Demonstrating How Leadership Principles Created an Oasis in the Sonoran Desert: Case Study at the Kino Stadium Complex

Tucson depended entirely on groundwater up until the early 1990s when the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Colorado River water canal reached the region.

Tucson, Arizona, may not be the first location you think of when discussing water resource management but living in the Sonoran Desert with an average of 10.6 inches of rainfall yearly comes with many water challenges. Rain falls at a fast rate during intense storms. Water that is not absorbed into the hardened soil flows across roads or through channels downstream instead of staying localized for groundwater absorption or use by vegetation. Tucson depended entirely on groundwater up until the early 1990s when the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Colorado River water canal reached the region. Tucson is an active management area. The goal is to balance groundwater use with aquifer recharge. As the region continues to grow, we rely on many tactics to preserve our water ecosystem and manage growth in a sustainable way.

A shared vision is critical to implementing innovative regional resource infrastructure.

A clear vision developed by innovative leadership is the foundation for a public works organization to build integrated infrastructure that supports and delivers a range of water resources needed in a desert climate.

"How Successful People Lead" by John C. Maxwell - Book Reviewed by TLP Cohort #10 Member

This book was interesting in that it presented leadership in terms of five levels of increasing success:

Position, Permission, Production, People Development and the Pinnacle

The upsides and downsides of each level were presented, as well as the beliefs and actions that should be present for the leader to elevate to the next level.

There were many notable principles of leadership presented throughout the book along with practical ideas for team building, leading, and succession.

I would recommend this book to my TLP cohort members, as it is a good source of useful, practical information to guide a leader to higher levels of performance.

TLP Cohort #11 - Now Accepting Applications

Do you know anyone who would be a good candidate for the Transportation Leadership Program? Applications are now being accepted for Cohort #11, until Friday, June 6, 2025.

For the program application and overview, click here.

Don't hesitate to contact Donna Shea if you have any questions or would like to discuss potential candidates.