05/05/2026
SALC Welcomes Dr. Aaron Ball as Vice President to Advance Education Policy
Tucson, AZ - The Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC) today announced the hiring of Dr. Aaron Ball as Vice President, where he will lead and expand the organization’s P–20 education policy portfolio on behalf of the Southern Arizona community.
Dr. Ball brings deep experience across the full education continuum, from early learning through K–12, higher education, and workforce alignment. In his new role, he will guide SALC’s efforts to strengthen Southern Arizona’s education pipeline, improve student outcomes, and better connect education systems with the skills and credentials demanded by today’s economy.
“Ensuring a strong, aligned P–20 education system is essential to Southern Arizona’s long-term competitiveness,” said SALC President & CEO, Ted Maxwell. “Dr. Ball’s expertise across education sectors and his ability to translate policy into practice will be instrumental as we work with our members to advance meaningful, outcomes-driven reforms. He understands the importance of a qualified workforce for our region.”
Prior to joining SALC, Dr. Ball served as Director of College & Career Pathways Liaison for Southern Arizona at the Center for the Future of Arizona, where he worked at the intersection of education and workforce systems to advance statewide pathways initiatives. He began his career as an agriscience teacher before moving into school leadership, serving as both a high school assistant principal and an elementary principal.
He later served nearly seven years as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer for the Pima County Joint Technical Education District, where he built partnerships across K–12 systems, higher education institutions, employers, and community organizations to expand career-connected learning opportunities. His work has consistently focused on improving student pathways, strengthening workforce alignment, and driving systems-level change across education sectors.
Dr. Ball holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture and agricultural education from the University of Arizona. He is a fourth-generation Arizonan with a longstanding commitment to expanding opportunity for students across the state.
“I’m honored to join SALC and help advance a more connected and effective education system,” said Dr. Ball. “From early learning through postsecondary and career, we have an opportunity to better align our systems around student success and economic mobility. I look forward to working with SALC members to support policies that deliver results.”
