West Valley Magazine, June 2011, Mover, Robert McGeorge
Posted on 17. Jun, 2011 by trish in West Valley 24
Robert McGeorge spent the first part of his childhood on a farm north of Luke Air Force Base, called “Tal Wi Wi”. The name means, “Land Where the Sun First Shines.” When his family moved to California in the 1970s to continue farming, he knew that one day he would move back to the West Valley and raise a family in the West Valley’s “Shine.”
That day came in 1987 when McGeorge moved back to Arizona to work for El Dorado Ventures, the Venture Capital Group owned by Pinnacle West. In 1990 he took a food service and processing company, Main Street and Main public. Over the past three years he has represented Iberdrola Renewables, the largest renewable energy company in the world. McGeroge identifies sites for commercial grade solar developments throughout the Southwestern United States.
Growing up on a farm as the youngest of seven children, he learned the value of family and community service early in life. “My mom and dad were both so active in the West Valley, so I grew up watching my dad interact with the generals at Luke AFB and always admired the Air Force,” said McGeorge. “There were times when jet planes would crash in our orchards. Back then there was no litigation, just a few drinks and all was fine. But, if dad had potential frost damage for his citrus, the general would send his helicopters to hover at night to protect the crop. Today, I am blessed to be involved with Fighter Country Partnership, which supports the personnel and their families at Luke.”
McGeorge is passionate about school children and the experience that each student has in the West Valley, so that is why he is also very active in Young Life (YL). “We believe in the power of presence. Children’s lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God’s love with them,” said McGeorge. “Because their YL leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose. This is the first step of a lifelong journey. The choices they make today, based upon God’s love for them, will impact future decisions, careers chosen, marriages formed and families raised. In our own backyard, YL has had a rich history in Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Tolleson. Today, YL has clubs at Desert Edge High School with new club openings this fall at Millennium and Westview High Schools.”
Family: My wife Stefi and four daughters: Kellie Ellen, 11; Caitlin Diane, 10; Kenzie Grace, 8; and Roszy Stefi, 6.
Membership in civic and non profit organizations and explain your involvement: Fighter Country Partnership, Honorary Commander Alumni Board; AYSO, coach; Young Life, director of the West Valley Capital Campaign; and St. Thomas Aquinas, teacher of religious education.
Who are and have been some of your mentors? Karl Eller and Ferenc Rosztoczy.
What are some of the leadership positions directly you have taken on in the West Valley and what did you accomplish? I have recently taken on the position of leading Young Life (YL) in the West Valley to help fund the expansion into multiple high school locations. Currently YL meets at Desert Edge High School. In spring of 2011, YL plans on having new clubs at Millennium, Verrado and Westview high schools.
Favorite quote: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
Who in history would you most like to have dinner with? William Wallace or General George Patton; they were both tough Scotsman!!
What’s your favorite musical group? Phil Collins or Sting.
Most coveted: Tal Wi Wi Ranches at Olive and Litchfield Road. I was raised there with my other six brothers and sisters. The name means “Land where the Sun First Shines.”
What would your super power be? The gift of prophesy. I would be able to see the future and steer away from danger and also maybe throw down a few bets.
What keeps you up at night? The future for the next generation both spiritually and economically.
One phrase you wish people would say more: “I am grateful.”
What would you choose to do, career wise, if you weren’t in your current career? I had a chance to spend a month as a missionary in Africa and never felt so fulfilled. If I hit the lottery, maybe that could be an option.
What originally drew you to the West Valley? My mom and dad moved here to farm after World War II in 1946 and we were raised on a 900- acre farm just north of Luke Air Force Base.
How did you get into your current career field? I have a consulting company that represents some of the largest renewable energy developers in the world (both solar and wind). We locate sites throughout the Southwest for utility grade developments.
What are your goals (career, personal or for the West Valley)? I would like to see faith and God put back into public schools, especially in the West Valley schools that we reach out to.
What is the secret to your success? My wife — she is my earth magnet.
What would you recommend to people looking to make a difference in the West Valley? Get involved in our schools and youth activities that support a healthy life style both physically and spiritually. The children are our future. Grade school and middle school students seem to be facing so much more then I did at that age.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the West Valley, and how does what you do help ease those challenges? I am working on four different 20 megawatt solar projects in the West Valley. I hope that these will be a benefit to the local economy promoting job growth and sustainability.
