Profiles - About Alumni for January 2009

Featured Alum: Timothy "Tim" Williams, Business, 2003-04

Proud grandparents Bill and Anita Williams sent the following newspaper article to let us know that their grandson, Yavapai College graduate Tim Williams, has achieved great success in his career with the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. “As Tim Williams' grandparents we are very proud of his accomplishments, and we remember it started at Yavapai College, and the Prescott Yavapai Indian Tribe was also very instrumental in his progress.”

Busy first year for FMIT Council Chairman, Timothy Williams

NEEDLES, Calif. - This month marks the first year Timothy "Tim" Williams has served as chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe (FMIT) since being elected to that four-year post on June 2, 2007 by tribal officials and and it has been a busy 12 months for the 29 year-old father of four, who continues to work with tribal officials and the administration on growth plans that benefit both the regional economy and the tribe's membership.

Of a number of future projects he is overseeing as tribal chairman, one is the proposed new casino on FMIT-owned land four and one-half miles west of Needles on the south side of Interstate 40. Another is a possible future industrial park. "Obviously, with how the economy is doing right now, we hope to benefit both the City of Needles and the tribe with the casino's close proximity," said Williams.

If all the required approvals are obtained in the coming months, the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe would be the first Indian tribe in the nation to develop casinos in three contiguous states - California, Nevada and Arizona (Spirit Mountain Casino in Mohave Valley on the reservation).

"Hopefully, everything will work out and benefit both communities (Needles and the tribe). That's what we're looking at. We have Indian gaming but we simply use it as a tool to help with the social and economic benefits for the tribe," he said. "We don't know how long Indian gaming is going to be here. Laws may change. That's why we're diversifying and you see all the different businesses we have right now. We have those for a reason. If something goes down, we'll definitely have those (businesses) to sustain our way of life as tribal members," he explained.

Williams' educational background and disciplined leadership skills have prepared him for his duties as the top administrative leader of the FMIT, however, prior to pursuing his higher education at an Arizona college and later at a university, Williams had been undecided on a career. His parents' solid foundation accounted for the solid foundation that characterized his youth. His father, in fact, is a minister and former member of the Tribal Council. Nevertheless, Williams was unsure at the age of 20 as to what direction he should take. "I didn't think I had the discipline to succeed in life ... and at a very young age, I felt that I needed to do more," he recalled. "I suppose I had ambitions but I didn't have that discipline within myself." Williams decided that serving his country would provide the discipline he needed. "I thought about this in my room and the next day, I went and signed up and about three weeks later, I was in boot camp at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego," he recalled.

Once he was out of boot camp, he went to Camp Pendleton for training as an infantryman. Afterwards, fortune smiled on Williams when the Marine Corps stationed him at Twenty-nine Palms east of Barstow, CA. This allowed him to visit his family "down the road" in Mohave Valley often before he was subsequently transported in January 2003 to Kuwait at the time the war in Iraq was just starting. "We were on the border and crossed it about the time the announcement was made that we were going to war. We went through all of Iraq and ended up in Tikrit," said Williams, whose enlistment expired in August 2003. Upon returning home, he decided to serve his native tribe. On June 2, 2007, tribal members elected him as chairman of the Fort Mojave Tribal Council.

"I know the time will come when I will no longer be chairman. I want to be able to say that I did the best job while I was in that position and that I left this position better than it was before," he said.

Decorative blanket adorning wall in office of Timothy Williams - chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe (FMIT) - was a gift from the chairman of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe who honored Williams for his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. On June 2, Williams celebrated his first year as tribal chairman of the FMIT. (Photo by Thom McGraham)

The Fort Mojave Indian Tribal headquarters is located in the California Village in Needles. Williams recently oversaw installation of a new irrigation system in that community and a colorful new basketball court facility. A beach volleyball court is on the front burner. "We just want to provide a better environment for the community and to create more community pride," said Williams, who plans to improve roads in the California and Arizona Village. "The roads in the California Village will be used to more comfortably accommodate tribal elders," Williams said.

"Real soon we'll be able to provide a dialysis center, hopefully by the end of the year. We have a lot of need for building," said Williams, commenting on the fact that diabetes is a serious problem that afflicts members of nearly all families in the FMIT. "We're looking at how we can incorporate a better and more healthy way of life," he said.

After fulfilling his duty in the Marine Corps, Williams earned his associate degree in business from Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz., and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University with a major in finance and management.

Shortly after being elected chairman of the FMIT, Williams gathered a number of the tribe's 1,257 members together for a five-hour meeting at the Convention Center in the Avi Resort & Casino. The meeting was highlighted by Williams' power-point presentation which provided a detailed update as to how the tribe generates its revenues and income, how money is spent and how the tribal administration on a daily basis works, said Williams. "I think that was the first time tribal members really got a good picture as to how the tribe works and how we are financially," he said.

While Williams' public duties as chairman are dedicated to helping improve quality of life of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe and its members, his full-time personal dedication is to his wife, Tara, and the couple's four daughters. "I really appreciate my wife. She is the main reason I've been able to accomplish what I have so far in my adult life. She stood by me through thick and thin, taking care of our family while I was serving in the military and later, during those years I was studying at college. And, I sincerely appreciate the support she is giving me as chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. She's my life's partner in the truest sense of the word," said Williams.

The couple celebrates eight years of marriage in August - and a month ago on May 5 - welcomed their fourth daughter, Tamarie, whose three sisters are Trinity, 2, Talynn, 4, and Tianna, 7.

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Juvenal Lopez, Engineering, 1977‐79

“I am Principal of Metro Tech High School, Phoenix Union High School District and have a BA in Secondary Education (ASU) and an MA in Educational Leadership (ASU).

I feel I received an outstanding education throughout my two and one half years at Yavapai College. Larry Strom opened the doors of the outside world to me. I came from Mexico at the age of 6, and then grew up in Bagdad, Arizona. Larry was an amazing teacher that cared about his students. He took us on trips to California, VICA competitions in Phoenix, and treated us like his own sons & daughters. What a great mentor to have, and yes, his caring attitude and high standards for education have made a significant impact in my career and personal life.

For the first time in my educational experience, I realized that I had a direct and profound influence on the value of my learning. The more I put into my studies, the more I got out of the experience. No longer would I allow circumstances or other people limit my growth. I firmly believe that the lessons I learned in the classroom while attending Yavapai prepared me well for life, career and future studies. I never would have predicted that I would eventually become a teacher, principal and now an HR Director. My initial career choice was engineering. I give credit to the outstanding educational role models like Larry Strom that helped shape me as a learner. I now have the privilege and opportunity to guide and support young adults.

Yavapai is an outstanding institution of higher learning. My hopes are that the leadership of this college will continue to seek and hire outstanding and visionary educators like Larry Strom. And I need to add that the sports programs at Yavapai have a rich history of excellence on the fields and courts. Some of the best times we had as young college students were sitting on the concrete benches just below the men's dorms watching the baseball teams. Go Roughriders.”

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Meredith Fisher Fry, 1982-84, AA transfer

I transferred to the University of Arizona and received a BA in Economics with Minors in Art History and English Literature. I worked as a mortgage banker in Tucson and volunteered with the Southern AZ 20/30 Club before staying home to raise 2 daughters.

I loved being involved with the YC SUAC (Student Union Activities Committee). The people I met there remain my best friends (Lois and Brenda and I were just talking about those fun times). I count those years at YC among the best in my life. I went on to be the Administrative VP of ASUA (Associated Students) at U. of A., which was a good experience. I never would have thought [to be involved] if I hadn't enjoyed being involved so much at YC.

Debbie McCasland was such a great boss and mentor as leader of SUAC. I really miss her. There were also many wonderful professors like Dave Hochstetler and Jim Pence. Their classes by far surpassed any classes I took at the University. The overall quality of education at YC was outstanding.

I am a stay-at-home wife and mother now living in Lincoln, NE. I volunteer doing fundraising, playing tennis and teach Sunday school. I love to travel but have not made it back to Prescott in 14 years. I hope to retire there... someday.

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Betty Jean (BJ) Lane Update, 1974-75, Fine Arts

Betty Jean was the featured Alum for September 2008. Read her original profile by clicking here.

Over two decades ago, BJ designed what has now become close to 100 original pieces of Christmas for the nine yards in my neighborhood cul-de-sac. “After drawing each figurine on plywood, my neighbors cut each piece out, and adults and kids included primed, and colored in the 'paint-by-number' paintings that I created. I then detailed each piece," she explains.

Their neighborhood was featured on channel 4-NBC Vista Mesa Court, in Duarte is featured in the weather segment! Also, Vista Mesa Court is featured in a Christmas special that airs on NBC, Christmas Eve at 1 a.m., and Christmas Day at 6 a.m.

She thanks all the neighbors for their continued support in offering this unique neighborhood display to her community.

Graduating YC Sophomore Athletes, 2009

A handful of Yavapai College spring athletes have signed to take their individual game to the next level after the 2009 season (see article below).

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