Kicanas, Dupnik honored with Founders Awards

It was a day of surprises Monday as members of Greater Tucson Leadership traveled throughout the city — with a virtual stopover in Europe — to notify this year’s winners of the Tucson Man and Woman of the Year and Founders Awards.

The morning began at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, where Suzanne McFarlin, executive director of Greater Tucson Leadership, connected via FaceTime with Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, recipient of one of two Founders Awards given out this year.

Kicanas, who is visiting Rome, said he was proud of the Tucson community and thanked supporters who gathered to watch the announcement, including Jan Howard, from Strongpoint Marketing, who nominated him.

The bishop’s dedication and leadership to the Hispanic community, as well as his fight for immigration reform, were cited in his nomination letter as contributions worthy of being recognized.

“His compassion and empathy for others is the reason why he has such a big following in the Catholic Church, and he deserves to be recognized for all that he has done,” Howard wrote.

Although he spent decades as a lawman, former Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik did not suspect a scheduled meeting alongside Sheriff Chris Nanos was an opportunity for McFarlin to surprise him.

Dupnik, who retired in July after 35 years as sheriff, said he was happy and honored to receive a Founders Award. Called an “exemplary public servant” in a nomination letter written by Nanos, Dupnik was praised for implementing innovative law-enforcement programs, his push for a countywide communications system and his efforts to address the correlation between mental-health issues and violent criminal activities.

Tucson Woman of the Year recipient Rosey Koberlein, CEO of Long Cos., was stunned when she saw McFarlin waiting for her in the lobby with a bouquet of flowers.

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In her nomination letter, Koberlein is celebrated as an exceptional businesswoman, employer and community leader who has built Long Cos. into the largest real estate company in Arizona.

Laura Penny and Nancy McClure, who nominated Koberlein, also stressed her involvement in the Long Realty Cares Foundation, which has invested more than $2 million in area nonprofits over the last 12 years.

Fletcher McCusker, CEO of Sinfonía Healthcare Corp. and 2015 Tucson Man of the Year, was unavailable Monday morning, but he was notified by phone later in the day.

McCusker, who was nominated by Gabriela Cervantes of AGM Container Controls, was credited with starting the movement to revitalize downtown Tucson and as the creator of the popular Second Saturdays Downtown.

Cervantes applauded McCusker’s philanthropic efforts, including his work with the Museum of Contemporary Arts, his business acumen and support of the community.

“As a businessman, one of Mr. McCusker’s greatest contributions to Tucson is starting highly successful businesses and keeping them in Tucson,” she wrote.

This year’s winners will be honored at a ceremony scheduled for Feb. 6 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.