Greater Phoenix Leadership, Inc.

llectively represent 105 top companies and over 250,000 employees. Members work together to move forward initiatives, public policy and projects that will strengthen the future of Arizona. GPL recognizes that community involvement garners its best result when done collaboratively. Through engagement and results-producing relationships with philanthropic organizations, government and educators, GPL members are committed to making the greater Phoenix region and the State of Arizona the place where citizens want to live, work, raise a family and earn a quality education. Our History & Milestones

1974 December. Gene Pulliam, Frank Snell and Tom Chauncey decide to convene a group of business and civic leaders to address major community problems. The Letter

Dear Community Leader (personalized),

This is probably one of the most important letters you have ever received because the immediate future of Phoenix may depend on the response to this challenge. Approximately 25 top civic leaders, of whom you are one, are being asked to meet at the Arizona Biltmore, Tuesday afternoon, February 4, at 3:30 o'clock in the Adobe Building. No substitutes, please; Phoenix needs you! No organization has been formed, no officers have been elected, but these matters will be considered and resolved after the final discussion at our meeting. Please call my office, 271-8209, or sign the enclosed confirmation card now so you will be there. Good luck and God bless you,
Eugene C. Pulliam

1975 February 4 - First organized meeting. Gene Pulliam invited 37, they all came. Counting Governor Raul Castro (separate invitation), and one other, the number was 40. Polling of those present indicated the most important issues as transportation, crime and education, in that order. The priority changed overnight with the February 19 assassination of Edward Lazar, star witness in the trial of Ned Warren, Sr. for land fraud and embezzlement. March 4 - Organizational meeting - originally called "Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Goals", changed to "Phoenix 40". Elected Jim Mayer (President, Valley Bank) Chairman. Until the 1980s there were no dues. From time to time funds were provided by interested members in the name of Phoenix 40. Staff support was provided by the Chairmen and by members. Each Chairman appointed a Steering Committee that served as a Board of Directors. Initiated efforts resulting in tougher land fraud laws, more money for state Attorney General's Office and legislation to create a state-wide grand jury and a border task force to fight the flow of drugs from Mexico. PHOENIX 40 - Original Members

G. Clarke Bean
Hayes Caldwell, M.D. Robert Donohoe
Junius Driggs
Karl Eller
George F. Getz
Sherman Hazeltine
Robert H. Johnson
George Leonard
Stephen Levy
James Maher
Richard Mallery
Samuel Mardian, Jr. James Mayer
Rod J. McMullin
Loyal Meek
Dennis Mitchem
L.D. "Pat" Murphy
Rev. Culver Nelson
William G. Orr
Jesse Owens
Eugene C. Pulliam
William P. Reilly Sr. Newton Rosenzweig
Raymond Shaffer
William R. Shover
James P. Simmons
Paul Singer, M.D. Lawson V. Smith
Frank L. Snell
Franz Talley
Thomas Tang
Maurice R. Tanner
Keith L. Turley
Mason Walsh
Robert D. Williams
Russell Williams


1975 March 21 - Press conference to announce the formation of Phoenix 40. Media was supportive, but suspicious of the elitist image. Lobbied for passage of state-wide Grand Jury Bill which was passed into law. Established Border Strike Force with Pima County Attorney Dennis DeConcini.

1976 June 2, 1975 - Arizona Republic Reporter Don Bolles car was bombed. He died 11 days later. This event enraged the public and served as the impetus for Phoenix 40 working with other organizations and agencies to accomplish most items initiated a year earlier. Monsignor Donohoe organized the Criminal Justice System Task Force.- Encouraged Democrat Charles Hyder and Republican George Mount to run for County Attorney. Phoenix 40 contributed $15,000 each to the two campaigns. Charles Hyder won.

1977 - Assisted the Phoenix Police Department with the Phoenix Police Bike Patrol by donating the initial supply of bicycles needed to get the program started. Assisted the Phoenix Police Department in the establishment of the Silent Witness Program. The Phoenix Police Department started the Silent Witness Program in March 1979. Since that time, the program has been involved in more than 7,500 felony cases, resulting in excess of 5,000 arrests, and the payment of $1,000,000 in reward money. The Silent Witness Program is staffed with one Sergeant and four Phoenix Police Detectives. However, the program has recently changed its focus from a Phoenix Police Department program to that of an interagency task force. Twenty-five percent of the cases investigated and rewards paid are for cases that originated from outside the Phoenix Metro area. Cases are referred to Silent Witness from agencies throughout the valley. To facilitate this working relationship, we solicit detectives from the various valley agencies to complete a 3-6 month temporary assignment with the Silent Witness Program. For more information visit www.silentwitness.org.

1978/79 November 3 - Participated in the creation of the Valley Leadership program. In the late 1970's, a prominent group of community members had the foresight to know that as the Valley continued its rapid growth, a new generation of trustees was needed. They knew that to be successful they must draw from a broad range of companies and organizations, providing the highest quality education to ensure the continued legacy of committed, well-informed leaders. Twenty-five years later, their alumni are virtually everywhere, running campaigns, championing causes and promoting the arts. The mission of Valley Leadership is to "enhance the abilities of individuals to serve and strengthen our communities." For more information visit www.valleyleadership.org

1980/81 Early 1980 ASU College of Engineering Dean Roland Haden asked for help -- Jack Marinick, President of Garrett Turbine Engine and Phoenix 40 Chairman, start ASU Engineering Excellence Program. Under Solly Sollenberger's leadership this effort was expanded to bring ASU's Colleges of Business and Engineering into the top 25 national ranking.

1982 Campaigned against ballot proposal to change the at-large system of Phoenix City Council representation with a district system. Phoenix voters narrowly approved the district system.

1983 Created Phoenix Community Alliance. It takes tremendous energy and imagination to build a city. Our city has to be more than streets and structures; it has to engage the spirit, hopes, and dreams of our people. This vision of the citizens is what creates a strong and dynamic city. The Phoenix Community Alliance is a tool to help make that happen. The Phoenix Community Alliance is the only major, private sector catalyst dedicated solely to the revitalization of Central Phoenix. For more information visit www.phoenixcommunityalliance.com.

1984 Phoenix 40 encouraged Phoenix Community Alliance to partner with Futuro Investment, a division of Chicanos por la Causa to purchase and preserve Phoenix Union High School. Created a project through Phoenix Performing Arts Center which resulted in the construction of the Herberger Theater.

1986 Transportation - The lack of an adequate freeway system was the number one issue leading to the creation of the Phoenix 40. Our members led successful special elections to proceed with construction of the State Route 51 and Interstate-10 freeways and in 1986 the approval of a 1% Maricopa County sales tax to fund completion of the freeway system and expand of public transit. Jim Simmons, Sam Mardian and Denny Mitchem were later made honorary members of GPL due to their original Phoenix 40 membership and in recognition of their long and effective service in creating our transportation system.

1987 In partnership with Barry Goldwater, endorsed the Rio Salado Project and contributed $40,000 to the election campaign. Maricopa County voters defeated a property tax increase to create Rio Salado by a 2- 1 margin. This effort was a forerunner of Tempe Town Lake and Salt River bed development in Phoenix. Successfully lobbied legislature to oppose recommended cuts of three universities’ budgets recommended by Governor Mecham.

1987/88 Coordinated move of St. Louis Cardinals (football team) to Phoenix. The Cardinals, founded in 1898 and a charter member of the National Football League, hold the distinction of being the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the nation. After 28 years in St. Louis, the Cardinals relocated to Arizona in the spring of 1988 and made Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University their new home. For more information visit www.azcardinals.com.

1989 Sought approval of paid state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lost by 17,000 votes of 1.1 million cast. Assisted in successful campaign to bring 1993 Super Bowl to Phoenix. NFL withdrew invitation after MLK Holiday defeat.

1991 LISC - Helped fund Local Initiatives Support Corporation committed to substantial funding support to establish affordable housing programs.

1992 MLK Holiday - Led and provided significant funding support to efforts to approve the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday in Arizona. Approved in statewide public vote by 64-36 margin. Provided start-up funding for Fighter Country Partnership (FCP) (previously Luke Talons), a local support group to protect Luke AFB from closure. More specifically, FCP was established to:

• Increase public awareness of the issues surrounding the operation of Luke Air Force Base;
• Develop and focus community support for a meaningful foundation and response to Luke Air Force Base's short- and long-term operational considerations;
• Inform the public and to support the important mission that Luke Air Force Base has in the defense of our Nation's security; and
• Promote the further development and enhancement of the relationship between Luke Air Force Base, its personnel and the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, as well as its communities. For more information visit www.fightercountry.org.

1993 Super Bowl ### - Led efforts that resulted in the NFL awarding Phoenix the 1996 Super Bowl. January 8 - By majority vote, officially changed the name of the organization from “Phoenix 40" to "Greater Phoenix Leadership", and amended bylaws to raise active membership to 75 and broaden the membership (January 8)

January 15 - First full-time executive staff for the organization - Hired Brigadier General R. Thomas Browning, as Executive Director (now President/CEO). May 1 - Hired Barbara A. Daniels, as Executive Assistant to the Director (now Director of Operations). Established and conducted a campaign for private sector employment of Valley youth ages 16-21; "Summer Jobs for Valley Youth".

1994 Led and provided startup funding for the establishment of Communities In Schools (CIS) of Arizona. Established and conducted “Shop Arizona First Exposition” to enhance small business opportunities in Arizona. Established a GPL/ASU Partnership for Youth Preparation to expand Project Prime.

1996 December 18 - Hired Michelle L. Perkins as Administrative Assistant (now an Executive Assistant for SFAz - since 2006).

1997 Designed and established the “Partners for the Future” program. VPI - Co-founder & Co-chair of the Violence Prevention Initiative. Assisted in efforts to secure the passage of legislation to improve air quality in Arizona. Established the Committee for External Review of Capital Assets and the Work Group on Space Utilization at Arizona’s Public Universities, at the request of the Arizona Board of Regents. NPI - Established Neighborhood Partners, Inc. to promote a healthy, safe and prosperous community.

1998/99 Assisted in efforts to secure the passage of legislation to create Students FIRST. Assisted in efforts to secure the passage of legislation to create KidsCare. Assisted in efforts to secure the passage of legislation to create the Growing Smarter Act. Assisted in efforts to secure the passage of legislation and the ballot initiative to preserve Arizona open space. June - Quentin P. Smith, Jr., President of Cadre Business Advisors LLC, became the first African American to be elected Chairman of the organization.

2000 Assisted in efforts that defeated passage of the Sierra Club’s “Citizens Growth Management Initiative” (CGMI). Assisted and helped fund efforts to secure the passage of legislation to create an independent redistricting commission. Proposition 301 - Assisted and helped fund efforts to secure the passage of legislation and the ballot measure to improve K-12 Education in Arizona.

2001 APHEB - Established Arizona Partnership for Higher Education and Business. ABEC - Assisted in efforts to establish the Arizona Business and Education Coalition. The Coalition’s mission is focused on providing a sustained business and education collaboration for a superior education for Arizona’s K-12 students. Some of the guiding principles include: understanding the direct correlation between the future of Arizona and the success of the K-12 system; seeking the respect, support, and understanding of the education and business perspective dealing with K-12 issues; zeroing in on K-12 best practices with links to preschool, higher education and workplace productivity; using quality research to determine the best practices to support education initiatives; actively and effectively influencing public policy consistent with ABEC’s mission, principles and objectives; and share responsibility for the continuous growth of student and school achievement in Arizona. For more information visit www.azbec.org. Adopted a strategic concept to connect the key elements of the educational experience based upon existing institutions, studies and the recommendations of various task forces. Co-sponsored a regional economic summit in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist bombings, and subsequently assisted in the establishment of the Business Coalition, a collaboration of nine regional business leadership organizations. For more information visit: www.greaterphoenix.net/Coalition/Index.htm.

2002 January 16 - Established the GPL Office for Education and hired James K. Zaharis as Vice President for Education. March 22 - Hired Alissa M. Post as Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Education. GPL accepted lead role on Education in Arizona - Within the framework of the Business Coalition, GPL assumes leadership position on Education. P-20 - Led the establishment of the P-20 model, an integrated strategic approach that seamlessly links preschool through graduate school and employment training, and is the road map guiding our efforts to impact education. For more information visit www.p-20.com. Assisted in the passage of Arizona LEARNS legislation to create statutes governing accountability in the public schools system. Assisted in the passage of Arizona READS legislation that established programs for children to read at grade level by the third grade. JVY - Successfully merged Jobs for Valley Youth program with Communities In Schools (CIS) of Arizona.

2003 Successfully merged Neighborhood Partners, Inc. with the Arizona Quest for Kids Scholarship program. Led efforts to secure the passage of legislation for state funding support to expand Phoenix Civic Plaza. Led business efforts to secure passage of legislation for state funding support for university research facilities. Led with other organizations, efforts to secure the passage of legislation to extend the half-cent countywide sales tax to support regional transportation. A key leader in efforts to secure the passage of legislation to continue state funding for Arizona’s Early Childhood Block Grant. Led efforts to secure the passage of legislation to support university technology transfer, including support of enabling legislation and constitutional amendment (subject to voter approval of constitutional amendment). Led efforts to secure the passage of legislation to amend Arizona LEARNS to require school achievement profiles (Amending 2002 Legislation). Led efforts to secure the passage of legislation that would mandate full funding of requirements for Proposition 301.

2004 Substantial progress in our P-20 education agenda, specifically in funding all-day kindergarten and support for a phase-in plan. June 14 - Hired Lisa A. Atkins as Vice President for Public Policy. Legislative approval of research and development investments in the state university system. Under the leadership of Doug Pruitt, Chairman and CEO of Sundt Construction, Inc., GPL teamed with organizations throughout the state to successfully extend the half-cent sales tax to fund regional transportation for the next 20 years. Helped expand the Business Coalition into a broad, collaborative business effort.

2005 October 3 - Hired Leilani M. Baldwin as Administrative Assistant (now Executive Assistant) to the Vice President for Public Policy. Formed External Relations Committee to consider the policy and political ramifications of interest or concern to GPL. Actively participated and supported the efforts of: Arizona Business and Education Coalition (ABEC); Arizona Quest for Kids; Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture; Regional Worforce Housing Task Force; University Stakeholder’s Group; and Military Affairs Commission (MAC). Created the GPL Bioscience Task Force, under the leadership of Don Budinger, Chairman/Founding Director of The Rodel Foundations, and Dick Silverman, General Manager of SRP, to explore implementation of the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap.

2006 January 3 - Established GPL Office for Bioscience within the GPL Executive Office and Hired Margaret Mullen as Vice President for Bioscience. Established Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz), a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to (1) build and strengthen medical, scientific and engineering research programs and infrastructure in areas of greatest strategic value to Arizona’s competitiveness in the global economy; and (2) actively engage scientific research, academic and medical institutions representing both the public and private sectors on a worldwide basis. Hired William C. Harris, Ph.D., the globally recognized architect and Director General of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), to serve as President and CEO of the newly formed Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz). June 1 - Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) established its offices in the One Arizona Center Building, on the second floor, Suite 230. SFAz officially separated from the GPL Executive Office and Dr. William Harris, Margaret Mullen, and Michelle Perkins relocated to establish SFAz’s day-to-day operations. Led efforts to secure $35 million in matching funds, appropriated by the Arizona Governor and State Legislature in HB2377 through the Department of Commerce and its Commerce and Economic Development Commission to invest in SFAz. September 5 - Hired Deborah D. Mosakowski as Executive Assistant to the Director of Operations for the GPL Executive Office. Actively raised and collected funds in excess of $1 million, directly from the membership of GPL to provide startup funding for Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz).