Pima Town Manager Vernon Batty was recently selected as a member of the 32nd Annual Congress.nd A class at the Arizona Rural Leadership Center. This organization develops and empowers leaders who meet the needs of rural Arizona. Her flagship program, Project Central, has trained more than 700 of her leaders in Arizona since 1983. Project Central’s impact on rural Arizona is significant and significant, as participants hold many leadership positions throughout the state.
Sixteen participants were competitively selected for Class 32 and the first seminar was held June 1-3, 2023 at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel in Chandler, Arizona. Project CENTRL Class 32 will travel the state over the next 12 months to explore effective communication, natural resources and rural economics, state budget basics: health care, education and corrections, agriculture in international border areas, public policy in Arizona, and more. attend one seminar. . They plan to travel to Sonora, Mexico. Explore leadership lessons from all perspectives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. The program culminates in the team’s “Make A Difference” project. This project discusses how class alumni can help address and solve some of the key problems and challenges in rural Arizona.
The Leadership Fundamentals Seminar at Wild Horse Path provided an important opportunity to learn personal communication and learning styles, and to build connections with and among alumni. This venue also served as the final seminar and graduation ceremony for the 31st batch of Project CENTRL graduates. Scott Koenig, an MBA and Class 21 alumnus, is his fifth executive director of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension-based program.
Batty is a fifth-generation Arizonan from Pima who now lives in Pima with his wife of 18 years, Tiana, and their six children.
He has worked in the HVAC industry for 22 years and has run his own company for 14 years specializing in installation and repair of residential and small commercial systems.
In 2021, Bhatti accepted the position of Pima Town Manager, allowing him to broaden his horizons and leverage his business management experience while taking the opportunity to learn many of the skills necessary for a new career in local government. As a small town administrator, Vernon is hands-on in various town affairs, including grant creation, land management, and budget preparation. He is also responsible for overseeing all departments of the town such as City Hall, Police Station and Public Works. In addition to his role as manager, Vernon represents the town’s interests on various commissions, including Southeast Arizona government agencies and the Graham County Chamber of Commerce.
