FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — District 4 Supervisor Judy Begay was elected chair at the Coconino County Supervisors' Regular Meeting June 4. District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstmann will serve as vice chair until the end of 2024. Begay has served as vice chair since August 2023.
Begay is a member of the Navajo Nation from Coalmine Mesa, Arizona, and a lifelong resident of Coconino County. Begay is of the Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water) Tribe, the daughter of a Tsé deeshgizhnii (Clan of the Rock Clefts). Her maternal grandfather's clan was Tł'ááshchí'í (Clan of the Red Bottom People) and her paternal grandfather's clan was Táchii'nii (Clan that Flows into the Red Waters).
Begay was first elected to the board in 2020 after serving on the Tuba City Public Schools board for more than 14 years, as well as on the boards of several other nonprofit organizations. He also has experience in management and oversight of health programs, school operations, facilities management, roads and infrastructure, and public housing.
Begay said he loves public service and thanked the board for its confidence in his leadership.
“My father told me, 'Never forget your culture or where you come from.' As a young girl, I would wake up every morning to tend sheep, cows, horses and goats and fetch water for my family,” Begay said. “It was hard work, but I had to do it. That childhood discipline prepared me to excel in higher education, making me a well-rounded person and able to take on leadership responsibilities. Growing up on Navajo land, I never thought I'd be in a position to serve on this committee.”
Horstman was elected to the board in 2020 after serving as an attorney for many years in Flagstaff and co-founding the law firm of Hufford, Horstman, Monzini, Parnell & Tucker.
Outgoing 2nd District Supervisor Chairman Jeronimo Vazquez passed the speaker's gavel during the ceremony and praised and congratulated his two colleagues.
“I look forward to Chairman Begay's leadership of this committee,” Vazquez said. “I appreciate the support I've received from my colleagues and county staff during my tenure as chairman and am pleased to continue representing District 2 on this committee.”
