Phil Gordon

Phil Gordon was elected Mayor of Phoenix on Sept. 9, 2003 and was re-elected in September of last year. In 2008, he was named the Best Mayor in North America by an international think tank located in London.

Gordon attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. After earning his undergraduate degree, he entered Arizona State University School of Law and graduated cum laude. Gordon has worn many professional hats. He has taught school, owned his own business, served on the Madison School Board and was chairman of Landiscor aerial photography company. Before serving in elected office, Gordon was a leader in the movement to revitalize, preserve and redevelop central Phoenix.

After serving as chief of staff for Mayor Skip Rimsza in 1996, Gordon's interest in Phoenix became his incentive to seek public office. Pledging to fight crime and preserve neighborhoods, he entered the race for Phoenix City Council and was elected in 1997 and 2000.

As a councilman, Gordon spearheaded Shannon's Law, making it a felony to discharge a firearm within city limits. He co-founded and chaired the Slumlord Task Force, which produced legislation to aid in the fight against neglectful and criminal landlords.

As Mayor, Gordon lists his three priorities for the city as: Public Safety, Education and Jobs. He has already chalked up a tremendous record. Phoenix invests more than 60 percent of its budget in public safety. A new crime lab is open, new precincts are under construction and 600 new police officers and firefighters are being hired. In education, a downtown Phoenix campus is a second home to both Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. Additionally, Phoenix has invested in small high schools to prepare students for immediate careers in specific areas like public safety, and nursing.

Earlier this year, the Mayor unveiled his 17-point Green Phoenix plan to make Phoenix the first carbon-neutral city in the United States which already has the endorsement of the Secretary of Energy. The Mayor also founded the Phoenix Global Trade Initiatives whish is privately funded partnership between the City of Phoenix and the business community to build a stronger international presence for global opportunities in business and investment. His goal is to build economic bridges internationally. Recent business trips include Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Canada.

When you add that to a new light rail system, two new downtown hotels, a tripling in size of the Phoenix Convention Center and the passage of an $878 million bond program, you can see why Phoenix was dubbed “A 21st Century City” in 2008 and, in 2009 was named an All America City.

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