Paul Johnson is best known for time in politics. He has however, also founded several multimillion-dollar companies and has large real-estate holdings in his control. Those companies currently include Southwest Next LLC, a countercyclical real-estate company buying commercial product, apartments, and land in a down market, and Old World Communities LLC a land development company in the Phoenix market, and Chairman of the Board of Arrowhead Health Family Practice.
Paul’s served on the Phoenix City Council from 1985-1990, Phoenix Mayor from 1990-1994. He was highlighted in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine and People Magazine and his administration received the Bertelsmann Award of the “Best Run City in the World.” Has chaired several Presidential Campaigns, was a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention in 1992 and is a leader in the Independent Movement in Arizona. He served as chairman of AZ League of Town and Cities, and several regional planning committees including: MAG, SCROG, RPTA, AMWA. These have given him a unique understanding of the regulatory, development and entitlement process.
Paul has been a contributing associate for Connections Marketing & Communications for nearly 4 years, assisting with strategic planning for business development efforts which particularly target municipal governments across the state of Arizona. He also brings insight regarding federal funding.
Paul currently is managing Southwest Next LLC that includes a private equity fund with access to over $100,000,000.00 and has developed large projects including master planning 640 acres on the Able Farms, 1000 acres in Prescott, 400 mountainside lots, 340 lots in Buckeye, and several other large-scale development projects. Southwest Next has purchased significant holdings during the 2009-2011 downturn including over 20 commercial corners, apartment projects, and office projects.
Paul also serves as Chairman of the Board of Arrowhead Health, on the Board of Directors of John C. Lincoln Hospital, Chairman of the City of Phoenix Bond Commission, and on the Executive Committee of the “Greater Phoenix Economic Commission” the leader in the Greater Phoenix areas economic development areas. Past Chairman of the Arizona Tech Council and Chairman of the Mayors Substance Abuse Commission. Paul’s current community endeavor is as a co-founder, and Chair of “The Open Government Committee” that is focused on eliminating partisan primaries and opening up the election process to all individuals regardless of their party registration through a Open General Election and a runoff that includes the top to vote getters.
Todd Bankofier is the quintessential entrepreneur. He serves as a partner in multiple companies including Fairmont Capital Group (FCG) since January of 2008. FCG is an asset management company focused on owning, managing and reengineering multiple assets both operating companies and commercial and residential real estate properties. As a principal in the firm, Todd engages in the day to day oversight of the asset base, including SCM Solar, LLC., MAK Construction Enterprises, Inc., Julian’s Fine Cabinetry, and Karmar Properties. Todd provides leadership for strategic planning, revenue generation, operational effectiveness and public relations for all the entities.
Todd is also a contributing associate at Connections Marketing & Communications. This firm is tasked with building strategic business relationships between both private and public sectors entities. While working with Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, the Connections team maximizes its many long standing relationships in Arizona and Washington D.C.to ‘connect’ and forge growth opportunities for its clients.
Before starting Fairmont Capital Group Todd served as the Vice President and General Manager of Ensynch, Arizona’s largest IT services company. In this role Bankofier oversaw sales and operations for all lines of business, including IT consulting, staffing and managed services.
Before joining Ensynch in September 2005, Bankofier served as the President and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council for four years, the state’s leading technology organization charged with growing the science and technology community in Arizona. In his time at the Council, Bankofier oversaw a number of milestones that include tripling the organization’s membership; gaining legislative passage of the “Angel Tax Credit”; growing revenues by more than 250%; launching Arizona’s first technology magazine; and building a legitimate “voice” for technology companies in Arizona.
Prior to this role, he served for four years as Vice President of National Sales for XO Communications, a national telecommunications company where he managed a national sales team to four years of record growth. Bankofier has also served on Capitol Hill for five years in Washington, D.C. as a lobbyist for the Department of Energy and a legislative assistant for former Senator Paul Laxalt, NV.
Since being in Arizona, Bankofier has been actively involved in many volunteer boards and activities since he arrived in Arizona in 1988. He most recently served on the Governor’s Council for Innovation and Technology. He received a gubernatorial appointment to the State Board of Education from 1998 to 2002. Bankofier has also been deeply involved with numerous other community organizations including the Fiesta Bowl Committee, Central Arizona Shelter Services Board, and multiple Arizona State University Alumni Boards and Commissions. He was named “Man of the Year” by the Arizona YWCA in 1992 and Father of the Year” in 2007 by the American Diabetes Association. He is also a graduate of Valley Leadership Class 13.