Queen Creek chamber awards honor businesses, residents

The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce recently announced the winners of its 16th annual Business Awards.

The awards honor local businesses, educators and residents.

“This is never an easy process; we receive dozens of nominations and narrowing it down is challenging,” stated Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce President Chris Clark in a press release. “Everyone is doing such great things in the community, and it’s these wonderful people and businesses that make Queen Creek a great place to live.”

John Bittles was named 2025 Volunteer of the Year. He currently serves as a volunteer at Banner Ironwood Medical Center in the emergency department.

He has served there for 14 years and gathered more than 8,600 volunteer hours and participated in multiple programs at Banner Ironwood Medical Center, such as the Children's Mobile Van, Teddy Bear Clinic, and their Trunk or Treat event. Bittles also helped create a program for pre-med volunteers from them to be mentored and shadow surgeons and emergency department doctors, the press release stated.

Cortney Von Miller from Silver Valley Elementary was named 2025 Educator of the Year. Silver Valley is located in Mesa and is part of the Queen Creek Uniified School District.

"Cortney’s classroom is full of joy, creativity and learning, all woven together with warmth and intention. Her students absolutely adore her, and their families often speak about the lasting impact she has made on their children’s lives,” wrote Kelli Frazier in her nomination of Von Miller. "Cortney Von Miller is more than an outstanding educator. She is a difference maker, a nurturer of hearts and minds, and someone who gives her all every single day."

Academy Bank was named 2025 Emerging Business of the Year. Academy Bank is a full-service commercial bank providing a wide range of financial services for consumers and businesses, including personal banking, commercial and business banking, treasury management, and mortgage services. Academy Bank is located at 37724 N. Gantzel Road, Suite 104.

Knockout Plumbing was named 2025 Business of the Year. Knockout Plumbing is a family-owned and operated plumbing company that offers a range of residential and commercial plumbing services.

"Dan and Dianna (Harper) and their team of plumbers are amazing. They do so much for the community and genuinely care about the impact they have for plumbing needs in Arizona,” wrote Ashley Shonley in her nomination of Knockout Plumbing.

Nominees for Volunteer of the Year included Dru Alberti and Lilyana Petersen; Educator of the Year nominees Nathan Johnston and Kelsey McCann; Emerging Business of the Year nominees Mighty Dog Roofing and School of Rock Queen Creek; and Business of the Year nominees As You Wish Pottery and WonderWise Preschool.

To learn more about the winners and nominees, visit Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce - YouTube to watch their videos.

The awards dinner, presented by Salt River Project, took place on Sept. 25.