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Yavapai County Schools Superintendent Tim Carter appoints Patrick Kuykendall to the Yavapai College Board to represent District 4 (North Prescott, Williamson Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Ash Fork and Seligman) I am happy to announce what I have done.
Mr. 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 entered active duty in the U.S. Army in 1983 and served a four-year term before serving an additional 18 years in the Arizona Army National Guard, including a combat deployment in support of the Gulf War/Desert Storm. He retired from the military in 2005 with the rank of E-8, Sergeant First Class.
He became Executive Director of Employer Support for the California National Guard and Reserve at the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2016, he moved to work with the Arizona Department of Labor’s Veterans Affairs State Grant. Next was the Arizona Veterans Affairs Manager and finally the Arizona Business Services representative for Yavapai County. He works every day at the Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center.
Mr. Carter received a letter of resignation from Chris Cucunyo of the Yavapai College Board of Trustees stating that he will no longer serve on the board effective December 31, 2024 as he transitions to a new role on the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. “I have enjoyed my time as a university trustee and hope that my perspective will bring unique ideas to advance the education and lives of our students while fulfilling our fiscal responsibility to taxpayers,” said Mr. Cucunyo. I am proud to have been a part of watching Dr. Rhine “turn the ship around.”
Carter left the bipartisan seat vacant for the remaining two years of his current term. Prior to the deadline for receiving letters of interest and supporting information, Mr. Carter received the required materials from three qualified candidates.
Superintendent Carter uses candidate review committees for 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, and Megan Hanna represents university faculty. Tyrann Payne served as an elected official representing economic development and the first Congressman. response entity.
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 invaluable recommendations for Mr. Carter’s consideration. The superintendent and board interviewed the three final candidates on Monday, Dec. 13, in Prescott. One of those companies later pulled out, citing time constraints.
Mr. Carter hosted an in-person opportunity for the public to meet in Prescott on March 16th. He provided his email address and mobile phone number to individuals who wished to use either of these options. Prior to his appointment, he spoke individually with current Yavapai University Board members and university administrators, both in person and by telephone. Several residents communicated with the superintendent in some way about their preferences. He appreciated and respected that response.
Mr. Kuykendall was sworn in at the Yavapai County Educational Services Agency (YCESA) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. His term ends on December 31, 2026. He has indicated he intends to run for office in the 2026 election cycle. The term of office is six years starting from January 2027. Mr. Carter’s phone number is 928.925.6560.
