Polytechnic campus Provost receives Cox Excel Award from East Valley Partnership

November 10, 2006

CHANDLER, Ariz. — The East Valley Partnership (EVP) is pleased to announce its Cox Excel Award winners. Each year EVP partners with Cox Communications to produce an exciting forum and present the distinguished 'Excel Awards,' which are bestowed upon the best and brightest leaders in the East Valley communities. <separator></separator>The "Dwight Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award" honors a long-time leader in the East Valley and is given to an individual who lives or works in the East Valley, is well respected, has made significant lifelong contributions to their community, and has exhibited characteristics of the finest leaders. Dr. Albert McHenry of ASU Polytechnic has been selected as the recipient for this year's "Dwight Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award". Over the years, Al has been involved in all types of community events and has been a supporter of many public initiatives. Dr. McHenry has been an educator in the East Valley since 1976 and currently serves as the Interim Provost of the ASU Polytechnic campus. <separator></separator>Joanie Flatt of Flatt & Assoc., Ltd. and Dr. Larry Christiansen, Mesa Community College will receive the "Kerry Dunne Sustaining Leadership Award" which honors the long-time EVP Executive Director who is credited for sustaining the Partnership for nearly a decade. It is given to individuals who live or work in the East Valley, someone who may or may not be in the limelight, but who has exhibited consistent, sustaining leadership in a given area or industry. Joanie is past president of the East Valley Partnership and the East Valley Chambers of Commerce. She stays active in the local community through her mentoring of young people, serving on community boards, laboring for over twenty-five years to get the Mesa Arts Center built, championing local issues and causes through her newspaper columns and blogs or just being on call to East Valley social service and arts groups to provide advice and counsel. Dr. Larry Christiansen has served the Maricopa County Community College District for 23 years, 17 of which have been as President of Mesa Community College (MCC). During his tenure as President, MCC has grown to be one of the largest community colleges in the country.<separator></separator>The third category award, "Excellence in Leadership Award", is given to an individual who lives or works in the East Valley and who is either an established leader or a rising star in our communities. This year's recipient is Cynthia Dunham, The Leadership Centre. An East Valley resident for 33 years, Cynthia Dunham served as a Councilmember from 1995-1997 and then as Mayor from 1997-2001 for the Town of Gilbert. She serves on many community boards and committees including the United Food Bank, Gilbert Foundation, Banner Gateway Medical Center Philanthropic Council, ASU Polytechnic Advisory Board, and the East Valley Partnership. Currently, she is the Founder and Executive Director of The Leadership Centre located on the campus of Chandler-Gilbert Community College.<separator></separator>East Valley Partnership and Cox Communications congratulate these deserving winners and will recognize them on November 15, 2006, when East Valley Partnership will host the 13th Annual Cox Communications East Valley Economic Forum– "Driving the Transportation Systems of the Future" at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel (60 E Fifth Street in Tempe). The Cox Excel Awards presentation and program will begin at 4:00p, followed by a cocktail reception at 5:30p. The public is invited to attend but seating is limited. Cost is $55 for EVP members and $70 for non members. To register, visit www.evp-az.org (under "Events") or call our office at 480/834-8335.<separator></separator>The East Valley Partnership is a coalition of civic, business and political leaders from Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Carefree, Cave Creek, Chandler, Fort McDowell Indian Community, Fountain Hills, Gila River Indian Community, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Queen Creek, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes and Tempe dedicated to the economic development and promotion of the East Valley. The Partnership actively works with regional stakeholders in areas including, but not limited to, education, economic development, transportation, and government relations.<separator></separator>For more information about East Valley Partnership, call 480/834-8335 or visit <a href="http://www.evp-az.org/">www.evp-az.org</a>.