Team Members

With over three decades of leadership in workforce and community development, Vada Phelps has been a driving force in expanding economic and educational opportunities throughout Cochise County and Southeastern Arizona. Since 1988, she has served with the Cochise Private Industry Council, now operating as ARIZONA@WORK Southeastern Arizona, where she has led initiatives that connect businesses, job seekers, and educators to build a stronger, more resilient regional economy.

Vada’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to public service and youth development. She earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration (1986) and Master of Business Administration (1988) from the University of Denver, establishing a foundation for her leadership in workforce innovation and strategic community partnerships.

Vada’s leadership continues to shape the future of workforce development in Southeastern Arizona through her commitment to collaboration, education, and service.

Andrea Barallardos is a dedicated SkillsUSA advocate and award-winning STEM educator with over two decades of experience. She is a recognized professional development specialist known for designing and delivering high-impact training that empowers educators and drives student success in Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Having been honored as the SkillsUSA National Advisor of the Year and a three-time recipient of the Models of Excellence Award, Andrea is a subject matter expert in project-based learning, engineering, and physics. With over 25 years of continuous service as an Engineering and Physics Teacher at Douglas High School, she currently serves as a Region Coordinator for SkillsUSA Arizona and is committed to building the future teacher pipeline as a former Master STEM Coach for the Arizona Educational Foundation.

Dr. Jacqui Clay is a retired Army Command Sergeant Major of 25 years, an educator for 17 years, serving as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Director of Career and Technical Education. She currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools in Cochise County and an Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University.

In 2024, the Arizona School Administrators Association honored Dr. Clay with the Carolyn Warner Women in Leadership Award. In 2023, the Canyon Vista Medical Center and the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona recognized her by including her on the Veterans Wall at Canyon Vista Medical Center. She actively participates on several boards, including the Arizona State Board of Education, the Arizona Association of Counties, and the Arizona Business and Education Coalition.

Dr. Clay holds a Doctor of Education (ED.D) in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Development. She has been married to J. Dale Clay for 35 years and is a proud mother of 7 children, grandmother of 22, and great-grandmother of 1.

Christine Rhodes is a native Arizonan who has been actively engaged in serving the Cochise County Community for many years, both professionally as the retired Cochise County Recorder (1973-2017) and personally in several local non-profit organizations. Currently, in addition to continuing Board Membership in the Cochise Education Foundation, she serves on the governing Board of the Bisbee Council on the Arts & Humanities that operates the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and the Muheim Heritage House Museum.  Rhodes regularly volunteers at events and charity fundraisers.  She formerly held leadership positions at Covenant Presbyterian Church is Bisbee.  

Rhodes serves on the Board of Directors of the Naco Heritage Alliance that is directing the renovation of Camp Naco, the historic Buffalo Soldier military camp. 

Cynthia Meyers serves as the Outreach Manager for the Cochise County School Superintendent’s Office, where she plays an essential role in supporting educators, students, and community initiatives across the county. As a dedicated team member of the Cochise Education Foundation, Cynthia helps coordinate key programs such as the Teacher Mini-Grants and the Teacher of the Year celebration — both designed to recognize and empower local educators.

In addition to her work in education, Cynthia leads and supports grant writing efforts to create new funding opportunities that strengthen schools and community programs. She is also actively involved in expanding behavioral health services through the Cochise County Education Service Agency (CCESA), helping bridge support between schools and local resources. Her passion for collaboration and community growth continues to enhance educational and wellness outcomes across Cochise County.

Kalman Mannis brings over two decades of expertise in STEM education, rural community engagement, and ecosystem development. Currently serving as Senior Director for Rural Engagement at the Arizona Science Center, he leads multiple initiatives bridging computer science education, NASA programs, and community partnerships across Arizona’s diverse regions.

As Co-I and  Project Manager for Computer Science for All, the National Rural STEM Learning Summit, and Senior Contributor to NASA’s Broadening Participation with STEM Ecosystems, Kal facilitates strategic planning with K-12 districts, develops professional learning communities, and coaches implementation teams. His work with the Rural Activation and Innovation Network (RAIN) has stimulated STEM awareness in rural Arizona, including tribal nations and border communities.

With a BSc in Molecular Biology and Physics from Vanderbilt University and an MEd from the University of Phoenix, Kalman’s career spans classroom teaching, instructional coaching, administration, and program leadership. He has served on numerous advisory councils, including the Smithsonian Institution Education initiative on Diversity in the Education Workforce, Arizona First Things First, and Professionals and Educators Across Cochise. Kalman’s collaborative approach connects educators, researchers, and community stakeholders to create sustainable, culturally responsive STEM learning opportunities in underserved communities.

Pat Cowell has been in Sierra Vista since 1978, arriving from Germany where she was employed with DOD schools and continuing her commitment with education until her retirement.

Pat is a Cochise Education Foundation charter member.  She has served as Vice president and various chair positions.

Her love for volunteerism and community involvement includes being a court appointed arbitrator/mediator, serving on the Foster Care Review Board, AZ State Foster Care Review Board, NAACP, Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and many other fraternal and professional organizations.

Pat is the proud mother of 2 daughters and one grandson.

Joined the Center for the Future of Arizona after leading the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension’s Building Healthy Communities Initiative, a four-year, $3 million Collective Impact project. Partnering with local schools, public health agencies, and nonprofits, the initiative addressed public health, economic development, and the opioid epidemic, later expanding to food security, PPE distribution, and community leadership during the pandemic.

Sepp’s background also includes work in community justice, where he advanced juvenile detention alternatives, developed learning labs, and led statewide training in Motivational Interviewing and Adverse Childhood Experiences. He continues to teach for the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education and Cochise College.

He serves on several boards, including Benson Hospital, The Cochise Education Foundation and the Cochise County Board of Health. Sepp holds an M.Ed. from Northern Arizona University and a B.A. from The Evergreen State College.

I am a teacher at Ash Creek Elementary in Pearce, AZ. I am currently on my 27^th year of teaching. I hold a B.A. in psychology, a Post Bacc in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education. I have taught grades Kindergarten through eighth grade. I have even taught college courses online. I received Cochise County Teacher of the Year in 2024. It was an accomplishment that I am very proud I was able to obtain. 

I was born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona. Most of my teaching experience was done in Pinal County. The last 8 years I have lived in Cochise County. I moved to the area to be close to my parents and brother. I am married to my college sweetheart, Adam Bertrand. I have one son who is attending college at Eastern Arizona College for Theater. I also have 4 bonus children who are all adults and live in the Phoenix area.

I am excited to be a part of the CEF organization. Helping and recognizing other teachers in Cochise County is an amazing opportunity for me to give back to this wonderful Community. I look forward to working with CEF for many years to come.