Our History

In 2023, the founding board members began collaborating on forming the Arizona Border Alliance (ABA) with the goals of leveraging existing resources, reducing duplication, and bridging gaps in service provision. The agency was designed to offer essential services in southern Arizona with a unique bi-national focus, distinguishing it from other agencies. While recognizing the valuable work of some existing organizations, the Arizona Border Alliance sought to serve as a central hub where community members could access a wide range of services seamlessly and reliably.

Formally founded on March 24, 2024, and granted official 501(c)(3) status on June 4, 2024, the Arizona Border Alliance quickly forged collaborations with numerous agencies, stakeholders, and individuals committed to enhancing the lives of those along the U.S.-Mexico border. The ABA has made significant strides in building partnerships and driving positive change. The Arizona Border Alliance was created to address the complex challenges faced by border communities, which include issues related to economic development, security, health, and cross-border relations. Driven by its mission to improve the quality of life for residents in border communities, the Arizona Border Alliance focuses on strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and community engagement. The organization envisions a prosperous, safe, and interconnected border region that supports economic growth, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding between the U.S. and Mexico.

The ABA received initial funding and support from local governments, businesses, other non-profits, and private donors. Early efforts concentrated on creating a framework for collaboration among stakeholders and addressing immediate concerns related to border security and economic development.

Recognizing the importance of regional collaboration, the Arizona Border Alliance has formalized partnerships with Mexican counterparts, including local governments, non-governmental organizations, and business associations. These partnerships have facilitated joint initiatives and enhanced cross-border cooperation on trade, tourism, and community health. In response to growing community needs, the Arizona Border Alliance has launched various outreach programs aimed at empowering local residents and providing resources for economic and educational development.

Today, the Arizona Border Alliance remains focused on its core mission through a multi-faceted approach, actively engaging in:

Economic Development: Supporting local businesses, promoting cross-border trade, and advocating for infrastructure improvements.
Public Health and Safety: Implementing health programs, emergency response initiatives, and safety measures for border communities.
Education and Workforce Development: Offering educational opportunities, job training, and career development resources.
Environmental Sustainability: Promoting conservation efforts and addressing environmental challenges unique to the border region.

As the organization continues to evolve, the Arizona Border Alliance remains committed to adapting to the changing needs of the border region and strengthening its partnerships with local, regional, and international stakeholders. The Alliance aims to maintain its legacy of fostering positive change and improving the quality of life for residents of the Arizona-Mexico border region.

Executive Leadership

Joseph Gill, M.A., Chief Executive Officer

Joseph has a distinguished and extensive background of education, training, work experience, and leadership spanning over 30 years. He was born and raised in Summit, New Jersey, and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, NJ. Joseph then attended and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Monmouth University with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice with a focus on leadership, management, and advanced statistics. Joseph strongly believes in higher education and is currently pursuing his PhD. During high school and throughout college, Joseph worked as a line cook at several famous NJ restaurants and moved up to executive sous chef by the time he completed graduate school.

After graduate school, Joseph was hired by the Lakewood Police Department, NJ, as a crime analyst and statistician. He was responsible for crime mapping and crime prevention strategies utilizing geographic information system (GIS) data and analysis, grant writing, and training officers on specialized topics.

Joseph then was hired as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration and graduated from the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, VA. He was initially assigned to the Newark, NJ Field Division then transferred to the Miami, FL Field Division. While in Miami, Joseph was assigned to a Title-III wiretap group and a Tactical Diversion Squad (TDS). He received numerous awards from DEA, local governments, and private organizations while he served with DEA. He was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent in 2012 and transferred to the Phoenix Field Division, Arizona where he retired in 2018.

After retiring from the DEA, Joseph worked as an Operations Manager for the TJX Companies in Tucson, AZ. During this time, Joseph earned his Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma, as well as certifications in Project Management, DEI Leadership, Agile, and Scrum Master.

Joseph is the Founder and President of SARCSTC Enterprises, LLC, a full-service grant writing, evaluation, and consulting firm based in Marana, AZ. Joseph has over 25 years of grant writing experience and has successfully been awarded countless grants totaling over 30 million dollars for his clients.

In 2020, Joseph began working at Amistades in Tucson, AZ as Director, and was responsible for all programs and supervising all staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers. He oversaw grant prospecting, writing, and management and ultimately increased the agency's operational budget by 300% in his time there. Joseph also provided high-level strategic, financial, technical, operational, cultural, and managerial guidance to the executive staff. Joseph resigned from his position as Director on Independence Day, July 4th, 2024 to officially open the Arizona Border Alliance.

Joseph has volunteered as a suicide counselor since 2018 and has helped hundreds of people through crisis situations. He also volunteers at the local animal shelters in Tucson to help dogs and cats get adopted.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Border Alliance, Joseph is responsible for developing and executing the organization’s strategic vision and long-term objectives.

josephgill@arizonaborderalliance.org

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Alexandra Boneo, Chief Operating Officer

Alexandra is a bilingual and bicultural Latina from the border region of Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. She graduated from Cochise College with an associate degree in computer applications and attended the University of Arizona for her bachelor’s degree in education. Alex has always been involved in the community and has volunteered all her life to help causes that she believes in.

Alex has over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and is known throughout Southern Arizona and Mexico for everything she has accomplished for the border areas of Arizona. Alex has presented at numerous conferences throughout the United States and in Mexico on US/Mexico relations, Trauma-Informed Care, border communities, substance abuse prevention, and other issues she is passionate about. Two major conferences that Alex presented at were the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Conference and the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) National Conference.

Throughout the years of work and voluntarism, she has partnered with many agencies and leaders such as the City of Douglas, Frontera de Cristo, Budget and Finance Council, the Binational Health Council (COBINA), St Vincent DePaul, Leaders Across Borders, Douglas Area Food Bank, Douglas for Stronger Families Council, Douglas Turning Point, and countless others. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Legacy Foundation and has represented the southeastern part of Cochise County since 2021 in an effort to promote population health and community wellness throughout southeast Arizona.

Along with the community work, Alex is passionate about food. In 2017 she founded the Blueberry Café in Downtown Douglas which serves healthy, creative food and coffee sourced from Chiapas, Mexico. Being awarded Best of Douglas and several other community recognitions, Blueberry Café is a safe community space where information and resources get distributed as well as bringing food and community together. Her work experience and skills in the last 20 years come from working at Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS) as a Prevention Specialist, where she developed and translated culturally appropriate programs, curricula, and resources. At The Tucson Hispanic Chamber, where she developed selling and speaking skills, and at Amistades where she was responsible for the Douglas office, program compliance and reporting, and the supervision of all staff, contractors, and volunteers.

Currently, as Chief Operating Officer of the Arizona Border Alliance, Alex is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency to ensure the agency runs smoothly and efficiently, as well as high-level coordination with other agencies on both sides of the border.

alexboneo@arizonaborderalliance.org

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Arizona Border Alliance Staff and Support

PROGRAM STAFF

The Arizona Border Alliance Staff is composed of Program Managers, Program Coordinators, a Community Outreach Coordinator, a Volunteer/Intern Coordinator, an Administrative Assistant, an IT Specialist, and a Bookkeeper.

All of these roles are crucial in ensuring that the Arizona Border Alliance operates efficiently and effectively towards achieving its mission.

PROGRAM EVALUATION

The Arizona Border Alliance utilizes two external evaluators (qualitative and quantitative) to remove any potential conflict of interest or bias. Program evaluation enables us to be more transparent, accountable, and strategic, ultimately improving our ability to fulfill our mission and achieve positive outcomes for the communities we serve.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We offer a variety of opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved and make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Send us an email if you are interested in volunteering.

COLLEGE INTERNS

The Arizona Border Alliance collaborates with colleges in all four counties and provides in-person and virtual internships. Send us an email if you are interested in an internship opportunity.

THE ABA COALITION

The ABA Coalition utilizes SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and has members from all 12 sectors: Youth, Parents, Business, Media, Schools, Youth-serving Organizations, Law Enforcement, Faith-based organizations, Civic or Volunteer groups, Healthcare professionals, State or Local agencies, and Substance Abuse Agencies. Members meet once a month in person in Douglas, and a virtual option is also available for members in other areas of the state.

If you are interested in joining the ABA Coalition and making a difference in your community, send us an email!

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Our social media and marketing team consists of internal staff as well as external contractors and volunteers, If you have a specialization in social media, marketing, or fundraising and would like to volunteer or assist please let us know.

PROGRAM LIASIONS (MEXICO)

The Arizona Border Alliance has countless partners along the border in both Mexico and the United States. In Mexico, we currently have partners and liaisons in Agua Prieta, Naco, Cananea, Nogales, Sasabe, Sonoyta, San Luis Río Colorado, and Mexico City.