Arizona City & Town Leaders Receive Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards

Three Arizona city and town leaders were recently recognized for their extraordinary work on behalf of their municipalities.

Congratulations to Mesa City Manager Chris Brady, Clarkdale Town Manager Gayle Mabery and Goodyear Assistant to the City Manager Pamela Davis, for receiving Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards!

The Gabe Zimmerman Awards were created in 2011 to recognize non-elected public servants contributing to their communities and civic life, and collectively shaping the future of Arizona. The awards are named in honor of Gabe Zimmerman, who lost his life on January 8, 2011 while serving the citizens of Arizona as Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ community outreach director. Awards are given to individuals in three categories – community builder, emerging leader and civic leader.

Mesa City Manager Chris Brady received the Community Builder award for a large city.

Brady's vast experience in economic development has helped guide Mesa’s business attraction and retention efforts during his time as city manager. Serving as city manager since 2006, he has helped bring successful business to the city, including Apple, Banner Health facilities expansions, Air Force Research Lab and the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s Spring Training Facilities.

Clarkdale Town Manager Gayle Mabery received the Community Builder award for a large city.

Mabery has served the Town of Clarkdale for 26 years. She was appointed the position of town manager only five years after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, and has had the privilege of serving her home community her entire professional career. Under her leadership, the Town of Clarkdale has taken bold steps to improve the economic health of the community while strongly embracing the residents’ core values related to honoring the history of the town.

Goodyear Assistant to the City Manager Pam Davis received the Emerging Leader Award.

Davis is a dedicated public servant who serves as a critical link between citizens and the people elected to represent them. In her short time with Goodyear, she has served as project manager for the creation of the award-winning Wellspring Park Conservancy, a public-private partnership to develop a 130-acre wellness park in the heart of Goodyear Medical Innovation Corridor. She has a genuine care for the residents of communities she serves and is an example of what a dedicated public servant exemplifies.

Other local government leaders recognized during the luncheon were Dr. Marie Peoples, Coconino County Chief Health Officer and Dennis Smith, retired Executive Director of the Maricopa Association of Governments. The award recipients were recognized during the annual Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards Luncheon, which was held on Thursday, July 18 at the Arizona City/County Management Association Conference.