Sun Devil leaders to receive honors at 2019 Homecoming

The ASU Alumni Association will honor Sun Devil leadership during the upcoming Nov. 23 Homecoming game, which will pit ASU against the University of Oregon.

The Alumni Association will recognize Arthur “Art” Pearce II, ’75 BS in business administration, with its Alumni Service Award, and JoAnn C. Holland, president and CEO of four Valley-based networking organizations, with its Alumni Appreciation Award. Trish Gulbranson, ’88 BS in accountancy, the 2018-19 chair of the organization’s board of directors and National Alumni Council, also will be honored for her service to the organization. 

Alumni Service Award: Arthur “Art” Pearce II, ’75 BS in business administration

A third-generation ASU alumnus, Pearce supports his alma mater through service and philanthropy. He is a current member of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Council, Institute of Human Origins Research Council and President’s Club. Within Sun Devil Athletics, Pearce supports the Sun Devil Club, The Coach’s Club and Camp Tontozona. A passionate Sun Devil, Pearce provided the philanthropic support to create the statue honoring Pat Tillman inside the stadium and the copper trident statue outside the stadium.

He and his family endowed the Zebulon Pearce Distinguished Teaching Award within The College to honor his grandfather, which annually recognized an outstanding faculty member from humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Recently, Pearce named the largest conference room in Armstrong Hall in honor of his grandfather and the Pearce family. He became president of Zeb Pearce Companies in 1983 and continued to lead the company until its sale in 2004. Pearce also is active in community organizations like the Arizona State Board of Geographic and Historic Names and the Phoenix Zoo.  

JoAnn Holland

Alumni Appreciation Award: JoAnn Holland

As the leader of four geographically based networking groups for women throughout the Valley, Holland demonstrates her commitment to leadership development, building community and advancing women. She is the president and CEO of Central Phoenix Women and Women of Scottsdale, as well as founder and CEO of East Valley Women and North Valley Women.

Prior to her current position, Holland worked at Wells Fargo, most recently serving as vice president, community affairs manager for the Wells Fargo Foundation of Arizona. She has received national recognition with the Cele Kennedy Award from the Arthritis Foundation, the Humanitarian Award from Pima Council on Aging, and Appreciation Awards from ICAN, the Rodel Foundation and Junior Achievement of Arizona. She received an Appreciation Award from the ASU College of Education in 1993 when she spearheaded the initiative to establish a playground for the children who attended the College of Education Preschool on the Tempe campus. This year, East Valley Women named the ASU Alumni Association its 2019 Philanthropy Partner.  

Trish Gulbranson

Past President’s Award: Trish Gulbranson, ’88 BS in accountancy

Trish Gulbranson served as chair of the ASU Alumni Association Board of Directors and the National Alumni Council last year and will serve as the past chair for the remainder of the fiscal year. During her term, she served as a member of the ASU Foundation investment and audit committees, Sun Devil Athletic Board and led the Sun Devil 100 committee. She will continue to spearhead the Sub Devil 100 committee during her current term.

Her professional background in finance and entrepreneurship fuels her enthusiasm for supporting and growing the ASU Alumni Association. She began her career as a CPA in a large accounting firm and later rose to president and CEO of an international software company before founding Derma Health, a medical aesthetics company. Today, Gulbranson is also a member of the Trustees of ASU.

Learn more about the ASU Alumni Association’s celebration of Homecoming week.