Arizona Historymakers selections include John Graham
(Photo provided by Historical League, Inc.)
John W. Graham was recognized with six other Arizonans and a couple as a Prestigious Arizona Historymaker on Feb 19.
John W. Graham was honored as one of the Historical League’s Inc., chosen Arizona Historymakers of 2025 at the Arizona Heritage Center’s announcing celebration in Tempe.
More than 100 guests were introduced to the new Historymakers’ accomplishments, and contributions in the world of agriculture, medicine and community outreach.
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Arizona Historymakers selections include John Graham
(Photo provided by Historical League, Inc.)
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John W. Graham, Chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, has spent decades deeply involved in organizations supporting Phoenix in all aspects, from United Way to arts groups to healthcare nonprofits to foundations supporting Luke Air Force Base. Colleagues describe him as accepting any challenge and generous with both his time and money.
Graham grew up in Phoenix and attended Brophy College Prep, where he says he was introduced to the culture of community service and giving back. He earned a degree in economics from Stanford in 1979. He joined Sunbelt in 1982. He describes himself as a “servant leader” saying that he tries to put the community “at the center of all my leadership decisions while also doing well for our company.” He connects the private and public sector dots, commenting that engaging and investing in the community is important to empower economic growth.
He is active in more than 20 community groups, and more than 40 in the past. He has earned numerous accolades such as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Distinguished Service Award, the Phoenix Business Journal Landmark Leaders Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018 Man of the Year by Valley Leadership, and many others.
John W. Graham was recognized with six other Arizonans and a couple as a Prestigious Arizona Historymaker on Feb 19.
John W. Graham was honored as one of the Historical League’s Inc., chosen Arizona Historymakers of 2025 at the Arizona Heritage Center’s announcing celebration in Tempe.
More than 100 guests were introduced to the new Historymakers’ accomplishments, and contributions in the world of agriculture, medicine and community outreach.
In presenting John W. Graham, Diane Smith, Historical League’s Committee Co-Chairman, highlighted him a leader who has spent decades deeply involved in organizations supporting Phoenix in all aspects, from United Way to arts groups to healthcare nonprofits to foundations supporting Luke Air Force Base. Graham is Chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, and he describes himself as a “servant leader” saying that he tries to put the community “at the center of all his leadership decisions while also doing well for the company.”
Along with Graham the 2025 Historymakers included Bob Boze Bell, Diana “Dede” Yazzie Devine, Sharon Harp and Oliver Harper M.D., Sister Adele O’Sullivan, CSJ, M.D., Ronald Rayner, Eric Reiman M.D., and David Wooten M.D.
Also recognized during the evening were past Arizona Historymakers Elizabeth White, Honorable Jim Bruner, Stevie Eller, Merrill Mahaffey; and Harry and Rose Papp.
The night celebrated Arizona’s Statehood, and a tribute to White on her 102nd birthday.
The Arizona Historymakers’ program created in 1992 by the Historical League Inc., awards Arizona individuals, who have distinguished themselves with noted achievements and have maintained their ties to Arizona. To date more than 90 Historymakers have been honored over the years at celebration events, and inclusion in the Historymakers Hall exhibit at the Arizona Heritage Center.
Their videos, oral histories and transcripts are uploaded to the League’s website, YouTube, and preserved in the Library and Archives of Arizona Historical Society’s Heritage Center at Papago Park.
The Historymaker Committee is presenting Turquoise & Treasures, a celebration evening Oct. 25 to honor and share how the 2025 Arizona Historymakers have contributed to Arizona and the nation.
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