March 19, 2014
Jerry Colangelo
With an introduction by special guest
David Eaton.
Moderated by Mandy Purcell, Publisher, Commercial Executive Magazine
Event Schedule:
4:30 p.m. - Registration & Networking
5:00 p.m. - Program Begins
6:00 p.m. - Reception
Jerry Colangelo is a businessman with a heart for community development that permeates every aspect of his life. Though he has held many positions, in an array of areas, he is currently a principle partner of JDM Partners LLC, a real estate development company and the chairman for USA Basketball.
Mr. Colangelo first became involved with USA Basketball as the Managing Director in April of 2005. He took charge of the team and rebuilt the program by obtaining the involvement of the NBA’s top players and securing the involvement of some of basketball’s most respected coaches, including Duke University’s Hall of Fame mentor Mike Krzyzewski as the USA National Team coach. Now considered the “Redeem Team,” the Men’s Senior National Team brought home gold medals in both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.
Mr. Colangelo’s ability to inspire and instigate support are traits that have followed him throughout his career. First arriving in Arizona as the youngest general manager in professional sports, he took over the expansion of the Phoenix Suns NBA franchise. During his 43-year tenure with the Suns, his spent time as general manager, head coach, president, managing general partner, chief executive officer and chairman.
He is also responsible for bringing Major League Baseball to Phoenix in the late 1990s as the chairman and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team won the National League West in just its second season, and became the fastest expansion team in baseball history to qualify for the postseason, just as the Suns did in their second season in 1969-70. The team continued to set record timing under Mr. Colangelo’s management, going from expansion to World Championship in just four years.
Apart from the sports world, Mr. Colangelo formed JDM Partners, LLC. in the 1980’s with his long time friends and partners David Eaton and Mel Shultz. JDM Partners, LLC is still a full-service real estate firm. The company has grown into multiple entities, which currently owns and operates the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club and the Wigwam Arizona Resort and Golf Courses. Collectively, JDM Partners as one of the largest land owners of entitled land in the greater Phoenix area.
A recipient of multiple honors both locally and nationally, the evidence of Mr. Colangelo’s integrity and desire for community improvement is clear. His impact on the game of basketball has been so significant he was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in April 2004. Grand Canyon University founded the Colangelo School of Sports Business in 2011. The Arizona Republic named him the Most Influential Sports Figure in the state of Arizona for the 20th century, and he was also named one of the most influential people in sports by Sporting News. He has participated as chairman on numerous boards such as: Valley Big Brothers, Phoenix Art Museum, Valley of the Sun YMCA, greater Phoenix Economic Council, and many other local and national organizations.
Originally from the Hungry Hill neighborhood of Chicago Heights, Mr. Colangelo currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife, Joan, four children and thirteen grandchildren.
