Arizona Association for Economic Development Presents Annual EDDE Awards

(PHOENIX – May 9, 2018) — The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) has announced the recipients of its annual Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) Awards.

The prestigious EDDE Awards honor individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to the advancement of the organization and to economic growth within the state of Arizona.  Recipients are selected from a pool of nominations made by members of AAED.

Overall, 10 EDDEs were presented during an evening awards dinner at the AAED Spring Conference in Oro Valley.  The winners are:

• Jaye O’Donnell, assistant economic development director for the city of Mesa, Member of the Year.
• Dan Henderson, CEcD, economic development director for Gilbert, Ariz., Economic Developer of the Year, Large Community.
• Richard Wilkie, CEcD, AZED Pro, economic development director for the city of Casa Grande, Economic Developer of the Year, Medium Community.
• Wendy Bridges, AZED Pro, economic development coordinator for the city of Prescott, Economic Developer of the Year, Small Community.
• Lena Fowler, Coconino County Board of Supervisors, District 5, Economic Developer of the Year, Tribal Community.
• Ben Hooper, economic development coordinator for the town of Prescott Valley, New Member of the Year.
• Joel Millman, program manager for Pinal County, Workforce Practitioner of the Year.
• Gilbert, Ariz., Large Organization of the Year.
• Pinal County, Medium Organization of the Year.
• Town of Queen Creek, Small Organization of the Year.

“The winners of the EDDE Awards truly represent the best and brightest economic development practitioners and organizations in Arizona,” said Joyce Grossman, AZED Pro, AAED’s executive director.  “Their contributions throughout the state demonstrate not only a commitment to the communities they serve, but to the economic vitality across Arizona.”

AAED, founded in 1974, has a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice advocating for responsible economic development through an effective program of professional education, public policy and collaboration.

For more information on AAED, visit www.aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.