Scottsdale Community Bank Board Chair George Weisz Honored at Annual Scottsdale Firefighter Charities Fundraiser

Scottsdale Firefighter Charities Recognized Weisz, a Community Leader and Former State Special Agent, for His Contributions to Our Community

Scottsdale Community Bank Board Chair George Weisz devoted more than four decades to public service, including working alongside Arizona firefighters and improving benefits for firefighter families. During many of those years, he also served as a special agent with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, investigating organized crime in Arizona and overseeing the investigation of the bombing murder of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles. Those efforts and his extensive public safety career earned him recognition from Scottsdale Firefighter Charities at its annual Behind the Flames dinner Sunday, Sept. 27.

Weisz received a C.A.R.E. Award at the 27th annual Behind the Flames Presented by HonorHealth at Mastro’s City Hall in Scottsdale. The fundraiser honors local leaders for their service while raising money for firefighters, their families and organizations throughout Scottsdale.

Weisz served as president of the 100 Club, which provides financial assistance and other resources to the families of firefighters and police officers killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. The organization’s work took on particular significance following the deaths of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters from Prescott who lost their lives battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. Weisz also served in the Arizona House of Representatives and as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Jane Dee Hull, where he helped advance legislation improving retirement benefits for firefighters.

The Bolles murder became one of the most widely followed criminal cases in Arizona history and was a major focus of Weisz’s work with the Attorney General’s Office.

“I spent years on the Bolles case, and it’s something I’ve never forgotten,” Weisz said. “To have that work recognized nearly 50 years later is quite an honor, especially coming from Scottsdale Firefighter Charities. I have a great deal of respect for our firefighters and everything they do for Scottsdale.”

Today, Weisz chairs the board of directors at Scottsdale Community Bank.

Weisz shared this year’s C.A.R.E. Award honors with Arizona sports journalist and radio personality Dan Bickley, journalist Jeremy Duda, author of “Murder in the Fourth Estate,” which details the Bolles murder 50 years later, and Melissa Schalles, executive director of the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Association.

Behind the Flames also recognized Rey Igliane as Scottsdale Firefighter of the Year for his dedication and service to the Scottsdale Fire Department, with KTAR News radio host Jim Sharpe emceeing the occasion.

This year’s event raised more than $100,000, a new record for Behind the Flames. Scottsdale Firefighter Charities uses proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships to support firefighters and their families and organizations including the EVIT Foundation, Scottsdale Community Partners/Human Services, Scottsdale Food Bank, Jobs for America’s Graduates, the City of Scottsdale Youth Development program, Scottsdale Senior Center and Together Pink Network, among others.

For more about Scottsdale Community Bank, visit ScottsdaleCommunityBank.com.