BOARD MEMBERS
Cuyler Reid
Board President and School Founder
Mrs. Reid is a former teacher, a published author, and one of Valley Academy’s founders. As a member of the leadership team that developed Leadership for Educational Entrepreneurs (a master’s program developed for charter school operators through the Arizona State University West campus), she worked with charter school leaders on a national level. In the formative years of Arizona’s charter industry, she served on the Arizona Charter Schools Association as secretary, treasurer, and President. She was a member of Superintendent Tom Horne’s Charter Advisory Committee. Mrs. Reid holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Florida State University. Mrs. Reid’s background in the education field and her determined drive toward education reform has made her a critical part of Reid Traditional Schools’ development.
Yogin Patel
Board Secretary
Mr. Patel was motivated to join the Valley Academy Board by his tremendous experience as a former student there. Having moved from school to school in his early years, Mr. Patel found a home at Valley and made several lifelong friends. Graduating from Valley Academy in 2010, he can attribute many of his adult accomplishments to his interactions with Valley’s wonderful teachers and staff members, and with his peers. Mr. Patel is currently a digital marketing professional and leader. He is the founder of YPSOCIAL, an advertising agency that services some of the largest brands and billion dollar organizations. He started this company from his apartment during his undergraduate years at Arizona State University. He regularly consults with large tech start-ups and eCommerce companies. Mr. Patel is big supporter of entrepreneurship, which has led him to interview some of the sharpest minds in business, including the executive producer of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the CMO of Bashas’, and the Former CEO of Edelman. Aside from his personal experience in business, Mr. Patel regularly participates in the community by mentoring young children who want to get a head start or build their own business. If he’s not in the office working, you can find him hiking with his Goldendoodle, Krish. As a member of the Reid Traditional Schools Board of Directors, he is looking forward to seeing the growth of the students who graduate from Reid Traditional Schools. He believes you truly can create your own opportunities.
Letha Warner
Board Treasurer
Mrs. Warner is a banker by profession. She was drawn to Board service by her support of the traditional values of Reid Traditional Schools’ Valley Academy and by the commitment of its employees and students’ parents. Mrs. Warner has enjoyed her many years of Board service and looks forward to watching the growth and success of the Reid Traditional Schools organization. Her years of volunteer work have expanded to include working with Crisis Nursery of Phoenix, American Cancer Society, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and Teen Reach Adventure Camp (Hope Unlimited), and hosting two foreign exchange students from Russia through Ayusa International. Most recently, she is involved with ToastMasters International and currently is President of one of its Arizona Chapters, Peacock ToastMasters. Mrs. Warner is also an active member of Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) and has volunteered with the 4th-6th graders. Mrs. Warner is married, and she and her husband, Wayne, have five adult children, thirteen grandchildren, and more on the way.
Samuel Efird
Board Member
Mr. Efird is a corporate attorney practicing with Fennemore Craig, P.C. He is part of the firm’s business and finance practice group, and focuses on general corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, contract law, and venture capital transactions. In addition to his work with corporate clients, he helps advise individuals on the formation and structuring of new business entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. Prior to joining Fennemore Craig, Mr. Efird worked for the United States Senate and Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also externed with the State of Arizona Governor’s Office of General Counsel and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Outside of work and Reid Traditional Schools, Mr. Efird has spent the last four years serving on the board of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, where he serves on the board development and finance committees.