Our History
"The Southern Arizona Leadership Council brings together Arizona's public and private leaders to make Arizona a better place by investing in our communities. Their impact is felt across Southern Arizona."
- Former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano
On May 13, 1997, seven Tucson business leaders came together to create the Southern Arizona Leadership Council. They acted with the optimism that the Tucson region could prosper if engaged business leaders commit their skills, time and resources in collaborative efforts to enhance the region's quality of life as well as its economic climate.
They shared the belief among many business and community leaders that Tucson was a community without sufficient leadership. The region suffered from a lack of coalition builders who were willing to commit their skills, time and resources to solving community-wide problems. The leadership that did exist too often tended to be inadequate, fragmented and non-collaborative.
However, recognizing that drift was not necessarily a permanent state, the seven founders moved ahead confidently to create an organization that was motivated, focused and member-driven.
In the ensuing years, SALC has become a highly respected business voice on public policy in Southern Arizona. Its members represent the largest employers and top professionals in the region, many of whom are influential community leaders. Its accomplishments have gained statewide attention.
Yet SALC leaders today recognize that the Tucson region is still in the process of developing effective community and corporate leadership. Progress has been real and meaningful, but substantial challenges lie ahead. Growth, water, land-use planning and fiscal sustainability all pose significant issues that require enlightened responses, locally and at the state level. The global economy demands further improvement in our educational system and in workforce development to keep our region and state competitive. The state and the region face expensive challenges in healthcare and transportation.
Please read our brief summary of the key accomplishments and engagements in the Southern Arizona Leadership Council's leadership from 1997 to 2010.
