Neil Calfee is the Executive Director of Economic Development + Innovation Zones for the ASU Knowledge Enterprise, collaborating across the ASU Enterprise, Greater Phoenix, and Arizona to cultivate and strengthen industry and community relationships, as well as promote the ASU Innovation Zones.
For over two decades, Neil has held a variety of professional roles, spanning municipal government, higher education and the private sector. Most recently, Neil was the principal of Calfee Development Advisors, a company specializing in strategic planning, public policy and the creation and negotiation of public/private partnerships. Neil has also worked with Catellus Development Corporation in a variety of capacities over the past five years to advance the Novus Innovation Corridor in Tempe, Arizona. He previously served ASU as the Director of Real Estate Development, where he spearheaded many high profile initiatives, including the efforts to build privately-funded student housing at the Tempe, Polytechnic and West campuses, as well as attract State Farm to the Novus Innovation Corridor.
Throughout his career, Neil has served on numerous municipal boards and trade groups dealing with economic development, corporate real estate and affordable housing. He is a full member of the Urban Land Institute and a member of the ULI’s Adaptive Reuse, Infill and Revitalization (AIR) Local Product Council. Neil is also a proud Sun Devil, holding degrees in Urban Planning and an MBA. Neil lives in Tempe and has two children, both of whom are also proud Sun Devils.