Ernest Calderon

Ernest has almost 40 years of experience in the law and has been involved in education policy-making for a comparable amount of time. In his law practice he counseled C-Level executives, boards of directors and boards of trustees. He helped oversee Arizona’s university system (Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona) as a Regent (former President of the Board), a member of the scholarly American Law Institute, an "AV" Preeminent and Best Lawyers In America rated lawyer, and has earned his doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. His community engagement is extensive as his passion is helping others problem solve as he has served as president of the State Bar of Arizona, chairperson of the Catholic Community Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, president of the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America, etc... This unique blend of practical legal experience with formal educational leadership training and education policy-making is an asset to any organization. As a first generation college graduate, his passion is providing educational opportunities to all economically disadvantaged students. His education and legal expertise yield strength to your organization. A few strengths include: • Almost 40 years of litigation, appellate work (in Arizona and federal courts) and governing counsel • Significant experience representing attorneys, health care providers and educators in professional ethics matters • Strong internal investigative skills and deliverables • Proven success in defending entities against frivolous employment claims • Robust contract review, drafting and analysis experience • Complex problem analysis, solutions design and implementing system-wide remedies • Refines academic management and support functions • Designing mission and strategic plans • Builds faculty consensus by incorporating this stakeholder's immense talent • Education finance and budgeting implementation • Designing and organizational changes (as a positive disruptor) by consensus • Designed creative alternative higher education income sources • Elevates the nexus to the greater community and to diverse populations • Governance design and support • Identifies emerging issues (e.g., food insecurity, etc..) with solutions • Human resources support and knowledge of evolving legal developments • Supervisory skills in operations with almost 40 years of legal experience in providing organizational solutions • Active listener and consensus builder