Jonathan Rothschild

2024 Greater Tucson Leadership Founders Award

By Rodney Campbell

Six years removed from his days in the Tucson mayor’s office, one of Jonathan Rothschild’s biggest goals is inspiring young men and women to get involved in local and state government.

One of the ways he’s doing that is through the Greater Tucson Leadership Civic and Political Leadership Academy, a program that he and his Rothschild Foundation helped develop in 2019. Participants, who range in age from 25 to 45, complete six months of training to learn how local and state governments work.

“We talk about issues on the local and state level. It’s a good program to show people what’s out there,” said Rothschild, whose longtime efforts to improve life in the region earned him the 2024 Greater Tucson Leadership Founders Award. 

The civic and political leadership academy has notable alumni that include elected officials who serve anywhere from local school boards to the state legislature. Many come back to speak to the current class, offering advice and encouragement to the next generation of local leaders.

“Municipal and county governments are places where you can make an impact,” said Rothschild, now a managing partner at Mesch Clark Rothschild law firm. “Most people probably don’t start by running for governor or Congress. You have to learn at some level … city or county government or serving as a local representative.”

The academy isn’t just for those who aspire to reach political office. Professionals who work for local, county and state government also benefit.

Heath Vescovi-Chiordi completed the program in 2020, two years before he made the impressive leap from assistant to the town manager in Marana to director of economic development for Pima County. He credits Rothschild and the academy for giving him the boost he needed to quickly further his career.

“In large part, it is because of Jonathan that I completed GTL’s Civic and Political Leadership Academy and learned what it means to marry up the quantitative and qualitative elements of leadership both in my current role and for possible future roles,” Vescovi-Chiordi said. “Not only was I exposed to his unique brand of leadership style, but that of many others, allowing me a diversity of thought and action in my professional and personal life.”

Kasey Hill was the CEO of Greater Tucson Leadership when the organization and Rothschild began establishing the academy. Rothschild was completing his second term as mayor and had a strong desire to continue helping the community. It’s a commitment that lives on through the success of those he inspires, including Hill.

“He served, and continues to serve, our community with a steadfast commitment to service, always leading with integrity, transparency and a genuine desire to create positive and lasting change,” Hill said. “He serves because he deeply loves Tucson.”

In Rothschild’s time as mayor, city voters backed:

• Proposition 409, which took out $100 million in bonds to fix city roads.
• Proposition 101, a half-cent sales tax that put another $100 million into city roads and $150 million to purchase equipment for law enforcement and the fire department.
• Proposition 407, a $225 million plan to pay for capital improvements for city parks and other amenities.

All required a strong local economy to muster public support. The Tucson region will always have the challenge of competing with the large, expanding metro area two hours up I-10.

“We are somewhat in the shadow of Phoenix and the valley cities so we need to be scrappier and harder-working,” Rothschild said. “We have to work harder on economic development in local governments. To fund municipal services, you must have a strong economy. I believe there’s great potential for this community.”

Established in 1985 by Greater Tucson Leadership, the Founders Award is a lifetime achievement recognition honoring an individual who has demonstrated significant long-term community involvement and accomplishments and has helped to shape the community in a positive manner with merit and dedication.

A native Tucsonan, Rothschild understands the importance of earning recognition from a local organization that seeks to create a better community through leadership and skill development. It’s also his objective.

“What I appreciate about the award is that it comes from such a great organization,” he said. “Greater Tucson Leadership is a real benefit to the community.”

Photo by Chris Mooney