The Arizona Capitol Times will honor individuals and organizations on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at its second annual Leaders of the Year in Public Policy event. Fifteen public and private individuals and entities will be recognized for various accomplishments during a luncheon at the Wyndham Phoenix. Jennifer Duffy, senior editor of “The Cook Political Report” in Washington, D.C., will give the keynote address.
“'Leaders of the Year' is the only event of its kind to honor leadership and excellence in public policy,” said Ginger Lamb, vice president and publisher. “Each of the honorees was nominated by their peers for this prestigious honor and has made a positive impact on our state and the people of Arizona without regard to political affiliation or partisanship.”
A committee comprised of several community leaders selected the honorees in the categories of arts and humanities, business, economic development, education, environmental, government, health care, legislative, public safety, social services, technology, transportation, volunteerism and unsung hero. In addition, a Lifetime Achievement award will be presented posthumously.
The 2008 honorees:
Education: Rep. Mark Anderson, Arizona House of Representatives
Transportation: Victor Mendez, Arizona Department of Transportation
Business: Eileen Klein, UnitedHealth Group
Technology: Sen. Robert Burns, Arizona Senate
Government: Jan Lesher, Arizona Department of Commerce
Environment: Sid Wilson, Central Arizona Water Conservation District
Health Care: Anita C. Murcko, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
Social Services: Mark Holleran, Central Arizona Shelter Services
Arts and Humanities: Sen. Barbara Leff, Arizona Senate
Economic Development: Gov. Janet Napolitano
Unsung Hero: Amina Donna Kruck, Arizona Bridge to Independent Living
Legislative: Timothy Schmaltz, Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition
Public Safety: Chuck Foy, Arizona State Employees Association/CWA
Volunteerism: Steve Lynn, Unisource Energy Corp. & Tucson Electric Power Co.
Lifetime Achievement (Posthumous): Sen. Jake Flake, Arizona Senate
Last year’s honorees: Sen. Carolyn Allen, arts and humanities; Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, business; Kevin McCarthy, president, Arizona Tax Research Association, economic development; Arizona Business & Education Coalition, education; David P. Kimball III, shareholder, Gallagher & Kennedy, environment; Sen. Bob Burns, government; Hospice of the Valley, health care; Rebekah Friend, executive director/secretary treasurer, Arizona AFL-CIO, legislative; Andrew Thomas, Maricopa County attorney, public safety; Gretchen Jacobs, of counsel, Greenberg Traurig LLP, social services; Government Information Technology Agency (GITA), technology; Gary Hayes, executive director, Pima Association of Governments, transportation; Martin L. Shultz, vice president of public affairs, Pinnacle West Capital Corp., volunteer; Chuck Shipley (posthumous), lifetime achievement.
Tickets for the event are $75 each or $750 for a table of ten or $1,500 for a VIP table. For details or to purchase tickets, call (602) 889-7125 or visit www.azcapitoltimes.com