Toby Day
Retired Banker
His nominator describes Toby Day as a Chandler "mover and shaker"! Throughout his decades of experience in the banking sector, he has mentored many up-and-coming leaders who have gone on to lead successful banks in the Valley. He is a "quiet leader" who doesn't need recognition, but truly has a profound impact on people's lives.
Day has a fierce conviction that giving back to the community as a leader is just as important as the work you do within a company. As president of Arizona Business Bank, he was influential in their annual Biz Bash event, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local nonprofits. For the past six years, he has served on ICAN’s board of directors and leads the governance committee.
Day cared deeply about the people he worked with and took time to get to know them so he could support their goals and aspirations. He knew the names of employees all across his organization, and would routinely ask about their children, dogs, and life.
Something you might not know? He was once an aspiring amateur magician and authored a book after retiring.
Ed Schuck
Retired
When his wife was diagnosed with cancer, Edward Schuck retired from his real estate career to help take care of her. After over 58 years of marriage, he moved to an independent living residence when she passed, and found out he had a lot of free time on his hands.
To stay busy, he volunteers for Neighbors Who Care several times a week, driving people to their medical appointments.
“The interactions with the people I drive lift me up. Regardless of how much the clients are going through, like chemotherapy or dialysis, they keep a positive attitude, and always want to talk and laugh. I enjoy our conversations and admire their strength and courage,” he says.
Schuck also serves as resident ambassador at his senior living community, where he welcomes new residents and makes them “feel at home.” He shows his apartment to prospective neighbors and introduces them to the residents they will have something in common with.
“Filling my days with service gives me purpose and meaning.”
According to his nominator, he is truly a gift to most everyone he meets.
Gavin Jacobs
Restaurateur
Gavin Jacobs was drawn to Chandler’s downtown district by its rich history and homey charm, and saw an opportunity to create “elevated dining experiences rooted in appreciation for where we came from, gratitude for where we are, and excitement for where we’re headed.”
Finding a melting pot for visionaries and innovators, Jacobs chose to invest in our community with his partners (Jackie and the late Elliott Hall) to redevelop historic properties into culinary delights: The Brickyard Downtown, The Hidden House, Elliott’s Steakhouse, and Maple House, employing almost 200 people.
As an immigrant, he is still inspired by the American Dream—working hard and persevering. A giving back program was established through the restaurants, donating to local charities and organizations.
Jacobs is a member of the Chandler Chamber and serves on the board of the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, where he is inspired by the local small business culture and owners who support each other with a focus to grow.
Something you may not know?
“I was born in Cape Town, South Africa and would love to one day take a trip to space.”
Stephen Dieu
Chandler Police Dept
Stephen Dieu has been a school resource officer for the Chandler Police Department for 17 years and is currently the president of the Arizona School Resource Officer Association.
He is focused on teaching youth to be successful in today’s challenging times by building their resilience to stress and teaching ways to contribute and thrive. When asked what makes him so successful when dealing with teens, he explains, “Giving them a voice during interactions and being authentic with listening and advice, creates positive equity in those interactions and relationships.”
An ecclesiastical leader in his church, he helps adults and youth strive to be positive influences in their homes and communities.
Dieu is an accomplished handyman and does not hesitate to help someone in need. He enjoys woodworking and built all the tables and benches for his daughter’s wedding, which are now sought after by many people because of his excellent workmanship.
Alongside his wife of 25 years, he has helped raise four daughters in Chandler. He loves music and has sung the national anthem at rodeos, sporting events, police memorials, charity activities, and business openings from Arizona to Canada.
Michael Angulo
Senior Manager, SRP
This Arizona native and father of five (all born at Chandler Regional and attend Chandler schools) comes from a family who taught him at a young age the importance of giving back to strengthen our community.
“Serving our community was an expectation and a responsibility in our family,” he says.
Angulo serves on the board of directors for ICAN, the ASU Alumni Association, and Chandler American Little League. He helps raise funds for local charities through the Compadres and Diablos, and has served on the Kyrene superintendent’s council. He also dedicates time to coach his daughter’s tee ball team and fills in to assist the coach of his son’s team.
“The most rewarding project I have been involved with was to lead the 2011 Chandler Leadership Institute’s class project to revitalize the Chandler Senior Center’s courtyard,” he says.
It was an 8-week construction project with the shoestring budget of $1,000. Navigating the generous in-kind and labor donations from local business owners, Angulo and his team made it happen.
Something you may not know?
“I proposed to my wife on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.”
Ralph Guariglio
Realtor
A new realtor, Ralph Guariglio found value in the Chandler Chamber of Commerce in 2006. He was all in, becoming an ambassador, joining a leads group, volunteering, and graduating from the Chandler Leadership Academy in 2012. He has been on the board of directors since then, and chairman of the Ostrich Festival since 2015.
“Being an active member of the Chamber has afforded me the opportunities to donate my time to making Chandler a better place to live,” he says. “Selfishly, it gives me a great feeling.”
He also hosts custom car shows and has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local Charities, including Chandler Education Foundation and Lost Our Home Pet Rescue.
And who doesn’t love someone who rescues an Amish breeder dog from Iowa who had
never seen the light of day for three years and was kept in a crate cranking out puppies? With extra patience and love, she is flourishing as a normal, happy, healthy pup!
Something you may not know?
“I was a competitive powerlifter, certified advanced scuba diver, and am about half-way through building a 1964 Chevy II Nova SS in my garage.”
Brennan Ray
Attorney
Brennan Ray is a true Chandler native.
“My great-grandfather James Wilford Ray moved to Chandler in the late 1800s. We’ve been here ever since,” he says.
His grandfather and father graduated from Chandler High, as he did and two of his children after him with a third on track to do the same. Both his grandfather (Ward) and father (Mario) are in Chandler’s Hall of Fame. Ray Road was named after this family, who had 80 acres of farmland between Cooper and Gilbert roads.
“I was blessed with a great legacy of hard work.”
Ray has served on ICAN’s board of directors, been involved with the Boy Scouts and their Eagle Scout projects, works with the City Council, and is very active in his church. Through his work as an attorney, both he and his firm are able to help and sponsor a number of community events.
Something you may not know?
“I played basketball at Utah State on a scholarship and our team was able to participate in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament two times, winning a game as a 12 seed.”
Greg Lewis
Retired, Intel
Inspired to help his youngest son who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and struggling socially at school, Greg Lewis found a robotics program through Si Se Puede and the I Rise Foundations that opened growth and friendship for him. When his son entered college, Lewis continued volunteering and mentoring children and young adults in those same robotics programs.
He has donated tens of thousands of dollars through personal donations and Intel’s employee giving/matching funds program. He has also donated his personal car to the foundation so staff could get around, donated food, snacks, and equipment for the kids, and personally volunteered over 100 hours every year.
“My strongest trait is generosity of my time and energy to show kids that anyone can succeed given an opportunity,” he says.
His nominator agrees, writing, “Greg is our unsung hero!”
“I would love my legacy to be seeing my children continue to give back to their communities. Also, it is fantastic to see some of the kids that went through the various Si Se Puede and I Rise programs come back and mentor to pay it forward.”
LaShay Marks
Co-Founder, Operation Thrive
A former U.S. marine recruiter, LaShay Marks is an advocate for other veterans and co-founded the charity Operation Thrive to help support veterans with PTSD and other mental health challenges through fitness opportunities designed to help get them off drugs. He was just appointed to the city’s military & veteran’s affairs commission.
His nominator describes him as, “Always ready to lend a helping hand, even if he hardly knows you, and even when his cup is empty, he is motivational and leads by example to bring up everyone around him. He brings the excitement wherever he goes.” Marks feels his strongest character trait is his ability to bounce back from setbacks, adversity, or challenges.
“My mom is definitely where I get my don’t quit, don’t die, never give up attitude,” he says.
Volunteering with Feed My Starving Children, he found it resonated the most.
“I was like, ‘Why are there so many hungry kids in the world. It doesn’t make sense to me’.”
His favorite thing about Chandler is the revitalization of the Downtown area, “the gumbo melting pot of people.”
Travis Feyen
Chandler Police Dept
Commander Feyen has served Chandler Police Department for 29 years in too many roles to mention, including his current assignment as the Operational Support Commander.
While assigned to the Arizona Auto Theft Task Force, Commander Feyen was a lead investigator in an international auto theft criminal syndicate. The investigation resulted in the dismantlement of the organization, as well as stopping a source of funding for international terrorism. The investigation received local, state, and national recognition.
“Working in policing, where one is often confronted with the darkest facets of society, it's easy to become cynical. It's crucial to remember that behind every interaction lies a human being with their own burdens and battles,” he says. “In today's fast-paced world, where judgment is swift and social media amplifies negativity, it's more important than ever to resist the temptation to demonize others. I strive to approach each person with empathy.”
Feyen dedicates many hours of service to his church and nonprofits like ICAN, and is highly involved with the community. He has spent over 12 years as a youth baseball coach instilling character and confidence so young boys have the foundation to become men of integrity.
Ross Lemire
District Commissioner, BSA
Ross Lemire served on the Chandler Gilbert YMCA board from 2005-2015. Having little experience in this space, other than raising his own kids, he quickly found his leadership and organizational skills were invaluable in supporting the Y’s mission.
While at the Y, he re-discovered the Adventure Guides (formerly Indian Guides), a father-son group of 5- to 11-year-olds, and quickly became the head of this group and grew it.
“This is where I learned it is better to try and fail at doing something new and different than to not try,” he says.
As his sons were aging out of the program, Lemire transitioned them and his volunteer focus to the Boy Scouts.
“I was hooked on helping boys grow into responsible, considerate, and resilient young men. During Covid, other Troops were fading, but we kicked it into high gear.”
Lemire recently helped add a girl's Troop to be able to offer families a program the whole family can be involved in with kids 5 to 18.
“One of the greatest things Scouting offers is an opportunity to become part of a community and grow into incredible young men and women.”
Miguel Godoy
Art Professor/Artist
As a second-generation Mexican-American, Miguel Godoy’s family's roots trace back to the Bracero movement, where his grandparents migrated in search of opportunity.
“We were raised in a culture of labor, with my family working in the fields. Additionally, my father's role as a retired Jumpmaster Instructor in the U.S. Army meant our household was filled with discipline and responsibility,” he says.
Godoy is a first-generation college graduate.
“As a community-based muralist, I am dedicated to projects that engage and uplift communities by sparking conversation, fostering connections, and inspiring positive change. When teaching, I am dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments that elevate the voices of marginalized communities.”
Godoy was chosen to design the “El Valle” 2023/24 City Edition Uniforms for the Phoenix Suns, which celebrate the Valley’s Mexican-American fanbase through Lowrider culture. Lowriders were first crafted in the Southwest and are a bold statement of cultural pride and identity.
“I aspire to be remembered as someone who not only honored their lineage but also set a positive example for future generations to follow.”
Jeffrey Anthony
Member, PCH50
Jeff Anthony has always been active in volunteering, but he was inspired to greater action after Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) saved his son’s life.
In 2021, his son was 2, and very curious. One day he snuck into the bathroom and opened a pill bottle, swallowing a dozen before putting it back just as mommy came in, unaware anything happened. He quickly became very ill, began seizing, was rushed to the hospital, and then transported to PCH. Despite early worries of brain damage and four days in the ICU, PCH pulled off a miracle. Today, Jaxon has made a full recovery!
“Inspired, I made a vow to support PCH in its mission to save children; to save families. I began the rigorous process to join PCH 50, earning an appointment to the organization in 2023. Among my first projects was helping raise $2 million to outfit the hospital with proper ambulances for toddlers.”
Anthony also volunteers with Junior Achievement, Turnbow Foundation, and is a leader within Wilde for Arizona—his firm’s community giving initiative.
“I love rolling up my sleeves on volunteer and philanthropic initiatives, notably projects for Feed My Staring Children, Free Arts, Child Crisis Arizona, and Chrysalis.”
Joshua Whitney
Chandler Fire Dept
A Chandler native, growing up around the fire service gave Captain Josh Whitney a firsthand perspective from a young age of what it looks like to dedicate your life to the service of your community. After all, his father, Kent Keller, just retired from Chandler Fire Department (CFD) after 30 years!
At the age of 15, Whitney decided that he would follow in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in the fire department and joined the CFD Fire Cadet program, where he volunteered for seven years prior to being hired by the department.
Twelve years later, he is now leading that same Cadet program, which focuses on developing the Chandler youth by giving directly back to the city providing hundreds of hours of community service each year. He also focuses on helping young men and women navigate the recruitment process for fire departments around the Valley.
Whitney is also one of the lead instructors for the department’s accredited paramedic school, mentoring and teaching members of the fire department how to become successful certified paramedics. Whitney was recognized by his peers as the 2023 Chandler Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year.
Photographed at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, AndrettiKarting.com/chandler.