Deep roots in the community and decades of leadership and service experience
Patrick Kukendall
The Yavapai County Superintendent of Schools Tim Carter announced in a press release December 18 the appointment of Mr. Patrick Kuykendall to the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board. He will represent District 4, which includes: North Prescott, Williamson Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Ash Fork, and Seligman.
Mr. Kuykendall is a lifelong resident of Prescott. He attended the Prescott Unified School District and graduated from Prescott High School. His father, a dedicated public servant, served multiple terms on the Prescott City Council and as Mayor from 2009 to 2016.
Mr. Kuykendall began his service to the nation by entering active duty with the U.S. Army in 1983, serving a four-year term. He later dedicated an additional 18 years to 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, First Sergeant.
Following his military career, Mr. Kuykendall served as Executive Director of the California Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve under the United States Department of Defense. In 2016, he transitioned to working with the State of Arizona’s Department of Labor Jobs for Veterans State Grant program. His career continued with roles as the State Veterans Manager for Arizona and later as the Arizona Business Services Representative for Yavapai County. According to the press release, Mr. Kuykendall currently collaborates closely with the Yavapai Community College Regional Economic Development Center.
Mr. Kuykendall’s appointment follows the resignation of current District 4 Board Member Chris Kuknyo, effective December 31, 2024. Mr. Kuknyo will assume his new role as an elected member of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors on January 1, 2025.
To fill the vacancy, County Education Superintendent Carter publicly posted the position and received applications from three qualified candidates prior to the deadline. Superintendent Carter relied on the support of a Candidate Review Committee composed of District 4 community members, including:
- Craig Brown – County Supervisor and elected official for the area
- Dan Burns – Taxpayer representative
- Nicole Clower – Student representative
- Megan Hanna – Faculty representative
- Tyran Payne – Representative of economic development and first response entities
The committee reviewed candidate materials, prepared interview questions, and conducted evaluations, providing Superintendent Carter with its recommendations. Three finalists were interviewed on Monday, December 13, in Prescott, though one candidate later withdrew due to time commitment concerns.
Superintendent Carter further engaged the community by offering face-to-face meetings on March 16 in Prescott, as well as opportunities to communicate via phone or email. He consulted directly with current Yavapai Community College Governing Board members, college administration, and residents before finalizing the appointment. In his press release, Superintendent Carter expressed appreciation for the community’s participation and thoughtful feedback.
Mr. Kuykendall was officially sworn in at the Yavapai County Education Service Agency on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. His term will conclude on December 31, 2026. Mr. Kuykendall has also indicated his intent to run for a full six-year term in the 2026 election cycle, which would commence in January 2027.
With his deep roots in the community and decades of leadership and service experience, Mr. Kuykendall appears well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the Yavapai Community College Governing Board and District 4 residents.