Arizona Association for Economic Development Presents Annual EDDE Awards; Honors Long-Time Member Tim Kanavel with the William Lampkin Award

(PHOENIX – Oct. 29, 2021) – The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) presented its annual Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) Awards during its annual Fall Forum held in Flagstaff earlier this week. Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) served as the Title Sponsor of the EDDE Awards, presenting the Best of Arizona Award.

The EDDE Awards honor the best economic development practices for individuals, organizations and companies that have significantly contributed to the advancement of economic growth in the state. Recipients are selected from a pool of nominations made by members of AAED.

The nine EDDE awards were presented to:

• Best of Arizona Award – America’s Small Business Development Center Network Arizona
• Economic Developer of the Year, Large Community – Christine MacKay, economic development director, City of Phoenix
• Economic Developer of the Year, Medium Community – Jennifer Lindley, downtown development manager, Town of Queen Creek
• Economic Developer of the Year, Small Community – Maggie Tidabeck, economic development project manager, Town of Chino Valley
• Tribal Economic Developer of the Year – Maria Dadgar, executive director of the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona
• Large Organization of the Year – Regional Economic Development Center, Yavapai College
• Medium Organization of the Year – City of Buckeye
• Member of the Year – Suzie Boyles, economic development manager, City of Buckeye
• New Member of the Year – Gregg Martinez, economic development coordinator, City of Page

The William Lampkin Award for Long Term Excellence in Economic Development was awarded posthumously to Tim Kanavel, former economic development director for Pinal County and a 20-year member of AAED. He served on the Board of Directors and chaired the Rural Economic Development Committee. He joined Pinal County in 2009 to create the county’s first economic development department.

This award recognizes outstanding achievements by an individual that has made significant contributions to economic development efforts in Arizona and demonstrated a sustained commitment to AAED. Nominations are evaluated based on the overall economic impact of the individual’s efforts to Arizona, contributions of the nominee to AAED, the development of strong relationships and community support, and contributions to the economic development profession.

Kanavel’s passion for economic development was evident as he was involved with various economic development initiatives throughout Arizona during his illustrious career. In 2010, he was appointed to the Arizona Governor’s Rural Business Advisory Council where he managed a grant budget of more than $2.5 million in two of the four years there. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Pinal Partnership Economic Development Coalition and Arizona@Work and served as a member of the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition, Pinal Alliance for Economic Growth, Pinal County Industrial Development Authority and Central Arizona Association of Governments. Kanavel passed away in February 2021.

According to Richard Wilkie, economic development director of Casa Grande, Kanavel was a strong proponent of education and professional development. As such, the AAED Board established the Tim Kanavel Memorial Scholarship Fund in his memory, to provide financial assistance to economic developers across the state to pursue their Arizona Economic Development Professional (AZED Pro) certification through AAED.

“Tim always encouraged his staff to participate in AAED programs and events and to avail themselves of the many continuing education opportunities.  This a fitting legacy and one I know Tim would be very proud of” said Stephanie Maack, economic development program manager at Pinal County.

Kanavel’s wife and sons were in attendance.  His son, David, accepted the award on behalf of his father.

“Thank you for the kind words about my dad,” said Kanavel. “I know my father loved the state and the people he worked with in Pinal County. Our family will be giving this award to them so that they can display it in his honor.”

“We’re thrilled to recognize these deserving recipients and congratulate their hard work and dedication toward building back a better and stronger Arizona,” said Carrie Kelly, executive director of AAED. “And we couldn’t be happier to acknowledge Tim Kanavel and his dedication to economic development by awarding him the William Lampkin Award and announcing the establishment of a scholarship fund in his memory. We were glad his son could be there to accept on behalf of the family.”

About the Arizona Association for Economic Development

AAED, founded in 1974, has a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration. For more information on AAED, visit www.aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

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