Scottsdale Leadership hosts salute to Spirit of Community

20th Anniversary event honors Jim Ford, Bill Walton, Christopher Griffin, and Founding Director Martha Green

Scottsdale Leadership has announced its 2019 Spirit of Community Leadership Awards recipients.

The recipients are Jim Ford, awarded the Frank W. Hodges Alumni Achievement Award; and Bill Walton, awarded the Drinkwater Community Leadership Award.

These award recipients will be honored Friday, Dec. 13 at the Scottsdale Leadership 20th Annual Spirit of Community Leadership Awards Luncheon.

The awards luncheon, which is sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, is at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, 4949 E. Lincoln Drive in the Town of Paradise Valley.

Hodges Alumni Achievement Award

The Hodges Alumni Achievement award is named in memory of Frank W. Hodges, a graduate of Scottsdale Leadership Class I and a fire fighter. The award is bestowed upon a Scottsdale Leadership alumnus who captures Mr. Hodges’ passion for the community and who continues to illustrate exemplary community service, passion for the community and humanitarian values.

A graduate of Scottsdale Leadership Class VII, Scottsdale Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ford’s personal legacy and professional career mirror the core values of Scottsdale Leadership. Ford is a steward of the community both personally and professionally demonstrating a selfless commitment to the safety and unity of our community.

Mr. Ford is responsible for the landmark ordinance requiring fire sprinklers in Scottsdale in 1985, which has provided a model for other communities internationally.

To Mr. Ford, this was not something he had to do for work. it was personal for him stating “This is our community - if you build in our city, you will protect what you build.”

Additionally, Mr. Ford works tirelessly to build a more inclusive community having served on the Community Celebrating Diversity Board of Directors for 26 years, serving twice as President. Mr. Ford epitomizes the Mission of CCD through his never-ending leadership and stewardship of the organization’s mission of peace, unity and understanding.

Drinkwater Leadership Award

The Drinkwater Leadership award, presented by Sacks Tierney, named in honor of former Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater, recognizes the achievements of a member of the community who exemplifies Mr. Drinkwater’s spirit of on-purpose living and positive intent for the community and has made a significant and notable contribution to the greater Scottsdale community.

For over 56 years, Bill Walton has dedicated his considerable energy, vision and professional expertise to enhance Scottsdale for this and future generations. Mr. Walton’s love and respect for Scottsdale, its people and its landscape is evident in treasures like the Indian Bend Wash and the TPC golf courses, both of which he was a driving force behind.

An innovator by nature, he has consistently demonstrated the courage to advocate an untested idea like the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt concept, then go on to serve in numerous capacities over 20 years to see the project completed and become a point of pride and recreation for Scottsdale residents.

Nearly all of his accomplishments were the result of his service on volunteer committees, demonstrating his commitment to collaboration, inclusion and seeking out a wide range of input and ideas from Scottsdale residents and businesses. He has served on numerous commissions for the City of Scottsdale and on City Council, resulting in more than two decades of public service.

Jenkins Youth Leadership Award

Scottsdale High School teacher and Scottsdale Mayor (1974 – 1980), Bill Jenkin worked tirelessly for his students in the Social Sciences department and as their student government advisor.

As a mayor, Bill took Scottsdale through rapid growth and through a recession. His accomplishments were many and included: building the first Scottsdale Senior Center, as well as completing the City Hall, Vista del Camino and Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt projects.

Bill was a classic example of an unassuming, genuine, community-minded man. The Jenkins Youth Leadership Award recognizes a high school junior or senior attending a Scottsdale Unified School District school, living in Scottsdale or attending a school in Scottsdale.

This year, Notre Dame Prep senior Christopher Griffin will receive the Jenkins Youth Leadership Award.

“Christopher is the epitome of a student leader. Out of all of my students, he is by far the most heavily involved in leadership. He is the strong and silent leader who takes charge. He also shows kindness to everyone on campus,” said Deanna K Duermit, Griffin’s school counselor at Notre Dame Prep.

Founding Director Marth Green

In honor of her commitment to the first 10 classes, founding director of Scottsdale Leadership Martha Green will be honored for her service to the organization’s initial classes and the strong foundation it enjoys today.

Originally a program of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Leadership was started by community leaders Sam Campana, Art DeCabooter, Don Ruff and Gary Shapiro.

Ms. Green provided the coordination to establish the program, form the partnerships and recruit the volunteers that the organization has needed to sustain itself for over three decades.

Since 1986, Scottsdale Leadership has graduated nearly 1,200 individuals who are prepared to take on leadership roles across our communities.

Through powerful, transformative experiences during its leadership development programs, Scottsdale Leadership enhances the ability of leaders and creates engaged citizens who ensure a sustainable future for our community.

Tickets are available at www.scottsdaleleadership.org. For more information call Scottsdale Leadership at 480-627-6710.