The Coconino County Attorney's Office has officially set its new leadership roster in motion following the resignation of former County Attorney Bill Ring. The Board of Supervisors witnessed Ring's resignation and immediately accepted it. Ring isn't stepping back entirely, though. He's set to seamlessly transition into the role of Chief Civil Deputy Attorney. Meanwhile, stepping into the interim County Attorney position is Ammon Barker, with Michael Tunink promoted to Chief Deputy County Attorney, according to official statements from the County.
Barker, who's poised to begin his first four-year term as County Attorney in January after running unopposed, now has the authority to swiftly appoint attorneys within the office. He didn't waste any time exercising this power, appointing Michael Tunink as Chief Deputy Attorney and assigning Bill Ring to his new civil-oriented post. Ring brought 24 years of dedication to the office to a close, including dual terms as County Attorney after elections in 2016 and 2020. "In the Attorney's Office we strive to produce conditions where people feel safe and secure and regardless of their circumstances, are treated fairly and equitably. I feel confident that I have kept my promises and achieved what I came to do," Ring said, underscoring his tenure and his belief in term limits, as detailed by the Coconino County website.
Barker's resume is comprehensive; he's dedicated over a decade to prosecuting cases involving serious crimes such as murder, criminal street gangs, and sexual offenses. His past year as Chief Deputy County Attorney has seen him oversee the office's treatment courts, focusing on reducing recidivism while maintaining community safety. "I am honored to be appointed interim Coconino County Attorney and look forward to continuing the important work of our office to ensure that every member of our County feels safe, secure, and able to flourish," Barker conveyed in a statement obtained by the County's announcement.
Tunink brings a wealth of experience to the table with 14 years in the prosecutorial trenches, spending the last nine dedicating his efforts to Coconino County. He's been a nominee for APAAC Prosecutor of the Year four times and has earned the Distinguished Public Lawyer Award from the State Bar of Arizona Public Lawyers Executive Council. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our County in a greater capacity in this leadership role," said Tunink, signaling his readiness to augment his impact within the office and the legal sphere at large. These leadership shifts are part of the broader succession strategy aimed at proactively putting in place a framework filled with skilled attorneys ready to spearhead the Coconino County Attorney’s Office into the future.
