| Phoenix's Remarkable Achievement: Named a Finalist in IDC's 2025 Smart Cities North America Awards | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/innovation/3382 | Innovation | | 3/14/2025 6:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3382/Ambassadors + Danielle.jpg | | Phoenix's Remarkable Achievement: Named a Finalist in IDC's 2025 Smart Cities North America Awards | <div class="ExternalClass6B416E68CBE34D57970043EBAC7F9D04"><html>
<div>The City of Phoenix was named a finalist in the 2025 IDC Smart Cities North America Awards for the Chilled Drinking Water in Public Spaces Initiative. IDC's Smart Cities Awards recognize successful projects and initiatives that use technology innovation to solve challenges in partnership with communities and the smart city ecosystem. <br></div><div><br></div>
<div>Launched in January 2025, the City's Chilled Drinking Water Initiative is a significant step towards addressing the community's need for access to chilled drinking water in high-density areas of the city. These areas are frequented by people who bike, walk, and use public transportation to get to work, school, and medical appointments. The pilot, in partnership with Downtown Phoenix, Inc., includes three custom-designed, smart drinking water stations with bottle fillers located at the entrance of Phoenix City Hall, near the Phoenix City Council Chambers, and along the Sonoran Bicycle pathway into Downtown Phoenix, near Roosevelt Street and Third Avenue. </div><div><br></div>
<div>The systems include heat-mitigating technologies to withstand extreme summer temperatures, remote-sensing devices to track water use seven days a week, and leak detection. Since its launch, the three units have delivered the equivalent of more than 116,000 average-size bottles of water to residents and visitors while considerably reducing single-use plastic waste. This is a significant step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly city. </div><div><br></div>
<div>"Organizations throughout North America continue to find new ways to provide services for their communities and improve the experience of working in, and with, the public sector," said Ruthbea Yesner, vice president of IDC Government Insights, Education and Smart Cities. "Every year, we see more advancement in the types of technologies and projects deployed, and it is a privilege to celebrate all of this year's applicants."</div><div><br></div>
<div>IDC's 2025 Smart Cities North America Awards will be presented to the winning Smart Cities and Communities at the Smart Cities Connect conference in San Antonio, TX, April 14 – 16, 2025. </div><div><br></div>
<div><strong>About IDC:</strong></div>
<div>International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries.<br></div><div><br></div><div><div><strong>Media Contact:</strong></div><div>Athena Sanchez</div><div>Sr. Public Information Officer </div><div>602-621-0507</div><div>Athena.Sanchez@phoenix.gov<br></div></div><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/innovation | News |
| City of Phoenix Announces Police Chief Finalists Ahead of Public Forum | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-resources/3383 | Human Resources | | 3/14/2025 4:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3383/Photo_PHX_Police_Pablo (212).jpg | | City of Phoenix Announces Police Chief Finalists Ahead of Public Forum | <div class="ExternalClassE54C1CA832324ED08271BDED6A16FD6D"><html>
<div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;">The City of Phoenix is advancing the process of naming a permanent Police Chief, presenting four finalists for the position. </span></div><div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><br></span></div>
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The finalists were chosen after a nationwide search that began in December, enlisting the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to conduct the search. The City and PERF gathered information during stakeholder listening sessions. Business leaders, neighborhood groups, community leaders, labor groups and other key stakeholders shared what they think are the important characteristics of the department’s top leader.
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The City and PERF used that information during a national search for the most qualified candidates. Applicants were screened and semi-finalists were interviewed on March 3. The list of candidates was pared down to the following four finalists:
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<b style="font-family:"Segoe UI Semilight", "Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Ed DeCastro<br></b>
<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;">Ed DeCastro has spent 24 years with the Phoenix Police Department. He is currently an Assistant Chief over investigations. Prior to his current role, he worked in multiple precincts, as well as specialty roles including homicide, training, and family investigations. A former middle school math teacher, DeCastro has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He has been married for more than 20 years and has one daughter.<br><br><img src="/hrsite/MediaAssets/Casey%20Johnson.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:250px;height:313px;" /><br></span>
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<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;">Casey Johnson has 23 years experience as member of the Oakland, California Police Department. He is currently a Deputy Chief overseeing Field Operations and Special Operations. He has previous experience in training, internal affairs, and patrol. Johnson has four sisters, including a twin. A former college football player, he remains an avid sports enthusiast. He also holds a Bachelor of Science from Sonoma State University in Business Administration and a Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia. </span></div><div style=""><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><br><img src="/hrsite/MediaAssets/Michael%20Sullivan.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:250px;height:313px;" /><br><br></span>
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<b style="font-family:"Segoe UI Semilight", "Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;">Michael Sullivan<br></b>
<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;">Michael Sullivan is the current interim Police Chief of the Phoenix Police Department, a role he’s held since 2022. His previous experience includes time as the Deputy Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department and 24 years with the Louisville Metro Police Department in Kentucky where he worked in various assignments including patrol, public integrity, and narcotics. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration and a Master of Science in Administration of Justice both from University of Louisville. <br style=""><br><img src="/hrsite/MediaAssets/Ed%20Wessing.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:250px;height:313px;" /><br></span>
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<b style="font-size:17.3333px;font-family:"Segoe UI Semilight", "Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Ed Wessing <br></b>
<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;">Ed Wessing has been with the Mesa Police Department for 29 years, joining after serving six years in the United States Marine Corp. He serves as Assistant Chief leading training, human resources, fiscal, community relations and forensics. Wessing has a bachelor's degree in education from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from Benedictine University. Active in the community, Wessing is President of the Board of Directors for Arizona Disabled Sports & Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled.<br></span>
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<br style="">All four will appear at a public forum on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, giving members of the public an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, addressing questions submitted by the community. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">
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The moderated public forum will be held at the Phoenix City Council Chambers, beginning at 5 pm. It will also air on PHXTV and will be streamed live on YouTube. During the forum, the candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and answer as many questions as possible.
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The community still has time to submit feedback and potential questions to the candidates:
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Encuesta de la comunidad</span></a><br style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><br style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;">
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The permanent Phoenix Police Chief is expected to be announced next month.
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| Phoenix Global Forum Set for April 8-9 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/ced/3381 | Community and Economic Development | | 3/13/2025 10:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3381/Phoenix Global Forum Newsroom.jpg | | Phoenix Global Forum Set for April 8-9 | <div class="ExternalClass43B99038215546B7A5C906152C591DE1"><html>
<p>The International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA) and Phoenix Sister Cities are proud to present the annual <a target="_blank" href="https://www.phoenixglobalforum.com/">Phoenix Global Forum</a> (PGF), on April 8-9, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center. Under the theme "Forging the Future," this year's conference will explore solutions to some of the most urgent global challenges, from climate change and economic resilience to the future of work and technology.</p>
<p>"The Phoenix Global Forum is more than a gathering – it's a catalyst for action," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. "In today's rapidly changing world, collaboration is key to solving pressing challenges. The Forum connects global leaders and innovators to forge meaningful partnerships, inspire bold solutions, and lay groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future." <br></p>
<p>The PGF 2025 will feature in-depth discussions on a broad spectrum of transformative topics, including generative AI, quantum computing, critical minerals, the energy transition, and advancements in biotechnology, among others. The Forum recognizes Phoenix as a rapidly growing global hub for innovation that fosters an inclusive dialogue on how global partnerships and cutting-edge technologies drive a sustainable future.<br></p>
<p>A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.phoenixglobalforum.com/#/speakers?lang=en">preliminary list of speakers </a>is available online and includes:<br></p>
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<li>Alfonso Durazo Montaño, Governor of Sonora, Mexico<br></li>
<li>Victoria Peacey, President and General Manager, Resolution Copper</li>
<li>Mila Besich, Mayor, Superior, Ariz.</li>
<li>Goldy Hyder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Canada</li>
<li>Kellie Romack, Chief Digital Information Officer, ServiceNow</li>
<li>Kelly C. Chambliss, Senior Vice President, IBM Consulting, Americas</li>
<li>Euguene D. Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles</li>
<li>Andy Lombard, Founder and CEO, Tesoro VC</li>
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<p>Additional speakers will be announced in the coming days.</p>
<p>"We are committed to ensuring that the Phoenix Global Forum not only sparks ideas but also leads to actionable outcomes," Rita Marko, President and CEO of Phoenix Sister Cities, said. "By fostering collaboration across borders and industries, we create solutions that extend far beyond the Forum itself."<br></p>
<p>The conference will bring together more than 400 distinguished leaders from global companies, governments, academia, and civil society, providing an unparalleled platform to share insights, forge new partnerships, and explore innovative business solutions. With a focus on collaboration and forward-thinking strategies, the PGF 2025 will serve as a catalyst for addressing the critical issues that will shape the future of global innovation, technology, and sustainable growth.</p>
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<strong>About the Phoenix Global Forum</strong>
<br>The Phoenix Global Forum is an annual gathering of thought leaders, policymakers, and industry innovators from around the world. The Forum seeks to foster global dialogue, advance solutions to the world's most pressing challenges, and showcase Phoenix's role as an emerging center of innovation and technological advancement.<br></p>
<p>For additional information, please visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.phoenixglobalforum.com/">PhoenixGlobalForum.com</a>. </p>
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<strong>About the IEFA</strong>
<br>The International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA) was created in 1994 to encourage connection, collaboration and innovation to address the world's major challenges. The organization leverages its extensive network to convene a series of events where heads of state and government, C-Suite executives, members of civil society and academics – all of them experts in their respective fields – can discuss their common objectives and ways to achieve them.</p>
<p>The Forum has grown over the past three decades, from a single annual event to a series of yearly conferences spanning three continents: the Conference of Montreal; Toronto Global Forum; World Strategic Forum (held in Miami); the Conference of Paris; the IEFA Latam Forum (held in Buenos Aires); and Phoenix Global Forum (held in Arizona).</p>
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<strong>About Phoenix Sister Cities</strong>
<br>For 50 years, Phoenix Sister Cities has fostered relationships between the residents of Phoenix and our eleven sister cities around the world to promote friendship, peace and prosperity. By partnering with the IEFA, Phoenix Sister Cities extends its reach and advances Phoenix's position on the global stage.<br></p>
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