Yavapai County School Superintendent Mr. Tim Carter swore in two members to the Yavapai College District Governing Board this morning.

Ms. Deb McCasland was sworn in to continue to represent District 2 after running unopposed in the November general election. McCasland is the current chair of the District Governing Board and will serve through 2028.

Mr. Steve Bracety was sworn in as a new member of the District Governing Board to represent District 5. Superintendent Carter appointed Bracety after Mr. Mitch Padilla stepped down from the position. Bracety will begin his term on the Board on January 1, 2023, and will serve through 2026.

“I am delighted to continue to serve on the Board for YC because I know how substantial the impact the College has on our Yavapai County residents,“ said McCasland. “Under President Dr. Lisa Rhine, Yavapai College is breaking down educational barriers that have plagued our rural communities for years. The college’s work is inspirational, and I am happy to be a part of it.”

McCasland continued, “The addition of Steve Bracety to our Board will be great for our residents throughout the county. He is well-known in the community and has a strong public service and business background that will benefit our Board. I’d also like to thank Mitch Padilla for his service on the Board over the last two years, where his passion for the College and the success of our students was always evident.”

Bracety is well known in the community and has resided here for eighteen (18) years. He has held many hospitality industry positions, including the General Manager of the Prescott Resort and Conference Center. Currently, he is Vice President of Operations and Talent Management with the Grace Hospitality Group.

“It is an honor to be appointed to represent District 5 on the Yavapai College District Governing Board,” said Bracety. “I believe strongly in the value of higher education and have a passion for public service and Yavapai County. Yavapai College is critical for our communities growth, and I look forward to serving on its Governing Board.”

Bracety holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Buffalo State College and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Bracety is married, and the couple has a daughter that is a junior at Northern Arizona University.

District 2 includes Aqua Fria, Beaver Creek, Camp Verde 1 and 2, Canyon, Cherry Creek, Cordes Lakes, Cornville, Crown King, Humboldt, Mayer, Middle Verde, Montezuma, Prescott Country Club, Stoneridge, Sugarloaf, and Verde Lakes.

District 5 includes Castle, Diamond Valley, Glassford, Granville, Groom Creek, Horseshoe, Lynx Creek, Mountain View, Prescott Valley 1/Navajo, Prescott Valley 2, Pronghorn View, Roundup, Superstition, and Yavapai Hills.

The Yavapai College District Governing Board’s role is to act as a link between the taxpayers of Yavapai County and College executive leadership. They fulfill this accountability by developing policies that govern the operations of the College, and then hold the College accountable for the delegated areas through a structured monitoring process.

The Board consists of five community members elected from their districts in Yavapai County. Yavapai College District Governing Board website.