Rebecca F. Villalpando was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, and graduated from Trevor G. Browne in 1978.  Commissioner Villalpando joined the U.S. Navy in January 1980.  She attended Radiomen “A” School in San Diego, California; her first duty station was at the Naval Telecommunication Center in Moffett Field, California. She worked as a Radioman in the top secret Telecommunication Center under Admiral May, commander of the Seventh Fleet.

Joan McDermott was born in Wisconsin and grew up on a dairy farm.  Joan attended Walther Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Washburn University in Topeka.  Joan was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1967; she served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Born in Glendale, CA during 1948.Graduated from Paradise HS, Paradise, CA.Attended Yuba Jr. College, Marysville, CA.Enlisted in the USMC 1967 at MCRD, San Diego, CA.Served in DaNang, So. Vietnam from Jan. 1968 to March 1970 at III MAF, H & S Co., Security/Club System.Retired in 1989 at 29 Palms, CA. as a Gunny Sergeant.Lived in Kingman for 20 years working as a Security Officer for 15 years at the Flamingo Resort & Casino in Laughlin, NV.Gene has spent many hours as a volunteer in numerous Veteran Service Organizations, and Abate of AZ.

To Be Announced

Kimberly Trotta is an Assistant Deputy Director for the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, serving as the administrator at the Arizona State Veteran Home-Phoenix (ASVH-Phoenix). She manages the strategic goals and oversees the day-to-day operations of the facility, always supporting the needs of our veterans and their families. In her first year of service at ASVH-Phoenix, Kim took the home from a one-star to four-star facility.Kim worked in long-term care for 18 years prior to joining the State of Arizona.

Robert (Bob) Tunila is an Assistant Deputy Director for the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, serving as the administrator at the Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson (ASVH-Tucson). He oversees day-to-day operations of the facility while managing strategic goals. In his role, Bob ensures that the home and its staff meet the needs of our veterans and their families. While managing ASVH-Tucson, Bob has maintained a four-star facility rating and five stars for quality measures. His health care career included being a Certified Nursing Assistant in addition to a Dietary Manager.

Scott Kurish is the Administrator of the Office of Continuous Improvement for the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. Scott coordinates agency-wide implementation of the Arizona Management System (AMS). AMS is an intentional management system that is changing the way State government thinks and operates, using Lean principles and tools. Scott has over 35 years of operations management experience, holding key leadership positions.