Leadership West named Councilman Claude Mattox the organization's "Alumnus of the Year," in a ceremony on June 3.

Currently in its 10th year, the annual award recognizes a graduate of the organization's yearlong leadership training program who is active in the west Valley, pursues issues related to the community and represents the community as a whole. Mattox graduated in the program's first year.

"Councilman Mattox exemplifies what it means to be a leader in our community," said Leadership West Vice President Dean Howard. "He has taken on a number of issues that are important to the west Valley and has shown that he can do so by seeing the impact of decisions on the entire community," he said.

Mattox has served the west Valley as a founding member of Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC) and a member of the organization's board of directors. WESTMARC was one of the original partners that organized Leadership West. After his graduation in 1994 from the Leadership West program, Mattox served on the organization's board of directors.

Recently re-elected for a second term, Mattox began his service on the Phoenix City Council in January 2000. He represents District 5, which includes west and central Phoenix and has been an active member of the west Phoenix community for 20 years. Mattox chairs the Natural Resources Subcommittee and serves as a member of the Education, Culture and Genomics, Downtown Sports and International, and Transportation subcommittees.