Go to gvnews.com/newsapp, sahuaritasun.com/newsapp and nogalesinternational.com/newsapp to download the apps from Google Play or the App Store today!
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com | nogalesinternational.com
2021 AZ19 MOST
INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
LUENTIAL P F E IN
MO ST
PLE O E
2021
LE OP
MO ST
WestRock
Photos by Manuel Coppola Nogales International
Doug Bolstad Mike Cain Cassina Farley Mary Fisher Dr. Vinod Gollapalli Marina Galhouse Chuck Hill Debbie Kenyon Mary Helen Maynard Bill McCreery Lee McKinney Diane Meyer Dick Roberts Becky Santa Maria Lynne Severe Efrain Tigueras Carlos Valles Aurelio Villa Christina Wilhelm
EN FLU TIAL P IN
2021 GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN AWARD
WestRock Co.
H
aving observed the mounting economic pressures on local at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team at WestRock in Nogales stepped up to join a local food-distribution effort. Time and time again the company supplied at no charge boxes to pack the produce that the Nogales Community Foodbank was suppling for distribution in Santa Cruz County as
well as Pima and Cochise counties. “We also sent a truckload of boxes to the Denver Food Bank,” said company sales specialist, Rebecca Brennan, adding that more than 200,000 boxes have been donated by the Nogales location. “A lot of this is just me facilitating the needs of the food banks and calling my customers who might be able to help donate
their good boxes that they have had on our floor too long,” she explained. “Growing up in Nogales and now being able to give back and help where I can, humbles me and makes me proud to have grown up in such an amazing community,” Brennan said. She emphasized she had a lot of help. Omar Cabrera, president of Agri-Packing Supply Inc.
in Nogales as well as Chris and Chuck Ciruli from Ciruli Brothers LLC in Rio Rico “stepped up to the plate when I called,” Brennan said. “WestRock truly believes in helping out the communities we are in as do many of our customers. This truly is a team effort in helping make sure the food bank continues to have boxes to distribute the food that is desperately needed.”
Rebecca Brennan
2
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Doug Bolstad Mike Cain I
D
oug Bolstad is known as the community handyman and is always looking to help those in need. He is a retired engineer and contractor who does pro bono work for those in the community who may be unable to do it themselves. Recently, Doug took up a project to renovate a home in Montana Vista for a mother and daughter. “Everybody has talents and abilities, and everybody can do something and treat somebody nice,” he says. Doug and his wife, Jan, also set up HOPE lunches hosted at the United Methodist Church of Green Valley, which gives the community a welcoming place to enjoy good food and good com-
pany. They also helped construct several of the church’s award-winning
floats in the White Elephant Parade over the years.
“Everybody has talents and abilities, and everybody can do something and treat somebody nice.”
f you have lights on in your home, cool air in the summer and warm in the winter, chances are you have Mike Cain to thank. Mike is the troubleshooter at Tucson Electric Power for the Green Valley and Sahuarita area. For the last 33 years, he has been on call 24/7 to help the residents. Mike is often at the top of a power pole restore everybody’s connections or, especially during this very wet and stormy monsoon, being tossed around in rushing water. Mike has raised his children in the area and has much respect and care for the community. Delores Novotny, who nominated Mike, says, “Next time you pass him in his TEP bucket truck, give him a smile and a thumbs-up!”
“Next time you pass him in his TEP bucket truck, give him a smile and a thumbs-up!”
3
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
Thank you for making a difference! www.south32.net
2021 AZ19 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2021 AZ19 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
4
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Cassina Farley
Mary Fisher R
C
assina Farley has organized or otherwise been involved in countless fundraisers and events. In 2016, for example, just when it looked like there would be no Fourth of July celebration in Patagonia for the first time in more than 40 years, Farley helped resuscitate the festivities attended annually by folks from far and wide. “I’m so impressed and proud to be from Patagonia,” she once told the Nogales International. “The people here always take care of one another.” Farley has directed the
Patagonia Creative Arts Center for the past eight years, having a significant impact on the youth and adults from Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia by providing exposure to the arts, live theatre production, film, and mixed media art.
She has encouraged and increased both adult and youth involvement in public displays of art, including murals at the school and at the Patagonia Museum, and a mosaic drinking fountain at Wildlife Corridors. Cassina co-founded an art program with the Santa Fe Ranch for the Santa Cruz Training Program for adults with disabilities. She also works directly with the Patagonia schools in coordinating all the K -12 instruction which is taught by area artists through the Patagonia Creative Arts Center.
“I’m so impressed and proud to be from Patagonia. The people here always take care of one another.”
otary International’s motto Service Above Self so appealed to Mary Fisher that she joined the Valle Verde Rotary Club in 2004. She has served as president and attended the international convention in Copenhagen. Many residents of Green Valley and Sahuarita got to know Mary when she was the director at The Shoppes at La Posada for 10 years. She was hired by La Posada in 2008 to help open Posada Java and Vensel Treasure Shoppe at its new location. With her cheerful manner and ever-present smile, Mary enjoyed listening to customers’ creative ideas to make Posada Java the success it has become. Soon there were walks to
benefit the Community Food Bank, pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and more. La Posada encouraged Mary to join the AmadoGreen Valley Community Food Bank board, where she served six years. In 2015, Mary Fisher was honored as grand marshal of the Country Fair White
Elephant Parade, which she calls an “unforgettable experience.” In 2019, she retired from the Shoppes at La Posada to volunteer with Valley Assistance Services, the White Elephant, the Green Valley-Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse and, most recently, the Sahuarita Library.
La Posada encouraged Mary to join the Amado-Green Valley Community Food Bank board, where she served six years.
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
Dr. Vinod Gollapalli
Marina Galhouse
I
M
f you’ve had a bad experience with bedside manner, look for Dr. Vinod Gollapalli next time. Vinod’s patients and colleagues say he’s one of the most hospitable surgeons in Southern Arizona. He has been a general surgeon at Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital since 2018. He was born in India and also attended medical school there. Before moving to the U.S., he trained in general surgery in the United Kingdom. His patients say he makes it a priority to makes sure they are comfortable before and after their surgeries. He takes the time to explain procedures, answer questions and calls his patients after their follow-up. Vinod’s patients are happy to have such a kindhearted man in charge during those unnerving times of life.
He was born in India and also attended medical school there.
arina Galhouse demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to people with developmental disabilities in Santa Cruz County. As director of the Santa Cruz Training Programs, Inc. she leads its mission to help local people with special needs perform to their fullest potential and integrate into the community. As the daughter of its founder, Anna Maria Coppola, Galhouse has been involved with SCTP off and on for nearly five decades. She started out as a volunteer during high school and college and ultimately became director in 2007. Marina does not tuck herself away in some corner office. She rolls up her sleeves almost daily to ensure members are receiving the services they need, welcome new participants or assist families
interested in having their son or daughter be part of SCTP. When she is not at the programs on La Castellana Drive in Nogales, she’s off to Phoenix, Benson and other parts of the state to advocate for people with
MARINA GALHOUSE
The Santa Cruz ARC board of directors on behalf of the members and staff at SCTP thank you for your passion and able stewardship. May this award serve to reinforce your continued dedication to improving the lives of those in our community with developmental challenges
Congratulations!
5
disabilities. Irma Babnew, who heads the SCTP adult day program, said, “to talk about Marina is to talk about commitment, dedication and values. If she did not exist, we would try to invent her.”
6
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
Chuck Hill I
f you look around Green Valley, you’re bound to find some sort of contribution made by Chuck Hill. From volunteering at the Green Valley Fire Corps, which includes checking and installing smoke alarms to creating and organizing the annual Ride of Silence to honor local cyclists, Chuck has become a valuable part of the Green Valley community. Chuck is involved with other cycling endeavors to make the community safer and more accessible for cyclists. He volunteers with the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bike Association to build trails and maintains the website for the Santa Cruz Valley Bicycle Advocate Committee. Chuck also volunteers at the Green Valley Recreation Camera Club to put on shows for GVR members, and has volunteered for the Rotary Club. Everybody should be glad to be part of the community Chuck Hill helped build.
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Debbie Kenyon D
Chuck also volunteers at the Green Valley Recreation Camera Club to put on shows for GVR members, and has volunteered for the Rotary Club.
ebbie Kenyon was named president of the Green Valley Council two months before COVID-19 changed our daily lives. At the request of Pima Country Supervisor Steve Christy, she helped organize the vaccination drive in Green Valley, heading the executive team and becoming the voice for local efforts. Within three weeks, local residents were receiving their first shot in Green Valley and avoiding the drive to Tucson, which is difficult or impossible for many seniors. She also was instrumental in efforts to ensure the second dose of vaccines were administered. She would be the first to say that it took several agencies and individuals sharing their expertise and locking arms to get it done. Within Debbie’s first six months, she refocused GVC to be a service-oriented organization. She has also led efforts
J
Maley with members of the Zona Club in 2018. She was the club sponsor. viewpoint. Hundreds of individuals and their families have gone through and continue to benefit from the programs she set in place. Even in her retirement she continues to work in the field of restorative justice through her involvement in
Resources, Parks and Recreations leadership to help ensure residents get the greatest benefit the parks can offer.
Within Debbie’s first six months, she refocused GVC to be a service-oriented organization.
Mary Helen Maynard udge Mary Helen Maley Maynard (Ret.) has dedicated her life to public service and to improving the lives of the most marginalized in the community. As town prosecutor of Patagonia and later as city attorney for Nogales, she focused limited resources on protecting victims of crime. As a judge in Santa Cruz County, she became frustrated seeing the same domestic-violence offenders over and over. So she went to work to create a restorative justicebased program now called “Circles of Peace,” a 501c3, to support victims, offenders and their families break the cycles of violence in the home. Through her tireless work and advocacy, she has changed the way our community sees “offenders” and those who commit crimes. Because of her, we can see through a restorative justice lens as opposed to the traditional punitive justice
to make three local Pima County parks more viable and meets regularly with Pima County Flood Control and Natural
Circles of Peace as well as through her work as speaker for the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), a nonprofit group of prosecutors, judges, police, and other law enforcement officials working to improve the criminal justice system
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
Bill McCreery
Lee McKinney
B
W
ill McCreery serves as director of community programs for Posada Life Community Services, which has evolved in his 28 years there into a comfortable place where seniors feel secure, are entertained and get social services as needed. His current management responsibilities include providing behavioral health and adult day services, caregiver support, early childhood education, a lifelong learning program, social activities for seniors and a community center where nutritious lunches are served to
seniors while providing social connections. Bill, who holds a master’s degree in educational psychology and is a licensed professional counselor, is a long-time Rotarian and current president of the Green Valley Rotary Club Foundation, providing scholarships and other funding for nonprofit organizations. He has developed or been part of teams that have created collaborative initiatives for healthy aging, community connections for care services, and a fee-for-service wellness program for seniors. He enjoys playing the
guitar, has performed for Posada Life programs and runs the Casa Coffeehouse in the Community Center, a venue open to local musicians to show their talent. Bill has also performed for the Green Valley community at large in Green Valley’s Got Talent.
Bill holds a master’s degree in educational psychology and is a licensed professional counselor.
e all know how stressful it can be when tax season rolls around, but Lee McKinney makes it a little more bearable. Lee has been a volunteer worker for AARP helping Nogales and Rio Rico residents file their taxes for the last 17 years. He worked tirelessly for these residents to provide them with support during the three-month period, but none of this ended when the pandemic hit. During the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons, AARP shut down Lee’s program, but this did not stop him. Lee still wanted to help the community, so one by one, he invited his clients to his home to help them file their taxes. While they social distanced by waiting outside, he provided them with a walkie-talkie so they could communicate with him. Such a personal service like this has been con-
sidered a godsend by his clients and provided them with the same excellent service they received be-
fore the pandemic. “Lee is really a model for all of us,” said Jerry Smith.
“Lee is really a model for all of us,” said Jerry Smith.
Congrats to all of the recipients of this year’s awards!
7
8
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Diane Meyer Dick Roberts S ince moving to Green Valley with her husband, Dan, in 2006, it was natural for Diane to get involved, contribute to civic groups and to seek out agencies that could use her talent and energy. She joined the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans and helped to create promotional materials and also assisted two Honduran families seeking asylum. Soon after newly elected President Barack Obama called for increased civic engagement, Meyer helped to co-found the non-partisan civic and education action group changeishappening! She is a volunteer, fundraiser and advisory board member of the Amado Food Bank, a tutor at middle schools in Rio Rico and Nogales, and is an adult English language tutor at Amphitheater High School and Literacy Connects at the Joyner-Green Valley Library. Add being a grant writer and front-desk volunteer at Posada Life, volunteering
D
with voter registration efforts, and being co-founder of alliance4action, Diane Meyer has served the Green Valley community in many ways. Meyer said she draws great satisfaction from
providing assistance to individuals, families and organizations in need and in recruiting others to do the same—especially when they continue the work and derive great satisfaction themselves.
She is a volunteer, fundraiser and advisory board member of the Amado Food Bank.
ick Roberts moved to Green Valley in 1994, after a 37-year career in aeronautical and electronics engineering. He was an engineer and supervisor with McDonnell-Douglas in Long Beach, Calif., and a supervisor in flight testing commercial and military aircraft. He has been involved in various volunteer and philanthropic community organizations ever since. Roberts served on the Green Valley Council from 1999 to 2003, including a long stint as president. He has served on GVC’s Health & Human Services, Traffic and Arroyos and Economic Development committees and has chaired the Planning and Architectural committee since 2016. He has devoted his expertise and time as a board member, secretary and president on the Continental School District Educational Foundation since 2000, and has tutored students for 26 years. He joined the Green Valley Rotary Club in May 1995, serving as president twice. He received Rotary’s highest honor, the Service Above Self award, in 2010, has chaired several committees and attended Rotary International Conferences in Singapore, San Antonio and Australia. Roberts also has been instrumental in bringing and keeping public transportation options in Green Valley and Sahuarita.
There are countless stories about how so many have found ways to give back to our community during a time of crisis and need. Among those who stepped up, I want recognize the teams at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, and Westrock Nogales - led by Efrain Tigueras and Rebecca Brennen, respectively. They came together to make sure that the fresh produce donated by many local distributors and brokers was delivered to meet the needs of the residents of Santa Cruz County and beyond. I would be remiss if I did not mention the incredible work by the Arizona National Guard who also participated in this effort. The strength of our community is and always will be our people.
Thank you!
Bruce Bracker, Santa Cruz County Supervisor
He has been involved in various volunteer and philanthropic community organizations ever since.
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
9
Becky Lynne Severe Santa Maria L ynne Severe has been active in Green Valley since moving to the community in 2004, and says she was born to be a nurse. She organized the Registered Nurses Group that now has 180 members. She took on the role of Team Leader of Volunteers at Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital, making the team available to assist in the emergency room, operating room and other departments. Upon learning that a number of local seniors were unable to go to Tucson for COVID-19 vac-
“I
f you haven’t heard about her, it’s because you haven’t been listening,” says Irene Manzanedo Coppola when talking about Becky Santa Maria. Around town, Becky is known as the community volunteer. For the last 12 years, she has found ways to give, ranging from art to sports. If she can’t volunteer, she always looks for some other way to help. “If there’s somebody that needs help, I try to help them in any possible way I can,” she says. Most of Becky’s volunteering revolves around the schools in the Green Valley and Sahuarita areas. She has been a cheer coach, and created a youth soccer program. She also volunteers at school events such as book fairs, and sets up collection drives for the schools, from books to sweaters. One of Becky’s recent voluntary projects was the 2021 Sahuarita High School prom. She worked with other volunteers to create and coordinate a beautiful prom for the students who’d been off campus much of the year because of the pandemic. It made a beautiful and fun end to a long school year. Becky has two children, a freshman and a senior, who attend Sahuarita High School.
“If you haven’t heard about her, it’s because you haven’t been listening.”
cinations, she intervened with state and local health departments, which led to a partnership between the Registered Nurses Group and the Green Valley Fire District. Severe also lobbied for a local vaccination program and was able to get 50 volunteer nurses to provide shots and services in Green Valley. Lynne also did what needed to be done to change rules on state licensing, which allowed all nurses, retired and active, to vaccinate people. This ruling has led to similar models in other states.
She is a volunteer with Valley Assistance Services and is a vaccinator with the Medical Reserve Corps of Southern Arizona.
Lynne also did what needed to be done to change rules on state licensing, which allowed all nurses, retired and active, to vaccinate people. This ruling has led to similar models in other states.
CONGRATULATIONS 2021 AZ19 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE Freeport-McMoRan applauds this year’s honorees for their commitment to giving back and making a meaningful difference in our community. Learn more about our commitment to communities by visiting FreeportInMyCommunity.com.
We Are Freeport-McMoRan.
10
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Efrain Tigueras
Carlos Valles
E
S
frain Tigueras of the Nogales Community Food Bank took an idea of supplying boxes of local produce to Santa Cruz County Residents in March of 2020 and developed a program that has produced 7,000 boxes per week for distribution in Southern Arizona. Much of the produce became available ironically because of the pandemic. Local distributors could not sell all of their products when restaurants, hotels and supermarkets closed or cut back drastically nationwide. So when members of the local produce industry offered to supply the perishables, Tigueras helped make a bad situation a lot better for many families in need. Lines of cars would form for more than a mile at local distribution sites. In addition to local distributors, Tigueras had help from the Arizona National Guard and sup-
port from the Southern Arizona Food Bank and Santa Cruz County. “But he was the force that made this program work week after week,” said
SCC Supervisor Bruce Bracker, who nominated him for this award. “His efforts provided food for thousands in Southern Arizona.
“But he was the force that made this program work week after week,” said SCC Supervisor Bruce Bracker.
ince he was hired in January 2019 as executive director of the Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center, Carlos Valles has exemplified going above and beyond his job description to be a resourceful and valued leader in the community. He initiated closer personal contacts with major food sources and suppliers, leading to substantially more food being available, including fresh produce. Upon the sudden emergence and restrictions the Sahuarita Food Bank brought by COVID-19 in and Community Resource 2020, Carlos and his volunteers implemented a drive- Center through its early through model for distributing food in safe and convenient ways to those in need in the I-19 region. Carlos, who earned an MBA at the University of Arizona, faces challenges with creative solutions and integrity. He didn’t worry about who received the credit as he helped lead
and founding stage to an established, professionally run non-profit.
Carlos faces challenges with creative solutions and integrity.
Congratulations, Efrain for being recognized as one of the AZ19 Region’s Most Influential People.
And thank you for your commitment to building a healthy, hunger-free southern Arizona!
Muchas felicidades, Efrain por ser reconocido como una de las personas más influyentes de la Región AZ19.
Y ¡muchas gracias por su compromiso con construir un Sur de Arizona saludable y libre de hambre!
communityfoodbank.org
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
11
Aurelio Villa Christina Wilhelm A urelio Villa is at the helm of the family-owned grocery and international wholesale business that started in a small neighborhood retail space on Western Avenue in Nogales in 1968 by his father and has grown to include a supermarket in Tucson and warehouses in Mexico. Now well into his 90s, patriarch Mario Villa embodies the typical small-town grocer and until recently continued to work stocking merchandise and, of course, greeting his customers with his quick wit and a smile. Aurelio inherited his father’s congeniality and generosity, helping many causes, from Little League to multiple fundraisers and food drives that benefit the less fortunate of the border community He was nominated by the Rotary who have also helped bring smiles and Club of Nogales, with whom he has cheer to the community through their partnered for several years, providing charitable efforts.” Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to help families enjoy holiday meals they would not otherwise be within their means. When it was discovered that some families did not even have stoves available to them, Villa stepped up and began a tradition of actually cooking the turkeys before they are delivered. “It is through people like Mr. Villa, that others who are less fortunate in our community, may experience a more dignified, joyful and healthy lifestyle,” said Gene Waken, immediate past president of the Rotary Club. “We are also grateful to the wonderful staff and employees of Villa’s Market
Aurelio inherited his father’s congeniality and generosity.
C
hristina Wilhelm has been an advocate for music and the performing arts for her entire career. Since 2005 Christina has been bringing world-class musical performances to our community through her work as president and artistic/executive director of the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts. The Benderly-Kendall Opera House in Patagonia opened in 2017 in large part due to her efforts and has been a marvelous home for live music experienced up close in an elegant and intimate setting. Throughout the pandemic Christina has worked tirelessly to continue the one-of-a-kind concert experience at the Opera House through the presentation of live-stream concerts. Through this effort Christina has continued to support talented local musicians who suddenly were unable to perform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the use of social media these concerts have kept the SCFPA community connected to the Opera House and live music. Now as music venues slowly begin to open up Christina and the SCFPA Board of Directors are planning the 2021-2022 concert season in Patagonia with live audiences. Christina is also planning to reunite and begin rehearsing with the Santa Cruz Singers, Santa Cruz County’s only
Sergio Aurelio Villa You have always been an inspiration to us through your leadership and generosity. We are proud that the community recognizes all of your good deeds for the less fortunate among us. – Your family and staff at Villa’s Market
community chorus. The resiliency and commitment to the arts demonstrated by Christina Wilhelm during this very difficult time has been inspiring and greatly appreciated by our Southern Arizona community.
12
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE SAHUARITASUN.COM
History of AZ19 Region Most Influential events
THE NEWSPAPER OF SAHUARITA, ARIZONA
www.gvnews.com www.sahuaritasun.com www.nogalesinternational.com
2018 AZ19 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE MO ST
A
s one of the largest mining companies in the world, FreeportMcMoRan knows working to make local communities strong pays off for everyone. When Freeport-McMoRan acquired the Sierrita mine on the edge of Green Valley in 2007, leadership continued its long history of quickly jumping in to help identify and tackle community challenges, celebrate victories and plan for a sustainable future. As a long-time major employer and member of the business community, the company is passionate about leaving a legacy of environmental stewardship and sustainable economic development. Freeport-McMoRan has been instrumental in sup-
MO ST
Photo courtesy Freeport-McMoRan
ENTIAL FLU PE IN
2018
PLE EO
Dan Shearer Green Valley News
EN FLU TIAL P IN
de Mexico in Nogales, Arizona, is joined by state Rep. Rosanna Gabaldon of Sahuarita.
Freeport-McMoRan volunteers participate in buffelgrass removal in Green Valley.
Regina Ford Special to the Green Valley News
Robert Wick of Wick Communications, Rebecca
Rogers, a member of the Wick board of directors, right, and Dru Sanchez, sitting, publisher of the Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun.
MO ST
Ricardo Santana Velasquez, consul general
porting the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce with long-term planning for economic development to drive business retention and expansion. The company has supported food banks, programs for children and education efforts. While FreeportMcMoRan’s direct economic impact on Pima County was more than $115 million in 2017, it’s difficult to measure the indirect positive impact on the lives of those who live in our community. Freeport-McMoRan is a major producer of copper, but to us it is so much more. Our thanks to the continuing efforts of FreeportMcMoRan for caring about our communities and showing it in so many ways.
LE OP
Dan Shearer Green Valley News
PLE EO
Community partner. Strategically driven. Outcome focused.
2018
A group shot of the AZ19 Region Most Influential winners at the inaugural event in 2018.
EN FLU TIAL P IN
Freeport-McMoRan
2018
MO ST
Good Corporate Citizen Award
ENTIAL FLU PE IN
LE OP
Although the 2020 AZ19 Most Influential event had to be held virtually due to the pandemic, the innagural event in 2018 and the follow up event in 2019 were a wild success allowing business leaders and community members to network and celebrate the amazing people doing good throughout the AZ19 Region. We now have an event celebrating AZ19 Most Influential Youths as well!
Regina Ford Special to the Green Valley News
Kathleen Wishnick, one of the AZ19 winners, and Paul Loomans, of La Posada.
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
13
2019
Go to gvnews.com/newsapp, sahuaritasun.com/newsapp and nogalesinternational.com/newsapp to download the apps from Google Play or the App Store today! SAHUARITASUN.COM
THE NEWSPAPER OF SAHUARITA, ARIZONA
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com | nogalesinternational.com
2019 AZ19 MOST
PLE EO
Rick McCallun Special to the Green Valley News
2019
MO ST
EN FLU TIAL P IN
A group shot of the 2018 AZ19 Region Most Influential winners.
ENTIAL FLU PE IN LE OP
MO ST
INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
2019 GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN AWARD
La Posada Community
W
School District Hall of Fame. Posada Life Community Services offers valuable programs for area seniors, plus an engaging pre-school for kids from 12 months to 5 years. The value of these community programs, along with other avenues of staff and community engagement, is typically valued at between $1 million and $2 million each year. Each spring, the La Posada community opens its grounds for the Taste of La Posada event — with bountiful food, music and tours of the residences!
ENTIAL FLU PE IN
MO ST
PLE EO
2019
LE OP
MO ST
hen the La Posada Continuing Care Community broke ground in 1985, Green Valley was a growing community of less than 10,000 residents, and the incorporated Town of Sahuarita did not exist. Three decades later, La Posada has established itself as a community leader, and a vital asset to the AZ19 region. With about 500 full-time employees and more than 700 residents, it is one of the largest 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in Southern Arizona. As estimated in a recent University of Arizona study, La Posada provides over $50 million in annual economic impact. As a non-profit led by a local board of trustees, La Posada makes a strong commitment to giving back. La Posada supports an estimated 40-plus service organizations in the area; major gifts to the Green Valley Fire District, to the Sahuarita and Green Valley schools, and to the Green Valley and Sahuarita community food banks have helped to make this region thrive. In 2018, La Posada was inducted into the Sahuarita Unified
EN FLU TIAL P IN
Rick McCallum Special to the Sahuarita Sun
Above middle: Patrick Feeney, at left, award winner Dr. Emil Annabi, and Jason McGraff. Above: Cheryl Schaefer and Ron Schaefer with award winner Paula Beemer, at right.
Laurie Andes Green Valley News
The awards that were given to the 2019 AZ19 Region Most Influential winners.
14
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
2020
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE Go to gvnews.com/newsapp, sahuaritasun.com/newsapp and nogalesinternational.com/newsapp to download the apps from Google Play or the App Store today!
From the Publisher
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com | nogalesinternational.com
2020 AZ19 MOST
We’re doing it again! Help us honor S. Ariz.
ENTIAL FLU PE IN
MO ST
PLE EO
2020
LE OP
MO ST
INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE EN FLU TIAL P IN
ENTIAL FLU PE IN
2020
LE OP
The Nature Conservancy
MO ST
T
he Nature Conservancy's first project in Arizona was the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, where it has been instrumental in conserving some of the richest of the remaining riparian habitat in the region. This oasis provides for a wide array of diverse
6/19
6/20
Nogales icon Kiki Rodriguez. Our Legacy Award honored Bill Bennett, who poured his life into his family and his community as founder of Bill’s Home Service. You can find a special section published for the event at gvnews.com, under the menu button, “Special publications.” It’s simple to get the nominations process rolling. Just send us the name, email address and phone number of your nominee. (You can nominate yourself.) Also, include a line or two about why the nominee is among the AZ-19 Region Most Influential People. We’ll dig in and do more research. Deadline to nominate somebody is July 6! Send your nominations to me, publisher Dru Sanchez, at:dsanchez@gvnews.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
species from endangered fish to butterflies and birds. The 873-acre preserve protects an example of the Fremont cottonwood-Goodding willow riparian forest. This is one of the few remaining sites in Arizona where this once-common forest type persists. Here are remnant wet-
lands, or cienegas, the most endangered natural community in Arizona. A significant number of rare and sensitive plant species are also found in the watershed. The Nature Conservancy has been actively engaged in hydrologic research and monitoring and the pre-
serve is the site of some of the first community-based activities seeking to build understanding and support for conservation in southern Arizona. Visited by thousands annually, it has been a platform for promoting the work of TNC and a site of several innovative environmental education
activities. “Our work in Arizona began with the purchase of the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve in 1966 and for the last 50-plus years TNC in Arizona has collaborated with many organizations, private landowners, and governmental agencies to achieve
our vision of a landscape where both nature and people thrive,” said Heather Beshears, director, strategic communications and marketing for TNC. “We appreciate being recognized by AZ19 for our past work and look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the future.”
Remember, the nominee doesn’t necessarily have to be high profile in the community or have a job that touches hundreds of lives — though we’d welcome those, too. But let’s not overlook the everyday good neighbors who make others’ lives better. We’ll honor the winners at an event this fall. Chambers of Commerce in Green Valley, Tubac and Nogales are helping out with the voting, and we have sponsorships available — I can answer any of those questions. Last year’s event was exciting and successful. We’d love you to be part of this year’s celebration. Let us hear from you by July 6!
— Dru Sanchez
6/21
PLE EO
2020 GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN AWARD
EN FLU TIAL P IN
W
hat a crowd and what a wonderful evening! Last September, we had about 350 people at the Desert Diamond Casino events center to honor those along the Interstate 19 region who have made their communities a better place to live, play and build a future. AZ-19 Region Most Influential People was a huge success, bringing together wonderful people from Nogales to Sahuarita to celebrate what the community has done and to draw from one another as we move ahead to a brighter future for Southern Arizona. It was our second year honoring our finest, and we’re looking forward to our third this year. This year’s event may look different (time will tell) but the spirit and enthusiasm haven’t been affected. We want to honor the people who make it happen! Want want to hear your nominations by July 6. The Green Valley News, Sahuarita Sun and Nogales International will honor people up and down Interstate 19 who are spark plugs in their communities — Nogales, Rio Rico, Patagonia Tubac, Arivaca, Amado, Green Valley, Sahuarita and more. We’re looking for those who are standouts in their personal lives, not just on the job. People who volunteer, who look in on their neighbors, who make others a priority. People who care, people who take action. Last year’s winners included businesswoman Nikole Haumont; Patti Hogan, founder of Paws Patrol; gardening columnist and Master Gardener Mary Kidnocker; and
MO ST
As published on Sunday, June 14, 2020
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
ifth-grade distance learning was a challenge for many students, but Andrea Acosta of Mountain View Elementary School proved to be a quick and resourceful learner, said her teacher Mary Mathis. She immersed herself and became completely familiar with the DL platform and all of its nuances, and then just took off working and attending all meetings established to offer supplemental support for self-paced lessons. But Andrea not only figured things out for herself, Mathis witnessed her sharing her meeting screen in order to teach fellow students how to use the platform extension and submit documents with their assignment. “She consistently tries to encourage her distance learning classmates by posting statements like, ‘You can do it,’ and, ‘Smile because it is our sunshine.’ Her manners are impeccable.”
THS OU
2021
YOUTHS 2021
SATURDAY, JUNE 5
F
others before himself and is truly a selfless, empathetic first-grader.
MO ST
S
irst-grader Gabriel Bonillas “continuously spreads positivity to all of his classmates, whether we were learning on the computer or in the classroom,” said his teacher Shelby Moore. “He often encourages and cheers on his classmates when they are learning by saying things like, ‘You got this!’ and ‘You can do it!’” When other students feel left out, Gabriel always invites them to join his group, Moore said. She offered this anecdote: “Gabriel one day earned a sticker but another student became upset that she had not earned one. Without hesitation, Gabriel gave his sticker to her to make her feel better.” He works hard on his academics and it has shown throughout this year, Moore said. He is passionate about the things he likes and applies them to his studies in a creative way. He shares his passions with his classmates and enjoys teaching them more about what he loves. He puts
Viviana Carrillo
A
THS OU
ENTIAL FLU Y IN
Extra copies of the 2021 AZ19 Most Influential Youths section available for the winners and their families at the offices of the Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun, 101S. La Cañada Dr., Suite 24 in the Green Valley Village.
2021
MO ST
kind-hearted young lady,” mom, Laurie, says. “She continuously shows us what graceful will and determination look like.”
t Wade Carpenter Middle School, Viviana Carrillo has demonstrated an outstanding personality throughout the past school year, given the challenging circumstances presented by the pandemic. Her classmates will tell you she is extremely empathetic because she never hesitates to help other students. “Viviana puts her education first every day,” said her teacher, Liz Andrade. She has also earned a spot on the honor roll the entire school year. Viviana is a member of the WCMS basketball team; president of the National Junior Honor Society; and president of the student council. “Her energy does not fade away; if anything, her positive impact has demonstrated a tremendous influence on the entire school community,” Andrade said.
ENTIAL FLU YO IN
HS UT
Samara Andes amara is 15, and has had to face a major health challenge when most kids her age are enjoying friends. Diagnosed with scoliosis, she bravely faced surgery hoping for a normal, painfree back. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kent Vincent was so impressed with how Samara handled everything that he asked her to talk with teens facing similar surgery about her experience. After her successful surgery, it was discovered she had a shattered knee and underwent more surgery. She faced it just like the first one and is doing well. Graduating from Continental School as an honor roll student, Samara chose to attend Primavera Online School as a freshman to avoid missing classes due to ongoing medical appointments. Samara has a strong interest in X-ray technology and wants to work in the medical field. She plans to begin college classes in her senior year of high school and apply to the radiology program at Pima Community College. “Samara is an amazing, caring and
Gabriel Bonillas
ENTIAL FLU Y IN
Andrea Acosta
F
2021
MO ST
INFLUENTIAL YOUTHS
ENTIAL FLU YO IN
HS UT
2021 AZ19 MOST
MO ST
gvnews.com | sahuaritasun.com | nogalesinternational.com
GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
Green Valley News Staff Photos
ABOVE: Green Valley News publisher Dru Sanchez and Nogales International publisher Manuel Coppola kick off the event.
LEFT: Sahuarita
Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Manuel Gonzales speaks to attendees.
RIGHT: Dru Sanchez pres-
ents one of the awards to Samara Andes as Manuel Coppola takes her a trophy.
YOUTHS 2021
SATURDAY, JUNE 5
15
16 GVNEWS.COM / SAHUARITASUN.COM / NOGALESINTERNATIONAL.COM
Take the lead on what’s ahead in your future
YOU’RE SMART.
You know this is an unprecedented time in our country. You know that suddenly, many things we took for granted in our day-to-day lives have changed, for longer than we ever anticipated. But it’s not forever.
SAFETY FIRST. We are taking precautions and we will get even smarter as a result. If there’s anything this pandemic and its enforced isolation has taught us, it’s that we need community. And we need a plan for our well-being, for the future.
2021 AZ19 REGION MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
DISCOVER LA POSADA. Here you’ll find community, security, safety
and guaranteed access to a continuum of care if and when you need it in the future – La Posada, Southern Arizona’s premier not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community. With the right plan, your worries are reduced. With the right community, your friendships and connections expand. Visit posadalife.org for more information or call us at 520-648-8131.
Southern Arizona’s premier senior community
Introducing Our New
r For a toull: please ca 31 -81 520-648
PAVILION HOMES
Two Beautiful Pavilion Home Models Reserve today – limited availability! Green Valley I Sahuarita PosadaLife.org EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
La Posada is an award-winning, nationally accredited not-for-profit continuing care community.