Superintendent Ray Polvani is pleased to present the members of the Mountain Institute Joint Technological Education District Governing Board:  Seven citizens, one from each of the participating districts.

 Heidi Baker - Ash Fork

Representing the Ash Fork Joint Unified School District is Heidi Baker.  Mrs. Baker has been a resident of Ash Fork for 14 years and is married with 2 children. The oldest having already graduated from Ash Fork High School and the youngest is a freshman.  She is employed by Roadrunner Optical and is active in outdoor activities.

 Beth Cummins - Bagdad  - Chair 2012

A resident of the district for five year, Mrs. Cummins serves as the Technology Director for Bagdad School District.  She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computing and Information Sytems from Yavapai College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  Her professional experience includes work as a network specialist for Cypress Copper Corporation and as a technology consultant for many small rurar schools.

  Roger Harlow - Chino Valley

From Chino Valley comes Mr. Roger Harlow, who will serve as the specialist in “Military Science/Electronics/Higher Education” on the Governing Board. Mr. Harlow served in the United States Marine Corp for 20 years, working as an instructor and course director for their Electronic Schools. Mr. Harlow also worked as a Project Leader for Motorola and taught at Mesa Community College where he served as the Chair of the Technology Department before retiring to Chino Valley in 2005.

  LaBeth Pondish - Prescott Valley

 Ms. Pondish has been a resident of the district for four years. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English and Government and a Master of Science from the University of Houston--Clear Lake in Curriculum & Instruction.  Ms. Pondish taught English for 31 years, primarily with the La Porte Independent School District in Texas, before relocating to Prescott Valley.  In retirement, she has supervised secondary student teachers for Prescott College.

 John Ott - Mayer

 Mr. Ott has lived in the Mayer school district since 1996 and had four children attend the Mayer schools.  He attened Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Scottsdale.  He was Supervisory Locksmith at the Federal Correctional Institution in Phoenix from 1988 through 2011.  Since February 2010, he has served as Pastor at the First Southern Baptist Church in Mayer.

    Michael Taylor - Prescott

Representing the Prescott Unified School District is Michael Taylor, a 30-year resident of the area.  Mr. Taylor is an architect operating his own firm for the last 14 years.  He has years of experience working with various school districts throughout central and western Arizona.  He is married (Jennifer) and has five grown children and twin granddaughters.

      Maxine Howington - Seligman

Representing the Seligman Uniified School District is Maxine Howington, a resident of Seligman for over 30 years during which time she served on the SeligmanUSD Governing Board for 20 years, including several terms as President.  She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona and her Associate degree in Nursing from Yavapai College. She has worked for the Ash Fork Joint Unified School District for the past five years.

These civic-minded members of Yavapai County hold the key to a much brighter future for career and technical education and expanded partnerships with the business community, while safeguarding the investment of our taxpayers.