Honorable Juan Manuel Guerrero

Judge

Judge Guerrero joined the U. S. Navy and served ten years as a Navy Hospital Corpsman with the 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton, California and the Marine Corp Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

After his military service, Judge Guerrero returned to Yuma and joined the Yuma County Sheriff’s Department where he served the community as a Patrol Deputy and a Narcotics Detective. He has also served as a Patrol Commander for the Cocopah Tribal Police Department. Judge Guerrero has further served as a criminal investigator for the State of Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Internal Affairs Division and the Executive Director with the Tribal Gaming Commission. Judge Guerrero has been a Law Enforcement Instructor for the AWC Police Academy and a State Certified Private Investigator.

In addition to his extensive background in law enforcement at the State and Federal levels. In 2008, he was recognized as ‘One of the Ten Most Influential Hispanics of Yuma County’ and was nominated for the ‘Heart of Yuma for Outstanding Leadership’ award.

Judge Guerrero was elected on November 4, 2014, as Justice of the Peace, Precinct #2, and took office on January 1, 2015.

C. Candy Camarena

Attorney

C. Candy Camarena’s determination and consistent efforts to achieve success have firmly established his solid reputation as an attorney and community benefactor.   Camarena has been instrumental in the development and sponsorship of the La Cosecha Banquet at Arizona Western College.  At the La Cosecha Banquet, graduates from all walks of life are recognized for their perseverance in attaining an Associate’s degree, many times in the face of obstacles.  Students are encouraged to transfer to a university to continue their studies toward bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees and to return to this community as professionals.  Over the years, Camarena has planted the seed to raise funds for over 250 scholarships and has made it possible for over 1700 graduates and their families to be recognized at the La Cosecha Harvest Dinner event.  Camarena’s other philanthropic efforts include Gethsemani Food Ministries, Crossroads Rescue Mission, Amberly’s Place, and Young Life.  Because of his own journey, overcoming obstacles to achieve his dream, Camarena resembles many AWC graduates.  He recently celebrated his 25th year of practicing both civil and criminal law in Yuma courtrooms.  Camarena says, “I learned early to work hard to sustain myself, but also to accept help when I needed it, and to help whenever someone else needed it.”

Lynne Pancrazi

Yuma County Board of Supervisors District 5

Lynne Pancrazi has helped to change the face of education in Yuma and Arizona for the better. She did this through her work as an elected member of the Arizona House of Representatives (2007–2013) and the Arizona Senate (2013–2017), where she influenced legislation and policy at the state level and beyond on issues related to education, natural resources, public safety, and budget. She’s also known for her dedication to a safe and secure border, managed growth, adequate infrastructure and rural community issues. A product of Yuma public schools, Pancrazi spent 28 years as a teacher, instructor and athletic coach in Yuma Elementary School District One. She studied Criminal Justice at Arizona Western College and received her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Point Loma Nazarene College. Pancrazi also received her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She currently serves District 5 on the Yuma County Board of Supervisors after being elected to the position in 2016.

Lorena ‘Nena’ Zendejas

Teacher at Gary Knox Elementary School

Nena is a coordinator for the ASU/Yuma County Early Literacy Project and a member of the Arizona School Boards Association. And participates in community committees and activities such as YES for Somerton Kids, Somorton School Board, Somerton Planning and Zoning Commision and the Somrton Future High School Committee.

Lisa Males

Owner, The Artsy Fartsy Studio

Lisa is the proud owner and creativity coach at The Artsy Fartsy Studio in Yuma, AZ.  She loves teaching art and seeing people tap into their creative side. Her studio offers kids classes, private parties, and much more.