By Pinal Central
FLORENCE — Tim Kanavel, who was instrumental in luring new industry and jobs to Pinal County as economic development director for the past 12 years, died Tuesday night. He had been hospitalized with pneumonia.
“Very sad news. Tim was an amazing talented man,” Anthony Smith, former Pinal County supervisor from Maricopa, tweeted Wednesday. “Always such a positive attitude and economic development champion. He will be very much missed.”
State Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, tweeted, “Just horrible news and a terrible gut punch to hear this. Tim has been so instrumental to the growth in Pinal County and will be missed.”
“I am so sad to hear this. I so admire Tim’s amazing optimism and happy demeanor. He had a way of bringing everyone together and making you smile. It can’t be overstated how essential Tim was in making so many of the best things happen in Pinal County! He is an amazing person and his legacy of economic development will be remembered literally forever. Prayers to your family.”
Jordan Rose, Rose Law Group founder and president