Yavapai College: Fostering Economic Development in Yavapai County
T
he Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) at Yavapai College exists to provide a host of services and resources to Yavapai County at the direction of senior leadership and the college’s District Governing Board.
Prescott Living Magazine spoke with REDC Director Richard Hernandez to get a better understanding of the REDC and its role in our community.
PLM: Give us a bit of your professional background and how you came to be in Prescott. Hernandez: I was born and raised in Southern California. In 1975, I left to attend college in Tempe. On the weekends, and often on holidays when students were not tubing on the Salt River, we would find ourselves in Prescott and on Whiskey Row. We also came to hike and enjoy the area’s outstanding outdoor activities. I remember saying to myself back then, “I’m going to come back here someday.” Fast forward to 2011, and my family and I chose the Prescott area to retire. PLM: So I’m guessing that Prescott in 2011 looked a little different to you than it did in 1975. Hernandez: Different, yes; but the same. The qualities of the area are still the same and coveted. The people are just as friendly as I remember. The natural beauty of the area is still as awesome as ever. The eclectic terrain from Ash Fork to Black Canyon City and all points in between still takes my breath away. I just love this place!
Richard Hernandez, REDC Director
PLM: What happened during the interval? From 1975 to 2011? Hernandez: I was a student trying to pay his own way through college. In August of that year, I was working at Sears Roebuck on Camelback Road. I was working as a janitor for $2.80 an hour. My roommate told me that United Parcel Service (UPS) was hiring dockworkers starting at $3.25 per hour. Well, I was done pushing a mop. The story of how I got hired at UPS is in itself a lesson in being aware of your surroundings. I also need to preface this by telling you that my father was a decorated war hero and a Marine drill instructor at Camp Pendleton, California.
Yavapai College Equestrian program 38 CITY OF PRESCOTT
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My UPS interviewer was a somewhat crusty, older gentleman named Al, who was a bit intimidating but a straight-up professional. After my interview, I got up to leave. Al rolled up his crisp, white shirt sleeve, and I got a glimpse of a tattoo on his forearm. It was the U.S.M.C. Bulldog. I reached to shake his hand goodbye and said, “You Semper Fi, Sir?” He snapped up and said, “What the hell do you know about Semper Fi, kid?” I told him about my father, and the rest is history.