02 Oct Ron Valerio Named Queen Creek Chamber’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year
Ron Valerio Named Queen Creek Chamber’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year
Gilbert, A.Z.– At Unison Bank, we believe the strongest communities are built by people who are willing to show up, step in and give their time to something bigger than themselves. Few people embody that spirit more fully than Ron Valerio.
Ron Valerio of Unison Mortgage was recently named the 2026 Volunteer of the Year by the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce, an honor recognizing his dedication to serving the Queen Creek community and bringing people together around causes that make a lasting difference. The award was presented at the Chamber’s 17th Annual Business Awards Dinner on September 24.
For those who know Ron, the recognition comes as no surprise.
Ron is the kind of person who rarely says no when someone needs a hand. Whether he is supporting his church, advocating for his team, volunteering in the community or finding a new way to help local families, he gives his time and energy wholeheartedly. His heart for others is bigger than you can imagine, and the impact of that generosity can be felt everywhere he goes.
A Passion for Queen Creek’s Youth
At the center of Ron’s community involvement is a deep passion for young people, particularly when it comes to teen mental health and resilience.
Through his leadership with the Rotary Club of Queen Creek, Ron helped turn that passion into action through the Queen Creek Run for Resilience, a community event focused on raising awareness around teen mental wellness and connecting local families with resources and support. The event has grown into an annual 10K, 5K and 1-mile run/walk, with proceeds supporting efforts to improve youth mental resilience. [portal.clubrunner.ca]
The mission behind the event is particularly meaningful. The Rotary Club’s efforts focus on bringing awareness and teen mental wellness resources into the community, with local programming designed to strengthen youth resilience and help mitigate teen suicide. [queencreek…hamber.com], [rotaryrunf…urrace.com]
Ron has been part of that mission from the beginning. When the inaugural Run for Resilience was launched in 2023, he described it as a way to extend the conversation around raising resilient kids while bringing together families, local businesses, mental health professionals and community leaders. [newsbreak.com]
Today, that commitment continues. The Queen Creek Chamber specifically recognized Ron’s leadership of the annual Run for Resilience as part of naming him Volunteer of the Year, noting the event’s role in raising awareness around teen mental health, connecting families with resources and strengthening youth resilience. [queencreek…hamber.com],
But for Ron, serving his community has never been about receiving recognition.
It is simply who he is.
Someone Who Always Shows Up
Ron brings the same generosity to every part of his life.
He is a dedicated supporter of his church and someone who looks for opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked. He has served as president of the Queen Creek Rotary Club, championed causes affecting local youth and consistently invested his time in making Queen Creek stronger.
At Unison, we see that same drive every day in Ron’s role as SVP, Mortgage Lending.
In many ways, Ron has been the driving force behind the growth of Unison Mortgage. What began as a service offered through Unison Bank has grown into Unison Mortgage, with its own dedicated office just around the corner from the bank. Ron has played an instrumental role in that evolution, bringing the same energy, determination and people-first mindset to the business that he brings to his community.
Ron is constantly looking for ways to better serve our customers, support his team and strengthen the mortgage experience. He is an advocate for the people around him and someone who is always willing to put in extra time and effort to make things better.
When someone needs support, encouragement or another person in their corner, Ron is there. He has a remarkable ability to make people feel supported and valued, and he leaves a lasting impression not because he seeks attention, but because he genuinely cares.
That is also what makes this recognition so special for all of us at Unison.
Our approach has always centered on relationships, community and knowing the people we serve. Ron embodies those values both through his work with Unison Mortgage and well beyond the walls of the office.
We could not be luckier to have him on our team.
An Impact That Starts at Home
As meaningful as Ron’s contributions to Queen Creek are, perhaps the best reflection of who he is can be seen in the people closest to him.
Ron is a proud husband and father of three. The love and appreciation his wife and children have for him are unmistakable, and it speaks to something that no professional title or community award ever could.
He is deeply invested in people.
His family. His colleagues. His church. Queen Creek’s young people. His fellow volunteers. His community.
Ron gives each of them the same thing: his heart.
The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce described Ron’s compassion, leadership and commitment to serving others as qualities that make him “a true champion for Queen Creek.” We couldn’t agree more.
Congratulations, Ron, on being named the 2026 Queen Creek Chamber Volunteer of the Year. We are incredibly proud of everything you have done for Queen Creek, grateful for everything you do for our team and, most importantly, lucky to call you one of our own.
Your impact is felt everywhere you go, and this recognition is incredibly well deserved.
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