Community College BoardsThe community college district is governed by a board elected by voters in each Supervisorial District. The board reviews and adopts an annual budget, hires the chancellor, and approves high-dollar contracts, major program changes, compensation, and benefits. Funding, which comes from tuition, fees, property taxes, state aid (all except Maricopa and Pima), and donations, supports operations and capital needs. The board has final authority on fiscal policy, budget, employee contracts, capital expenditures, and tuition. The chancellor reports to the board.Why you should care:The community colleges serve county residents who can take a class, learn a trade, or receive an associate’s degree; some community colleges also offer bachelor's degrees. The job of the governing board in today’s educational realm is challenging because of the volatility of harsh economic times, divisive politics, lack of state funding for the two largest community colleges (Maricopa and Pima), and rapidly changing governance and regulatory concerns.For additional information:https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/01444.htm
Campaign Phone
4802256677
Public Policy Priorities
I consistently emphasize three pillars for Central Arizona College: fiscal responsibility, community access, and workforce relevance.
Qualifications and Experience
I have served the community in many positions of trust and leadership. As a member of the state legislature I served as the Chairman of the House Government and Higher Education Committee. I also taught Career and Technical Education at Apache Junction High School for over 30 years.
Community Service
I served on the Apache Junction City Council from 1991 to 1995, Mayor from 1995 to 2007, City Council from 2008 to 2012. Arizona House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018, and Justice of the Peace from 2019 to 2022.
Education
• BS in Business/Office/Distributive Education — Arizona State University • MS in Vocational Education — Northern Arizona University
I previously served in the Arizona Legislature, which provided me with hands‑on experience in public policy development, budgeting processes, committee work, and collaboration across different levels of government.
I also have experience in municipal leadership as a former mayor, where I worked directly with local government operations, public services, and community engagement.
I have experience as a Justice of the Peace in Pinal County Precinct 6, where I worked with Arizona statutes, courtroom procedures, and impartial decision‑making. That role has given me practical familiarity with how public institutions operate and how to apply policy fairly and consistently.
My academic background includes a BS in Business/Office/Distributive Education from ASU and an MS in Vocational Education from NAU.
I also taught Career and Technical Education Courses at Apache Junction High School for over 30 years.
I believe the top challenges facing community colleges are low completion rates, enrollment decline, and workforce alignment gaps. As a member of the governing board I would work to strengthen workforce partnerships by meeting with, and holding roundtable events with local employers and stakeholders. I would also support dual enrollment programs and work to create more bridges to our high school campuses. I would also work to provide more meaningful programs for adults who are already in the workforce, but who would like to advance by providing them with opportunities, perhaps through additional 3 and 4 year degree programs.
I would advocate for, and help with the college organizing community workshops, I believe it would be important to attend local events and see that the college is represented at these events. I think a friendly conversation at a booth can educate people more than a formal speech does in most cases.
I have extensive experience managing public budgets and advocating for responsible funding.
Across my service as a state legislator, city councilman, and mayor I’ve worked with budgets ranging from small municipal operating plans to multi‑million‑dollar state appropriations. My approach has always been the same: be transparent, be data‑driven, and make sure every dollar advances a clear public purpose.
Campaign Phone
480-748-8019
Qualifications and Experience
K-12 Educator, National Community College experience, Industry experience, Workforce development specialist
Memberships & Affiliations
National Science Foundation, Advanced Technological Education
Endorsements
State House candidate Barby Ingle, Sheriff Ross Teeple, Stand for Health Freedom
Community Service
Bill of Rights Celebration and High School Essay Contest, Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park Board member/President
Education
Arizona State University M.Ed.
National Community College and Technical Education experience in governance, planning, funding, administration
Workforce development and education programs, systems, processes, implementation in industry and higher education
Fortune 500 Industry technology training and development
National Educator workshop development, instruction, organization
Multimillion dollar grant solicitation, development, management, implementation
High school General Education Diploma program instruction and management
Project Management Institute certified
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt business management certified
Manufacturing, trades skills, advanced technology, engineering
Needs assessment
Competency-based systems design, implementation, assessment
Curriculum and course design, development, implementation, assessment
Team management and leadership
Program and initiative creation and management in industry and higher education
Various leadership and intervention techniques
Legislative process and systems
Long term planning. Planning must be a team activity. Board members must be involved in budget planning; deciding where funding comes from, where it goes and how it is used. Board members must be an advocate for funding at federal, state and local levels and an enforcer of accountability and transparency. Board members must be involved in program planning; programs must be an open book so that board members can see inside any program proposed, why it is proposed, what it hopes to accomplish or impact, and if it is meeting its goals. Board members must be on top of assessing and making informed decisions on any program, system, or process that affects student success, faculty excellence, institution organization, and community relationships.
Access and pathway to careers. Partnerships with K-12, industry and the community must be maintained, assessed and managed. Knowing the community needs holding open meetings, sharing information freely to build trust.
Strengthen the knowledge about the benefits and need for a strong community college system. There is a myth that college education is not needed any more. A campaign to change that is needed. Creating opportunities for the community to participate in a variety of experiences on campus is needed. Creating continuing education credits for teachers is key to strengthening K-12 partnerships and strengthening the Career and Technical Education process and relationships is a priority. Industry involvement in programs offered and facilities could be explored to build a stronger system and sustainability.
Principal Investigator on several large grants. The PI is the captain of the ship, they set the strategy, identify the deliverables and activities under the grant, select and manage staff assigned to the grant. The PI sets the grant budget, performs all of the budget planning and reporting required by federal, state, and local authorities. As grants sunset and change the PI solicits new opportunities and implements a strategy to continue funding under the same or new source.
Manager of large industry and higher education projects. I've proposed, planned and executed construction of education/training facilities for the project, creation and operation of the facility, faculty/staff development, purchase of offerings and equipment.
Legislative advisement. I've proposed to state legislators the need to change laws that restrict/limit higher education funding leading to bills submitted, passed, and in some cases, institutional systems changed. I will monitor the need for further action.
