Steve Betts, one of the best-known names in commercial real estate in Arizona is assuming a new role with one of the state’s top real estate investment firms.
Betts is now the Managing Director of Development for Holualoa Companies, which has a prominent portfolio of properties throughout the Phoenix and Tucson markets as part of its national and international real estate holdings. Betts had been working with Holualoa as a senior advisor the past five years.
In his new role, Betts will be responsible for new development and redevelopment projects undertaken by Holualoa, as well as working to pursue new investment opportunities for the firm.
Betts is Founder/President of Betts Real Estate Advisors, where he has acted as a senior advisor to Hines Development Southwest Region and the PHX Rising and Fortuitous Fund. He currently acts a director for the Tejon Ranch Company (NYSE:TRC), and as development director for Helios Education Foundation. He is also the Chairman of the University Realty (ASU) Board of Directors.
Betts is the retired President and CEO of SunCor Development Company, the former half-billion dollar plus asset base subsidiary of the Fortune 1000 Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, and developer of master planned communities throughout the Mountainwest and large-scale office, industrial, retail and mixed-use urban projects in metropolitan Phoenix.
“We have been fortunate to be able to draw from Steve’s extensive expertise over the past five years, and are pleased to have the opportunity to create this new role for him,” said Stan Shafer, Chief Operating Officer for Holualoa Companies. “Steve is one of the most respected people in our industry in the western United States and he will be an invaluable asset for Holualoa Companies moving forward.”
Steve Betts has also served as Co-Chair of Governor Ducey’s Transition Committee for State Lands and Parks, Chairman and current Trustee to the Nature Conservancy, chaired the Urban Land Institute Arizona District Council and serving on its Advisory Board, and served as Chairman and board member for the Teach for America Arizona Board. He serves on the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Executive Committee, was appointed by the Governor to the Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance, Chaired the Interstate-11 Coalition, Vice Chaired the AZ Town Hall and served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Senior Advisor for Senator John McCain.
“I have enjoyed working with Holualoa Companies as they have cemented their reputation as one of the premier real estate firms in the region,” Betts said. “I look forward to continuing to create exceptional development projects and identify new growth opportunities for the company in the coming years.”
Holualoa was founded by I. Michael Kasser in Hawaii 35 years ago. The company expanded to the Southwest in the Resolution Trust Corporation days, moving the headquarters office to Tucson, Arizona. The company continued to grow by opening offices in Phoenix, Arizona and Santa Monica, California. Further expansion led Holualoa to partnerships in Washington, DC and Paris, France.
