Sandy Fabritz: Bringing Communities Together for Water at Freeport-McMoRan
The Miami Mine wetlands, located atop the tailings facility at Freeport-McMoRan's Miami Mine in Arizona.
A
rizona is a state that has endured difficult water challenges since its founding over a century ago. Its arid climate, varied terrain, and position on the Colorado River relative to other states have often created conflicts among various water users. Sandy Fabritz, the director of water strategy at mining company Freeport-McMoRan, is someone who has not only seen those challenges from various perspectives, but has used her experience to find mutually beneficial solutions to complex water issues. In this interview, Ms. Fabritz tells Irrigation Leader about the path that led her to both public service and the private sector, how Freeport-McMoRan prioritizes environmental and water conservation, and the importance of cooperation among Arizona’s water users in addressing the challenges of the future. Irrigation Leader: Please tell us about your background and how you came to be in your current position.
8 | IRRIGATION LEADER | June 2021
Irrigation Leader: How many generations has your family been in Arizona? Sandy Fabritz: I’m a fourth-generation Arizonan. My family background includes agriculture and the military. I feel proud that my family roots are here. My great-grandfather actually helped build many of the landmarks you see around the Phoenix area today, including the towers on South Mountain. My grandmother has a PhD in education from my favorite alma mater, Arizona State University. Irrigation Leader: How would you compare your former role as director of the ADWR to your role with FreeportMcMoRan? Sandy Fabritz: It was a really difficult decision to leave the State of Arizona, but director of a state department is a political position, and there’s obviously no guarantee that the next administration’s going to pick you up. It was challenging to see what my next step would be. When Freeport-McMoRan approached me, I was initially unsure whether I wanted to work for a mining company, but when I looked into what irrigationleadermagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FREEPORT-MCMORAN.
Sandy Fabritz: My work experience started in California, where I worked as a draftsman for a construction and engineering firm in the oil and gas industry. I did that for a couple of years and then decided that I really needed to get back to Arizona, my family, and what I really wanted to do. At the time, what I thought I really wanted to do was work outdoors and have a little bit of freedom. I went back to Arizona State University and got a degree in environmental resources in agriculture with an emphasis on range management. During that time, one of my professors came to me and told me about a paid internship at the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Summer was coming, and I decided to give it a shot. Well, I basically stuck around for almost 25 years, working in various jobs. I
actually left for a short stint with the City of Chandler, but went right back to the ADWR afterward. I became director under Governor Brewer in 2010. I loved working for the ADWR and the State of Arizona; it was a good position with a lot of opportunities. As Governor Brewer’s term was coming to an end, I was approached by Freeport-McMoRan to see if I would be interested in becoming the director of water strategy there. That’s what I did, I’ve been there ever since, and I am happy to be there.
