The Center for the Future of Arizona awarded Coconino County Manager Cynthia Seelhammer the 2017 Gabe Zimmerman Civic Leadership Award.
The Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards are a statewide competition created to recognize outstanding non-elected public servants in three categories — Community Builder, Emerging Leader and Civic Leader. The awards recognize the commitment and dedication of more than 100,000 professional public servants across Arizona.
The Civic Leadership Award recognizes extraordinary leaders who have demonstrated knowledge, skills and commitment to addressing Arizona’s long-term issues and the personal leadership capacity to make Arizona a better place for future generations.

“This award is a true testament to Cynthia’s dedication to outstanding public service and her desire to deliver exceptional services to the constituents of Coconino County,” said Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Liz Archuleta. “On behalf of the board of supervisors, we congratulate County Manager Seelhammer for this award and for her exemplary career in public service. It is well deserved and another example of the excellent work our employees do for our citizens every day.”
Seelhammer has more than 30 years of experience working for small towns, large cities and counties in three different states. As county manager, she advances the organizational excellence of Coconino County by instituting many programs and policies demonstrating her passion for the employees, citizens and the organizational effectiveness of the county.
“CFA is an innovative organization that exemplifies public service and the need to bring the people of Arizona together,” said Seelhammer. “Our current form of local government was invented in the U.S. about 100 years ago to end cronyism, be fair to taxpayers and build trust. It’s an honor to receive this award that recognizes the importance of building and keeping trust among the citizens we are dedicated to help. My success is due to the good work of colleagues who work every day to help make things better.”
In 2002, CFA was established as a nonpartisan, nonprofit resource to provide impartial analyses to identify long-term solutions to challenging issues. It combines research with collaborative partnerships to drive the state’s economic prosperity, quality of life and civic health.