Board Members
Past President: Shanna Johnson
Superintendent/Principal Mohawk Valley School District
Shanna Johnson is the current Superintendent at Mohawk Valley School District in East Yuma County. She attended Antelope Union High School, then earned her bachelor's degree at NAU in Flagstaff and her master’s degree from NAU-Yuma. She returned to the Wellton-Mohawk community where she has been a teacher and administrator for over 34 years.
President: Kim Seh
Assistant Superintendent, Administration, Somerton School District #11
Kimberly Seh has been an Education Foundation Board member since 2009. She is currently the Assistant Superintendent in Somerton School District #11. Her educational degrees and certifications include the following: B.A. in Elementary Education, M.A. in Multicultural/Bilingual Education, Early Childhood and Structured English Immersion Endorsement, Principal and Superintendent Certification from Northern Arizona University. After thoroughly enjoying teaching third, fourth and fifth grade in Somerton School District #11, she took the opportunity to serve staff and students as a Staff Developer/Reading Coach in the Crane School District. Administrative experiences include Principal and Professional Development / Curriculum/ Assessment Director for Somerton School District #11.
Board Secretary: Nancy T Blitz
Retired Professor, Arizona Western College College, Best Grant Advisor, Northern Arizona University, Yuma
Nancy T. Blitz taught English as a Second Language at Arizona Western College both part-time and full-time from the late 1980s to August 1, 2020. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a B.A. in German, and her M.A. in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) is from Northern Arizona University. She spent two years as a full-time instructor of Bilingual/Multicultural Education/ESL on the NAU-Yuma Branch Campus where she continued to teach in a part time capacity for many years. Over the years, many of the students from her NAU undergraduate and graduate classes were nominees for and recipients of the Yuma County Teacher of the Year, and many of her ESL students from AWC pursued higher education and became teachers in Yuma County.
Board Member: Miriam Limón
Marketing Strategist -- Onvida Health
Miriam Limon has been a Yuma County Education Foundation board member since 2018. Born and raised in Yuma, she graduated from Cibola High School and attended Arizona Western College. Outside of work, Miriam enjoys going on adventures with her fiancé, Benjamin, and their daughter, Audrey.
Board Member: Denis Ponder
Superintendent, Yuma Elementary School District One
Board Member: Laurie Doering
Superintendent, Crane School District
Laurie Doering has been in education since 1983 and is
passionate about this calling. She moved to Yuma in 1976 and has raised three children in this fine community. She graduated from Yuma High School and went on to graduate from Arizona State University and then received a Masters in Educational Leadership from NAU-Yuma. She has been a school and district level administrator for over 20 years.
Board Member: Helen Coffeen
Principal, Centennial Middle School, Retired
Helen Morrow Coffeen arrived in Yuma from California in 1977 to work for the Crane School District. She taught third, fifth and sixth grades, and was an assistant principal and a principal. She worked at Viejo, Rancho Viejo, Crane Junior High, Pueblo, and retired from Centennial Middle School in May 2022. She continues to be passionate about providing an outstanding education to our students in a safe fun learning environment that prepares our students for college and careers. She believes an education opens doors of opportunity, gives a panoramic view of the world, and allows students choices to follow their dreams.
Board Member: Michael Sabath, PhD
Associate Vice President and Campus Executive Officer, NAU Yuma Campus
Michael J. Sabath has been in higher education for over 35 years. A first-generation student who grew up in a military family, he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley, an MPA from California State University-Chico and a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sabath was with San Diego State University for 23 years serving as a professor, division chair, and Associate Dean. Prior to this, he taught in the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Columbia and in the Department of Criminal Justice at Indiana University-Bloomington. He is married to Maria Lourdes Sabath and has three children.
Board Member: Mandy Heil
Associate Dean of Communications and Marketing, Arizona Western College
Mandy Heil has worked in higher education for over 20 years serving students through a variety of roles. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Educational Leadership, both from the University of Northern Colorado. She has had the joy of being a Yuma resident for nearly 15 years where she has served Arizona Western College in various capacities. She currently serves AWC as the Associate Dean of Communications and Marketing. Mandy and her husband Jeremy are busy raising their three young children and, when not working, spend their time chasing a their sassy two-year-old daughter and watching their boys on the baseball field.
Board Member: Tom Hurt Yuma County Superintendent of Schools
Tom Hurt graduated from Western New Mexico University in 1969. He has an MA from Northern Arizona University and has completed graduate studies from several universities. He has been a Social Studies teacher, head football coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, associate school superintendent, and is currently the Yuma County School Superintendent. He has worked in nine school districts in Arizona and Texas and was the first principal, head football coach, and athletic director at Yuma Catholic High School. He has been recognized many times for teaching, coaching, and administrative awards and recently was inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame for football. He is active in the community and has served on the Yuma County Historical Society as a board member as well as the president for the past ten years.
Board Member: Tom Tyree
Superintendent of Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma (STEDY)
Tom Tyree has served in public education for over 45 years. In August of 2003 Tyree was appointed Yuma County Superintendent of Schools and was elected to the position in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and most recently again in 2020 until moving to serve as Superintendent of STEDY in early 2022. Prior to assuming his elected position as County Superintendent, Tyree served as a teacher, head basketball coach, building and central office administrator in school districts in Yuma and Mesa, Arizona. Tyree is married to Mara Vitolins Tyree (former Miss Yuma County) and has two children, Tiffany and Ryan, both educators in Arizona.
Board Member: Tom Rush
President, Yuma Investment Group
Tom Rush was raised on a farm in Dateland, Arizona with six siblings. Tom studied at Amherst College in Massachusetts and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. Tom Rush is the founder and president of Yuma Investment Group Wealth Management. He has been dedicated to assisting his clients in achieving their financial goals for over 25 years. Today the firm employees three Wealth advisors, a Financial Planner and a support staff of nine. The firm provides wealth planning services for individuals, corporations, trusts and retirement accounts totaling in excess of 250 million dollars. Yuma Investment Group Wealth Management’s mission statement is to assist its clients in creating and protecting wealth, ultimately striving for financial independence. Tom Rush works diligently with his clients to crystallize their financial goals. He then develops a comprehensive plan to achieve these goals. Because of this "planning" driven approach, he emphasizes long-term relationships which are the cornerstone of his business practice. Tom Rush resides in Yuma with his wife Sandy and their four children: Jackson, Stockton, Savannah, and Houston. When not working, Tom enjoys his family.
Board Member: Bethany Loucks
Principal, Rio Colorado Elementary School, Gadsden Elementary District #32
Bethany Loucks is a dedicated educator who has served as an elementary school administrator for an impressive 28 years in Arizona, a state known for its rich cultural diversity and unique challenges. With a steadfast commitment to fostering academic excellence and creating a nurturing environment for students, Ms. Loucks has tirelessly worked to empower young minds and build strong communities. Her leadership has not only shaped countless young lives but has also inspired her colleagues and peers. Bethany recognizes and nurtures the strengths of others, a philosophy that has defined her! Ms. Loucks has an unwavering commitment to identifying the talents and abilities in each student, teacher, and staff member. She is known for transforming her underperforming school and demonstrating deep commitment to excellence. Bethany’s proven track record of uplifting the individuals she is blessed to work with and propelling her school towards greater success while devoting her time and energy in lasting positive change in schools is what makes her an inspirational leader.
Board Member: Tim Brienza
Superintendent, Yuma Union High School District
Board Member: Shelley Jones Mellon
Owner/Broker, R.L. Jones Insurance Services
Upon graduating, from the University of Arizona with a degree in Business Administration, Shelley became the 4th generation to follow in her family’s business, R.L. Jones Group. Her husband, Colin Mellon, is a 3rd generation Yuma produce farmer. Currently they own their own farm and are active in the management and operations of Mellon Farms, Inc., and a ground application company. Shelley owns and operates the three locations of R.L. Jones Insurance & MVD Services. Shelley serves as Chair of the Southwest Arizona Town Hall, Board of Trustees for the Yuma Regional Medical Center Foundation, Chair of the Yuma Education Advocacy Council, Board Member of Expect More Arizona, CEO Council of Expect More Arizona, Advisory Council Bayer America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, Board Member of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation, Director of the Yuma Youth Leadership Council, Director of Yuma Youth Town Hall, Chair of the Yuma Union High School District Bond Campaign and Yuma Union High School District Governing Board Member, Board Member of Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, S June Pallack Award Council, Officer of Yuma Up Mentoring Program, Board Member of the Benesch Collection (YRMC Art Heals), volunteer and advocate for Healing Journey, Board Member of Journey Church, Board member of Arizona Town Hall, past Board Member of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, past Board Member of Rio Colorado Commissions, past member of the Arizona Mexico Commission. Colin and Shelley have three children: Tanner-Graduate of Purdue University, Masters Krannert School of Management, Mckenna-Cornell University, and Walker-Gila Ridge High School.
Board Member: Briana Villa, Ph.D.
Regional Academic Programs Manager, University of Arizona Yuma
Board Member: Jacqueline Reiss-Kravitz Representative of the Rotary Clubs of Yuma
Jacqueline Reiss-Kravitz taught in the classroom for 7 years – first in New Jersey, then in Yuma, AZ. leaving to help her husband begin his medical practice. After over 20 years in medical management, Jackie has retired. Along the way, Jackie has had the privilege of serving Yuma County as a Governing Board Member of the Yuma Union High School District and currently is in her second term. As a proud Rotarian, Jackie serves as the Rotary Liaison to the Education Foundation of Yuma County.
Board Member: Audrey Garcia Clinical Assistant Professor, Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers' College, Yuma Campus
A long-time advocate for education in rural communities, Audrey Garcia has worked as a classroom teacher, grant coordinator, and professional development coach in Yuma public schools. She continues to teach and mentor aspiring teachers, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of today's classrooms. Audrey's passion for public education is reflected in her commitment to supporting both students and teachers across the state of Arizona. In addition to her academic work, Audrey is deeply involved in the local community. She serves on the Governing Board for the Crane Elementary School District and participates in various educational initiatives
Board Member: Frank Núñez,
Principal, Gila Vista Junior High School
Frank Núñez was born and raised in Yuma Arizona. He graduated from Cibola High School and Arizona Western College and went on to graduate from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and a Masters in Educational Leadership. He has been a school and district level administrator for 10 years. Prior to being an administrator, his varied classroom experience was as a teacher of Spanish, Government, Economics, AVID, Academic Decathlon, Advanced Placement classes, and coaching baseball. Currently, he is the Principal of Gila Vista Jr. High School.
Vice President: Elizabeth Punpayuk Attorney at Law: Benesch,Shadle, & White, PLC
Board Member: Clint Harrington President -- Pilkington Construction Company
Board Member: Joann Chang
Executive Director – Dean of Healthcare Programs, Arizona Western College
Dr. Joann Chang has taught at Arizona Western College (AWC) since 2010 for the departments of Biology and Engineering and is the current Executive Director – Dean of Healthcare Programs. She obtained her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Arizona and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. Since moving to Yuma and becoming part of higher education, Dr. Chang strives to support and advocate for education at every level to build our local workforce needs.
Board Member: Karina Jones
Executive Director, United Way of Yuma County
Karina Jones is a Yuma native and ASU alum who has spent 13 years leading meaningful community work as the Executive Director of United Way of Yuma County. She helped launch programs like Drive for School Supplies, EyeSee 20/20, and Coats for Kidz and created the organization’s two largest fundraising events. Karina also serves on several local boards and remains active and involved at Church for the City. She and her husband, Tyrone, have two daughters, Aria (12) and Mila (9).