Mayor John Stephens was honored with an “Angel on Earth,” award from the nonprofit Angel Light Academy at its annual Above & Beyond Event on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa.

The Above & Beyond honorees were nominated by their peers for their outstanding community service, leadership and proven excellence.

“I am grateful to be recognized by the Angel Light Academy for my contribution to the great City of Costa Mesa, and I’m proud of what our city team has accomplished together,” Mayor Stephens said. “It is a privilege and honor to serve as mayor of this great city.”

Stephens was chosen for this award based on his exemplary leadership and devotion to public safety and the first responder community, according to the Angel Light Academy.

Mayor Stephens joins a diverse group of honorees this year representing youth, family services, domestic violence, homelessness, healthcare, sustainability and youth empowerment.

According to the Angel Light Academy, these honorees have demonstrated an attitude of excellence, teamwork and leadership that consistently goes Above & Beyond in their daily lives. 

In addition to being Mayor, Stephens has served as the Chair of the ACC-OC Homelessness Task Force, and as Director of the Orange County Transportation Authority, Transportation Corridor Agency (Toll Roads) and Travel Costa Mesa. He initiated the City’s Independence Day Celebration (which had 10,000 attendees in 2024), and he has been Santa Claus at the annual Snoopy House event for many years!

Past winners of the award include current County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who won the award in 2019 during her term as Mayor of Costa Mesa.