Center City Awards Recipients

Since 1993, Phoenix Community Alliance has honored individuals from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who have made outstanding contributions to advance the quality of life and further the renaissance of Central Phoenix.

The Center City Champion Award was presented from 1993 to 1997. In 1998, the award was renamed the Center City Starr Award after the late Barry Starr, PCA’s long-time President. Prior to joining PCA, Starr served as a City of Phoenix Police Officer, Valley Big Brothers Executive Director, Phoenix City Council Member, and Assistant to Governor Rose Mofford and Mayor Paul Johnson. Starr was a driving force behind the development of Steele Indian School Park.

The Center City Awards were reimagined in 2020 and present both a Champion Award and Newcomer Award yearly. The Center City Champion is an individual who continuously goes above and beyond to positively impact our Greater Downtown Phoenix community. The Center City Newcomer is an individual who is quickly growing their impact on Greater Downtown Phoenix and is a future champion for our community.

Today, PCA continues to find the right opportunities for business leaders to collaborate with local governments and other stakeholders, including educational, cultural, nonprofit, and various business industries, to build the 21st-century city we want.

THE CENTER CITY AWARDS HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHO:

Consistently lead and challenge the community to continued quality growth and development.

Unfailingly support the commitment and efforts of business, government, educational, cultural, civic, and religious organizations, neighborhood groups, property owners, and individuals to revitalize Central Phoenix and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Tirelessly devote their time, talent, and resources to the betterment of Central Phoenix.

The list of Center City Award recipients is as follows:

  • Center City Award Recipients
  • 2022 Jim McPherson, Champion
  • 2022 Jessie Ponce, Newcomer
  • 2021 Eva Olivas, Champion
  • 2021 Kell Duncan, Newcomer
  • 2020 Sheila Harris, PhD, Champion
  • 2020 Dominic Papa, Newcomer
  • Center City Starr Award Recipients
  • 2019 John Chan
  • 2019 Brian Cassidy
  • 2018 Dan Klocke
  • 2018 Beatrice Moore
  • 2017 Councilwoman Thelda Williams
  • 2017 Larry Lazarus
  • 2017 Rick Naimark
  • 2017 Tim Sprague
  • 2016 Donald Keuth
  • 2016 Kimber Lanning
  • 2016 The Honorable Greg Stanton
  • 2016 Mo Stein
  • 2015 Ed Zuercher
  • 2015 JoMarie McDonald
  • 2015 Charlie Levy
  • 2015 Diane Yazzie Devine
  • 2013 Stuart Flynn, M.D.
  • 2013 Cindy Dach
  • 2013 Greg Esser
  • 2011 Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D.
  • 2011 Eugene Giovannini, Ph.D.
  • 2010 Linda Hunt
  • 2010 Michael Ebert
  • 2010 Michael M. Crow, Ph.D.
  • 2009 Kurt Schneider
  • 2009 David Krietor
  • 2009 Cindy Gentry
  • 2008 Richard Simonetta
  • 2008 John Murphy
  • 2008 Judy Jolley Mohraz
  • 2007 Brian Kearney
  • 2007 James Ballinger
  • 2006 David Smith
  • 2006 Steve Zabilski
  • 2006 Mark Holleran
  • 2006 The Honorable James Bruner
  • 2005 The Honorable Phil Gordon
  • 2005 Valerie Manning
  • 2004 Richard Mallery, Esq.
  • 2004 The Honorable John Nelson
  • 2003 William Post
  • 2003 Jack Tevlin
  • 2002 Jerry Bisgrove
  • 2002 The Honorable Ed Pastor
  • 2001 Ronald Bookbinder
  • 2001 Lattie Coor, Ph.D.
  • 2000 The Honorable Rick Romley
  • 2000 Bette De Graw, Ph.D.
  • 2000 Neil Irwin, Esq.
  • 1999 Martin Schultz
  • 1999 Dan Cracchiolo, Esq.
  • 1999 Sheryl Sculley
  • 1998 Keith Turley
  • 1998 William Shover
  • 1998 The Honorable Skip Rimsza
  • 1998 The Honorable Tom Smith
  • 1997 Kevin Keogh
  • 1997 Richard Snell
  • 1997 Barry Starr
  • Original Center City Champion Award Recipients
  • 1996 Ray Bladine
  • 1996 Louis A. “Chip” Weil
  • 1996 The Honorable Jane Dee Hull
  • 1995 The Honorable Paul Johnson
  • 1995 Jerry Colangelo
  • 1994 Frank Fairbanks
  • 1994 Marvin Andrews
  • 1993 Donald Bliss
  • 1993 Robert L. Matthews
We are so grateful to join such a powerful organization making a true difference in the communities we serve.
- Katrina Heineking, COO, Transdev Services Inc.