Our Governing Board

Paul earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Citadel, served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years, and retired Navy Reserves. He has lived in Tonopah for 25 years and was employed at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station for 12 of those years. Hiking Saddle Mountain is a favorite pastime of his. When he isn’t volunteering his handyman skills, he is involved in many community organizations. Paul claims all of our students as “his children.” He believes all the students deserve the very best education possible.

Bonnie Hudson is a second generation Arizonan, who was raised on a cotton farm in Laveen. Like her parents before her, she was educated in the Arizona public educational system. She has lived in different states and has been able to experience different regional cultures, especially during her years working for the airlines. She has two adult children residing in California. Bonnie moved to Tonopah in 1999 where she owned and managed a small construction company until the economic downturn. Since that time, she has worked for SMUSD, from which she retired. She has a strong interest in the quality of the public education our children are receiving and feels that participating as a school board member is the perfect opportunity to contribute positively toward the continued improvement of our school district.

Dan Blackson has lived in the Tonopah community for 34 years with his wife, June. Their four children are graduates of Ruth Fisher Elementary School. He has been active in the community and has been on the Tonopah Community Council and Tonopah Valley Fire District, Inc. Board. Dan served in the U.S. Navy for six years, retired from APS after working for 28 years at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, and currently works for a local municipality as the Water/Wastewater Division Manager. Dan has an AA degree from Glendale Community College, a BS degree from ASU, and an MT degree from ASU.

Bernadette was raised in California and moved to Arizona full-time in 2012. She earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting followed by a master’s in business administration with concentration in information management systems. Bernadette’s accounting background has been in the healthcare sector for the last 15 years. She currently works for a not-for-profit company that delivers affordable, high-quality healthcare in Phoenix. When she isn’t spending time with her family, she remains active in her community.