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.

Charmaine D. Roth

Professional Experience: 

Morton East High School in Cicero, Illinois

Physical education teacher, Library-Media Specialist and Guidance Counselor

Advisor: Malibu Synchronized Swim Club, Girl’s Swim Team, Coach

Director of Student Activities 

Student Council Advisor

Weight Watcher Leader and Trainer

Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service: Class of 2023

Rio Verde Precinct Committeeman 

LD3 State Committeeman

2024 Republican National Convention - Alternate Delegate

AZ Free Enterprise Club: Region Leader

Region VIII  Director AZFRW (Arizona Federation of Republican Women) 

Lincoln, Palo Verde, Paradise Republican and South West Valley Republican Women’s Clubs

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.