October 2025 Member Spotlight
Jon Gardikis
Business Development Manager, Jokake Construction
Where are you originally from and what brought you to Arizona?
I was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. We moved to Glendale, Arizona when I was young for my dad’s business – there is a lot more opportunity for growth in the HVAC industry in Arizona than Mass!
How did you come to work in the economic development profession?
After graduating from ASU, I found my niche in the people side of sales spending a large part of my career in residential real estate and mortgages. Moving into corporate sales for business technology, I found my passion – helping partners piece together solutions that address their biggest challenges. Since joining Jokake a year and a half ago, I have integrated into the full commercial real estate lifecycle – from the initial commitment to a city to the ribbon cutting of corporate headquarters. I have the privilege of representing a team of experts providing solutions and services to some of the most influential companies shaping the local economy. Jokake’s 40-year history and impact on Phoenix’s economic development allows me the opportunity to further leverage our strengths and deliver impact across the community.
The way your experience in real estate, technology and construction fit together, would you say being involved in AAED gives you the opportunity to work with all the puzzle pieces?
Absolutely. AAED is remarkably engaged throughout the state. Their reach and the economic development teams provide a unique, fresh perspective of local challenges and its impact at the state level. My business depends on the success of the ED Community and through AAED, I get a front row seat to special city project deals to the NIMBY/YIMBY conversation and everything in between.
How long have you been an AAED member?
A year and a half
What committees are you involved in or do you have a favorite AAED event?
I am most involved with the Fall Forum and AAED’s membership committee. These two initiatives provide me with the diversity of groups from planning an event for the State to sharing my passion and success of the organization with business partners. The diversity is unlike any other real estate group with the large metropolitan cities, tribes, and rural communities chasing the same goals through their own lens.
Are you involved in any other organizations?
In addition to AAED, I’m involved with ULI, NAIOP, and Valley Partnership. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the local non-profit, Phoenix Community ToolBank.
Any past projects that you’re particularly proud of or future projects that you’re excited about?
I was in residential real estate during the Great Recession. It was a tough time and forced all of us to re-learn everything we thought we knew about economics, housing and real estate sales. My team ended up with an end-to-end system that helped people get out from under their home and buy a new house with private funding. That success goes back to my approach to clients and partners – be a valuable resource in my piece of their puzzle.
The upcoming Fall Forum has become an exciting passion project. The panel we developed has incredible diversity, discussing YIMBY tactics to educate and involve the entire community to support positive development.
What comes to mind when you think about Arizona?
Arizona has so much opportunity! Even with all the development and growth we have had, it still feels like there is so much more room to grow. We have access to a natural diversity of both climate and culture. We also have had a state full of representatives that have done a great job growing our economy by forward planning and marketing the advantages we have in weather, transportation and cultural diversity. Arizona continues to be a melting pot of both individual and corporate transplants.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family, and of course, our resident goats and chickens. My wife and I have four daughters, a son-in-law and a grand-daughter. Living in rural Mayer, AZ, we spend a lot of time outside with family barbeques, karaoke and late nights around the fire pit. During the summer, we take a handful of regular annual camping trips with our family and friends.
Where are your favorite camping spots?
Anywhere with cooler weather and preferably some water. We have favorite spots in Williams, Flagstaff, the Mogollon Rim, Prescott and Camp Verde.
