Every year, AZ Big Media, which publishes both PTK and AZRE magazines selects Arizona’s top people and projects to showcase in its premier commercial real estate magazine — PTK — from an impressive and competitive nomination pool. Each day we will highlight 20 different categories of People to Know. Here are the economic developers to know in Arizona for 2024:
LEARN MORE: Read last year’s edition of PTK magazine
Amanda Elliott
Redevelopment program manager
Gilbert Office of Economic Development
Elliott has served in the office of economic development for Gilbert since 2012. Prior to joining Gilbert, she worked for Gilbane Building Company, a national real estate development and construction company. In her tenure at Gilbane, Elliott held a number of roles including associate manager of business development, national sales services manager and marketing manager.
No. 1 on the commercial real estate bucket list: “Gilbert is the largest land owner in the Heritage District and on my real estate bucket list is releasing development request for proposals for three building pads adjacent to the future Water Tower Way (a north/south car-free urban multiuse path that will have retail pop-up and park-like amenities) and the Living Room Plaza (outdoor plaza and park space).”
Daniela Gallagher
Vice president for economic development
Sun Corridor Inc.
Gallagher is responsible for the management of a wide range of economic development efforts, including location advisory services to companies and site selectors looking to establish or expand their presence in Southern Arizona.
Biggest career accomplishment: “A global company with Tucson offices had decided to relocate to Colorado. Despite searching for six months, they were unable to find a suitable property that met their requirements. I discovered that they were on the verge of finalizing a lease agreement in Colorado, so I quickly put them in touch with a local developer in Tucson. This collaboration led to a wonderful divisional headquarters in downtown Tucson.”
Sintra Hoffman
President and CEO
WESTMARC
In her role at WESTMARC, Hoffman has the pleasure of working with 15 communities, over 3,000 square miles known as the West Valley of Metro Phoenix, and home to 1.8 million residents, where all stakeholders are focused on the economic growth of this region. As president and CEO, Sintra takes pride in representing a large region of the state that is bigger in land mass and population than many well-known cities in the country.
Biggest career accomplishment: “My biggest career accomplishment stemmed from the pandemic ultimately putting me and all of WESTMARC to the test. Not only did the organization survive the pandemic, but it thrived. I took calculated risks, walking the fine line of caution and activity in order to maintain member engagement.”
Kevin Phelps
City manager
City of Glendale
Phelps was appointed as the chief executive officer for Glendale in November 2015. In his role, Phelps manages day-to-day operations and policy implementation for almost 2,000 city employees and ensures prudent fiscal stewardship for the city.
Surprising fact: “As a child thought I would grow up and be a pastor.”
No. 1 on the commercial real estate bucket list: “After the completion of the $1 billion VAI Resort, seeing the buildout of the commercial property in city’s Vision 2 project adjacent to the Glendale’s booming Sports and Entertainment District. This area represents one of the largest assembled development sites that is immediately adjacent to a major freeway in the entire Valley.”
Clark Princell
President and CEO
Valley Partnership
Princell joined Valley Partnership as president and CEO in 2023. In his new role, Princell leads all aspects of the organization’s operations, including advocating for critical issues impacting development in the Valley and implementing the organization’s strategic plan. Prior to Valley Partnership, he served as both deputy chief of staff and chief of staff for Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Before joining Mayor Gallego’s staff, Princell served in a number of government affairs roles, including government relations manager with the City of Phoenix, legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Economic Services, director of federal advocacy for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and a number of roles for Congressman Bob Filner on both the official and campaign offices.
