Phoenix Community Alliance Announces Brent Stockwell as Advocacy Director, Deepening Downtown Phoenix’s Civic Leadership Bench
Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA), the 501(c)(3) business leadership and advocacy organization advancing the vitality and growth of Greater Downtown Phoenix, today announced the appointment of Brent Stockwell as Advocacy Director. Stockwell brings more than 25 years of distinguished public service and a proven record of translating bold civic vision into measurable, lasting community results.
Stockwell joins PCA at a pivotal moment for Downtown Phoenix. As the organization that articulates the vision of Greater Downtown Phoenix formulates public policy, and shapes key messages for the benefit of the city, state, and region, PCA's work has never been more consequential. With a rapidly evolving urban core, a legislative landscape that demands coordinated and credible advocacy, and a growing membership of more than 300 companies, nonprofit organizations, and education institutions, Stockwell's hiring signals PCA's commitment to meeting that moment with the depth of expertise, relationships, and strategic discipline the mission demands.
“Brent doesn’t just understand how government works — he understands how to make it work for communities. His track record of building partnerships, advancing complex policy priorities, and delivering results across sectors is exactly what Downtown Phoenix needs at this moment. We are thrilled to welcome him to the PCA and Downtown Phoenix Inc. family.”
-Diane Haller, PCA Board Chair
During his decade as Assistant City Manager in Scottsdale, Stockwell oversaw multiple divisions and departments, including Aviation, Communications, Diversity, Economic Development, Government Relations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Planning and Development Services, and Tourism & Events. He led city-wide strategic planning processes, negotiated landmark economic development agreements, and represented Scottsdale in regional and statewide partnerships. His work led Scottsdale to be the first city in Arizona named a Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works City, one of the most rigorous performance recognitions in local government, and the No. 1 Digital City in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for its effective use of technology to enhance citizen services, cybersecurity, and data-driven decision-making.
At PCA, Stockwell will lead the organization’s advocacy agenda, building and stewarding relationships with City of Phoenix officials, state legislators, and regional partners; facilitating PCA’s dynamic Committee ecosystem; and connecting the voice of Downtown Phoenix’s business and civic community to the policy decisions that shape its future. He will work in close partnership with PCA’s Board of Directors, Member organizations, and the broader Downtown Phoenix Inc. team to advance the priorities that make Downtown Phoenix the distinctive, dynamic, and in-demand live/work/play/learn urban core of our city and visitor destination.
“Downtown Phoenix matters to the future of our city and region, and Phoenix Community Alliance is at the center of it. I’m honored to join the PCA team and work alongside our board, members, and partners to advocate for an even stronger Downtown.”
- Brent Stockwell, PCA Advocacy Director
Stockwell earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration from Kansas State University. He has worked in four cities in three states, including as the city manager of Tigard, Oregon, in 2025, and has spent 21 years in the Scottsdale city manager’s office. He completed the Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program at the Harvard Kennedy School and multiple Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiatives programs, including Senior Leadership, Cross-Boundary Collaboration, City Data Alliance, and Leading City Procurement Reform. He is an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager and was the first recipient of the NextGen Mentorship Award from the Arizona City/County Management Association, where he served two terms on its board. He has also served as president of Community Celebrating Diversity, chaired two ICMA committees, and held board positions with The Connective and the Arizona State University Master of Public Administration Advisory Board. Brent is a founder of the Valley Benchmark Communities network and the NextGen Leadership Conference.
About Phoenix Community Alliance
Formed in 1983, Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) is the nonprofit membership affiliate of Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) and the preeminent business leadership and advocacy organization serving Greater Downtown Phoenix. Working with a diverse, influential, and growing membership, PCA fulfills its mission to activate, advocate, and build a stronger Downtown for a better Phoenix. For more information, visit phoenixcommunityalliance.com
###