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Happy New Year! Before you pop the champagne cork to welcome in 2019, let鈥檚 first look back on the year that was. As he does every year, Glenn Hamer hands out some honorifics with his presentation of the 2018 Ham[m]er Awards! And remember: although there is no actual award to place on the mantle, this column is suitable for framing.

Longtime readers of the Hammer Awards鈥攖his column marks the ninth edition鈥攚ill recognize some familiar names in this year鈥檚 list of winners. I believe that鈥檚 because there are a number of people who don鈥檛 always get the recognition they deserve for their outstanding work. I hope this annual column serves as a needed reminder.

A quick glance at the news tells you plenty about what鈥檚 wrong in the world. (Yes, I鈥檝e seen the stock market.) My hope is that this look back provides a small window into all the good things happening in Arizona, the country, and around the world.

On to the awards鈥�

Sen. Jon Kyl Public Service Award

Sen. Jon Kyl聽wins this eponymously named Hammer Award. Sen. Kyl was possibly the only person not to be at least secretly interested in a Senate appointment following the passing of Sen. John McCain, but he answered the call to service.

Arizonans felt good about the appointment, and for good reason. He was the right man for the job at a challenging time.

I appreciated how kind he was to appear at a Chamber board meeting just a few days after his appointment, a highlight for everyone in attendance.

I am grateful to have worked for this great and decent man. Statesmen never go out of style.聽[Watch my interview with Sen. Kyl聽.]

Lee Mazzilli Award

It wouldn鈥檛 be a Hammer Awards column without a reference to a ballplayer of my youth. (Longtime Hammer Award watchers can add this one to previous shouts out to Brent Gaff, Tom Gorman, and Ed Kranepool.) This year鈥檚 version is named for an underappreciated roleplayer on the 1986 Mets championship team. A Brooklyn native with matinee idol looks who was originally drafted by the Mets in 1973, he got a late season callup that year from AAA Tidewater to replace George Foster and performed ably at three different defensive positions and hit a solid .276.

Mazzilli was versatile and dependable, just like聽Eileen Klein, who has won many Hammers over the years, and who earns one this year for accepting the call from Gov. Ducey to take over as state treasurer after Jeff DeWit headed off to NASA.

The governor could not have made a better pick than to tap this veteran of various state government leadership positions. The office didn鈥檛 miss a beat and we all benefitted from her steady hand over the state鈥檚 checkbook and great communication with taxpayers. Arizonans can expect a smooth, professional handoff to new treasurer Kimberly Yee. [Watch my interview with Treasurer Klein聽.]

Karl Rove, Jr. Award

JP Twist聽wins this Hammer Award for his textbook management of Gov. Ducey鈥檚 reelection campaign.

Don鈥檛 let the governor鈥檚 big margin of victory fool you; there was nothing easy about a campaign that won in a year when Republicans lost governorships in Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wisconsin, and barely hung on in several other states.

JP oversaw an operation that was smart, tactical, relentless, and never took its foot off the gas.

I gave JP a Hammer in 2014 for running what I said would become a model for campaigns in election years to come. In 2018, JP somehow improved the model. Don鈥檛 be surprised if he moves on to more races on the national stage.

Most Important Governor in America Award

The Hammer in the category for the country鈥檚 most important state government CEO goes to聽Gov. Doug Ducey.

Think about it: Gov. Ducey enters his second term with a state economy on fire, a relationship with Mexico that鈥檚 better than it鈥檚 been in decades, and an education picture dramatically improving in both funding and performance. He鈥檚 met the challenges of governing at every turn and the voters have wisely rewarded him for his good work.

Some of the nation鈥檚 most consequential governors of recent note 鈥� Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Rick Perry of Texas, Mitch Daniels of Indiana 鈥� have moved on to new careers or were defeated in reelection bids. Gov. Ducey is now the governor who reform-minded, pro-business leaders across the country will look to for governing inspiration. [Watch my interview with Gov. Ducey聽.]

Maybe Nice Guys聽Do聽Finish Last Award

This Hammer goes to聽Sen. Jeff Flake. Sen. Flake is a genuinely good human being.

Sen. Flake leaves congressional service with a major durable accomplishment to his credit: the end of earmarks. He also played a leading voice in making the case for free trade, and he stepped in to beat back protectionist efforts from Florida tomato farmers who wanted to dramatically curb the importation of the delicious Mexican-grown variety. [Watch my interview with Sen. Flake聽.]

Captain Kirk Award

I鈥檝e given out this award (which does not include my Tricorder set) in previous editions to someone who exhibited steady-as-she-goes leadership, but never to someone actually named Kirk. This year鈥檚 winner is gubernatorial chief of staff聽Kirk Adams.

In his four years as chief of staff, Kirk was steady, cool, and charismatic. He provided outstanding service to Gov. Ducey in the toughest job in Arizona state government.

Kirk already had an outstanding reputation as the former state House speaker. As he heads off to a new adventure, his reputation is even more sterling.

Freshman Class President Award

Former Phoenix Mayor and now Rep.-elect聽Greg Stanton聽wins this Hammer Award for what he鈥檚 done and what he鈥檚 poised to do in Congress.

I like the guy a lot. I鈥檝e had the pleasure of participating in a number of his trade missions to Mexico, where he made clear during even the low point in Arizona-Mexico relations that Phoenix was open for business and welcoming to our friends in Sonora and beyond.

With the Democrats now in control of the U.S. House, no one arrives on the job more prepared to accomplish big things on issues like trade and immigration. And he knows his stuff on water, too. Arizona is fortunate to have him on the Hill.

Tourism Dream Team Award

Arizona is setting records for visits from out-of-towners, and we continue to attract more flights to our airports on聽both foreign and domestic routes.

Debbie Johnson, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, and Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association President聽Kim Sabow, along with the very strong teams聽at Visit Phoenix and Visit Tucson, come together to keep one of Arizona鈥檚 top export industries humming.

Tourism is the ultimate gateway to Arizona, often turning a casual visit into thecatalyst for聽a relocation聽or new business investment. Give a Hammer to the tourism professionals who roll out the red carpet to our visitors year in and year out.

Azul Wave Award

The Democrats had a good election night, but it was nothing compared to the blowout victory聽Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador聽and his Morena party earned in Mexico. AMLO鈥檚 newly formed party now controls Congress, and dominates governor offices and state legislatures. The July electoral victory was so complete that Mexicans call it AMLOVE.

True, the new president and former mayor of Mexico City will not be confused for the Mexican version of Ronald Reagan. However, the catastrophic failure of Mexico鈥檚 two major parties to control crime and reduce corruption opened the door for AMLO鈥檚 election and sets the stage for some real reforms.

His administration will also remain in alignment with the U.S. when it comes to big issues like the ratification of the USMCA trade deal and in his relations with other Latin American nations.

Mariano Rivera Award

This award is named for the soon-to-be-hall-of-fame relief pitcher for the Yankees who posted 652 career saves. Rivera鈥檚 prowess on the mound is what nailed down so many wins for the Bronx Bombers.

This Hammer goes to聽Jaime Molera and Kory Langhofer, who saved Arizona from economic disaster when they teamed to dismantle an incredibly destructive ballot measure scheme

that sought to double the income tax on thousands of Arizona small businesses.

Jaime chaired the campaign to oppose the initiative, while Kory provided the

legal counsel that expertly showed how the initiative authors were proposing to聽increase taxes far beyond what they鈥檇 originally advertised and to cancel聽existing tax law that pegs our tax code to聽inflation, which means every Arizonan was poised to pay more. The Supreme Court agreed and removed the tax-hiking initiative from the November ballot.

Their work was invaluable. They deserve our thanks鈥�and a Hammer.

Economist of the Year

Jim Rounds聽wins this Hammer.

If you鈥檙e fighting ghosts, call a Ghostbuster. If you need top-notch economic analysis prepared in a way real people can understand, you call Jim. He鈥檚 the best in the state at taking on dense, complicated聽issues,聽and distilling them into a form normal Arizonans can understand.

Next time you hear someone on the campaign trail promise free college or free health care, it鈥檚 worth giving Jim a call for a reality check.

Best Election Night Gimmick

Attorney General聽Mark Brnovich聽wins a Hammer for turning Tom Steyer鈥檚 2018 election season into a giant waste of money.

After reading the poll numbers that his Proposition 127 was going down in flames, the activist California billionaire decided to train his sights on General Brnovich. Bad move.

Brnovich, a multi-time Hammer Award winner, won his reelection by a comfortable margin, turning back the millions of Steyer dollars that were thrown at his race. Steyer鈥檚 weak case against General Brnovich鈥檚 solid record as AG never took hold.

At his election night victory party, Team Brnovich featured a Tom Steyer dunk tank. Unfortunately, he鈥檒l probably have to keep it around. Steyer will need a few more crushing defeats before he takes his job-killing agenda to friendlier electoral battlefields. [Watch my interview with Attorney General Brnovich聽.]

Always on Message Award

Congratulations to Sen.-elect聽Kyrsten Sinema聽for becoming the first woman in Arizona鈥檚 history to represent our state in the U.S. Senate.聽Sen.-elect Sinema wins this Hammer for staying true to her record in Congress and campaigning as a post-partisan candidate.

I still get asked whether she鈥檚 a Democrat. She is. But she鈥檚 not interested in serving in the Nancy Pelosi or Bernie Sanders cheering sections. Sen.-elect Sinema proved that she has a pragmatic message that appeals to moderates and can attract Republican voters to cross party lines.

Close Only Counts in聽Horeshoes, Hand Grenades, and Maybe Even U.S. Senate Races Award

搁别辫.听Martha McSally聽is an American hero. Hard stop.

The trailblazing squadron-commanding combat pilot is an inspiration to young people everywhere, including my three girls. Her inspiring story makes her a sort of high school guidance counselor meets聽motivational聽speaker for the whole state.

From her achievements in the聽cockpit,聽to taking on former Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld over off-base dress code, you can鈥檛 help but be impressed by her story. Add to that her record as arguably the most effective recent member of the House delegation, and you鈥檝e got a bio that鈥檚 made for the U.S. Senate.

Her training ground in the U.S. Air Force and as a prot茅g茅 of Sen. Kyl has prepared her for the job as senator. Arizona needs someone in the Senate majority who can advance our defense, trade and water interests. She belongs in the club.

Rep. McSally may have narrowly lost the election, but she earned her appointment鈥�and a Hammer. [Watch my interview with Rep. McSally聽.]

Best New Kid on the Block Award

聽wins the Hammer. Here鈥檚 to Lorna Romero for launching and running聽a full聽newsgathering and reporting operation that didn鈥檛 exist six months ago.

Other chambers of commerce, including even those outside the U.S., are looking at the model of reporting on important stories the business and policy communities care about, but are too often ignored by mainstream outlets. Combined with analysis, commentary, and big-time interviews, 91直播鈥� daily news digest, the Dry Heat, with over 20,000 subscribers, is a must-read.

I鈥檝e enjoyed the conversations I鈥檝e been privileged to hold with some of the state鈥檚 most interesting people on my Hamer Time show (my wife Tali is a big fan, plus it provides video proof of what I鈥檓 up to at the office) and I鈥檓 looking forward to聽even聽more in 2019.

Best Campaign Coalition

The coalition assembled for the thorough and complete takedown of Proposition 127 wins the Hammer for what proved to be the most impressive opposition campaign I鈥檝e ever witnessed.

Tom Steyer attempted to overrun our initiative system with a terrible constitutional amendment that would have locked Arizona into an expensive energy mandate regime. I鈥檓 being charitable when I say that even Steyer鈥檚 signature-gathering effort was dodgy. The whole thing stunk, and provided yet another reminder as to why lawmakers need to look again at ways to make our initiative system more secure.

Thankfully, the聽No on 127聽coalition came together to blow the Steyer campaign to smithereens.

If you鈥檙e wondering how to defeat a ballot initiative, just do what the No on 127 gang did. Look for support for your argument from every corner of the state, back up your case with reliable data, employ surrogates who know their stuff, and relentlessly attack the other side鈥檚 misinformation with facts.

Bryce Harper Award

Think Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is the hot stove league鈥檚 hottest free agent? Not even close.

The Arizona Chamber Foundation, run by the amazing Emily Anne Gullickson, wins the Hammer for adding聽Dr. Matt Ladner聽to its roster.

Dr. Ladner鈥檚 research has uncovered that鈥攚hoa!鈥擜rizona鈥檚 schools are the best in the nation when it comes to academic improvement. And for those who are interested in performance, he鈥檚 found that our charter sector by itself is performing on par with Massachusetts.

Dr. Ladner has one of the best policy minds in education in the entire country. We鈥檙e lucky that he鈥檚 joined us in Chamberville.

The Beatles of International Trade

The Arizona Mexico Commission鈥檚 Fab 4 of Jessica Pacheco, Juan Ciscomani, Kirk Adams, and Luis Ram铆rez, have achieved major wins in Arizona鈥檚 cross-border relationship with Mexico, on issues ranging from streamlined cargo inspections, to energy, to highway safety. They all played critical roles in Gov. Ducey鈥檚 participation in the AMLO inauguration and in his meetings with key administration officials.

聽AMC President Pacheco鈥檚 year-in-review video to get a sense of the tremendous, essential work of the AMC. [And watch my interview with Juan Ciscomani聽.]

Add in the work of advocates like Mr. Canada, Glenn Williamson and the Canada Arizona Business Council, and no state is better positioned than Arizona to make its voice heard in the 2019 debate over adoption of the USMCA.

The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh Award

Named for the 1979 disco-basketball fantasy starring Julius Erving, Jonathan Winters, Meadowlark Lemon, and Stockard Channing (I鈥檒l never see a better ensemble in my life), this Hammer Award goes to聽Arizona鈥檚 politically engaged business community stakeholders, who came together to work to preserve a pro-business majority at the state Legislature.

If it weren鈥檛 for members of the business community who were willing to get involved in a big way during the election, the makeup of the Capitol would be a lot different in 2019. Don鈥檛 think so? Take a look at how narrow some of the margins of victory were for some pro-job-creation candidates. The business community was the difference maker. The Chamber鈥檚 effort was quarterbacked by Garrick Taylor, who once again combined his policy and communications chops to earn some important wins.

Honoring Those We Lost

In this year鈥檚 edition, I want to honor those individuals who we lost in the past year. We are all richer for having known them.

John McCain

Arizona, the country, and the world lost the greatest voice for freedom and American values with the passing of Sen. John McCain. He was the greatest legislator on Earth.

Sen. McCain made our country safer thanks to his advocacy for a robust defense and his support for the institutions the U.S. cultivated in the post-World War II era to keep the world from destroying itself.

While I never technically worked for him (even though he said on more than one occasion that I did), it was one of the great honors in my life to learn from one of the finest individuals to serve in the U.S. Senate.

The shoes he leaves behind are big ones. I鈥檓 thankful that leaders like Mitt Romney will soon be serving in the Senate. He has a special role to play in mentoring a new generation of American leadership.

Ed Pastor

Ed Pastor was a good and decent man. He cared about all Arizonans. Rep. Pastor always worked for his聽constituents,聽but was known as Arizona鈥檚 congressman for his work on the Appropriations Committee.

Our last discussion was on immigration. Rep. Pastor had a big heart, which we鈥檒l certainly miss. We鈥檇 be wise to follow his example.

George H.W. Bush

No one better exemplifies the service and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation than President George H. W. Bush.

If there鈥檚 a Hammer Award for Best One-Term President, there鈥檚 no question it goes to the 41st president.

Bush 41 had the golden resume. He fought for his country at age 17 after fibbing about his age. Served in Congress. Was聽head聽of the CIA and ambassador to China. A two-term vice president. Presided over the end of the Cold War and assembled one of the most impressive wartime coalitions in history.

Even more impressive might be his legacy as a father. His son Jeb, the former two-term governor of Florida, is the best voice for education reform in America. And his son George W., after two terms as president, continues to inspire with his artwork depicting the struggles and achievements of wounded veterans.

The character of George H.W. Bush is one we should seek to emulate.

Carolyn Warner

One of my favorite people, Carolyn Warner passed in 2018.

The Democratic state superintendent from 1975-1987 and the Democratic nominee for governor in 1988, Warner had a long and distinguished career in Arizona politics and civic life.

I knew her almost from my first day at the Chamber as an outspoken passionate advocate of career and technical education and proper professional certification tied to the needs of employers. She was on the skills-based bandwagon long before the rest of us鈥攊ncluding the Chamber鈥攃aught up.

Her accomplishments were impressive. More important to me was her radiant smile, unbridled optimism, and legendary work ethic. The last time I saw her she was being recognized for her work by the Maricopa County Community College District at its Maricopa Foundation Heroes of Education.

At the conclusion of her speech she quoted John Wesley. “Do all the good you can for all the souls you can and every time you, in every place you can with all zeal you can as long as ever you can.鈥�

It鈥檚 a credo that defined her life.

She did and will always remain a role model to me.

(The passing of my friend deserved recognition in the first publication of this year-end column. I regret the omission. Thank you, David Bolger, for writing to me about her.)

Thanks for reading and watching in 2018. Here鈥檚 wishing you all health, happiness聽and聽prosperity in 2019.

Glenn Hamer is the president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry