Kevin Burke connects people, place and opportunity
A neglected alley in downtown San Marcos, Texas, might seem like an unlikely place to find a lasting leadership lesson. For Kevin Burke, it offers a simple example of what happens when talented employees have the support to bring an idea to life.
The narrow space between two historic brick buildings framed the county courthouse but gave people little reason to stop. The city’s Main Street team saw possibilities. With pressure washing, fresh paint, a mural and string lights, they transformed it into “Kissing Alley,” a recognizable and frequently photographed downtown destination.
“The idea was not mine,” Burke said. “My role was to give a talented team the resources and support to make it happen, then get out of their way.”
That approach helps guide Burke’s work as Scottsdale’s senior director of Economic Development and Tourism: establish a clear purpose, support people and create conditions for good ideas to succeed.
Bringing complementary work together
Born in Phoenix and raised in Tucson, Burke has spent much of his career serving Arizona communities. His experience also includes municipal work in Texas, where he gained an appreciation for entrepreneurial thinking and creative approaches to community goals.
Scottsdale appealed to him because it combines the complexity of a large organization with opportunities to build relationships and make a meaningful contribution. He was also drawn to the potential for connecting economic development, tourism and events more deliberately.
For Burke, those connections start with a shared purpose. Businesses that sell goods and services outside Scottsdale bring income into the local economy. Visitors bring spending that supports local businesses, jobs and city revenues.
The relationship goes deeper. A vacation can introduce a future business owner or investor to Scottsdale. Major events bring business decision-makers into the community. Restaurants, arts, outdoor recreation and other amenities help employers attract and retain employees.
Burke’s priorities include supporting existing businesses, attracting investment, preparing sites for redevelopment and strengthening the visitor experience. He also sees opportunities to coordinate Old Town, venues, events and partnerships around common goals.
“We are stewards of what has been built here over generations,” he said.
His focus is on building upon Scottsdale’s strengths while helping the community prepare for its next generation of investment.
Leading with professionalism and respect
Burke describes his approach to leadership through the qualities he tries to practice -- professionalism, consistency, purpose and a little humor.
As a member of both ICMA and the American Institute of Certified Planners, Burke also looks to the professional codes of ethics of both organizations as guides to his work.
“Leadership is something you keep practicing,” he said. “You learn, adjust and, hopefully, get a little better along the way.”
When decisions are difficult, Burke relies on his public service responsibilities, professional ethics and the knowledge of people closest to the issue. He emphasizes listening, considering tradeoffs and being able to explain a decision, while remaining willing to adjust as new information becomes available.
A formative lesson came from Maeveen Behan, a conservation planning practitioner who taught him during graduate school at the University of Arizona. During a conversation about his career, she suggested he consider city management.
That brief exchange changed his direction and remains a reminder of the influence a thoughtful conversation can have, particularly with employees early in their careers.
A perspective shaped by travel
Burke’s path also included an unexpected detour after college. He moved to Seoul, South Korea, to teach English. What began as a possible gap year became nearly five years of living, working and traveling in East and Southeast Asia.
Watching rapid growth and urban change, particularly in China, helped shape his interest in planning, economic development and the forces that influence cities.
Outside work, Burke spends much of his time with his wife and their two boys. At this stage, he jokes, every day feels a little like ninja training camp. He enjoys audiobooks, travel and exploring new places on foot. He also hopes to pass along his love of hiking and camping to his children.
Across those experiences, his work remains grounded in a practical goal: helping Scottsdale sustain the jobs, investment and revenues that support a thriving community and the public services residents depend on.