Yavapai Community College Board of Directors District 3 Representative Toby Payne and District 1 Representative Bill Keel were sworn in by Yavapai County Schools Superintendent Tim Carter on December 18th.
Mr. Payne, who was appointed on March 21, 2023, is running unopposed in the 2024 election to represent Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Oak Creek Village, Verde Village and western Cornville.
On Nov. 5, Kiel will oust Ray Sigafoos, who served as board member for 18 years, and will represent southwest Prescott and southwest Yavapai County.
On Dec. 17, Carter announced the appointment of Patrick Kuykendall to the board, representing District 4, which includes North Prescott, Williamson Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Ash Fork and Seligman.
Kuykendall was born and raised in Prescott, attended Prescott Unified School District, and graduated from Prescott High School. His father served on the Prescott City Council and served multiple terms as mayor from 2009 to 2016. Mr. Kuykendall joined the U.S. Army in 1983, serving a four-year term, and then served an additional 18 years in the Arizona Army National Guard. This included combat deployments in support of the Gulf War. He retired in 2005 with the rank of sergeant.
Kuykendall then became executive director of employer support for the California National Guard and Reserve at the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2016 he was hired by the Arizona Department of Labor Recruitment Bureau for Veterans Affairs State Grants. He then became Arizona Veterans Affairs Manager and eventually Arizona Business Services Representative for Yavapai County. He works every day at the Yavapai Community College Regional Economic Development Center.
Carter received a letter of resignation from Yavapai Community College Trustee Chris Cucunyo on Dec. 31 to become an elected member of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 1.
Mr. Carter announced that the seat would be open on a bipartisan basis for the remaining two years of his current term. Prior to the deadline for receiving letters of interest and supporting information, Carter received the required materials from three qualified candidates.
Carter uses candidate review committees to make community college appointments. This is a process that involves a broad range of District 4 community members. He would like to thank the committee for their volunteer work in the community. County Supervisor Craig Brown represents the same geographic area and residents within Yavapai County, Dan Burns represents taxpayers, Nick Clower represents students, Megan Hanna represents university faculty, and Tyrann Payne served as an elected official representing economic development and first responder organizations.
The committee reviewed the material, prepared interview questions, decided who to interview, and participated in and evaluated the interviews. The committee also provided Mr. Carter with insight into collective perceptions of each candidate and made recommendations for Mr. Carter’s consideration. The superintendent and board met with the three finalists in Prescott on Monday, Dec. 13, but one later withdrew due to concerns about time commitments.
Mr. Carter hosted a private opportunity for the public to meet him in Prescott on Dec. 16. He provided his email address and mobile phone number to individuals who wished to use either of these options. He spoke individually in person and by telephone with current Yavapai Community College Board members and college administrators prior to his appointment.
The residents of Severel communicated with the administrator in one way or another about their preferences. He appreciated and respected that response.
Mr. Kuykendall was sworn in on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Yavapai County Office of Education. His term ends on December 31, 2026. He has indicated his intention to run for a six-year term beginning in January 2027 in the 2026 election cycle.
