Yavapai Community College Governing Board District 3 representative Toby Payne and District 1 representative Bill Kiel were sworn into office on Dec. 18 by Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter.
Appointed on March 21, 2023, Payne ran uncontested in the 2024 election, representing Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, the Village of Oak Creek, the Verde Villages and the western portion of Cornville.
Kiel unseated 18-year board member Ray Sigafoos on Nov. 5 and will represent southwestern Prescott and southwestern Yavapai County.
On Dec. 17, Carter announced the appointment of Patrick Kuykendall to the Governing Board to represent District 4, including north Prescott, Williamson Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Ash Fork and Seligman.
Kuykendall was born and raised in Prescott, where he attended Prescott Unified School District, graduating from Prescott High School. His father served on the Prescott City Council and multiple terms as mayor from 2009 through 2016. Kuykendall entered active duty with the U.S. Army in 1983, serving a four-year term, prior to serving an additional 18 years with the Arizona Army National Guard, which included a combat deployment in support of the Gulf War. He retired from the military in 2005 with the rank of first sergeant.
Kuykendall subsequently became the executive director of the California Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve with the United States Department of Defense. In 2016 he was hired by the state of Arizona’s Department of Labor Jobs for Veterans State Grant. He then became the State Veterans Manager for Arizona and finally the Arizona Business Services representative for Yavapai County. He works daily with the Yavapai Community College Regional Economic Development Center.
Carter received a letter of resignation from Yavapai Community College Governing Board member Chris Kuknyo, effective Dec. 31, as he will become an elected member of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 1.
Carter posted the vacancy for the nonpartisan seat for the remaining two years of the existing term. Prior to the deadline for receipt of letters of interest and the supporting information, Carter received the required materials from three qualified candidates.
Carter makes use of a candidate review committee in making community college appointments. This is a process that engages a cross-section of community members from District 4. He would like to express appreciation to the committee for their volunteer services to the community. County Supervisor Craig Brown served as the elected official, as he represents the same geographical area and residents within Yavapai County, Dan Burns represented taxpayers, Nic Clower represented students, Megan Hanna represented the college faculty and Tyran Payne represented economic development and first response entities.
The committee reviewed the materials, prepared interview questions, decided who to interview and participated in and evaluated the interviews. The committee also provided Carter with insight about their collective perception of each candidate and made recommendations for his consideration. The superintendent and committee interviewed three finalists on Monday, Dec. 13, in Prescott, one of whom subsequently withdrew due to concerns about time commitment.
Carter hosted an opportunity for the public to meet with him personally on Dec. 16 in Prescott. He provided his email address and cell phone number for those individuals wishing to use one of those options. He spoke individually with the current Yavapai Community College Governing Board members and college administration in person or on the phone prior to making the appointment.
Severel residents communicated with the superintendent in one manner or another about their preferences. He appreciated and respected the responses.
Kuykendall was sworn in at the Yavapai County Education Service Agency on Tuesday, Dec. 17. His term will end on Dec. 31,2026. He has indicated an intent to run for the seat in the 2026 election cycle for a six-year term starting January 2027.
