Longtime south Tempe resident Dave Cutty has been named recipient of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Tempe” Award, to be presented Feb. 18 at the 14th annual Breakfast for Chamber Champions.
The award recognizes lifetime achievements of service, dedication and contribution to the community and honors hard work and strong commitment to improving the quality of life in Tempe.
More than 40 years ago, Cutty was a college student who found himself touched by the friendship he developed with a young man with a serious disability. It was at that time that he dedicated his life to making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
He has never wavered from that commitment. Cutty has led The Centers for Habilitation over the years, and under his direction TCH has become one of the premier organizations in the nation providing services to individuals with disabilities.
Along that journey he never forgot his role as a citizen of the Tempe community. Cutty has served on numerous boards and commissions and was a member of Tempe Leadership Class I, later serving on its board of directors and helping blaze a trail for one of the most successful leadership programs in the Valley.
In addition, he has received the Don Carlos Humanitarian Award, the City of Tempe Pride of the City Award and the National Council of Work Centers Management Excellence Award, among others.
He has helped to show thousands of individuals with disabilities how to become productive and active members within their community. He has done this with a solid display of humanity, ethics and humor, according to Mary Ann Miller, president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber.
“Dave Cutty’s work has literally changed the lives of thousands of people. Dave has great business sense, and gets involved throughout the community. He not only lives his passion, he instills that passion in others,” said Miller.
Breakfast for Chamber Champions is scheduled 7:30 a.m. Feb. 18 at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, 60 E. 5th St. The public is invited to attend and may purchase tickets by calling (480) 967-7891 or visiting www.tempechamber.org .
