Over the last 20 years, Cecil Yates has worked in both the Public and Private Sectors of the real estate and economic development industries. His work with all product types (Multi-family, mixed-use, office, industrial, municipal, multi-tenant retail, single family homes and restaurant) has made him an award-winning developer. 

He was recently featured in the 2020 & 2017 edition of “People to Know” in real estate, as well as the Az Business Leaders Magazine edition of “Most Respected and Influential Business Leaders” for 2019. Ranking Arizona Magazine named his division as #1 in property management for 2018 & 2019.  His management style was featured in Arizona Commercial Real Estate’s (AZRE) edition of the “Best of 2016”. The Arizona Department of real Estate (ADRE) Commissioner, Judy Lowe appointed Cecil to the Test Development Committee as a subject matter expert in 2018.  

Cecil is the Executive Vice President for Mullin 360 which is known for “developing with a purpose” for all their stakeholders and communities in which they build, matching projects that align with strategic plans.  He also serves as the President of American Resort Communities, a subsidiary company that develops world class Rv & Park Model Resorts and master planned communities.

Cecil was twice elected as a Councilman (Vice Mayor 2014) for the Town of Fountain Hills where he has vast experience in economic development, writing city ordinances, and working to bridge the gap of public and private sector development. 

He has worked on the Board of Directors for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), the Valley Metro RPTA Board of Directors, as well as the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Domestic Violence Committee.  He is presently the President of the FHRC, and still finds time to work with the Arizona Chapter of Habitat for Humanity!

As the Chief Operating Officer for Roberts Resorts, Cecil strategically cut expenses and streamlined operations of this multi-state, award-winning RV Resort & Manufactured Home master planned community organization with over 3000 units. As Director of Property Management & Development for Commercial Properties, Inc. (CPI), his division managed the 5th largest commercial real estate portfolio in the State of Arizona; over 11.5M square feet.  Cecil built the commercial real estate division of Chicanos Por La Causa, including management, development, construction, and leasing. 

During his tenure as the Chief Operating Officer for Vetrone Development in Cleveland, Ohio, his responsibilities included property management, leasing / sales, marketing, advertising, financing, staffing, and government liaison for the entire real estate portfolio, including shopping centers, single family residential & Multi-Family estates and restaurant management. His organization helped the expansion of “Panini’s Bar & Grill” in the Greater Cleveland area as seen on “Man vs Food”. 

Cecil’s MBA in Strategic Management is from Patten University, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in both Marketing & Management from the University of Cincinnati. He received his Six Sigma and Project Management certification from the Management & Strategy Institute. Utilizing his executive experience and education, Cecil now specializes in creating procedures and streamlining processes for organizations to create scalable growth.

He has been happily married for 25 years to his wife Nancy. They have two children; Sophia Yates- who is working on her Management & Entrepreneurial degree from John F. Kennedy University, and Mason Yates- a Freshman at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Born in Missouri, raised in many places, he graduated from high school in Tucson, AZ. Seven days after graduation, he joined the Navy. He graduated from the US Naval Academy degree and was commissioned an Ensign. During the next 24+ years he served in a wide variety of ships, including a Destroyer, a Guided Missile Cruiser, and multiple types of Amphibious Warfare vessels. Stateside shore duty included multiple tours for studies at the Surface Warfare School in Newport Rhode Island. Overseas duty included a Person Exchange Tour with the Royal Navy (British) where he served as the Staff Plans Officer for the Commodore Amphibious Warfare (COMAW), the Amphibious Plans Officer for Flag Officer 3rd Flotilla (FOF3) and with NATO as the Plans Officer for the United Kingdom and Netherlands Amphibious Group (UKNLPHIBGRU). Later he also served with NATO at HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH) as a Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff (SPACOS) and Assistant Secretary to the Staff for the Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe.

Later he Commanded USS RACINE LST 1191 making a very short notice deployment to the South Pacific for Operation Remembrance carrying the 1st Marine Division Band and US Marines of Task Force Guadalcanal to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of WW II battles in the South Pacific. As the Commanding Officer of USS RACINE LST 1191, he was the senior Naval Officer present at Guadalcanal. 6 Medal of Honor awardees were present at the ceremony as well as numerous USMC Generals and other senior officers as well many senior representatives from allied nations. As a part of the operation, he conducted a burial at sea of a now-deceased WWII Guadalcanal survivor.

For his last tour on Active Duty he served as the Chief of Staff, Surface Warfare Development Group at Little Creek, VA (Norfolk/Virginia Beach). He completed his military career as a Navy Captain (0-6/Colonel equiv).

Leaving the Navy and transitioning to civilian life, he completed a Masters of Science in Management degree and commenced studies for a MBA. He became General Manager and President for HarborLink, a passenger ferry operating in Hampton Roads between Norfolk and Hampton, VA.

Leaving VA and returning to AZ, he settled in Fountain Hills. He soon joined the Board of the Fountain Hills Republican Club. Later, he served two 2-years terms as President. During the time the club was twice recognized by AZ GOP and the Governor as the Best Republican Club or Organization in the state. He is currently the club Secretary.

He is a Precinct Committeeman. He has served as the 2nd Vice Chair/Program Chair for GOP LD 8, and later the GOP LD 23 Committee, and as a State Committeeman.

He is active with the VFW, currently as Adjutant, formerly serving as Post Commander. He is on the Boards of the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce; the River of Time Museum; the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX; and a philanthropic foundation/trust.

He is married to the former Marie Delangis of Michigan and has 7 step-children and one dog. He lives in Fountain Hills.

Gerry Friedel has been a Fountain Hills property owner for 28 years and a full-time resident for nearly 4 years.  He was one of the first to buy a lot in North Heights in 1990.

Gerry retired in 2014 after 38 years in the banking industry with 22 years as a Loan Officer and 17 years as a Financial Planner managing over $40 million in client funds.

Gerry’s passion for fitness and giving back to his community led him to serve on the Board of Directors for his hometown B. R. Ryall YMCA in Glen Ellyn, IL for 10 years. Gerry also served as an Assistant Coach for the Fountain Hills Little League for 2 seasons.

As a triathlete for most of his adult life, Gerry enjoys cycling, running and swimming.  He has competed in over 100 races including Fountain Hills first half marathon in 2016.

Gerry and his wife Barb enjoy participating in community events.  His professional life has provided him with extensive experience in financial management.

Susan Sirls lived in the State of Iowa until 1986, when they decided to move to beautiful Arizona.  Her professional career included working for Cosanti for 20 years.  She has 2 children; Tracy who lives in New York and Matthew who stayed in Arizona.

She and husband Scot enjoy traveling and hosting visitors during the winter months.  Susan is a lifelong Republican and looks forward to working on the board to help the Republican Team where possible.

Debbie Skehen graduated from the University of Illinois with a master’s degree in history and political science.  Living in many locations throughout the country, she and her husband Joe retired to Fountain Hills from Oregon in 1998.

Throughout their years in Fountain Hills, Debbie and her husband volunteered in political campaigns and served on the Board of the Fountain Hills Republican Club in several officer positions.  Together they were successful in helping to elect six individuals to local offices.  They have served as Precinct Committeemen in Fountain Hills Precinct 1 and in March of 2008 they were named Outstanding Precinct Committeemen by the Maricopa County Republican Committee. They also volunteered in Congressman J. D. Hayworth’s office for 8 years.  In 2007 they jointly received the Republican of the Year Award from the Fountain Hills Republican Club.

Debbie has served in many leadership roles in the Fountain Hills community joining the newly opened River of Time Museum in 2003 becoming President of the Board in 2008 and held that office for 10 years.  She continues to serve on the museum Board and is now working on collection and archival projects.

In addition to her local museum obligations, Debbie currently serves as Secretary of the Fountain Hills Republican Club, President of the Central Arizona Museum Association (CAMA), on the Board of Encore for More (a Senior Services nonprofit organization), the Town of Fountain Hills Municipal Properties Commission, and the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors receiving the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2016 and the Ambassador of the Year in 2020.

In 2010 Debbie was inducted into the Lower Verde River Valley Hall of Fame.