Jim Swanson

Director

Jim Swanson is the retired Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix-based Kitchell, where he oversaw all company operations for 15 years, including Kitchell Contractors, Inc., Kitchell Capital Expenditure Managers, Inc., Kitchell Development Company, and American Refrigeration Supplies. 

Before leading Kitchell, Mr. Swanson was Senior Vice President at Affiliated Computers Services (ACS), where he directed operations and service delivery for ACS’s education-sector clients. He also led the development of ACS’s management teams and oversaw all aspects of client relationships and contract management.

Under Mr. Swanson’s leadership, in 2020, Kitchell received the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Impact Award, Arizona Advocate, and in 2017, Kitchell was recognized with an Arizona Corporate Excellence “Community Impact” spotlight award. In 2014, Kitchell received two awards from Arizona Business Magazine: the ASU Spirit of Enterprise Award for Entrepreneurship and the Most Admired Company Award for Executive Leadership. In 2016, Mr. Swanson was named Most Admired Leader by the Phoenix Business Journal and One to Watch by the Arizona Republic.  In 2023 Mr. Swanson was recognized by the Assistance League of Phoenix with the Excellence in Philanthropy Award.

Mr. Swanson actively gives back to the community. He has served on the Helios Education Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2022 and currently serves on the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools as well as on the boards of Teach For America Phoenix, the Barrow Neurological Foundation, Arizona Venture Capital, Inc., and Vitalant Foundation. 

In 2015, Mr. Swanson became co-chair with Governor Doug Ducey of the Classrooms First Initiative Coalition, which worked for nearly two years on ways to change the state funding formula for Arizona’s K-12 schools. Additionally, Mr. Swanson is a member of the Valley of the Sun United Way Tocqueville Society.

He formerly served on the executive committees of Greater Phoenix Leadership and American Contractors Insurance Group.  

Mr. Swanson resides in Phoenix with his wife Traci and enjoys spending time with his three adult children. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Michigan.