Friend of the Border Award
About The Award
The Friend of the Border Award is presented to those that by their actions, statements, or policies have helped advance the Mission of the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority, to improve the port of entry system at Nogales while helping to promote the economic growth and quality of life for the residents of the Greater Nogales region. Recipients of the Friend of the Border Award are voted on by the Board of Directors of the Port Authority.
Recipients
John Halikowski, Director, Arizona Department of Transportation (winter 2020)
Director Halikowski was instrumental in the advancement of the project to modernize State Route 189, a first-of-its-kind project in Arizona as it aggregated a number of funding sources in order to secure the necessary funding for the $138 million project. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting revenue shortfalls, Director Halikowski worked with his leadership team and the Arizona State Transportation Board to ensure that the project would not be impacted or delayed. Additionally, Director Halikowski was directly responsible for the creation of the Overweight Permit program that has greatly benefitted trade at Nogales. The collaboration with ADOT has never been greater with such tangible results.
Virginia Staab, U.S. Consul General (Summer 2020)
In recognition for her work as the U.S. Consul General in Nogales, Sonora, and the pursuit of a number of initiatives that included the modernization and expansion of the Consulate General facilities into a state-of-the-art campus, a $201 million project, as well advancing a number of programs to help expedite the flow of both goods and people across the border.
William K. Brooks, Director of Field Operations - US Customs and Border Protection (2018)
In recognition for his work as the Director Field Operations for the Tucson Sector of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the development and implementation of the Unified Cargo Processing (UCP) program, a historic and innovative program that formalized the colocation of both US and Mexican customs authorities in order to conduct joint inspections of commercial conveyances. The program was tested in Nogales with great success and has, since its implementation, helped position Nogales and Arizona as a preferred location for international businesses to set up or expand their operations.