Courtesy photo.
COCONINO COUNTY — After conclusion of regular business at the final meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), the Board took time to recognize, thank, and congratulate six outstanding public servants …
… who will be retiring at the end of 2024, and who spent much of their professional careers in Coconino County.
Sheriff Jim Driscoll leaves Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) after 50 years, beginning as a Deputy on patrol in 1974, and serving as our Sheriff since 2017. The CCSO will now be led by Chief Deputy Bret Axlund, elected in November.
Patty Hansen leaves office having served three terms as County Recorder, first elected in 2012. Prior to that she worked as Deputy Recorder in Coconino County after a lengthy career in election administration in Arizona, Minnesota, and Nebraska. The Recorder’s office will now be led by Aubrey Sonderegger, elected in November.
Bill Ring leaves the office of County Attorney he has held since 2017, as well as the criminal side of prosecution. He will continue with the County as Chief Civil Attorney. Ammon Barker has been elected to lead the County Attorney’s office through 2029.
Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols has served Coconino County since 1995, working in the County Attorney’s office prosecuting felony cases, often focusing on cases involving victims of domestic violence. Her replacement in District 1 Superior Court will be appointed by Governor Hobbs after candidates are interviewed by the Trial Court Appointments Board next year.
Sandy Diehl has worked in the Coconino County Public Defender’s Office since 1994, initially focusing on felony cases but eventually transitioning to juvenile cases and family law. She has led the Public Defender’s Office since 2014.
Emergency Management Director Wes Dison came to Coconino County in 2019, leading the County’s Emergency Operations Center through three catastrophic wildfires, post-wildfire flooding, record-setting snowfall, and a global pandemic. Through all of that, he grew the CCEM Department from a small division of Public Works into a full-service emergency management staff capable of coordinating incident response throughout the County.
“All of you are true leaders and even though we are losing your knowledge and experience, you have set up your successors with the tools to continue the great work that needs to be done for our residents,” said Judy Begay, Chair and Supervisor for District 4. “I just want to say thank you to you all, congratulations, and best of luck in the future.”
“We are so rich in leaders, people who commit to leadership, mentorship, engagement, dedication, teamwork, and service at the highest level,” added Patrice Horstman, Vice-Chair and Supervisor for District 1.