The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry honored lawmakers and its own members during its annual meeting and awards lunch June 23 at the Camelback Inn — JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.

Among those honored were Rep, Bill Konopnicki, who joked that his mother wondered why he couldn’t find a job “that paid a little more.”

Winged Victory Awards went to Volunteer of the Year Robert Shuler, a partner in Ryley Carlock & Applewhite; Senator of the Year Tim Bee; Representative of the Year, Russ Jones and Legislator of the Year Bill Konopnicki.

In the words of one chamber member, the awards for lawmakers were largely focused on those who helped derail legislation aimed at sanctioning employers for hiring illegal immigrants.
The President’s Award went to Kathy Langdon, president and chief executive of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, for her leadership and public policy advocacy in creating a network for communication between chambers of commerce and the Legislature.

Salt River Project, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Freescale Semiconductor were nominated for the Business Leadership Award. SRP captured the title.

David A. Howell, vice president for communication and government relations, Wells Fargo Arizona, was named 2006 Executive Leader. Reginald M. Ballantyne III, senior corporate office with Vanguard Health Systems, and Business Journal publisher Don Henninger also were nominated for the honor.

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