Greg Stanton was appointed the Mayor of Phoenix in 2011. He earned a law degree from the University of Michigan. Stanton then returned to Phoenix where he practiced education law at Jennings Strouss & Salmon and later practiced law at Quarles & Brady LLP. In 2001, he left private law practice to serve on the Phoenix City Council, where he represented the sixth district for nine years. With a staunch commitment to creating high-wage jobs in Phoenix, Councilman Stanton was the lead councilman bringing the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), the ASU downtown campus and the U of A medical school to the city.

In 2009, Greg joined the state Attorney General’s office as Deputy Attorney General.

During his first full year as mayor in 2012, Mayor Stanton continued his commitment to building a stronger city based on sustainability, a vibrant local economy and a quality education system.

Mayor Stanton believes Phoenix must be a sustainable city to thrive in a desert environment with limited water and resources.

In November 2012, the mayor launched PHX Renews, a signature project that’s transforming 15-acres of vacant land at Central and Indian School roads into a sustainable public space featuring urban community gardens, outdoor classroom space and large public art displays.  PHX Renews is a unique partnership between property owners and the community and is a prototype for how other vacant lots will be transformed into temporary community projects to attract redevelopment in across the city.

Bloomberg Philanthropies also recognized Phoenix for its innovative plan to create smart-energy districts in 15 urban neighborhoods to become the “smartest energy city in the world.” Phoenix was one of 20 finalist cities selected in the Mayor’s Challenge for its solution to sustainability issues that face cities across the nation.