Wendy Ross takes Helm as YBBBS Board Chairperson and Touts New Workforce-Development Program for Older Youth
By Robin Layton, for YBBBS
Wendy Ross believes this is “an exciting time in Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters’ history, as we embark on new programs, serving a wider age group of youth in our community.”
As the new leader of the Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters (YBBBS) board of directors, Wendy considers community important, both as a resident and the director of Human Resources and Risk Management for Yavapai County.
That sense of community came from her parents, Ron and Barbara Williams. “I can’t remember a time when they weren’t involved in something. They taught me that you are part of the community and your responsibility as a member is to give back. My parents truly modeled that.”
“They also modeled how to have a good marriage, a strong work ethic, and how to balance it all with giving back,” Wendy said.
Her parents were involved in the start-up and planning of events that put Prescott in the limelight today: The Fair on the Square, The Bluegrass Festival, and more.
In a sense, Wendy is carrying on a family tradition; her mother was on the YBBBS board in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“For me, my involvement with the agency began years ago as the county entered the Bowl For Kids’ Sake event from Big Brothers. It’s a great team-building event and we got to know the mission. The mentoring component really tied into our employee development and the support and mentoring of our employees at the county.”
Wendy said she hopes the county will fill up the entire bowling alley for a huge session at the 2024 event.
Workforce development
As YBBBS expands to serve ages up to 24 in its workforce development program, Wendy noted, “Our Big Futures program, which helps our youth enter the workforce with the right skills, ties into my passion at the county of filling positions and mentoring people to learn and grow throughout their career.”
With that first taste of mentorship instilled in her by her parents, Wendy naturally developed as a mentor in her professional career. “My role has shifted over the years at the county,” she said. “In the latter part of my career, my responsibility is mentoring those coming up behind me. As the longest-term director now, I can mentor new directors and future County leaders as they grow and develop into new roles.”
In that role as the county’s HR director, Wendy said, she notices the lack of young people going into the trades. “When I started with the county 21 years ago, you didn’t really have to push hard to fill jobs like equipment operators or maintenance positions because everyone wanted those jobs. Now, we have trouble filling those hands-on positions.”
“It’s an area that we should focus on earlier – at the high school level. We will always need cooks and other skilled workers like electricians and carpenters, especially as our older generation retires. Big Futures is intended to teach young people how to be a good employee, why timeliness is important, and proper phone and customer service etiquette. COVID had a profound effect on kids at certain age points. They don’t interact face-to-face as much, and they need that skill.”
Ross wants the high-school-aged residents of Yavapai County to know that “You’re coming into the workforce at a great time. There are so many opportunities, more industries, and types of jobs available. There is something for everyone no matter what you are interested in. We’re growing so much. There are far more opportunities than when I graduated. Finding your passion, and knowing what brings you joy is key. Try something and know that it’s okay to switch and try something else until you find what you like. The sky is the limit right now, especially with workplace flexibility – you can even stay in our county and work for a company out of state.”
Strong community ties
Moving to the area in her teen years, Wendy met her Prescott-native husband, Jeff, when they were 16 at Prescott High School. Their two children also graduated from PHS.
Wendy spent 16 years on the board of the Prescott Area Human Resources Association and participated in a PHS booster club at her daughter’s school.
Wendy has served on the YBBBS board for more than five years in different roles. “I am honored and humbled that my colleagues on this board have placed their confidence in me to step into the chairperson position. I am grateful to past chair Darla DeVille for her leadership, mentorship, and friendship – she is leaving big shoes to fill!”
As board chairperson, Wendy will focus on board development, a strong succession plan, and bringing in new members to mentor them to move into board-level positions.