Steve Betts: SunCor

Champion Partners works collaboratively with community groups to achieve mutual objectives. As shareholder and head of the Land Use/Development Group for the law firm Gallagher & Kennedy, Steve Betts has learned that many developers have trouble winning over the support of community groups and municipal governments for their development projects. “Some developers adopt an antagonistic approach when trying to secure zoning and land use agreements,” Betts says. “They try to force through their projects, and fail to account for the concerns and ideas expressed by the community.” “That’s why it is such a pleasure to work with Champion,” he says. “They are very sincere in working closely with community groups and government officials to make sure everyone benefits from a proposed development.” For example, Betts cites a recent Champion retail project in southwest Phoenix that was initially met with strong opposition from two community groups. “These groups had been burned by other developers who did not follow through on their promises. They were also worried that the new development wouldn’t meet their standards or conform to their tastes.” “To meet their concerns, Ricky Lyons and his team listened closely to these groups and refined the project to accommodate some of their ideas. And within two months, the whole situation turned completely around. Because of Champion’s partnership approach, all of the parties ended up feeling they had participated in the process, and that they would benefit from the new development.” “As a result, when it came time for the municipal government to give its approval for the project, it passed unanimously with no opposition.” Betts stresses that Champion uses this win-win approach for all of its developments. “They do not go into any project with pre-conceived notions of the end result,” he says. “They want everyone to participate in the process, and to ultimately benefit from their developments. They really believe in the power of partnerships, communication, and respect.”