Bob Debow Award

Bob DeBow Business of the Year Award Presented by the
Gold Canyon Business Association

A Word About Bob DeBow

The Gold Canyon business community lost a great friend, a mentor to many of us, and a person of vision. Bob DeBow passed away almost three years ago. He is remembered by many as the individual who gave us words of encouragement, guidance and even seed money when we most needed it to help start our businesses.

Bob DeBow recognized the potential of our Superstition Mountain community and of our residents. He helped to create the Gold Canyon Business Association. In the early days the Association’s monthly meeting averaged about eight people. Today, membership has grown to 170. As you know membership is limited to businesses with a Greater Gold Canyon area business address. This says much about Bob’s vision and how far we’ve grown as a community.

Bob DeBow believed that a business must always present itself well to the community. He believed the “curb appeal” of a business demonstrated the pride that the owner and staff have in itself, its products and in the community. It was his feeling that the facade and signage should have a fresh clean look and never present a worn or neglected image. Some people might call it “dressing for success.” Bob called it just good business sense.

He believed the businessperson should be both professional and customer service minded. He, or she, should always be honest and instill confidence in customers and business associates.

Finally, but not of least importance, he advocated that businesses should be involved in the community. No one operates in a vacuum and businesses should not just take from a community; but they should also give back. This involvement must include volunteering of time in projects that benefit the community. Community participation also includes the decisions being considered by political governing bodies, especially those that affect how business can operate in that community. Bob understood that in order for the business community to be successful, the citizens of community also have to be successful.

Bob DeBow’s success came because he combined these philosophies with hard work. As a result, political leaders, business owners, and potential business owners regularly sought his guidance and counsel. One of our members added, “Bob made me feel welcomed when I came here and opened my business.” His presence is greatly missed.

It is appropriate that the Gold Canyon Business Association has created an annual awards program to honor the memory and spirit of Bob. We introduce the “Bob DeBow Businessperson of the Year” awards.

Award Bob DeBow Winners Announcement's

The winners of the Bob DeBow Business of the Year Award were announced at the GCBA Christmas Party on Saturday December 7, 2002.

Here is the written presentation of the oral presentation by Carol Niemyski from the award event at the 2002 Christmas Party:

"I am delighted to be able to make the inaugural presentation of this very special award.

First, I would like to thank the other committee members for their participation: Bennett Curry, committee chairman and Dir. of the Central AZ. College Small Business Development Center; Sandie Smith, District 2 Supervisor and Jim Stuckey, Central AZ College.

Many of us never met Bob Debow, however his legacy of commitment to community service and the growth of businesses within the community will be honored through the annual presentation of The Bob DeBow Business of the Year Award.

The criteria for consideration of this award exemplify Bob’s ideals, such as: pride in business ownership, professionalism, service, and dedication to the community, mentoring, especially new business owners and just plain hard work. Our winners have achieved success in all of these areas.

The first presentation, is for the Retail Service category: The award goes to a man that has a record of community involvement that includes officer positions with G C B A, ADOBE (Assn. Of Development of a Better Environment), and Community Facilities District Advisory, and he is present at all the DRO (Design Review Overlay) meetings.

All of the nominations he received stressed his willingness to assist wherever the community needed help; each applaud his professionalism, and unique ability to listen to the needs of the Community and work with others to solve problems. He is politically active in state and county issues while acting as a Stewart of Gold Canyon community issues. All of this community involvement is done while managing his own successful business and assisting in the management of other businesses.

Please join in congratulating our winner of the Retail/Service Bob DeBow Business of the Year Award, RON REINAGEL, R - 3 Realty in Gold Canyon

Our next award is for a Home Based business.

This year’s winner has been active in the community for more than 8 years.

He is one of the founders of the GCBA, serves on the DRO committee, is on the board of directors of the Apache Junction Chamber, and serves as a volunteer on numerous other boards and committees, such as ADOBE, that benefit the Gold Canyon community. His reputation is well known for encouraging business growth with a tireless commitment to the preservation of the environment.

Nomination letters profiled his outstanding customer service reputation and the growth of his business. In addition, he has helped mentor new business owners in the Gold Canyon area.

His integrity, generosity and willingness to lend a hand when needed is appreciated and respected by all in the community. I know you will all take pleasure in congratulating our Home Based business of the year winner: CLIFF AXT, Realty Executives of Gold Canyon".

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