The First Things First Board recently elected Steve Lynn of Tucson, who previously served as Vice Chair, as Chair. The Board also elected Steve Peru of Flagstaff, as Vice Chair. They both will finish the last year of a 2-year term through June 30.
Lynn, who was an inaugural member of the FTF State Board from 2007-2015 and recently returned for a second stint on the board, is currently retired. He spent most of his career in various business leadership positions, most notably as the Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at both UniSource Energy Corporation and Tucson Electric Power Company from 2000-2015, and from 1984-2000 as CEO and owner-partner at Nordensson Lynn & Associates, Inc., one of Arizona’s leading marketing communications firms based in Tucson.
Lynn is a University of Arizona graduate with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in communications. Lynn and his wife, Nancy (a retired high school guidance counselor), live in Tucson and have two adult daughters.
Steve Peru serves as the special consultant to the Coconino County Manager. He recently retired from his second time serving as the Coconino County Manager. Originally from Morenci, Peru moved to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University. Upon graduation with a bachelor’s degree in sociology/social work, he was hired at Coconino County in 1979 where he worked for 32 years.
His long career at the County had him serve in a variety of roles including Community Services Coordinator, Finance Director, Elections Director, and Deputy County Manager. And eventually led him to become the County Manager in 2006 and retiring in 2011.
Peru went on to enjoy leadership positions at local nonprofit, for-profit, and educational institutions, including as the CEO of the United Way of Northern Arizona and the Chief External Affairs Officer/Executive Director for the Coconino Community College Foundation. Peru also holds a Master’s in Public Administration from NAU, and has completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University – Kennedy School of Government.
We asked both Steves a few questions about their motivation to be advocates for Arizona’s youngest children.
What made you want to join (or rejoin) the FTF Board?
Steve Lynn: I had been on the FTF Board since the first year of its existence, and then Gov. Ducey decided to go in another direction for seven years of his eight-year term as governor. He then reappointed me to the Board. But for that hiatus, I would be in my 18th year on the Board. As it is, it’s 11 years and counting. I had always wanted to serve on the Board ever since I worked with Nadine and Eddie Basha to put the measure on the ballot in 2006 and get it passed by voters. I have been involved in child advocacy for more than 40 years, so it was a natural fit for me.
Steve Peru: My interest in FTF began when I joined the FTF Coconino Regional Council – I was impressed with the regional council structure, as it provides input at a very local level. Joining the regional council also provided the opportunity to learn more about FTF overall. By learning more of the impact FTF produces we all become early childhood development advocates.
Can you share a specific moment or experience that solidified your passion for supporting young children and their families?
Lynn: As a part of my undergraduate degree (B.A. in Secondary Education), I was asked to volunteer in an organization serving school-aged children. I chose the Boys’ Club of Tucson (long before it became the Boys’ and Girls’ Club) and have been volunteering to enrich the lives of children ever since.
Peru: Rather than a single event – my interest and passion is a compilation of my first career in social services, working with families in need and from learning and believing that the most we can do to support families in creating learning environments at home, the success of that child multiplies greatly. This translates into personal and professional successes in life.
Why is early childhood education important for Arizona as a whole?
Lynn: The statistics are there for all to see. Even if every child, currently 0-5 years old in Arizona, were to grow up reading by 3rd grade, doing math by 5th grade, graduating 12th grade and getting a certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree or other advanced degree after high school, we still wouldn’t have enough skilled workers to fill all of the jobs that Arizona will need to have filled during this century. We cannot afford even one child not making it, so it makes sense to help as many as we can to meet the economic needs the state will have going forward.
Peru: The importance of FTF’s work has a profound impact in the areas of economic development as well as workforce development. The better equipped individuals and families are, the better equipped everything is!
Any advice you can give to those who want to contribute to the early childhood mission in Arizona?
Lynn: There isn’t another investment that pays as many dividends as an investment in quality early childhood education (QECE). The Federal Reserve has studied the issue and has determined that $1 spent on QECE returns somewhere between 1200% to 1600% in avoided justice system costs and welfare program savings. You can’t get that kind of return on investment, with virtually no risk, anywhere else.
Peru: Advice to those who want to contribute? Do it! The return on investment lasts forever.
Investment can be philanthropically- regardless of what that amount is to being a tireless advocate for all efforts to improve a child’s early learning experiences.
Who was your childhood hero? Why?
Lynn: When I was very young, I really didn’t have a hero to worship outside of sports, maybe. But as I got into high school and became more aware of the world around me, I became a big fan of John F. Kennedy. When he was assassinated in1963, I was beginning my senior year in high school. It was tough to watch the week of mourning the country went through. Then I gravitated to his brother, Bobbie and even got the chance to meet him shortly before he was killed in Los Angeles. Both of the Kennedys were about service to the country and making things better for the next generations.
Peru: My childhood heroes were my parents who were committed to my brother and sister getting through school and college. While they did not attend, they were focused and sacrificed much so we could! And I’ll always remember that!
