JERRY COLANGELO, JDM PARTNERS
Land of Opportunity
Jerry Colangelo moved from Chicago, Illinois, to Arizona in 1968 to assume management of the expansion NBA Phoenix Suns, becoming the youngest general manager in professional sports. He also brought Major League Baseball to the Valley in 1998 and served as managing general partner of the World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. Colangelo is the managing director of the USA Olympic Men’s Basketball Team and is well known as one of the most active and respected business and civic leaders in the Valley.
Arizona has been lauded in recent years as one of the fastest-growing states in the country, one of the strongest for entrepreneurial growth, and even its composite cities have been singled out for various economic distinctions. Our natural characteristics — proximity to global markets, ample sunshine, an unbeatable quality of living — have played a role in some of the growth. But purposeful planning and concerted collaboration are the cornerstone of the state’s current economic success. The transformation over the last decade has been nothing short of remarkable. Even more significant is what it means for our state and its people. Having a diverse economy, one rooted in technology and innovation, can’t be measured in just jobs or capital investment. In the end, it’s about making our community better and making life better for our kids and grandkids. High-paying, good jobs; the opportunity to get an education and get trained in advanced skills; the ability to make your dream a reality — these are all things that point to a better quality of life for our people, and that’s what matters. As this month’s cover story explores, the market here is very hot. And while our climate may be a result of nature, our economic development — current and future — owes its strength to the hard work and collaborative planning of our state, regional and local economic development organizations along with the individual cities that comprise the metropolitan areas. With input from many of the architects behind our business momentum as well as leaders of business and community organizations that support our business community, In Business Magazine editor RaeAnne Marsh describes the market now and how we got here and, most importantly, how we are making the most of our potential to sustain opportunity into the future. The Arizona Commerce Authority is a big part of Arizona’s transition from its old reliance on the famous “5 C’s” and a cyclical economy to a sustainable economy that attracts ever more business growth. As the ACA celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, In Business Magazine presents a special section dedicated to celebrating its achievements. You will find other valuable information in the feature article “Leading When Times Are Good,” a good reminder to decision makers that strong leadership is not just for crises; in the Legal feature that gives a heads up on consumer privacy laws that are gaining momentum; in the Roundtable feature on the carpe diem mindset with a new acronym — YOLO economy — that is impacting our economy; and in the regular departments of Healthcare, Technology, CRE, Startups and more. This is an exciting edition of In Business Magazine, a magazine that always presents information focused on strengthening our business community. I’m pleased to be part of bringing this July edition to you. Enjoy the read.
EN NEGOCIOS Manténgase informado sobre temas empresariales en español a través de En Negocios, artículos para los lectores de habla hispana en el área metropolitana de Phoenix. Visite inbusinessphx.com/ ennegocios para más información. Stay informed on business topics in Spanish through En Negocios, articles for Spanish-speaking readers in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Visit inbusinessphx.com/ ennegocios for more information.
Sincerely,
Jerry Colangelo Partner, JDM Partners International Sports Executive
CONNECT WITH US: Story Ideas/PR: editor@ inbusinessphx.com
Meeting High Expectations Arizona has been poised to be one of the top economic hubs in America for years. We have, throughout the past decade,
issue of In Business Magazine. We are
truly grown exponentially and had our share of great success.
pleased to celebrate with the ACA their
Now, as we emerge from the pandemic, we are positioned to not
10-year celebration of success through
just rebound to where we were before the pandemic began but
our special section that starts on page 29. I also want to thank Jerry
truly get it right for business opportunity and growth of existing
for his steadfast support of In Business Magazine and for leading
companies and those that see Arizona as their next home.
this particular issue. He was one of our first Guest Editors back in
We want to thank both Sandra Watson of the Arizona Commerce Authority and one of the powers behind creating the ACA, Jerry
Photo courtesy of
Colangelo, for being a big part of this
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2011 and continues to be an important voice for business in the Greater Phoenix market.
—Rick McCartney, Publisher
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JULY 2021
INBUSINESSPHX.COM
