ACMA has developed the following awards and scholarships to ensure that members are recognized for outstanding service and have the opportunity to challenge themselves by participating in an international professional development program. The ACMA Board and membership is also very active in recruiting students in the field of local government management. This commitment is reflected in some of the scholarships ACMA offers.
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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
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
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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:
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
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Rachel Hut Bremen Associate's Award for Excellence in Leadership
In 2008 the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) created an award to recognize professional achievement for its associate members. In July 2015 the ACMA Board of Directors changed the name of the Associate’s Award for Excellence in Leadership to the Rachel Hut Bremen Associate’s Award for Excellence in Leadership. The award is in memory of Rachel Hut Bremen who was an active ACMA member, serving on the Board of Directors for two terms and volunteering on several committees. This award is specifically designed to recognize associate members who contribute to the profession through their organization at an associate member level rather than a CEO level. This award will be conveyed annually to the successful recipient at ACMA’s annual Winter Conference.
Click here to download the nomination form for the 2019 ACMA Rachel Hut Bremen Associate’s Award for Excellence in Leadership.
Rachel Hut Bremen Associate’s Award for Excellence in Leadership Recipients:
2019 Steven Turner, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Casa Grande
2018 Pamela Weir, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Goodyear
2017 Mary Vinzant, Assistant to the Town Manager, Town of Gilbert
2016 Stephanie Smith, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Flagstaff
2015 Dawn Buckland, Director of Administration and Government Affairs, Town of Paradise Valley
2014 Gina Montes, Neighborhood and Family Services Director, City of Avondale
2013 Nicole Dailey, Assistant to the Town Manager, Town of Gilbert
2012 Kristen Krey, Council Services Administrator, City of Glendale
2011 Andy Bertelsen, Public Works Director, Coconino County
2010 Joshua Wright, Assistant to the Manager, Town of Marana
2009 Dr. Robert Denhardt, Director, ASU School of Public Affairs
2008 Andrea Costello, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Sedona
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ACMA Life Membership
ACMA Life Membership is conferred on retired members who have provided distinguished service to local government and who have made lasting and meaningful contributions to ACMA and the profession of local government management. This honor is conferred on retired members at the Winter Conference.
Click here to download nomination form for ACMA Life Membership.
