Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Common trait: They're busy

Transplant, native both givers to the community

HEIDI ROWLEY

Tucson Citizen

The man and woman of the year honorees were surprised and humbled yesterday when they found out, and they had only good things to say about each other.

Surprised by a contingent from the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Man of the Year Dave Sitton said he was shocked when he was honored and pleased that his friend Jan Lesher was also rewarded.

"She's been busy in this community as long as I have, so I'm tickled for her," said Sitton, an executive with Clear Channel and a University of Arizona sports broadcaster.

Chamber members showed up at the homes of Sitton and Lesher, as well as Founders Award winner Cressworth Lander (see sidebar), early yesterday with flowers.

Sitton and Lesher had been nominated by co-workers, colleagues and fellow members of many volunteer organizations.

Dave Sitton

Sitton left Los Angeles in the 1970s to play baseball for UA. After injuring his shoulder, he became immersed in playing for UA's club rugby team and ended up coaching it for more than 25 years.

He has been involved in a variety of organizations, including the Steele Foundation, supporting Tucson's Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, which researches causes and develops cures for childhood illnesses and diseases.

Another benevolent group he is active in is the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson, supporting the diocese's religious, educational and charitable work.

He also belongs to the Davis-Monthan 50, supporting Davis-Monthan Air Force Base airmen and their families, and Friends of the Pops, supporting the Tucson Pops Orchestra.

Most recently, Sitton overcame lymphoma.

Chamber spokeswoman Cheri Cross said those who nominated Sitton honored him for continuing to volunteer, announce UA games and coach rugby, even through his cancer.

Nominees noted that after he overcame the cancer, he began working with the Arizona Cancer Center to help to spread the message of hope after cancer.

Jan Lesher

Lesher, head of Gov. Janet Napolitano's southern Arizona office, was also proud of Sitton's award.

"I'm so thrilled for him, too," she said. "He's such a great guy."

A Tucson native, Lesher has been active with such local organizations as the Community Food Bank and the board of directors of Tucson Unified School District's 4th R Partners-in-Education program.

Among the other organizations she actively supports are the Arizona Children Association, a nonprofit offering foster care, adoption and other child welfare services, and the Tucson 30, which works for increased funding for state universities and state revenue bonds.

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