The Yavapai University Foundation Board of Directors elected five new members at its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 10, to celebrate the highlights and accomplishments of the past year.

The Yavapai College Foundation is led by a Board of Trustees, a group of distinguished and hardworking community leaders committed to supporting Yavapai College students, faculty and members of the Yavapai County community.

The newly elected directors are:

Julia Ammons

Julia Ammons is from Prescott, graduated from Prescott High School and attended Yavapai University. She continued her out-of-state career in hospitality management, where she earned an Associate of Science and Catering Certificate in both Advanced Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. Julia has since returned to Chino Valley to serve the community and be closer to her family. Co-founder of the couple’s flagship restaurant, Essence Kitchen + Bar, which she launched in 2020, Julia excels in hospitality, menu and wine pairings, and guest care. She has served on Chino’s Valley High School Career and Technical Education Advisory Board since 2021. Her focus on developing her culinary skills has earned Chino the attention of her members and volunteers on her Valley High School culinary school’s young team. Along with the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Chino Valley Lioness Club, Essence is a contributing member of the community. Through her philanthropic work in Julia, Essence has been able to serve local veterans and underprivileged youth through free luncheons, book fairs, holiday events, and financial educational scholarships. She wants to serve on the board because it’s another way she invests in the town and builds meaningful relationships.

debra brown

Debra Brown holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from CSU Fullerton University and a Master’s degree in Management Education from Azusa Pacific University. She grew up in Southern California and moved to Prescott She Valley 25 years ago. Debra is a former teacher in California and Arizona, she has experience in science and math from kindergarten, kindergarten to her 6th and 7th grade. She was both a student and a staff member at Yavapai University. As a current member of AAUW, Debra serves as Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee. She and her husband Craig are active members of the Cruiser Car Club through the PUM Church. She has just completed three years as a mission committee representative. Her hobbies include traveling, babysitting her 7-year-old and her 4-year-old grandson, book clubs, gardening, and crossfit. Debra’s daughter and her son-in-law are nursing graduates from Yavapai University. She hopes to act as a bridge between the FEC and the Foundation Board.

Denise Cassady

Dennis J. Cassady Sr. moved to Arizona from Michigan 30 years ago and retired in 2013. As Engineering Manager for Toyota North America, he spent 22 years managing the Toyota/Lexus cold weather testing program in North America. Prior to that, he was a development engineer at Ford Motor Company in Michigan for 16 years. Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Detroit Institute of Technology in Michigan. Wine education is his longtime passion and hobby. He has been with the American Wine Association since 2005 and currently holds the position of Co-Regional Ambassador overseeing seven chapters in Arizona and New Mexico. Dennis said that in 2021 he will graduate from the YC Enology and Viticulture Program, is the founder of the Southwest He Wine Center, and is also a life member of the Verde He Valley Archeology Center. His son, Dennis his Jr., and his family live in Prescott, and his daughter and family live in Scottsdale. He and his wife Cheryl have been married for over 50 years and live in Camp He Verde and San He City. Denise’s hobbies include gardening, outdoor barbecues, furniture restoration, and a wine lover. He feels that his own management experience, experience across the boards of many clubs and organizations, and his enthusiasm will serve the Yavapai University Foundation Board.

Tracy McCallum

Tracey McCollum (MSN, RN, NEA-BC) is currently Chief Nursing Officer at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. She is a servant her leader with over 20 years of experience in the medical field and has an unwavering passion for patient-centered care. She joined YRMC in March 2021 and most recently worked as Director and Interim Chief Nursing Officer of Acute Care Services from Northern Nevada. Tracey’s career consists of clinical nursing in multiple specialties, as well as leadership in quality/risk management, employee health, opening and running emergency care/occupational health clinics, and previously served three acute care clinics. She was a nursing leader for inpatient services at a medical facility. Tracy’s daily goal is to reduce patient risk and preventable harm during treatment and to develop future nursing leaders who will guide us into the future of healthcare. Tracy is happily married, she has two grown sons, and enjoys playing golf and concerts.

Roger Palmenburg

Roger recently retired from his position as a consulting engineer for over 45 years. His company has received the Arizona Association of Consulting Engineers Award for Technical Excellence. The company operates in markets nationwide and provides environmental and information technology support to governments and industry. Roger has a skill set that includes business development, marketing, public speaking, business planning and financial management. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University. He enjoys “country” time in his second home, gardening, photography, creative work and traveling with his wife, children and grandchildren. Roger has been teaching photography classes in the community for over 20 years. He has taken various classes in college. His life changed when he enrolled in the Viticulture Program at Yavapai University and was impressed by the university, lecturers and administrators. He has been an active donor since then and looks forward to contributing in a meaningful way as a member of the Board.

Zane Shepard

Zane Shepard grew up in Fresno, California and moved to Prescott to attend Yavapai University. He is currently a YC student pursuing an associate engineering degree. After completing his associate’s degree, Zane plans to transfer to ASU and pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He is Vice President of the Yavapai University Student Government Association for the 2023-24 academic year. Outside of school he enjoys airsoft, hiking and kayaking and looks forward to serving the students at Yavapai University in any way he can.

In addition to the newly elected members, Marnie Wool was re-elected to serve another three years on the Board. She will also continue to serve as Chairman of the Board from 2023 to 2024.

New members include Bill Anderson, Anne Burton, Secretary, Dr. Clint Ewell, Janelle Goligoski, John Huey, Rodney Jenkins, Janet Jones, Dr. Linda Mast, Second Vice President, Joan Myers, Don joins the current board of directors, including Treasurer and former President Michael Mann, Dr. Lisa Line, First Vice President April Rose, Bill Sungshin, Jeff Spawn, Deanna Tarrant, and President Marnie Wool.

The mission of the Yavapai College Foundation is to support the purposes and activities of Yavapai College through resource development and to promote community awareness of the College and its programs.

The Foundation’s vision is to support Yavapai University by enhancing educational, cultural, social and economic opportunities in the community.

The Foundation promotes student scholarships, faculty development, and programs that enrich both campus and community life.

For more information about the Yavapai College Foundation, please visit: www.yc.edu/foundation.

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