John Berry Honored as Scottsdale Celebrates 75 Years

The City of Scottsdale marked the 75th anniversary of its incorporation this year by inviting 75 people who have shaped the community to share their stories. Berry Riddell founder John Berry was among them, and his essay appears in the recently released book, “Hands-On History: Residents Reflect on Scottsdale’s Years.”

John’s connection to Scottsdale started early. His family moved there from a small town in Michigan in 1960, when he was a toddler and Scottsdale was still a small town itself. After graduating from Stanford Law School in 1981, he joined a large Arizona law firm as a corporate lawyer and was asked in 1984 to switch to zoning. His very first zoning case was representing Mayo Clinic in its effort to open a Scottsdale campus, a project that helped make the city an international destination for medical care.

In his essay, “A Lesson in Change,” John reflects on that case and on the mentorship of the late Mayor Herb Drinkwater, who took him under his wing as a young zoning attorney:

“Mayor Herb” forever imprinted meaningful keys to meeting the challenges of change: listening, collaboration not confrontation, and quality over quantity. As he would often remind me, change is challenging, but change is necessary…whether for individuals or for our beloved City.

In the four decades since, John has worked on hundreds of zoning cases, including many of Scottsdale’s most notable developments, and has served on a long list of city and nonprofit boards, commissions, and committees.

Congratulations to John on this well-deserved recognition, and happy 75th to the city he calls home.