Scottsdale Community Bank Founders Frank Jacobson, Joe Garagiola, Jr., Recognized for Extraordinary Leadership, Contributions to Arizona’s Sports & Civic Legacies
Scottsdale Community Bank today announced that two of its founders, Frank Jacobson and Joe Garagiola, Jr., are set to receive some of Arizona’s most distinguished honors. The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame will induct Garagiola into its ranks Thursday, April 10, recognizing his many contributions to the statewide sports scene, while the Scottsdale History Hall of Fame will honor Jacobson on the same day, acknowledging his leadership and commitment to community service within the City of Scottsdale.
“These men lead by example, both in their personal and professional lives,” said Scottsdale Community Bank Board Chair George Weisz. “They built their careers – and founded this bank – on similar principles, including trust, integrity and dedication to the community. While their respective Hall of Fame inductions acknowledge their accomplishments, they’re also reflective of who they are as individuals, and we’re very proud that they’re a part of our team.”
Jacobson has had a hand in shaping the City of Scottsdale for decades, securing the trust and admiration of legislators, community members and public and private leaders alike. Known for his diligence, trustworthiness and integrity, Jacobson first established roots in the Valley in 1987 after coming to Arizona to serve as the President and CEO of the Scottsdale Cultural Council (now known as “Scottsdale Arts.”)
He proved instrumental in expanding and improving the city’s arts scene, helping transform an old movie theater into the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and helping Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West – another of the Scottsdale History Hall of Fame’s six 2025 inductees – get up and running through a series of fundraising and related efforts.
Jacobson is also active in Arizona’s Jewish community, assisting the Jewish Family & Children’s Service with its fundraising and marketing efforts and serving as a Board Member of the Har Zion Congregation at his home synagogue before it merged with the Congregation Or Chadash, becoming Congregation Or Tzion.
Garagiola, Jr., meanwhile, will be one of eight inductees at this year’s Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, joining the likes of Arizona Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwell and former University of Arizona and NBA point guard Mike Bibby, among others. A longtime fixture on Arizona’s sports circuit, Garagiola, Jr., served on both the Arizona Baseball Commission and the Maricopa County Sports Authority before helping Jerry Colangelo bring Major League Baseball to the state by establishing the Arizona Diamondbacks.
As the team’s original General Manager, Garagiola, Jr., also had a hand in building the franchise from the ground up, eventually leading the team to a World Series championship just four seasons after its launch.
Throughout his storied sports career, Garagiola, Jr., earned respect and recognition for his integrity and values, both on and off the field. He was also active in various community organizations and efforts, acting as Chairman of the Phoenix Metropolitan Sports Foundation, Vice-Chairman of the Governor’s Cactus League Task Force (often credited with saving Arizona’s Cactus League), and a member of the Mayor’s Professional Baseball Committee, among other claims to fame. Through his work as a partner at Gallagher & Kennedy, an Arizona-based law firm, he also assisted with negotiations for Bank One Ballpark, now known as Chase Field.
Garagiola, Jr. continues to serve as a special advisor to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ current President and CEO Derrick Hall, offering guidance and expertise developed over several decades in professional sports.
“These Hall of Fame inductions confirm something the rest of us already know – that Joe and Frank exemplify what leadership should look like in Arizona,” Weisz said. “Both dedicated much of their lives to moving this state forward, and they didn’t do it for recognition, but rather, to build something great for everyone who calls Arizona home. Their integrity and trustworthiness set examples for us all, both on personal and professional levels.”
For more about Scottsdale Community Bank, visit ScottsdaleCommunityBank.com.