Blacker: Korte’s decades of community involvement set her apart
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By Jane Blacker
Virginia Korte has served our community in countless ways over more than three decades.
The outcome of her dedicated work and collaborative approach? She makes my job easier.
Anyone involved with enticing and retaining residents, tourists, and businesses knows that Scottsdale provides a spectacular quality of life.
Our climate and surroundings give us an obvious head-start, but visionaries like Virginia Korte appreciate both the potential and the vulnerabilities of these resources, and have worked tirelessly to enhance them for the benefit of all.
As president and CEO of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, Virginia focused on increasing membership, community engagement and financial stability. Virginia has also been involved in the Scottsdale and Mesa community colleges, serving as director of the Center for Native and Urban Wildlife at SCC, and teaching general and environmental biology.
She chaired the first McDowell Sonoran Preserve Task Force, was appointed to the first McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission and also served as a McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Board Member and Steward. The City of Scottsdale honored 12 Preserve Pioneers in 2019, for which Virginia is one.
As president and CEO of Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services, Virginia provided opportunities for thousands of individuals with cognitive disabilities to achieve, learn, and grow as valued members of our society and our economy.
Virginia has not only served on numerous boards of Scottsdale organizations, but her leadership has also strengthened our city’s presence in statewide and regional initiatives, such as the Arizona Heritage Alliance, Central Arizona Project, and State of Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission.
These experiences are consistent with Virginia’s pragmatic approach to our natural resources.
As mayor, she would initiate an Urban Forest Program --- an expansive tree-planting program within our neighborhoods, streets, parks, and commercial areas using trees adapted for our desert. Strategically-placed trees will provide needed respite from our high temperatures, attractive gathering spots (when we can gather again!), and improve air quality.
Virginia’s extensive executive experience in operations, financial oversight, community stewardship, nonprofit management, and strategic planning clearly set her apart, and make her my clear choice for our next mayor.
Editor’s Note: Jane Blacker is a Realtor with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. Her volunteer work includes service on the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale.
