2023 Lee Huff: As a Veteran Constituent Services Representative, Lee has been instrumental in assisting hundreds of service members, veterans, and their families obtain the healthcare, disability, and other benefits they earned by virtue of their service to this great Nation. He also conceived Drop Zone, which is widely known as the best Veteran Resource Fair in Arizona and worked closely with the Mesa Chamber of Commerce to create the Mesa Veterans Resource Center.
2022 Debbie Lee: Debbie founded America’s Mighty Warriors in response to her son’s last letter home challenging us to change the world by doing more Random Acts of Kindness. Through her foundation, she has hosted annual retreats for Gold Star families, provided grants to help military families in crisis situations, and has provided hundreds of Veterans struggling with PTSD, TBI and suicidal thoughts, the opportunity to receive life-saving healing therapies.
2021 Dr. Michael Marks: Michael has worked with veterans and their families for over 40 years. In 2007, Dr. Marks, along with a colleague at the University of Arizona, developed curricula designed for returning Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans. The program, Supportive Education for Returning Veterans, has gained national recognition and served as the foundation of the VA’s Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership Program that is now on 25 campuses.
2019 Mr. Donald W. “Don” Slager: Donald is President and CEO of Phoenix-based Republic Services, an industry leader in the recycling and waste services business. Hiring the best talent, including veterans and military personnel, is an important part of this effort, and Republic currently employs more than 3,000 veterans and military employees across the country. Don believes these professionals bring a high-level of knowledge, discipline, ethics and accountability to Republic.
2018 Ms. Susan Kee: Susan organized a special medal ceremony to honor over 450 Korean War veterans with the support of the Korean Consulate and the South Korean government. She was instrumental in raising awareness on social media to gain passage of congressional bills to build a Remembrance Wall in Washington DC, which will list the names of all who sacrificed their lives in the Korean War.
2017 Mr. John O’Malley: John, General Manager/Partner of Camelback Toyota, has helped secure donations exceeding $175,000 to help support the MANA House, Mary Ellen’s House, Wounded Warriors, the Marine Corps Old Breed Detachment #767, the USS Argonaut memorial, St. Vincent De Paul, Phoenix Rescue Mission, and Southwest Human Development, among others.
2016 Patricia George Esq.: Patricia has worked in the City of Phoenix Prosecutors Office serving as a domestic violence specialist and handling some of the most severe cases. She quickly responded to and assumed a critical and influential role when the City of Phoenix founded Arizona’s first Veterans Court. Many Veterans will be forever grateful to Ms. George and the Veterans Court program.
2015 Mr. Jim Click: The President of Click Automotive Group is an extreme patriot and ardent supporter of Davis Monthan Air Force base, its mission and personnel, their families, and our veterans. Click Automotive, a proud employer of veterans has donated literally millions of dollars to local civic and military organizations.
2014 Mr. Donald Brandt: Chairman, President, and CEO Brandt of Arizona Public Service is distinguished by his extensive record of public service and dedication to our military. Examples of his personal contributions and corporate caring exist in his support for USMC warriors and their families, the Arizona “Luke Days”, the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, and the Arizona Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
2013 Dr. Michael Crow: As President of Arizona State University, he has consistently supported veterans on campus. He designated veterans’ dormitories, encouraged the creation of a Veterans Alumni Chapter to ensure camaraderie of veterans across the campus, supported the establishment of the Pat Tillman Veterans Center and ensured that graduating veterans are properly acknowledged.
2012 Mrs. Barbara Hatch: Barbara is the founder of Veterans Heritage Project and she developed a remarkable way to bring together students with veterans. VHP students write America’s veterans’ service stories to preserve them as history. Today, VHP is a nationally recognized program. The students have interviewed over 1,000 veterans and the program is currently in 25 high schools in Arizona.
2011 Mr. Scott Essex: Scott is a passionate supporter of the military in Arizona. As Chairman of the Arizona Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve during both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he built a team of volunteers, recognized patriotic employers, and provided continuous support for military commanders of all reserve branches.
2010 Mr. Jesse McGuire: A lifelong patriot and musical performer is a frequent contributor to sporting events and patriotic audiences. His most notable performance was after 9/11 when he played the National Anthem during the World Series, and just days later, also played at Ground Zero, as the debris and ruins of the Twin Towers continued to smolder.
2009 Mr. Eddie Basha: “Eddie” made involvement with the community a way of life. His continual support of local non-profit groups has ensured their success in serving countless Arizona citizens and veterans groups. His programs include raising millions of dollars for charities and his partnership with Basha customers led to the creation of food banks for needy families.
2008 Mr. David J. McIntyre, Jr: David is the President and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance. His exemplary leadership ensured healthcare services to the 2.8 million members of our nation’s military families. He also serves on the boards for the USO Worldwide Board, the Fisher House Foundation, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and numerous other veteran facing organizations.
2007 Mr. Jonathan Ellias: As a broadcaster, he used his platform to promote patriotism in the wake of 9/11 and ensured that military men and women were acknowledged and appreciated by all. His “Welcome Home Project” honored and recognized veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.