Board Members

Jim Chang has been Arizona State Demographer since 2012, responsible for overseeing the production of official population estimates and projections for the State of Arizona and its counties and incorporated places. These products are used by state agencies and local governments for various purposes from expenditure limitations to infrastructure planning. Jim represents Arizona on the Federal-State Cooperative for Population Estimates (FSCPE) and the Federal-State Cooperative for Population Projections (FSCPP). He is a past member of the FSCPE Steering Committee and past chairman of the FSCPP. He works closely with the U.S. Census Bureau on its decennial census and annual population estimates programs. Prior to joining the State Demographer’s Office, Jim was staff demographer for the School Facilities Board between 2006 and 2010, where he developed a system for making enrollment projections for school districts. Jim received his Ph.D. in Sociology (specializing in Demography) from Arizona State University in 2005. He has a MS degree in Information Management (ASU, 2000), and a BA in English (Shandong Teacher’s University, China, 1988). Demographer Representative. Term expires January 2020. 

With over 20 years of school business experience, Scott Thompson recently rejoined the education community as Assistant Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools.  At Mesa Public Schools, Mr. Thompson is responsible for business and support services within the district. Prior to returning to education, he was General Manager of Safeguard Security, where he was responsible for leading the company through a major transition as Safeguard was acquired by SAFE Security in August of 2014.  During this same time as General Manager, he increased the profitability of Safeguard by over $1.2M. Before joining Safeguard, Mr. Thompson was Executive Director of Business Services for Dysart Unified where he successfully led business operations through 10 years of rapid growth, as well as several years of recession-related budget cuts. Prior to Dysart, he was Associate Superintendent for the Arizona Department of Education where he oversaw the state funding of school districts and managed the Information Technology Department. Mr. Thompson is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.  In the community, Mr. Thompson serves on the board of a local non-profit after-school program known as DUCK (Downtown Urban Community Kids) and is an active member of his local church. School Facilities Management Representative. Term expires January 2020. 

Carmen Wyckoff is a Senior Associate and Architect with DLR Group in Phoenix, AZ.  She is a registered architect with 17 years of experience focusing on educational spaces from Pre-kindergarten to post-secondary school.  Since graduating from Penn State University in 2001, Carmen’s projects have included a $77M new comprehensive high school, a community college science center, high school performing arts centers, and a school specializing in teaching deaf students.  She understands how schools function, which materials are durable, and can offer advice on technical design and construction issues.  Carmen has presented nationally on healthier school design, innovative educational spaces, the Americans with Disability Act, and occupied campus renovations among other topics.  She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and is a LEED Accredited Professional.  In addition, for the past five years Carmen has been an active volunteer creating connections between businesses and Arizona’s schools to create a stronger workforce.  Registered Architect Representative. Term expires January 2021. 

Per A.R.S.§ 15-2001.A.9, this Board Member shall be an owner or officer of a private construction company whose business does not include school construction. Once filled, this position replaces the School Construction Representative position. Term expires January 2022.