The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) has announced the recipients of its annual Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) awards. The awards were presented during an evening awards dinner at the AAED Spring Conference in Sedona.
The prestigious EDDE awards honor individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the organization and also to the economic growth within the state of Arizona. Recipients are selected from a pool of nominations made by members of AAED. Overall eight EDDEs were presented.
The William Lampkin Award for Long Term Excellence in Economic Development was given to Sally Odette, CEcD, senior consultant, Economic and Community Development for APS.
Julie Engel, CEcD, president and CEO of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, was the recipient of the Economic Developer of the Year, Large Community Award. The award for Economic Developer of the Year, Small Community, was presented to Richard Wilkie, senior management analyst for the city of Casa Grande.
Brandon Kavanagh, a partner with Mangum, Wall, Stoops & Warden in Flagstaff, was cited as Member of the Year.
Angela Talbot of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council was named AAED’s 2012 New Member of the Year.
Kari McCormick of Kitchell Contractors was recognized as Economic Developer of the Year – Tribal Communities.
The award for Large Organization of the Year was presented to the city of Phoenix and the award for Small Organization of the Year was bestowed upon Sigma Contracting.
AAED was originally founded in 1974 as the Arizona Association for Industrial Development (AAID). The organization, which was dedicated to expanding the industrial and economic base of Arizona, changed to its current name in 1991 to better reflect its broader mission.
The strategic vision of AAED is to be the leading advocate of responsible economic development for all of Arizona by leading the facilitation of public/private cooperation and fostering teamwork to address the growth and quality of life issues that face Arizona.
