Center for the Future of Arizona Honors 2024 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards Recipients

Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) announced the 2024 recipients of the Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards during a ceremony held at the Arizona City and County Management Association (ACMA) summer conference in Tucson. These awards, presented annually, honor the impactful achievements of dedicated non-elected public servants statewide, highlighting their commitment to civic service.

This year’s recipients include Leah Powell, Neighborhood Resource Director, City of Chandler; Ryan Judy, Deputy Town Manager, Town of Prescott Valley; Jared Beard, Assistant Director, Maricopa County Workforce Development Division; and Scott Hall, Deputy Director, Office of Homeless Solutions, City of Phoenix.

“CFA is honored to present the Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards as an essential part of advancing The Arizona We Want,” says Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona. “While highly-visible elected officials set policy direction and make important decisions, our non-elected public servants and the roles they fill are not as easily observed yet vital to the quality of life in Arizona. We applaud the 2024 award recipients for their dedication, professionalism, and expertise in solving public problems and improving our communities."

The Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards, named after the Community Outreach Director whose life was taken in a mass shooting in 2011 at a “Congress on Your Corner” event for Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, is a collaborative effort between CFA, the Zimmerman family, and ACMA highlighting the contributions non-elected public servants make to the communities they serve.

Public servants who are eligible for the awards include those who are employed by cities and towns, counties, special districts, agencies of the executive and legislative branches of state government, tribal governments, and personal staff working for members of Arizona’s congressional delegation.

All award nominees are judged on their qualities and achievements related to:

• How they have changed the way government works to serve the public interest
• Their ability to take risks and inspire others
• Their impact on connecting Arizonans to civic life
• Improving the health of their community
• New ideas to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance the delivery of public services
• Legacy contributions of lasting significance

This year’s independent volunteer selection committee asked to determine the 2024 recipients, included: Amanda Aguirre, Former State Senator and Regional Council for Border Health President and CEO; Evelyn Casuga, Central Arizona College Governing Board Member; Lisa Atkins, Former Arizona State Land Commissioner; Holly Figueroa, BCBSAZ Health Choice Tribal Liaison; Mignonne Hollis, ED, Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation Executive Director; Alexa Lucchese, Government Affairs Manager, Southern Arizona at Cox Communications; Steve Peru, Coconino County Manager; Marilyn Rodriguez, Creosote Partners Partner; Paul Senseman, Policy Development Group Principal; Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez, AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, Inc. CEO; previous Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards recipient James Jayne, Former Local Government Manager; and Gabe Zimmerman’s parents Ross Zimmerman, Beyond Foundation President, and Emily Nottingham, Retired City of Tucson Administrator. 

The 2024 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards by Category

Leah Powell, City of Chandler Neighborhood Resource Director, and Ryan Judy, Town of Prescott Valley Deputy Town Manager, were recognized with the Community Builder award which recognizes public servants in large and small cities and towns who advance community pride and connection. These leaders have been instrumental in transforming their communities through various efforts, including job creation and training, advancing healthy communities, environmental and historical preservation, volunteerism and philanthropy, and educational advancement. 

Jared Beard, Maricopa County Workforce Development Division Assistant Director, was honored with the Emerging Leader award which recognizes early-stage public servants committed to improving civic health and community connections for their constituents. These leaders bring innovation, energy, and compassion to their organizations while serving as role models for others seeking to build their careers in Arizona. 

Scott Hall, City of Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions Deputy Director, was honored with the Civic Leader award which recognizes extraordinary public servants who have spent much of their careers supporting Arizona communities. These leaders have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and commitment to addressing Arizona’s long-term issues and the personal leadership capacity to make Arizona a better place for future generations. 

Learn more about the 2024 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards honorees.