Coconino County Attorney’s Office announces leadership changes with Ammon Barker as interim attorney

The Coconino County Attorney’s Office has officially initiated its new leadership role following the resignation of former County Attorney Bill Ring. The Board of Trustees witnessed Ring’s resignation and immediately accepted it. However, Ring isn’t completely taking a step back. He will transition seamlessly into the role of Chief Civil Deputy Attorney. Meanwhile, Ammon Barker is moving to the interim county attorney position, with Michael Tunink being promoted to Chief Deputy County Attorney, according to official statements from the County.

Barker, who is set to begin his first four-year term as county attorney in January after running unopposed, now has the authority to quickly appoint attorneys within the office. He wasted no time in exercising this power, appointing Michael Tunink as chief deputy attorney and assigning Bill Ring to his new civilian-oriented post. Ring brought to an end 24 years of dedication to the firm, including double terms as attorney general following the 2016 and 2020 elections. “At the law firm, we strive to create conditions where people feel safe and are treated regardless of their circumstances. confident that I have kept my promises and accomplished what I came to do,” Ring said, underscoring his tenure and belief in term limits as described on the Coconino County website.

Barker’s CV is comprehensive; he has dedicated more than a decade to prosecuting cases involving serious crimes such as murder, criminal street gangs and sex crimes. In his last year as chief deputy county attorney, he oversaw 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 our office’s important work to ensure that every member of our county feels safe, secure and able to flourish,” Barker said in a statement obtained by the County’s announcement.

Tunink brings a wealth of experience, with 14 years in the trenches of the District Attorney’s Office, the last nine of which he devoted his efforts to Coconino County. He has been nominated four times for APAAC Prosecutor of the Year and has received the Distinguished Public Lawyer Award from the State Bar of Arizona Public Lawyers Executive Council. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our province in this leadership role in a greater capacity,” said Tunink, signaling his willingness to increase his impact within the office and the legal sphere at large. These leadership shifts are part of the broader succession strategy aimed at proactively establishing a framework filled with skilled attorneys ready to lead the Coconino County Attorney’s Office into the future.