About Herb

Herb Kai was born and raised in Marana but wasn’t the first in his family to grow up in Southern Arizona. His grandparents came to the Tucson area in 1905 then Herb’s father, John Kai Sr, moved to Marana in 1935.

The Kai family helped found the Town of Marana and TRICO Electric, which helps power the lives of many Marana residents. Herb continued his family’s legacy by becoming a Board Member of the Cortaro Water Users Association at 23, which protects the area’s water rights, delivers irrigation water to farmers, and sold the domestic water system to the Town of Marana. Herb still serves on the board and fights for responsible water use in Marana.

Herb grew up in Marana’s public school system and continued his education at the University of Arizona, where he got his Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy with Business Management studies. Bear Down! He knew he wanted to continue that work outside of college, so he has built his professional career in the farming industry. He manages several family operations, from trailer parks to shopping centers, pecan farms, and motels.

Herb likes to stay busy and is always learning new trades. He brings these skills and experiences with him as a leader of Marana, which helps him make wise decisions for the city, ensuring that it continues to be profitable while its losses are minimized. He has served as Mayor, Vice Mayor, and currently as councilman, so he has a heart for serving Marana.

Of all his roles, Herb is most proud of being a father and a husband. His family is his inspiration and the reason he works so hard to make Marana a safe, beautiful place to live. His wife of almost 30 years, Diana, is his biggest supporter and best friend. Herb’s daughter Madison graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in International Business while conversing in Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish. His son Michael graduated from Yale University and now has his own family: his wife Sarah and their two children, Teddy and Margo. Michael is an entrepreneur, with a focus on technology and social media.

You can see the Kai family at Town and community functions. 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