By Brett Nachman | Independent Newsmedia
Pam Kirby reviews three varying school calendars and drives her three daughters to three different schools each morning, but coordinating these drop-offs is only one of Ms. Kirby’s many responsibilities.
This mother and businesswoman must juggle two high-profile community positions.
Ms. Kirby, Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board president and Paradise Valley Town Council member, plays a key role in major local matters.
Yet Ms. Kirby did not envision this lifestyle 13 years ago.
The Dallas native moved to the Valley with her young family in 1995, working with Frito-Lay in its retail finance organization, Ms. Kirby said.
“I had climbed the ladder as much as I could in Phoenix… but there was nowhere for me to go professionally” without relocating, Ms. Kirby said.
As Ms. Kirby became more involved in her children’s classrooms and in Kiva Elementary’s PTO, she found the collaborative, passionate environment refreshing.
Over time individuals encouraged Ms. Kirby to run for Paradise Valley Town Council.
“I had no political experience at all, none, thought ‘ok, what the heck’ and in 2008 I ran for a council seat,” Ms. Kirby said.
She won the primary, rare for a newcomer, Ms. Kirby said.
Vernon Parker, former mayor of Paradise Valley, remembers observing Ms. Kirby’s potential.
