The 2025 Zocalo SPIRIT Awards were a powerful reminder of what makes Zocalo special: our people. From the moment we gathered, the energy in the room reflected exactly what these awards stand for: heart, humor, and humanity. Each hand-crafted award symbolized the individuality and impact of its recipient, reinforcing that no two Zocalites are ever the same.
This year’s celebration honored individuals and teams who went above and beyond, lifted others as they climbed, and embodied Zocalo’s values in unforgettable ways.
2025 SPIRIT Award Winners
The Construction Jedi SPIRIT Award – Robert Ochsner – With calm confidence and sharp instincts, Robert brings order to chaos on every job site. His steady leadership, integrity, and expertise make him the trusted force behind projects done right.
The True North SPIRIT Award – Silvia Bravo – Silvia’s quiet strength, compassion, and values-driven leadership guide her team and residents through every challenge. She is a constant, reliable compass pointing toward what’s right.
The Elevator Effect SPIRIT Award – Joey Little – Joey doesn’t just raise the bar, he brings everyone with him. Through mentorship, humor, and hands-on leadership, he elevates people, processes, and possibilities across the organization.
The Unmistakable Stripes SPIRIT Award – Amy Zavala – Amy’s creativity and heart have transformed Vita into a deeply connected community. Her impact is as unique as her stripes, creating belonging, joy, and extraordinary resident loyalty.
The Blueprint Detective SPIRIT Award – Michael Henzel – With a forensic eye for detail, Michael solves problems before they ever reach the field. His diligence, precision, and quiet brilliance protect our projects and strengthen our teams.
The Scuba Savior SPIRIT Award – Sergio Acosta – Calm under pressure and relentless in his commitment, Sergio leads through crises with professionalism and heart. His dedication to residents and team members defines true service leadership.
The Defying Gravity SPIRIT Award – Brian Watson – Brian is the steady force behind the scenes, keeping systems, people, and processes running smoothly. Grounded, humble, and endlessly reliable, he helps Zocalo rise every day.
The Team Transformer SPIRIT Award – Team Veranda Highpointe – Bethany, Juan, Karen, De’Qaiun, Alfredo, Marco, and Jade took on a challenged community and transformed it through grit, teamwork, and heart, proving what’s possible when a team unites with purpose.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate, cheer loudly, and honor the incredible work happening across Zocalo. Days like this remind us that our culture is built not just on what we do, but on how we show up for one another.
As we carry this momentum forward, we’re especially excited to look ahead to 2026, Zocalo’s 20th anniversary. With a legacy of connection behind us and so much possibility ahead, we’re ready for what’s next… together. Here’s to more SPIRIT, more celebration, and many great things to come.
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