Payson Promoter and resident January Jones visits with Mayor Kenny Evans discussing Payson, AZ as a retirement destination! Payson has it all….great climate, Cool Mountain Town! Experience the beauty of dramatic mountain vistas, wide open spaces, and a rich western rodeo heritage. Payson hosts a variety of events and activities including World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, the Beeline Cruise-In Car Show, Aero Fair, the Payson AZ Mountain High Games and the Old Time Fiddlers Contest.
Mayor Kenny Evans
Starting as a farm worker, Mr. Evans operated a large farming and agriculture enterprise before his retirement in 1997. An author, inventor and educator, Evans appeared as an expert witness at the state capital and in Washington D.C. more than three dozen times. He is a nationally recognized expert on the subjects of western water and the use of technology to minimize negative impacts of traditional farming on the environment. His farming enterprise was recognized by industry and environmental groups for wise stewardship and conservation of water and natural resources. Mr. Evans served at the State Cabinet level under several Arizona governors.
He accumulated many years of service on the Board of Directors or as an officer of more than a dozen diverse, public companies and private corporations. In addition to serving the past 6 years as the Mayor of Payson, Mayor Evans is currently President of the largest Non-Profit in the region and serves on the Payson Regional Hospital Board of Trustees. As Chairman of the Northern Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (NAMWUA), he represents the nine major cities in north-central Arizona on municipal water issues. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Arizona League of Cities & Towns, on Governor Ducey’s Transition team, on the State Municipal Tax Code Commission and on the state Bioscience Steering Committee.
He works tirelessly to improve the quality of life we enjoy. He has focused on issues ranging from forest health to fire prevention and human health, wellness and education. He has been instrumental in starting or promoting the Community Health & Care Fair, the Women’s Wellness Forum, the Payson Area Food Drive (generating hundreds of thousands of dollars & tens of thousands of pounds of food for the needy); the Payson Community Garden – one of the most successful in the State; and in bringing a Dialysis Center to Payson. He continues to work to bring a four year University to Payson. He has brought many jobs and millions of dollars in grants to the community. His successful efforts to keep the Tonto Natural Bridge open received national attention. He has worked to secure a permanent, sustainable water supply for the Town by beginning construction of the Cragin pipeline. He initiated a global water settlement agreement with the Tonto Apache Tribe.
From migrant farm worker to corporate executive, he has been blessed and privileged to live the American dream. He never forgets his humble beginnings nor fails to give credit to God and the good folks with whom he has been privileged to work for the blessings he has received. His lovely wife Linda is also active in Payson education and volunteer work. They had five children and have ten thoroughly spoiled grandchildren.