Buckeye Valley Fire District Governing Board

Melanie Hardy (Chairman)

Term Expires: December 2026

Biography:

Melanie Hardy has lived in Arizona since 1998, when she was stationed at Luke Air Force Base as active-duty Air Force where she served as a Public Health Technician for 4 years. After active duty, she remained in the Air Force Reserve while earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Melanie has worked at various facilities and specialties in the Phoenix area as a Nurse, with specialties in emergency and trauma. Melanie has three children and is a neighbor of Station 321. When an opening came available on the Buckeye Valley Fire District Governing Board she jumped at the opportunity to help take care of those that take care of the community. Melanie has been serving on the Buckeye Valley Fire District Governing Board for several years and has enjoyed working with the District to make a difference for staff and the community.

William "Gary" Benson (Clerk)

Term Expires: December 2026

Biography:

Gary is an Arizona native and moved to Buckeye Valley when he was a small child. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Construction Supervision. He became a firefighter with the City of Glendale in 1994 and continues to serve today as an Assistant Chief with the City of Glendale. Gary has worked in all areas of the Fire Department and looks forward to bringing his knowledge and expertise to the Buckeye Valley Fire District and the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority Governing Boards. He will work hard to ensure the Authority delivers the best customer service externally and internally. Gary and his wife Lisa, of 37 years, live in Litchfield Park with their two dogs.

John Heiden

Term Expires: December 2026

Biography:

Coming soon.

Paul Hunter

Term Expires: December 2028

Biography:

Paul Hunter has lived in the Buckeye Valley area for 48 years. The Hunter Family has deep roots in the Buckeye Valley as his grandfather Curg Hunter ran the Buckeye freight line in the 1930’s. In 1999, Paul completed the fire academy through Buckeye Valley Fire Department and served as a volunteer firefighter from 1999 until 2003. Paul and his wife, Katie, have three children and have been married for 23 years. Paul is an electrician by trade and runs the family business, George’s Electric Inc., which his parents launched in 1993. Paul continues to serve the Buckeye Valley Fire District as a Board Member and has done so for serval years. Paul is proud of Buckeye Valley and feels it is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Daniel Richardson

Term Expires: December 2028

Biography:

Danny Richardson, his wife Kathy and their daughter live in Arlington, AZ. Their current hobby, or "a reason for sanity", is taking their daughter to show her cattle and helping her continue her commitment in agriculture. Danny is a fourth-generation farmer in the Buckeye Valley area, his family started in the Liberty area but headed for Yuma in 1900 along the Gila River, where their mule eventually died in Arlington, driving them to make a homestead there. Several members of Danny’s family were members of the Buckeye Valley Fire District (BVFD) including his parents who were EMT/Paramedic Firefighters and were first on scene when the Sunset Limited Amtrak derailed west of Arlington in 1995. Danny began his career with the BVFD in 1998, and has served on the BVFD Governing Board for the last eleven years. Danny is honored to serve the Buckeye Valley area and looks forward to continuing his service into the future.