Tucson needs the leadership of good business people
Read the origin story of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, in this Arizona Daily Star article published July 13, 1997 by Jim Kiser.
Seven Tucson business leaders came together on May 13, 1997, to create the Southern Arizona Leadership Council. They acted with the optimism that the Tucson region could prosper if engaged business leaders committed 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 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 often tended to be inadequate, fragmented and non-collaborative.
However, the seven founders recognized that drift was not necessarily a permanent state and 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 the opportunity to overcome substantial challenges lies 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.
SALC is staunchly committed to addressing those challenges.