Celebrating Arizona’s Public Servants: Nominations Open for the 2025 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards
Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards. This annual award recognizes dedicated, nonelected public servants across the state. Honorees will be awarded in July at the Arizona City and County Management Association (ACMA) summer conference in Tucson.
The Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards honor Arizona’s dedicated public servants—nonelected professionals who work behind the scenes to implement policies, manage programs, and deliver essential services that shape the state’s future. Named after the Community Outreach Director who lost his life at a “Congress on Your Corner” event for Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the awards were established in 2011 through a partnership between CFA, the Zimmerman family, and ACMA to recognize outstanding contributions to civic life.
Public service is the backbone of effective governance and community well-being. The Gabe Zimmerman Awards spotlight the invaluable work of Arizona’s civil servants, fostering appreciation for their role in solving problems, strengthening institutions, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives. By celebrating their impact, the awards promote civic engagement, inspire future leaders, and reinforce the importance of public service in Arizona’s continued success.
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.
Award recipients are honored in three categories:
Community Builder Award (Large City/Town & Small City/Town): Recognizes leaders who have been instrumental in advancing community pride and connectedness.
Emerging Leader Award: Recognizes early-stage leaders who serve as role models for improving civic health and community connections among constituents.
Civic Leader Award: Recognizes exceptional civic leaders who have committed most of their careers to supporting local communities and addressing the state’s long-term challenges.
The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, April 30. All nominations will be reviewed by a statewide Awards Selection Committee, and selected recipients will be notified in June. The awards will be presented during a luncheon on July 17 at the ACMA Summer Conference in Tucson. Awardees and their nominators will be encouraged to attend.
To learn more about the criteria for the awards and to nominate a nonelected public servant, visit arizonafuture.org/publicserviceawards