We are all fortunate to have such a person leading our organization.
“I am impressed with what I have found. It is gratifying to work with the professional personnel employed by the Town of Prescott Valley who have such a high level of experience and knowledge,” he said. “It’s exciting to be on a leadership team with such a strong focus on service to the community. I also know this: Prescott Valley is a unique place in Arizona where people really want to make their home.”
One of Davidson’s first actions when he arrived was to organize a series of workshops and study sessions with key town employees and staff members so they could collectively define and focus on the town’s mission and vision for the next several years.
“Given my prior experience as town manager in Marana for 12 years, until November 2017, I am quite comfortable with my role in PV. It is gratifying to find that PV has such a progressive and positive view, even with the chaos created by the pandemic. I do think this: the pandemic has changed the way we work. It made us look at our work priorities and responsibilities and figure out which are the most important. It also made us realize we can be effective in doing our jobs in non-traditional ways and locations.The key thing [is] identifying and prioritizing tasks that are absolutely necessary to keep the system moving forward. Tied to that [is] fulfilling absolutely our legal and ethical responsibilities to taxpayers who pay us.”
During those sessions when town personnel determined strategies, Davidson said they established four major focal points that members of the town team will endorse:
- Exceptional service to constituents. Work on anticipating and solving issues so that recipients of town services know they are receiving the best that can be delivered within the circumstances.
- Acknowledge the critical water crisis. Must put more emphasis upon safe yield, water conservation and protecting water resources from inappropriate exploitation.
- Sustain and protect community quality of life. Identify and encourage protection and development of parks, trails, recreational, cultural and public areas that enhance the uniqueness of the community.
- Develop and increase opportunities for more and better jobs. Special emphasis to be placed on developing economic opportunities for younger people to find meaningful jobs with good salaries so they will not have to leave the area.
One challenge Davidson identified was finding revenue to meet such concerns as improving roads and transportation, especially along Highway 69.
Davidson said he admired how the Quad Cities communities cooperated and collaborated on projects and programs that affected the greater region.
Prescott Valley Mayor Kell Palguta praised Davidson, saying, “Davidson is the tip of the spear when it comes to his vision, dedication and desire to make Prescott Valley an even more amazing place. We are all fortunate to have such a person leading our organization.”
Palguta noted that Davidson’s prior experience as Marana town manager provides him with great experience and insight because Marana had experienced the same kind of rapid growth and expansion as PV is currently undergoing.
Davidson replaced Larry Tarkowski, who retired last spring as long-time PV town manager.
Davidson came to PV from the University of Arizona, where he had been employed in a senior consulting position from February 2020 until July 2021. Prior to that, he had been in the Office of the Governor for the State of Arizona, where he served as the chief operating officer for Gov. Doug Ducey from November 2017 until December 2019.
Davidson also had experience as city manager for Wilcox from July 2002 until July 2005.
He earned three degrees from the University of Arizona, two bachelor’s degrees and, most recently, a master’s in public administration. He also earned a certificate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. His wife, Paige, is a teacher in an ESL program in a PV school. Ann, his 8-year-old daughter, is a third grader in a local public school. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
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