Fay Gridley, 2005 Inductee

This long-time Fountain Hills businesswoman has been a very active volunteer with the Chamber, the Fountain Hills Festival, the Civic Association, Golden Eagle foundation and Sunridge Foundation. She and husband Jack opened McDowell Mountain Stationery in 1974 and later moved the business to the Avenue of the Fountains renaming it Gridleys of Fountain Hills. Mrs. Gridley helped form the Chamber of Commerce, served on its first board and served one year as president. She played an active role in the formation of the Fountain Festival of Arts & Crafts, and as chairman in 1977, moved the event from Fountain Park to the Avenue of the Fountains. Teaming with Doug Katonak, they created a February art show as part of Channel 8’s Great Sunday event. That evolved into the Fountain Hills Great Fair. She initiated discussions that led to the developer donating land to the newly-formed Community Association for a future town complex. This new association later merged with the Civic Association through her leadership. She co-chaired one of the first Town Halls and was named Business Person of the Year in 1988.