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Phoenix Mayor-elect Greg Stanton, who beat his challenger with a commanding 14-point lead on November 8, has tapped Community and Economic Development Director Paul Blue as his first chief of staff.
Stanton won’t be sworn into office until January 3, but in the meantime, Blue will help make sure there is a smooth transition as Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon hands the keys to the Mayor’s Office to Stanton.
Blue, who was named director in June, is now responsible for stimulating economic development in Phoenix, and among his duties are business attraction, retail, international, downtown development, business retention and expansion, small business, and workforce development.
Blue seems like a good fit given that Stanton made creating a “diverse and sustainable economy” a central theme during his campaign.
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His commitment to making that happen “is evidenced by the fact that he selected a top-notch person who is well-respected in the business community,” says Ruben Alonzo, Stanton’s campaign manager. (No relation to the writer.)
Phoenix usually taps a deputy city manager or department head to serve as chief of staff for the mayor. That individual is on loan from the city to work in the Mayor’s Office, and serves as a liaison of sorts between that office and the City Manager’s Office.
Several have served under Gordon,
including Planning Department Director Debra Stark and Public
Information Office Director Toni Maccarone and then-Deputy City Manager
Ed Zuercher, who is now Assistant City Manager.
