Mayor Scruggs Named One of Valley's Most Influential Leaders

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs was recognized as one of the top public sector officials in Arizona by the state's largest weekly business publication.

The (Phoenix) Business Journal named Scruggs to its Valley Influential Class of 2004 list.

The newspaper's editorial staff selected Scruggs and nine other individuals "for their contributions to Arizona and the communities they serve." In its Oct. 23, 2003 issue, the newspaper went on to state that "this group of political heavyweights truly made a difference in a variety of ways in 2003."

This year is ending much the same way as it began for Scruggs, who was named the state's Woman of the Year by Today's Arizona Woman magazine in January.

"Two thousand three will definitely be a year I will not forget," said Scruggs. "I truly share the recognition that I have received this year with my colleagues on the City Council, our city staff and our 230,000-plus residents."

In addition to Scruggs, the nine other public sector officials selected to The Business Journal's Valley Influential Class of 2004 list are Tempe Mayor Neil Guiliano, Phoenix Mayor-elect Phil Gordon, Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker, U.S. Congressman J.D. Hayworth, U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, State Senator Barbara Leff, Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross and U.S. Senator John McCain.

In addition to serving as Glendale's mayor for the past decade, Scruggs is an active leader on regional and state issues.

She currently serves as president for the League of Arizona Cities & Towns, an association that represents the state's 88 incorporated cities and towns. Scruggs also is a member of the Arizona Municipal Tax Code Commission and co-chairs the Maricopa Association of Government's Transportation Policy Committee.

In addition, she is secretary of Arizona Town Hall and serves on the executive committee of Westmarc.