SIERRA VISTA — The Cochise College Governing Board elected officers at its first meeting of the new year on Tuesday.
The board’s chairperson and secretary are each elected annually by the district board at its January meeting to serve for a period of one year. David Di Peso was selected as the chair of the board, and Dr. John Eaton was selected for the secretary position.
David Di Peso
Di Peso previously served as the board’s secretary for 2013. He was first appointed to the board in 2005 and re-elected in 2008. This year will be his first serving as chair.
Di Peso graduated from Cochise College with an Associate of Arts degree during what he calls “the early years.” His father, Charles Di Peso, is the namesake of the Douglas Campus Library and one of the first members of the college’s governing board.
“He spent a lot of time and energy on Cochise College, and I guess it kind of rubbed off on me,” Di Peso said. “I always liked this institution. It’s a great school, has great kids, and always felt like one big family.”
Dr. John Eaton
Eaton was first appointed to the board in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. He also holds fond memories of the college’s early days as the first Dean of Instruction in 1964. This is the first time Eaton has served as an officer for the Cochise College board.
The board also chose its representative for the Arizona Association of District Governing Boards. Dennis Nelson, elected to the board in 2012, was selected for that position, with Jane Strain as the alternate.
The Cochise County Community College District is governed by a five-member Governing Board elected from precincts in Cochise County. Board members serve six-year terms and hold public meetings one time per month, or as necessary.
Precinct 1 – David Di Peso, chair
Precinct 2 – Don Hudgins, member
Precinct 3 – Jane Strain, member
Precinct 4 – John Eaton, secretary
Precinct 5 – Dennis Nelson, member