Longtime county supervisor begins job on Biden’s team.
Archuleta, the distinguished Coconino County District 2 Supervisor for 24 years, resigned her position on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
By Thursday, Feb. 4, she was fully engaged in her new post in the Biden-Harris administration as director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“I am very excited to serve at a national level and bring my perspective and experience as county supervisor and a lifetime rural resident with deep roots in Arizona and centuries of family history in New Mexico,” said Archuleta, who is working virtually from home and was reached by phone between meetings in the midst of her demanding new schedule. “It’s an honor getting a presidential appointment. I was, of course, thrilled to be chosen and to be able to make a difference at the national level.”
Archuleta, 56, a native of Flagstaff, lives on the east side of town with her husband, Franklin Willis, a professor in the Fine Arts Department at Northern Arizona University, and their 12-year-old son, Demitrius (Demi).
She comes from one of the Hispanic pioneer families of Flagstaff who have lived here for five generations. “My grandfather was one of the first Hispanic business owners in Flagstaff. He owned a store named Everybody’s Market in the southside of downtown,” she said.
Archuleta’s parents started a family business when she was 9, which created the opportunity for her and her siblings to attend Northern Arizona University (NAU). “From this foundation comes a dedication over the course of my career to equity, community building, increasing educational and economic opportunities for residents, and creating a quality of life where children and families are safe, supported and can prosper.”
At age 31, she became the first Hispanic female elected to the Board of Supervisors and has long been a leading light in the Coconino County Democratic Party. One of the first initiatives she started was the Sunnyside Weed and Seed program in the neighborhood where she grew up. It was aimed at reducing crime rates and increasing opportunities for youth and families. Another major accomplishment was creating and funding the transit system, Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA).
She also led criminal justice reform, advocating for a Ban the Box ordinance at the county and state level, which created more opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals to get jobs and integrate back into the community.
And, she was a champion for public lands, water, forest restoration and natural resources. She founded the Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council.
“One of the most challenging and fulfilling achievements was navigating the Schultz fire and flood that devastated my district,” she said. “I immediately did everything in my power to ensure the residents were safe and for years after, worked to bring the resources of the county, state and federal government to build flood-mitigation projects to keep communities safe from post-fire flooding for years to come.”
Throughout her career, Archuleta has held numerous leadership positions with the County Supervisors Association of Arizona, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials and the National Association of Counties.
She says her departure from the Board of Supervisors is bittersweet. “Building community and working hard to ensure everyone has a voice and is represented has been my passion and a life’s calling. It was a difficult decision because in the past 24 years, I have been able to see the difference I can make in communities and peoples’ lives.”
At her final meeting as supervisor, she made a particular point to thank her executive assistant, Theresa Munoz, who worked with her for 22 of her 24 years in office.
Her fellow supervisors praised her devoted service and big heart, including Board Chair Matt Ryan, who came into office the same year as she did.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will appoint a replacement for the District 2 Supervisor seat, who will serve until 2022 when voters will elect a new District 2 Supervisor.
“My heart is full of gratitude for the people who embraced me over the years,” Archuleta said. “Each person who let me into their homes and hearts, who shared their struggles and aspirations with me have enriched my life. Thank you. Thank you for entrusting me as your representative. I will carry that trust, the stories, and the dreams with me to Washington, D.C., as I continue my public service. I am so proud to be from Northern Arizona and be part of this administration, and to be a part of history, with the first woman vice president and first woman of color.”
Reflecting on the path that has brought her to this point, Archuleta offers this advice to any young woman who may be considering a career in politics today: “I would tell her to be unafraid and to pursue her dreams despite the fear she may have. I am a firm believer that the hardest moments we experience in life are lessons that make us stronger and more resilient. No matter what, I would tell her to never forget where she comes from and to always be an advocate for her community, because when we break down these walls and barriers before us, we do that not just for ourselves, but for our entire community, too. We always have to ensure that we are lifting up others on this journey.”
As the USDA director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Archuleta will serve as the liaison to elected and appointed officials of local, county, state and tribal governments. “I am looking forward to this very external facing role and to interfacing with government officials throughout the nation to assist them and their communities,” she said.
Archuleta has said her heart will always remain with the community of Flagstaff, a home that has always been so good to her. FBN
By Betsey Bruner, FBN
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