About Herb
Herb Kai was born and raised in Marana, but his family’s connection to this community runs much deeper. His grandparents arrived in Southern Arizona in 1905. His father, John Kai Sr., moved to Marana in 1935 and became one of the town’s founding fathers.
The Kai family helped create the Town of Marana and co-founded TRICO Electric, which powers thousands of homes here today. Herb continued that legacy of service by joining the Cortaro Water Users Association Board of Directors at just 23 years old. That was 1971, before Marana was even incorporated as a town.
That board protects our water rights, delivers irrigation water to local farmers, and helped sell the domestic water system to the Town of Marana. Herb still serves on the board today, fighting to ensure responsible water use and protecting our most precious resource for future generations.
Herb attended Marana’s public schools before heading to the University of Arizona, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy with Business Management. Bear Down!
He knew he wanted to work the land and build businesses that served his community, so he built his professional career in farming. Today, Herb manages several family operations including pecan farms, shopping centers, trailer parks, and motels. He’s a farmer, a business owner, and someone who understands what it takes to make payroll, manage resources, and make tough decisions in the real world.
Herb brings decades of business experience and hands-on problem solving to his work as a town leader. He has served Marana as Mayor, Vice Mayor, and currently as Councilman. These aren’t just titles. They represent years of making tough decisions, protecting what matters most, and putting Marana residents first.
His real-world business sense helps him make wise financial decisions for the town, ensuring Marana continues to thrive while keeping costs low for residents. He has a heart for serving this community because it’s his home, his family’s legacy, and his life’s work.
Of all his roles, Herb is most proud of being a husband and a father. His family is his inspiration and the reason he works so hard to make Marana a safe, beautiful place to live.
His wife of 34 years, Diana, is his biggest supporter and best friend. Their daughter Madison graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in International Business and speaks Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish. Their son Michael graduated from Yale University and is now an entrepreneur focused on technology and social media. Michael and his wife Sarah have given Herb and Diana two wonderful grandchildren: Teddy and Margo.
When Herb thinks about Marana’s future, he thinks about them. What kind of town does he want Teddy and Margo to grow up in? One with safe neighborhoods, great schools, good jobs, and the same opportunities that made his life here so special.
You can see the Kai family at town and community functions throughout the year. Even Madison gets involved, having perfected her “crowd wave” at an early age. If you see them, be sure to say hi!
Read more about the Kai family in this Arizona Daily Star article
