AAED Announces 2026 EDDE Award Winners
The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) presented its annual Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) Awards during its Spring Conference at the El Conquistador Resort in Oro Valley, Arizona. The EDDE Awards honor the best economic development practices by individuals, organizations, and companies that have significantly contributed to the state’s economic growth. Recipients are selected from a pool of nominations submitted by AAED members.
The 2026 award winners include:
William Lampkin Long-Term Excellence in Economic Development
Winner: Harry Paxton, CEcD — Deputy Economic Development Director, City of Buckeye
Best of Arizona Award
Winner: The Boeing Company & City of Mesa
Economic Developer of the Year (Large Community)
Winner: Jaye O’Donnell — Economic Development Director, City of Mesa
Economic Developer of the Year (Medium Community)
Winner: Marissa Garnett, CEcD, AZED Pro, AICP — Economic Development Project Manager, Town of Queen Creek
Economic Developer of the Year (Small Community)
Winner: Jack Fitchett, MPA, AZED Pro — Economic Development Director, City of Winslow
Emerging Economic Developer of the Year
Winner: Claire Bruns — Business Development Manager, City of Goodyear
Economic Development Organization of the Year (Large)
Winner: City of Glendale
Economic Development Organization of the Year (Medium)
Winner: City of Goodyear
AAED Member of the Year
Winner: Bryan Seppala, AZED Pro — Principal Advisor, Resolution Copper
AAED New Member of the Year
Winner: Brock Severson, AZED Pro — Economic Development Specialist, City of Apache Junction
Provider of the Year
Winner: Colliers Engineering & Design
Workforce Practitioner of the Year
Winner: Chandler Escalante, Workforce Development Project Manager, City of Chandler
We’re thrilled to see so many PDDG client partners and friends among the list of winners. PDDG is a proud AAED member and longtime supporter/sponsor of the organization.
Photo courtesy of AAED.