Barbara Litrell has experience as a teacher, corporate executive, entrepreneur and non-profit organization executive. She launched B. Litrell Communications Corporation in 2000 after a 28 year career in advertising sales and management with The New York Times and as publisher of national magazines including Working Woman, Working Mother and McCall’s. Her early career began as a French teacher for seven years. After moving to Arizona almost eight years ago, she gained experience as a real estate agent, as President of Keep Sedona Beautiful, and as Executive Director of Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition, a non-profit which provides volunteers to assist seniors with services that help them maintain their independence and quality of life at home. She resigned from that position in November, 2009 in order to run for City Council.
Since moving to Arizona, Barbara has enjoyed serving the community in the following ways:
- Chaired the League of Women Voters Water Committee which, in 2003, launched the program of Water Awareness Month activities in the Verde Valley.
- Co-Founded and served as first President of the North Central Arizona Regional Watershed Consortium uniting groups with common concerns about water issues.
- Organized a Spotlight on Seniors forum to hear from seniors the issues they are facing and to make available to them information about resources. The 32 issues identified at the Forum became a resource for the Governor's Office on Aging.
- Organized 2 important substance abuse forums for families in Sedona-- one on methamphetamines and the other on underage drinking.
- As a board member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, spearheaded the launch of the Annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards Program to spotlight women business owners in Sedona and the Verde Valley.
- On the Board of Keep Sedona Beautiful from 2005-2009 and as President for three years, 2006-2008, helped develop important education and advocacy programs as well as represented the organization in its position in favor of real safety measures for SR89A and in opposition to continuous roadway lights on 89A. Also led education and advocacy programs supporting a National Scenic Area designation.
- Organized and Co-chaired Mitzvah (Good Deed) Day 2007-2009 - the largest one day of volunteer service activities benefiting organizations and individuals throughout Sedona and the Verde Valley.
- Co-chaired the launch of the first Sedona Book Festival in October 2009 to benefit Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition and to create a new, sustainable event for Sedona and Sedona businesses.
Barbara has also been recognized with the following community service awards:
2003- Verde River Citizens Alliance Annual Civic Award for meritorious contributions to preserving water resources in the Verde Valley
2004- Good Morning Sedona Award for Inspirational Community Leadership
2005- Ruth K. Birkner Leadership Award
2007- Sedona Community Foundation Spirit of Sedona Award-Volunteer of the Year
2008- Gardens for Humanity Visionary Leadership Award
2009- National Association of Women Business Owners Visionary Award
2010- The McGee Award for outstanding service to Keep Sedona Beautiful
In her spare time she is passionate about golf and enjoys traveling.
E-mail Me