TAFEF Hall of Achievement Awards

The 2025 TAFEF Hall of Achievement Awards will be held on
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at the La Paloma Country Club.

Every fall, the Tucson Advertising Federation Educational Foundation (TAFEF) honors Tucson’s notable advertising professionals – past, present, and future – by hosting the annual TAFEF Hall of Achievement (HOA) Awards. Those awards include induction of honorees into the Tucson Advertising Hall of Fame, which recognizes marketing and industry professionals who have led, mentored, and inspired others as part of the AAFT.

Other Hall of Achievement awards include the AAF Silver Medal Award for lifelong contributions to the industry here, the Ad Professional of the Year, for being an outstanding role model to others in the industry, and the Next Generation Award, which recognizes outstanding advertising professionals, age 40 and younger, who have made a significant impact on the industry.

The Tucson Advertising Federation Educational Foundation (TAFEF) is proud to announce the esteemed honorees for the 2025 Hall of Achievement event.

Silver Medal Award
Steve Earnhart, IHeartMedia Area President – Southwest

The American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal is a nationally recognized award honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence, and responsibility in areas of social concern.

Ad Professional of the Year
Sonia Ruiz–Monson, Senior Account Executive for iHeartMedia

This award recognizes marketing and advertising professionals who have led, mentored and inspired others to succeed.

Advertising Hall of Fame Inductees
Alan Michaels, Director of Development at Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona

Ray Frieders, retired Production Manager at Cox Media
The Hall of Fame recognizes the best among local industry professionals who have led, mentored and inspired others to succeed in this industry.

Next Generation Award
Shayla Sandoval, Senior Vice President of Client Services at Sandoval Creative

This award recognizes advertising professionals 40 and younger who are making a significant impact
on the industry through leadership, career achievements and personal qualities that also inspire
others to excel.

The 2024 Silver Medal Award winner is Kerry Stratford, President of Caliber Group. The American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal is a nationally recognized award honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence, and responsibility in areas of social concern.

Bill Hussey, senior account executive at Clear Channel Outdoor. This award recognizes marketing and advertising professionals who have led, mentored, and inspired others to succeed.

Mitch Sigsworth, director of sales and business development at Cox Media, and Darrell Durham, retired marketing director at the Arizona Daily Star, were inducted into the Tucson Advertising Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Inductee: John Hudak, Publisher of Tucson Lifestyle Magazine/Conley Media Group. HOA inductees are recognized as the best among local industry professionals who have led, mentored, and inspired others to succeed in this industry..

The Next Generation Award honoree is Bekah Collins, Vice President at Good News Communications. This award recognizes advertising professionals 40 and younger who are making a significant impact on the industry through leadership, career achievements, and personal qualities that also inspire others to excel

About Tucson Advertising Federation Educational Foundation:

The Tucson Advertising Federation Educational Foundation (TAFEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting excellence in advertising and marketing education in the Tucson area. TAFEF provides internships, educational programs, and resources to empower the next generation of advertising professionals.

Silver Medal Award: Jennifer Nunn, Market Manager/Vice President of Sales at Clear Channel Outdoor Tucson. The American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal is a nationally recognized award honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence, and responsibility in areas of social concern.

Ad Professional of the Year: Joan Lee, Account Executive at KDRI Radio The Drive. This award recognizes marketing and advertising professionals who have led, mentored, and inspired others to succeed.

Hall of Fame Inductee: Linda Fahey, President of Dark Horse Media. HOA inductees are recognized as the best among local industry professionals who have led, mentored, and inspired others to succeed in this industry.

Hall of Fame Inductee: John Hudak, Publisher of Tucson Lifestyle Magazine/Conley Media Group. HOA inductees are recognized as the best among local industry professionals who have led, mentored, and inspired others to succeed in this industry.

The Next Generation Award: Daniela Siqueiros, Director of Advertising & Marketing at Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. This award recognizes advertising professionals 40 and younger who are making a significant impact on the industry through leadership, career achievements, and personal qualities that also inspire others to excel.

Click on an award below and find a list of all the past honorees.