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Economic Development

Award, scholarship honor late Pinal County economic developer

Posted 10/29/21

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) has given the William Lampkin Award for Long Term Excellence posthumously to Tim Kanavel, former economic development director for Pinal …

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Economic Development

Award, scholarship honor late Pinal County economic developer

Posted

The Arizona Association for Economic Development has given the William Lampkin Award for Long Term Excellence posthumously to Tim Kanavel, former economic development director for Pinal County.

Kanavel died in February. AAED also announced the creation of a scholarship in Kanavel’s memory.

The award and scholarship were presented at the Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence Award Ceremony held during the organization’s annual fall forum in Flagstaff.

Kanavel was a member of AAED for 20 years, serving on the board of directors and chairing the Rural Economic Development Committee. He joined Pinal County in 2009 to create the county’s first economic development department.

The William Lampkin Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to economic development efforts in Arizona, as well as demonstrated a sustained commitment to AAED.

“We couldn’t be happier to acknowledge Tim Kanavel and his dedication to economic development by awarding him the William Lampkin Award and announcing the establishment of a scholarship in his memory,” said Carrie Kelly, executive director of AAED.

According to Richard Wilkie, economic development director for Casa Grande, Kanavel was a strong proponent of education and professional development. As a result, the AAED Board established the Tim Kanavel Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance to economic developers across the state who want to pursue their Arizona Economic Development Professional certification through AAED.

“Tim always encouraged his staff to participate in AAED programs and events and to avail themselves of the many continuing education opportunities.  This is a fitting legacy and one that I know Tim would be very proud of,” said Stephanie Maack, economic development program manager at Pinal County. 

Kanavel was involved with various economic development initiatives throughout Arizona during his long career. In 2010, he was appointed to the Arizona Governor’s Rural Business Advisory Council, where he managed a grant budget of more than $2.5 million in two of the four years there.

He also served on the board of directors for the Pinal Partnership Economic Development Coalition and Arizona@Work. Additionally, he served as a member of the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition, Pinal Alliance for Economic Growth, Pinal County Industrial Development Authority and Central Arizona Association of Governments.

Kanavel’s wife and sons attended the ceremony. His son, David, accepted the award on behalf of his father.  

“Thank you for the kind words about my dad,” David Kanavel said. “I know my father loved the state and the people he worked with in Pinal County. Our family will be giving this award to them so that they can display it in his honor.”