Since arriving in Phoenix in 1968 to become the youngest general manager in the NBA, taking the helm of the expansion Phoenix Suns, Jerry Colangelo has established himself as one of the top executives in the sports world.

FRANCHISE RANKINGS
  Under Colangelo's guidance, the Suns have built a reputation as one of the most successful and admired franchises in all of sports. Winner of an unprecedented four NBA Executive of the Year awards (1993, '89,'81,'76), Colangelo directed the Suns to seven consecutive 50-plus win seasons from 1988 to 1995, including a franchise-best 62 wins in 1992-93. The club advanced to the Western Conference Finals three of those seven seasons, earning a trip to the NBA finals in 1993. From 1988-96, the Suns' regular season record of 435-221 (.663) ranked second in the NBA behind Chicago's 461-195 (.702). In fact, over the last 21 seasons the Suns rank as the NBA's fourth-winningest franchise (993-729, .577). In 1996, Colangelo was ranked as the 20th most powerful person in sports by The Sporting News, and has been named most influential businessperson in the Valley of the Sun for the third-straight year by The Arizona Business Journal.

BUILDING A CONTENDER
  After serving as general manager of the Suns from 1968 to 1987, Colangelo led a group of investors to purchase the franchise for $44.5 million. He has served as president and CEO ever since. His tenure running the same franchise is exceeded only by the legendary Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics, who has been an NBA fixture since the league's formation in 1946. Colangelo currently serves on the NBA's Board of Governors, the NBA Finance Committee and the league's Long Range Planning Committee. He was chairman of the Expansion Committee that welcomed Vancouver and Toronto into the NBA and also served as chairman of the Competition and Rules Committee for four years. Additionally, Colangelo has been instrumental in the league's WNBA initiative, serving as a founding committee member and president and CEO of the Valley's own Phoenix Mercury franchise. The Mercury and the WNBA enjoyed a tremendously successful inaugural season, thanks in large part to his leadership.

AMERICA WEST ARENA
  After spearheading efforts to build a new downtown sports arena, Colangelo's vision of what that facility would mean to the city of Phoenix became shining reality in June 1992. The 19,023-seat America West Arena became the centerpiece for a downtown revitalization process that has made Phoenix one of the most admired cities in America. Under his direction it was designed, and it is under his guidance that it is managed. The arena has played host to the wide variety of concerts, family shows and sporting events, including the 1995 NBA All-Star Game.

A "MAJOR LEAGUE" CITY
  In addition to his leadership of the Suns and America West Arena, Colangelo became the guiding force for an investment group which landed Arizona's first Major League Baseball franchise in March 1995-the Arizona Diamondbacks. He now serves as the managing general partner of the team.

  The official ground-breaking for Bank One Ballpark followed in November 1995. This April, the new 48,500-seat, retractable roof stadium which is held in a public-private partnership with Maricopa County, will be unveiled as the Diamondbacks take to the field for their historic first season. Colangelo serves on both the MLB Legislative Committee and Equal Opportunity Committee.

  His efforts to bring professional hockey to the Valley came to fruition in December 1995 when the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets-now re-named the Phoenix Coyotes-announced plans to relocate to the Valley and play at America West Arena. Colangelo arranged the leasing agreement for the Coyotes to play in the arena. Phoenix is one of only 11 cities in the United States with franchises in all four major sports, joining Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver

  Detroit, Miami, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington D.C./Baltimore.

IN THE COMMUNITY
  Colangelo has distinguished himself as one of the Valley's most active community leaders. He is on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Art Museum, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Phoenix Community Alliance and Phoenix Suns Charities. He serves as vice president of the Phoenix Downtown Partnership and is chairman of Southwest Leadership Foundation. He is a lifetime member of the Phoenix Thunderbirds, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Phoenix through sports. He is a former president of Valley Big Brothers and is currently chairman of the board for the Christian Businessmen's Club. He is also a director and principal of Stratford American Corporation, a real estate development company.

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