Scott Walmer • Board President

Scott Walmer arrived in 2015 with his wife Elizabeth to complete their careers and retire in their community of choice, Flagstaff. Scott was a CPA by profession and completed a 25-year career with four different Arizona public school districts, the last five at FUSD, in 2020 as Director of Finance. Fourteen of those years were as the head of district finance and business. Liz retired as the nurse at Marshall Elementary School in 2024.

Scott joined the board of Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy in January 2025 to fill his public service need in an area of professional experience. He has reported at over 200 Arizona school district governing board meetings and has extensive experience with effective school systems, compliance, and leadership.

When Scott is not thinking about FALA he might be backpacking somewhere, visiting some historical site, or playing guitar poorly.

Jim Burton • Vice-President

Jim is a native Arizonan and grew up in the Phoenix West Valley. In 2002 he joined the U.S. Forest Service to pursue a career in wildland firefighting. In 2004, his career brought him to Flagstaff where he has resided since. Jim has extensive supervisor and manager experience serving as a fire captain and now battalion chief. During this time he has honed his leadership skills through extensive training and education along with experience developing organizations and managing large incidents. He believes in servant leadership through diversity of thought, a culture of trust, unselfish mindset, and fostering leadership.

Jim is a proud husband and father with a wife who is a kindergarten teacher, an oldest daughter who is a preschool teacher, and youngest daughter who has attended FALA since the first 6th grade class. In May of 2022, Jim completed the Norte Dame of Maryland Risk Management Program with the highest honors in his cohort. He also spent 8 years as a commissioner with the City of Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission working on projects at Picture Canyon, Observatory Mesa, and McMillan Mesa. When not working he spends his time with family camping and seeking out new adventures to experience

Elise Vincente • Director

Elise Vicente is an accomplished nurse with a passion for improving healthcare outcomes and fostering healthy work environments. Since 2008, she has been dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and enhancing staff engagement. Her expertise lies in nursing leadership.

As a member of the Board of Directors for FALA, Elise brings her extensive experience in team management. She aims to contribute to FALA’s goal of developing safe and inclusive learning environments for students and supporting the well-being of educators.

Elise holds a master’s degree in nursing leadership, which has equipped her with the skills to drive positive change within healthcare organizations. Currently serving as a Clinical Nurse Manager for Northern Arizona Healthcare, Elise plays a pivotal role in optimizing patient experiences and ensuring high-quality care.

With a strong commitment to the local community, Elise is eager to expand her community involvement through her FALA board position. Her commitment to nursing excellence, coupled with her leadership skills, community engagement, and support for safe and inclusive learning environments make her a passionate advocate for the well-being of both students and staff.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Elise finds joy in gardening, reading, spending time with her family, and exploring the captivating landscapes of Arizona.

Isaac Hayes • Secretary

Isaac is a proud stay-at-home father of a one-year-old daughter living in Flagstaff currently completing a Master of Arts degree in Library & Information Sciences from the University of Arizona. Prior to moving to Flagstaff in 2017, he taught foundational math and technology in both high school and middle schools in California. Isaac has also served as a volunteer teacher at the Hope Tutoring School in Leupp, AZ. He taught math and computer science to Navajo students ranging from four to sixteen years old. One of his favorite parts of the tutoring program was meeting the families of the students. During these meetings, he was able to hear about the impact he had on the students directly from families. It allowed him to connect with the students in a real, meaningful way with those closest to them and to see the impact of their learning experiences on the larger community.

He has also served as the Director of Youth Ministries at the Flagstaff Federated Community Church where he worked with several FALA students and witnessed the positive effects of the school on the lives of the students and their families.

Crystal Gonzales • Board Member