John Whiteman, one of Educare Arizona’s founding collaborators, was celebrated at a banquet in February after being named the 2014 Mesa Citizen of the Year. In addition to his involvement with Educare Arizona, Whiteman has several other philanthropic efforts, which include improving the lives of young children in Mesa and throughout the state of Arizona. He is the president of the Whiteman Foundation and serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Arizona Museum for Youth, the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, the Phoenix Symphony and the Arizona Community Foundation.

Whiteman was instrumental in Educare Arizona becoming a reality in 2011 and continues to be a tireless champion and advocate of early childhood education in our state and beyond.