Steven A. Betts elected to ACF Board of Directors
The Arizona Community Foundation’s Board of Directors elected Steven A. Betts to the board. Betts was elected during the board’s September meeting and began his term immediately. ACF Board members serve three-year terms, renewable up to two times.
Betts is Managing Director of Development for Holualoa Companies, which is a prominent portfolio of commercial properties throughout the Phoenix and Tucson markets as part of its national and international real estate holdings. Prior to joining the firm in 2020, he had been working with Holualoa as a senior advisor for the previous five years. In his current role, Betts is responsible for new development and redevelopment projects undertaken by Holualoa, as well as working to pursue new investment opportunities for the firm.
Betts is also the Founder/President of Betts Real Estate Advisors, where he serves as counsel to Concord Whilshire Capital and previously served as a senior advisor to Hines Development Southwest Region and the PHX Rising and Fortuitous Fund, as well as development director for Helios Education Foundation. He currently acts as a director for the Tejon Ranch Company (NYSE:TRC), and as Chairman for the University Realty (ASU) Board of Directors.
“Winding up my long development career, I’m now committing myself to impactful community projects, and I can’t think of any better avenue than working with the committed board and talented staff of the Arizona Community Foundation,” said Betts.
Betts previously served as President and CEO of SunCor Development Company, the former subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, a strategic developer of master planned communities throughout the Mountain West and large-scale office, industrial, retail, and mixed-use urban projects in metropolitan Phoenix.
In addition to his full-time professional roles, Betts serves on ASU’s Enterprise Partners and Foundation Boards assisting the University in becoming more strategic in their real estate acquisition and development and served as Co-Chair of Governor Ducey’s Transition Team for State Lands and Parks. He currently serves as Trustee and past Chairman to the Nature Conservancy, chaired the Urban Land Institute AZ District Council and serves on its Advisory Board, served as Chairman and is a current board member for the Teach for America AZ Board, serves on the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Executive Committee and Board, and was Vice Chair of the AZ Town Hall.
He received his undergraduate degree with honors from Augustana College and his law degree with honors from De Paul University School of Law. Betts, wife Yvonne, and their four rescue dogs reside in central Phoenix.
“Betts’ extensive experience in the real estate development sector makes him a tremendous asset for the Arizona Community Foundation,” said Robbin Coulon, Chair of the ACF Board of Directors. “His unique professional experience combined with his knowledge of and passion for Arizona will make him a very valuable board member, especially given the importance of our work in accepting donor’s complex assets, including real estate.”