Capitalism can break down caste systems. It can also build them up. When one is successful in technology, financial services or real estate, the latter which happens quite often in Arizona, a certain strata is achieved.
But not everyone gives back. Not everyone chooses to deploy their expertise, riches or both.
But in the case of SunBelt Holdings CEO John Graham the opposite is true.
Graham has owned and developed properties Arizona over. And if you happen to find yourself admiring the south side of Tempe’s Town Lake these days, Graham has a lot to do with it. You see, he’s the developer of Marina Heights, the mammoth project anchored by State Farm, sitting along the water in front of Sun Devil Stadium. The architecture is impressive and of its setting. It’s a job well done.
And speaking of impressive look at this article in last week’s Arizona Republic talking of Graham’s civic ethic, working to turnaround Valley YMCA operations. It’s a noble effort that is touching thousands of families. Here is a link.
So while the concept of noblesse oblige is distinctly French our state is lucky to have a business leader who doesn’t treat helping his community, in a big way, as a foreign concept.