About the Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center (PRAC)

Beth Lofquist (President) retired in 2019  after dedicating over two decades to the field of fire protection engineering, specializing in the management and oversight of fire protection systems and programs for large manufacturing facilities. As Fire/Life Safety Engineer for a 700-acre semiconductor manufacturing campus with ~7 million square feet of building space, she managed the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of a variety of fire suppression systems. She also served as a local risk management liaison, oversaw property insurance and hazardous materials and fire code compliance programs. Her leadership extended to chairing a cross-site international fire protection team, promoting collaboration and excellence across locations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University.

Beth is a wife, mother, grandmother & long-time triathlete. Other than PRAC, volunteer work since retirement includes being a court-appointed advocate for a foster child (a CASA) as well as a foster parent. She’s loved the experience and feels that helping others helps you put your own life in perspective. She and her husband enjoy swimming, hiking, their gravel bikes, and international traveling. They think the last three together make a perfect vacation!

 

Anne Townsend (Treasurer, Outgoing) built a career centered on supporting development of solar and energy-efficient  energy systems. This included positions at the National Recreation and Parks Association, Planning and Management Associates, and later as co-founder of energy-focused companies with Verlin Smith and Dr. Charles Bankston.  In 1983 she established Anne Townsend Associates to continue advancing energy solutions independently.

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Her career also included nonprofit work, serving as Director of Administration with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (1985-1990) and Deputy director of Public Welfare Foundation from 1990-2000).  Volunteerism has been a significant part of Anne's life.  She participated in the successful effort to raise funds for the restoration of the 1933 Ballroom at Glen Echo National Park, founded the Washington Swing Dance Committee and provided pro bono financial consulting to low-income individuals.

 

In retirement she and her husband Bob traveled full-time in a motorhome for a year and a half, thereafter spending many winters volunteering at Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area.  Anne has served as President of Friends of Sonoita Creek, Treasurer of the Patagonia Woman’s Club, and volunteered at the Patagonia Visitor Center, History Museum, and Purple Elephant Thrift Shoppe. She is currently Treasurer of PRAC.

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Karen Riggs (Treasurer, Incoming) is a registered civil engineer and land surveyor in Arizona with a 20+ year career for Cochise County. She served as County Engineer for eight years, during which she also led the Solid Waste Department for two years. In her role, she oversaw all county-maintained roads, the Highway and Floodplain Department, and managed operations personnel, engineers, surveyors, transportation planners, and other key staff.

She holds a BS in Civil Engineering from University of Arizona. In addition to engineering, she pursued careers in ranching and ran a grass-fed meat business. Active in the community, Karen  serves on the boards of the Arizona Land and Water Trust, Cochise County Historical Society, and DAAWN (Drylands Alliance for Addressing Water Needs), all 501(c)(3) organizations.

A native of Arizona, she has lived in Elgin with her partner, Stephen, for nine and a half years. Her hobbies include traveling, writing novels and short stories, and swimming laps at the pool. She is a recently certified  lifeguard and volunteers at the pool. She is also the proud parent of two amazing daughters.

 

Cheryl Stadlman (Secretary) recently retired from a 25-year career at Intel Corporation where she held a variety technical and leadership positions. She most recently served as the Technical Advisor and Chief of Staff for Intel’s global construction organization with a worldwide portfolio of ~$10B annually. Previously she held positions on several major construction projects as a design manager. She has also served in a technical capacity as the owner for water and wastewater treatment systems that specialized in treating incoming and effluent waters for high tech manufacturing processes. 

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She has a BS in Civil Engineer from the University of Nebraska and an MS in Environment Engineering from the University of Washington. She was born and raised in a rural community in South Dakota on a small family farm where she still owns land. She enjoys sharing her time and talents on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Science Center and as a managing member of Tempe Triathlon Club.  Her hobbies include traveling, skydiving, triathlon, cycling, and hiking.  She is also a certified lifeguard and volunteers her time to the local community pool.​