Governing Board

Linda hails from Chicago, Illinois, a stronghold of iconic Blue Collar industries. She sees a bright future for hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen in Arizona's continuously growing economy.

Linda has committed herself to engaging and inspiring others to participate in their community through faith-centered volunteerism and civic duty.

She welcomes all West-MEC students to fulfill their own dreams, by assuring West-MEC is centered on developing the skills, disciplines, and trades needed to achieve their own goals as well as the needs of Arizona's workforce of the future.

Ed moved to Arizona at the age of one and grew up in Peoria. He is a 1971 graduate of Peoria High School and joined the Army where he spent a career serving at all levels. Ed retired in March 1994 and worked for the industry until 2006, when he started a company supporting the Intelligence and Special Operations Communities. He grew the company to about 250 employees operating in twenty-two states and two foreign countries. He has served on the Board of Sulpher Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, was the first Director of Veterans Business Outreach for the state of Arizona, and currently serves on four different boards, commissions, authority or working groups for the City of Peoria.

The house/family that built me was in a small farming community consisting of 400 people in Middle America. I was the oldest of six children. My education was in a Catholic school next to the Catholic Church in my hometown. We had two and three classes in one room and one teacher per room. High school was 10 miles away and attended by children from five or six other small towns. There were 47 students in my high school graduation class. I did go off to college but I was kicked out after the first semester.

My husband and I with our 2 small children moved to Arizona in 1970 and have been involved in the real estate business ever since. I have owned companies, sold real estate, provided mortgages, and participated in organizations that work to improve the industry.

Personally, I am an activist. If I see something that I feel is wrong, I say something. If something can be done to make life better, I do it.

Robert Garcia is a 4^th generation Arizona Native from south Phoenix and a resident of Goodyear for over 20 years. His education includes many classes, courses, and training while in the military, including a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, an undergraduate Diploma in Project Management, and a graduate diploma in Public Policy Management.

Robert is a former Marine Gunnery Sergeant. His 22 years of service span from 1989-2011, where he deployed to Kuwait during operations Desert Shield / Storm, to LA during the Compton Riots, to Somalia during Operation Restore Hope, Peru during UNITAS, Africa during operation Global War on Terror, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Afghanistan during operation enduring freedom. Robert held many roles, including Platoon Sergeant, Team Chief, Company Gunny, Detachment Chief, Operations Chief, School Instructor, Recruiter, and Career Planner.

Robert’s civilian career includes experience at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the City of Phoenix, The Amazon Corporation, and the State of Arizona. Robert was also a franchise business owner. 

Robert has been appointed by the Arizona Governor to serve on the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board, the pre-9/11 MERF Board, support to the Workforce Arizona Council and Robert was appointed by the City of Goodyear Mayor to serve on the board of adjustment. Additionally, Robert volunteered with the Marine Scholarship Foundation, Tun Tavern Business Group, Honoring Americas Hero’s foundation, Arizona Latino Republican Association, Bunkers Lab, Arizona House Veterans Caucus and the Arizona Veterans Council.     

Robert currently works as a Workforce Business Strategy Consultant for the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity / Arizona Commerce Authority. He is a statewide workforce expert that provides counsel and guidance to companies, organizations and government officials.

Mr. Migliorino has 56 years of background experience in education, spanning Washington State, Ohio, and Arizona. During this time, Migliorino has served in the following roles: Teacher, Business Manager, and Assistant Superintendent for Business Services.

Additionally, Mr. Migliorino has served for 10 years as the Executive Director of Mohave Education Services Purchasing Co-Op as well as 25 years of membership in Arizona School Business Officials Association/ Board of Directors.

Frank Straka has been a member of the West-MEC Governing Board since 2007. Over the years, Mr. Straka has watched West-MEC grow into a State and National leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Having been a long-time advocate for the West-MEC Strategic Plan, Straka is looking forward to championing the third Strategic Plan for the district. Throughout this process, West-MEC has evolved into an organization that serves students while being flexible for today and investing in serving students in the future.

Professionally, Mr. Straka has more than 20 years of working in the technology field and over 25 years of experience working in the banking and insurance industry. He is an experienced leader of large and small teams within professional and community groups.

Mr. Straka is a married father of four who attended the public school system. He enjoys the outdoors and competing in endurance events, including marathons and Ironman triathlons.