community in Iowa adjust to life in America.

Abhi Gandhi recently earned a Master's Degree in Construction Engineering from the Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University. Abhi completed his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India while working as an Intern for a Local Developer on residential and commercial projects. While finishing his degree at ASU, Abhi worked with the School Facilities Board as a Consultant on the 'Lead in Drinking Water' Program for over a year and after the successful completion of the project he joined the SFB team as an Assistant Liaison. Abhi brings a construction and project management skill set to his Liaison position and is eager to develop more diverse technical expertise in assisting Arizona school districts.

Tashma Webster-Adams was born and raised in the U.S. V.I.  which made it easy to adapt to Arizona as her new home.  At a young age, her tender love for children and passion for leadership led her to get her certification in Child Day Care.  Tashma enjoyed working in her role as Assistant Director at a large Childcare Learning Facility.  She continued her education by receiving her certification in Drafting in October 2001.  Tashma earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University and she graduated from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts where she earned her degree in Design Management.  She is bringing her educational background in Child Day Care and Architecture to the School Facilities Board.  As a CAD Drafter, she worked on commercial and residential projects while employed at an Architectural firm.  Tashma is bringing the skill sets of design, construction, and project coordinating to her Liaison position.  She serves as a Notary in Arizona.  Tashma was very active as a Parent Volunteer in her children’s schools, which is a strong indication of her partnership in their educational success.