Frank is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Learn more about him here.
Frank Riggs has a proven record of executive, educational and legislative leadership that ideally qualifies him for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction.
An Army veteran, former police officer, and successful businessman and entrepreneur, he’s been a CEO in both the private and nonprofit sectors. Frank’s been an education leader for over 35 years at the local, state and federal levels, beginning as an elected public school district board member and president. He’s also the founding president of Arizona Connections Academy, an accredited, statewide, online school. A former three-term U.S. Congressman, he chaired the House Education Subcommittee and authored legislation on charter schools, special education and vocational-technical education. He was named National Head Start Legislator of the Year and recognized by the Association of Special Education Administrators for his dedication to children with disabilities. The conservative Heritage Foundation said, “Representative Riggs spearheaded many cutting-edge initiatives like school choice and charter schools.”
After leaving Congress, keeping his term limits commitment, he became CEO of an award-winning, national education nonprofit helping charter schools with low-income student populations acquire, finance and build their facilities, including 12 Arizona charter schools educating 5,000 students in grades K-12. Frank attended St. Mary’s College of California and graduated summa cum laude from Golden Gate University in San Francisco where he received the University’s “Associates Award” as the Outstanding Graduate in the College of Business and Public Administration. He’s also been a teacher, coach, mentor and youth leader, and is currently a certified substitute teacher who taught 7th and 8th grade social studies during the recent RedForEd teacher walkout.
Frank and Cathy, his wife of 38 years and the Desert Ridge Justice of the Peace, have lived in Scottsdale for 16 years and have three married children and five wonderful grandchildren, Frank’s personal motivation for running to lead our State’s schools!