Name Dropper
FROM STAFF REPORTS SUSANNA ZAMBRANO
The staff and faculty of the Entrepreneurial College at arizona Western College were joined by Yuma mayor doug nicholls, San luis mayor nieves reidel and parker mayor randy Hartless to recognize the Entrepreneurial College Employees of the Year on march 28.
The overall Entrepreneurial College Employee of the Year was Susanna Zambrano, associate dean for South Yuma County.
The Entrepreneurial College Faculty of the Year were Stephanie Francis, professor of nursing focused on retention and remediation, and michael murphy, professor of automotive.
Classified Employees of the Year for the Entrepreneurial College were Johanna megui, workforce specialist, and marcela Castro, administrative assistant iv.
professional/administrative Employees of the Year were mayra Carrasco, continuing education specialist, and Jim larson, director of manufacturing.
Chris Wheeler of prison Hill Brewing Company was also honored for his ongoing support of Entrepreneurial College programs.
STEVE SCHULTE
Forbes has included Steve Schulte on its 2024 Best-in-state Wealth advisors list. Schulte is the ameriprise Financial Services private wealth advisor serving the Yuma area.
“What an incredible honor – one that recognizes my commitment to providing financial advice that helps my clients meet their goals in both the short and long term. Thank you to my extraordinary team and clients. You inspire me each and every day,” he said.
Schulte is a CFP certified financial planner with 24 years of experience. His areas of focus
STEVE SCHULTE
include retirement planning strategies, investments, tax planning strategies, saving for education and insurance.
Schulte has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the university of arizona and a masters of Business administration from Webster university.
He is an active member of the Yuma rotary Club since 2001, a member of Yuma Elks lodge no. 476, and former chairman of the Yuma university of arizona alumni Golf Tournament.
When not working, his favorite activities are golf, college sports, charity work and chasing his two young children.
Schulte can be reached at 3150 S. Catalina drive, Suite 4, Steve. Schulte@ampf.com or 928-7269536 (office) or cell 928-615-6213 (cell).
TANYA HODGES
Tanya Hodges will serve as the new executive director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for desert agriculture. She has more than three decades’ experience in academia and the agricultural industry. She starts her new role on may 26.
Stephanie Slinski, who served as interim director, is still with YCEDA. She is the associate director of applied research and development.
YCEDA is a public-private partnership launched in 2014 to provide fast-track solutions to high-priority issues identified by the desert agricultural industry, including increasing production efficiencies through disease and water management, maximizing crop yield and food safety and developing new technology.
Hodges looks forward to working with stakeholders to tackle challenges surrounding water, soil and plant health, labor, and the increased opportunity for precision agriculture, while helping to broaden understanding of the national impact desert agriculture
has in producing a safe, abundant, and healthy food supply.
“agriculture is near and dear to me, and Yuma County’s precision agriculture is right up front and center,” she explained. “i’m very excited and know there’s so much to learn. i look forward to working with our industry partners who have been so supportive throughout this process.”
a Yuma native, Hodges’ family roots in Yuma County extend six generations. Growing up in a family deeply connected to farming, she developed a passion for the industry and its related business, science and technology fields.
“i grew up in the eastern part of Yuma County north of dateland. my dad was a farmer. i have family members still working in agriculture, and i met my husband when both of us went to the university of arizona to study agriculture,” Hodges said. “i know the important role desert agriculture plays in feeding the united States.”
She brings 16 years of experience in the agricultural industry and another 16 years’ experience in agricultural academia to the role. Hodges earned a bachelor’s degree and a master of education from the university of arizona, graduating from the College of agriculture, life, and Environmental Sciences. She earned her doctor of Education in innovation and leadership from arizona State university.
in her previous role, Hodges served as the regional academic programs manager and director of workforce development and grants for the university of arizona Yuma distance Campus.
She also worked to bridge collaboration between the university of arizona distance Campus and the Yuma and imperial Valley agricultural industries to create the agriculture Systems management degree, designed specifically to meet the region’s workforce demands.