The prestigious Mesa Citizen of the Year award recognizes and honors exceptional volunteers who have demonstrated significant long-term commitment and accomplishment through a broad-range of volunteerism enhancing the community by their service and excellence of leadership.
The Mesa Citizen of the Year Award was founded in 1935 by Charles and Florence Mitten, the owners of the Mesa Tribune.
Man and Woman of the Year
woman of the year, 2023
Sally Harrison
Sally Harrison
Sally Harrison moved from Washington State to Mesa in July of 2004. She joined the Mesa Chamber of Commerce staff in 2008 as the Director of Programs. She was promoted to the positions of Vice President of Development where she was able to utilize her marketing and event management skills. In the Spring of 2013, the Board of Directors appointed her President and CEO
Since she began working at the Chamber, Sally has been very active in Mesa non-profit organizations and community initiatives. She has served on innumerable Boards and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Mesa Public Safety Foundation and the House of Refuge. She is the president of the Mesa Industry and Defense Council and is an advisory member on the City of Mesa Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB). She is a member of the Mess Rotary Club, the Mesa HoHoKams and the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance. She attended and graduated from the Citizens Academy for both Police and Mesa Fire and Medical Departments as well as Mesa Leadership.
Sally is well known for her “can do” attitude and often assumes leadership roles in the organization that she joins. She is passionate about many causes including serving Veterans needs and raising awareness about Teen Suicide. She has received several community awards including the Mike Whalen Spirit of Community Service award from Visit Mesa and the Paz de Christo Feed, Clothe and Empower award. As one of her nominators noted, “Volunteering her time to help make a difference for others is what Sally has exemplified for many years. It is evident by her tenure in the organizations that she is involved with that she is there for a purpose and to make things better”.
Sally has two children, Bryce and Blake. Bryce passed away at the age of 17 in 2006. Blake is recently married, and he and his wife are expecting their first child in Spring of 2024.
man of the year, 2023
Vic Linoff
Vic Linoff
Vic Linoff, a Minnesota native, moved to Mesa over 56 years ago. He is an entrepreneur and successful small businessman. He owned and operated the well know Mill Avenue store “Those Were the Days!” for many years. Vic was very active in the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, The Mill Avenue Association and other civic oriented entities that were interested in promoting the business environment in both downtown Tempe and throughout the City. He actively participated in many municipal and regional planning activities that have led to several significant enhancements to the region’s transportation networks including new and expanded bus routes and light rail improvements.
As a resident of Mesa, Vic has also been extremely active in Mesa civic issues including the significant redevelopment activities that occurred in the past 40 years in downtown Mesa. He also was keenly interested in preserving Mesa’s history and was the “driving force” behind the City’s first historic preservation ordinance and the establishment of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board. Many people would argue that Vic has done more than anyone in the city to preserve Mesa’s history including the preservation of buildings and iconic neon signage. Vic is also an author, newspaper columnist and has taught classes at Mesa Community. Over his years of service, Vic has received numerous awards from civic and professional organizations in Tempe, Mesa and throughout Arizona
One of the individuals who nominated Vic for this award said the following about his service: “In all the work Vic has devoted to Mesa’s downtown revitalization and historic preservation, he prefers to work collaboratively and lead from behind. Vic’s preference is that others get the credit and recognition”.
Vic has been married to Vicki for over 50 years. They have one daughter and two grandchildren.
Student Community Service Awards
STUDENT AWARDS, 2023
Four Mesa Public Schools high school seniors have been awarded Student Community Service Awards with $2,500 scholarships from the Mesa Citizen of the Year Association.
Left to Right: Emily Perin, Juliet Xanthoudakis, Kodi Emerson, Quinlan Harris