ADC recognizes City Manager Chuck Potucek as Defense Community Champion
At the Sierra Vista City Council meeting on Thursday, City Manager Chuck Potucek was recognized as a 2024-2025 Defense Community Champion. The award was presented on behalf of the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) in partnership with Navy Federal Credit Union.
Potucek is one of only 19 leaders nationwide to be recognized by ADC this year. He was nominated for his history of remaining engaged in a spirit of cooperation with Fort Huachuca and his advocacy for its soldiers and their families.
“Chuck’s leadership continues to challenge [City staff] to find more ways to partner with Fort Huachuca,” Tourism & Economic Development Director Tony Boone noted in the nomination. “From Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs) and partnerships to efforts on the environmental issues, Chuck remains the catalyst.”
The nomination specifically spoke to Potucek’s work with Congress to develop Section 321 of the National Defense Authorization Act in 2003; his leadership on IGSAs to provide refuse, ambulance, and other services to the fort; his support on identifying off-base housing opportunities for soldiers; and his proactive approach to military/civilian community challenges, including responsible water management.
The last local recipient of the Defense Community Champion award was former Mayor Rick Mueller. During Mueller’s nomination process, he expressed that Potucek deserved the credit and asked that Potucek be nominated next.
In other business:
• City Council conducted a standing roll call and observed a moment of silence for former City Council Member Gregory Johnson who passed away last week.
• Mayor McCaa proclaimed November as Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Month. Former Mayor Thomas Hessler also said a few words, including honoring Sierra Vista’s two new Veteran Hall of Fame inductees Theresa Walsh and Jane Strain.
• City Council accepted the resignation of Keith Landry from the Transportation Commission.
• City Council reappointed Randy Wilcox and Daman P. Malone to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
