SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) has announced that South Lake Tahoe City Council Member and retired City Manager David Jinkens received their Local Economic Development Champion Award for 2026. The honor recognizes a career marked by exceptional leadership, dedication to economic vitality, and decades of service to California communities.
The award celebrates those whose contributions have had a lasting and transformative impact on their region’s economic growth, sustainability, and prosperity. It also recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the
profession over a career, and exemplary commitment to economic development
work by a CALED member.
CALED President and CEO Gurbax Sahota said she nominated Jinkens due to his high standards.
According to CALED they are “California’s premier economic development association. With more than 1,100 members, it is one of the largest economic development associations in the country. Since 1980, CALED has led the way in teaching economic developers, local elected officials, and state representatives the value of economic development and how it is used to grow businesses, generate revenue to support community development programs, and retain and create quality jobs.”
Jinkens’ recognition reflects not only his long-standing contributions to the profession statewide, but also his continued commitment to strengthening South Lake Tahoe’s economy, supporting local businesses, and promoting responsible, community-focused development.
The award was presented at CALED’s annual meeting on April 16, 2026, in Palm Springs, but due to City business, Jinkens was unable to attend the ceremony and will receive the award in person later this year.
Jinkens’s connection to CALED spans the entire history of the organization. He was one of the original founding board members in 1980, helping establish what has become the state’s leading voice for economic development professionals.