As the ever-changing Phoenix skyline glittered through a second-story window behind him, Jerry Colangelo sat at the head of a giant table of businessmen and leaders and relinquished part of his influence in the local community.
On April 23, the Phoenix Suns chairman and managing director of the USA men’s Olympic basketball team stepped down from his position as chairman of the Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA), handing over the reigns to Pinnacle West’s Martin Shultz.
The PCA is a major nonprofit coalition of more than 200 business leaders dedicated to the revitalization of central Phoenix.
Its new chairman, Shultz, is also the vice president of government affairs for Pinnacle West Capital Corp., the parent company of Phoenix-based electrical company APS, and has held the position of vice chairman at PCA since 2001.
“The heart of the city is key to actually developing a great community,” Shultz said.
One of the new ventures the PCA will focus on in upcoming years is improving the city’s transportation system, he said.
“Every one of the great cities in the world… has a viable transportation system,” Shultz said.
Specifically, the group plans to create and improve a multi-modal transportation system — one that provides a variety of ways for commuters to get around. The system will provide diverse transportation opportunities for everyone, regardless of income, Shultz said.
“You are saying to everybody, ‘we want you to participate, we want you to take part in this,’” he said. “The statement that’s being made in ’08, that’s being made by this light-rail, is huge.”
In his nine years as PCA chairman, Colangelo said his greatest accomplishment has been the journey. The changes in Phoenix’s skyline and community are testimony to that, as the city has changed dramatically year after year, in part thanks to the work of PCA.
“I used to look out my window at (then America West Arena) and see somewhat of a barren skyscape,” Colangelo said.
His position with the Suns basketball organization gave Colangelo a platform to make improvements in the downtown Phoenix community, he said.
“It was always about putting back rather than receiving,” Colangelo said. “The bottom line is: We want to make this city as great a city as we can.”
Colangelo said that Shultz’s years of experience with the PCA would allow for a smooth transition of leadership.
“This organization is in very strong hands,” Colangelo said. “I keep saying this — the next 10 years are going to be incredible for downtown Phoenix.”
The sports tycoon couldn’t resist closing the meeting with a prediction for his basketball team’s playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.
“Suns in seven,” he said optimistically. “Remember that.”