Courtesy photo.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) awarded former Coconino County Manager Steve Peru the prestigious John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award at a ceremony during their winter conference on January 24.
The John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award was created in 1997 to recognize City/County Managers who demonstrate the highest level of professional excellence and who have made a great impact on the community they serve. Jack DeBolske was the Executive Director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns for 40 years.
“I am honored to receive this recognition,” Peru said. “Coconino County has given me the opportunity to learn, grow and build a team that feels like family. I will always be grateful for the support throughout the years and to work with amazing employees dedicated to public service.”
After graduating from Northern Arizona University in 1979, Peru began his Coconino County career. Over the next 32 years, he worked his way up in the organization. He served as Community Services Coordinator, Career Center Director, Public Fiduciary, Assistant to the County Manager, Elections Director, and Deputy County Manager, before becoming County Manager in 2006.
In 2011, Peru left Coconino County but continued to serve the community. He was United Way of Northern Arizona CEO and then Coconino Community College Foundation Executive Director. In 2021 he was called back to Coconino County for his second tenure as County Manager which was completed in 2024.
Peru has also made invaluable contributions to ACMA through mentoring and advancing the field of public administration, which were recognized when he was named a “Life Member” in 2014.