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diggTop Latinos at Phoenix City Hall
Vacancies in the city manager’s office offer opportunities for Latinos
With the departure of assistant city manager Sheryl Sculley in October to take the position of city manager of San Antonio, Phoenix City Hall is opened up to internal movement.
Since Sculley’s leaving, two Latinos have emerged on top of the City Hall hierarchy. In addition, several fresh personalities have appeared which signals they are on a fast track to high-level city government positions in the future.
Sculley, who worked as assistant manager for the city 16 years, is generally acknowledged to be the mastermind of Phoenix’s revitalization of its downtown area and inner core during the past two decades. Observers say she was instrumental in formulating the plans for the light rail system, Civic Plaza renovation, the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport expansion, and commercial and residential economic development in the downtown area
Today some of those economic development projects are being administered by David Cavazos, the new acting deputy city manager. His most recent post was as head of Aviation Department, a high level job that was a natural path to his promotion to the city manager’s office.
“My vision for Phoenix is to make sure that we meet our basic needs, to develop arts and cultural activities, and create an educational system with ASU downtown campus that ensures that everybody is included,” says Cavazos, who was born and raised in Chicago.
Another Latina emerging in a top city job is Gloria Hurtado, recently named interim deputy city manager. Hurtado was raised in East Los Angeles, and has a wide background in work experience. She has worked for Valle del Sol, Inc., in the Murphy School District, and most recently, as head of the City of Phoenix human services.
Hurtado’s new position has her assuming deputy city managers for a minimum of three months while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement.
DIVERSITY GROWS
“It’s a national evolution,” he says. “We aren’t really new, but only have new roles.”
Hurtado adds, “We are a big city now, with big city issues. We are facing challenges. But we have great professionals in all levels of our city government.”
Former Phoenix City Council member Cody Williams comments that there have been great strides in diversity in city government under City Manager Frank Fairbanks.
“When my father worked for the City of Phoenix back in the mid-70s, the hiring of African Americans and Hispanics was still a novel process,” he says.
“Over time, Frank has done things to legitimize the selection, and I give him tremendous credit for this,” Williams says. Fairbanks is also politically astute enough to hand-pick those city employees who will be loyal to him, Williams observes.
Williams also compares Phoenix favorably with other major city governments when it comes to diversity and minorities at top jobs. The city’s strong city manager system ensures more impartial government appointments and promotions, he says. Phoenix operates under a council-manager form of government. The city manager works closely with the mayor and eight council members to help them create policies and programs. Overseeing more than 14,000 city employees, the manager is responsible for the efficient ongoing operation of all city services.
“When you look at any city around the county under strong mayor form of governments you don’t see strong diversity,” Williams says. Phoenix has about 40 department heads with about 10 headed by minorities. About six are Hispanic and three are Black, he points out.
In 2003, Phoenix was selected the winner of the City Cultural Diversity Award for cities with populations over 400,000. The city was recognized as an example of how cities can promote cultural diversity in the community and in government ranks.
“You have a diverse base of knowledge you can provide if you come from the community that you service,” Williams says of a system that promotes from within.
MAYOR’S AIDE
“Rather than go outside, we decided to promote from within,” Gordon says. “Now he has to prove himself, and I’m confident that he will.”
Gudiño says he’s not thinking about rising any higher in City Hall than where he is currently. The challenges presented by his new responsibilities are plenty for right now, he says.
The city of Phoenix Management Intern Program has been a pipeline to the top for many Latino city administrators. The management internship is designed to attract, develop and retain bright people in city government. Both Cavazos and Hurtado started out in the intern program. Today fresh leaders are emerging.
Another city employee to watch is Albert Santana. Santana received a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. He has held several positions in the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, most recently as a recreation coordinator II in the director’s office. Santana is one of the founders of the Latino Institute within Parks & Rec. He joined the city in 1999 as an intern in the Parks and Recreation Department.
Juanita Carver is a young Latina that observers say in on a career ladder that could take her to a top job. She works in the city manager’s office. Carver earned her Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in English and American Literature. Juanita has worked for the past six years as an operations supervisor/financial associate for A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
“The city is growing fast, and its diversity is growing fast,” says Santana. “I truly believe that the top of our organizational chart reflects that diversity and the needs of Phoenix citizens. My vision is to make sure that we grow with quality.”
