John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award

The John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award, was created in 1997 to recognize City/County Managers who demonstrate the highest level of professional excellence in local government and who have made life contributions in serving the profession. This award is the highest honor that ACMA may bestow upon a member. The namesake of the award, Jack DeBolske, was the Executive Director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns for 40 years. The award winner is recognized at the Winter Conference.

Previous John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award Recipients:

2025 – Steven Peru, Former Coconino County Manager

2024 – Bryant Powell, City Manager, Apache Junction

2023 – Susan Thorpe – ACMA Senior Advisor

2022 – Chuck Potucek, City Manager, Sierra Vista

2021 – Larry Rains, City Manager, Casa Grande

2020 – Michael Ortega, City Manager, City of Tucson

2019 – Patrick Banger, Town Manager, Town of Gilbert

2018 – John Kross, Town Manager, Town of Queen Creek

2017 – Bob Flatley, Former City Manager, City of Coolidge

2016 – Gayle Mabery, Town Manager, Town of Clarkdale

2015 – Gilbert Davidson, Town Manager, Town of Marana

2014 – Chris Brady, City Manager, City of Mesa

2013 – Ken Buchanan, Town Manager, Town of Fountain Hills

2012 – Cynthia Seelhammer, Retired Deputy City Manager, City of Phoenix

2011 – Jimmy Jayne, County Manager, Navajo County

2010 – W. Mark Pentz, City Manager, City of Chandler

2009 – Terry Ellis, Retired City Manager, City of Peoria

2008 – Jim Thompson, City Manager, City of Casa Grande

2007 – George Flores, Retired Deputy City Manager, City of Phoenix

2006 – Mike Hutchinson, Retired City Manager, Mesa

2005 – Lloyd Harrell, Retired City Manager, Chandler

2004 – Frank Fairbanks, City Manager, Phoenix

2003 – Stephen Cleveland, City Manager, Goodyear

2002 – Paul Nordin, Town Manager, Fountain Hills

2001 – Dick Bowers, City Manager, Scottsdale

2000 – Ed Beasley, Asst. City Manager, Glendale

1999 – Louis Sorenson, City Manager, Kingman

1998 – Marty Vanacour, City Manager, Glendale

Catherine F. Connolly Outstanding Assistant City/County Manager Award

The Catherine F. Connolly Outstanding Assistant City/County Manager Award was created in 2007. The award recognizes an outstanding assistant city or county manager who has demonstrated exemplary service to their organization, the community, local government and ACMA. The namesake of the award, Catherine F. Connolly, was the executive director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns for eight years and served more than 20 years as the deputy director. This award is conveyed annually at ACMA’s annual Winter Conference.

Catherine F. Connolly Outstanding Assistant City/County Manager Award Recipients:

2025 – Ryan Judy, Deputy Town Manager, Prescott Valley

2024 – Victoria Yarbrough, Assistant City Manager, Sierra Vista

2023 – Natalie Lewis – Deputy City Manager, Mesa

2022 – Gina Montes, Deputy City Manager, Phoenix

2021 – Not Awarded

2020 – Not Awarded

2019 – Milton Dohoney Jr., Assistant City Manager, City of Phoenix

2018 – Not Awarded

2017 – Karen Osburn, Assistant City Manager, City of Sedona

2016 – Rick Naimark, Former Deputy City Manager, City of Phoenix

2015 – Bryant Powell, City Manager, City of Apache Junction

2014 – Mike Townsend, Deputy County Manager, Coconino County

2013 – Pat McDermott, Assistant City Manager, City of Chandler

2012 – Karolyn Kent, Deputy City Manager, City of Mesa

2011 – Susan Thorpe, Deputy City Manager, City of Peoria

2010 – Cynthia Seelhammer, Deputy City Manager, City of Phoenix

2009 – Tami Ryall, Assistant Town Manager, Town of Gilbert

2008 – Mary Jacobs, Assistant City Manager, City of Sierra Vista

2007 – Pam Kavanaugh, Assistant City Manager, City of Glendale