Selection Note: For 75 years, the Greater Arvada Chamber has supported the recognition of Man and Woman of the Year and other award recipients who have made long-term contributions to the community. The Chamber and its board do not select these award winners; they are reviewed and selected by a committee of previous award recipients. Winners are chosen based on their long-term impact across multiple organizations. The recognition is for the individual and does not directly correlate to programs or organizations as an endorsement. The Chamber is responsible for the logistics of the Awards Luncheon, an event that inspires leadership and is dedicated to helping our community thrive.
ARVADA, CO, March 25, 2026 –The Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2025 Man and Woman of the Year and Image Award winners. Recipients of these awards will be honored at the May 6, 2026, Greater Arvada Chamber 75th Annual Awards Cremony from 9:00 – 10:30 am at Revive Church.
The Man and Woman of the Year Awards are a long-standing tradition in Arvada recognizing outstanding men and women in the community for their amazing community involvement, generosity and overall impact on Arvada. Nominations for these awards and the Image Award are reviewed and selected by a committee made up of previous winners.
The 2025 Man of the Year is Andrew Heesacker. Andrew’s deep commitment to community service, integrity, and leadership has made him a cornerstone of Arvada’s business and civic life. His dedication to giving back is evident throughout the city through his company, Arvada Rent-Alls, which regularly donates equipment and volunteers for events and fundraisers. Andrew and his company have become synonymous with reliability and generosity. Beyond his business contributions, Andrew is an active and engaged civic leader, currently serving as a Greater Arvada Chamber Board Member and volunteering with Team Rubicon, the National Western Stock Show, and Hope, Connection & Community, while also bringing past experience from the Arvada Economic Development Association Retention Committee and leadership as a Regional Director of the American Rental Association. He was recognized in 2024 and 2025 as a Colorado Titan 100, honoring the region’s most accomplished business leaders for exceptional leadership, vision, and passion.
Since officially joining Arvada Rent-Alls in 2013 and continuing a family tradition started by Art Tidwell and carried forward by his father, Andrew has combined strong business acumen with a spirit of service, becoming a trusted resource for non-profits and community organizers across the city. Guided by the company’s core values, “Own it, On it, Improve it, Respect it,” he leads with integrity and purpose, and his trusted word, consistent actions, and broad impact across multiple organizations continue to strengthen Arvada’s quality of life. Andrew is a leader who truly embodies the spirit of service, dedication, and community pride.
The 2025 Woman of the Year is Jan Eckhardt. Jan is a lifelong advocate for people, parks, and animals, whose decades of service have left a lasting imprint on Arvada. A resident since the 1960s, she devoted 32 years to the North Jeffco (now Apex) Park and Recreation District Board of Directors, where she championed accessible parks, recreation, and open space and represented the district with the National Recreation and Park Association to ensure Arvada’s voice was included in broader conversations. Her leadership helped protect and grow local park assets, including preserving what is now Jack B. Tomlinson Park.
Beyond parks and recreation, Jan served on the Board of Two Ponds, supported the West Side Denver Symphony Guild, and has been a devoted advocate for animal welfare through her involvement with the Wildlife Sanctuary since its inception and service on the MaxFund Board of Directors. Known for her hands-on compassion, she has sewn blankets for animal shelters and organized supplies for Native American reservations in South Dakota. The pottery studio at the Simms Street Recreation Center, named in her honor, reflects her commitment to creative opportunities for residents of all ages. Through decades of service as a board member, volunteer, and advocate, Jan Eckhardt’s unwavering dedication to community and compassion truly embodies what it means to be Woman of the Year.
The selection committee also names recipients for the Image Awards. Image Award winners are selected for their commitment to Arvada and the overall positive image they portray within the community. The Greater Arvada Chamber is proud to recognize for the 2025 Image Award: Steve Selle, Leslie Feuerborn, and Joe Hengstler, honored posthumously.
For over 20 years, Steve Selle has led the Lake Arbor Optimists Bicycle Program, donating more than 1,200 bikes and launching Arvada’s Bicycle Recycling Day, while building partnerships that serve local students, families, and communities. A lifelong educator and devoted volunteer, Steve continues to give his time and energy to numerous local causes. Known for his compassion and generosity, he embodies the very best of Arvada, where community and service thrive.
A tireless, behind-the-scenes force for good, Leslie Feuerborn’s leadership, generosity, and organization strengthen the Arvada community. As Treasurer of the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Club and Foundation, she contributes roughly 500 volunteer hours annually, ensuring projects like Sweet Dreams in a Bag, reading with first graders, and packing weekend food reach those in need. Drawing on 40 years of experience as a program manager in health promotion, Leslie brings structure, reliability, and follow-through to every initiative, quietly making a profound impact on both the club and the broader community. Her unwavering service and dedication to children, families, and neighbors exemplify the spirit of the Image Award.
Affectionately known as the “Mayor of Olde Town,” Joe Hengstler transformed Olde Town Arvada into a vibrant, family-friendly hub through signature events, public art, and pedestrian-friendly initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his innovative leadership, including creating a pedestrian mall, helped local businesses survive and thrive. Beyond Olde Town, Joe served on numerous community boards and commissions, always emphasizing collaboration, inclusion, and connection. Even after his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in 2024, he remained committed to supporting small businesses and planning community events. Joe’s enduring legacy lives on in the streets, businesses, and traditions of Olde Town, a lasting testament to his resilience, integrity, and compassion.
Winners for Young Professional Leadership Awards and Rising Star Awards will be announced soon. Award winners are selected by a committee of former Young Professional Leadership Award winners.
The Man and Woman of the Year will be honored with a video of their accomplishments at the Awards Ceremony. Videos and more information about the wonderful work done by each of the recipients will be released after the event. For more information on attending the awards luncheon, please call 303-424-0313 or visit www.arvadachamber.org/awardsceremony.
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