Opportunity Zone Magazine Opportunity Zone Magazine Volume 1, Issue 1 | Page 33

Q & A WITH SCOTT TURNER
P
resident Trump has named NFL star and Texas state
legislator Scott Turner as executive director of the
White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council,
which will coordinate federal agencies’ efforts to support the
OZ program. We checked in with Turner as he settled into
his new role. “I’m very humbled, to say the least, to have been
brought in to be a part of this council,” Turner said.
Yeah! The program has great potential for success. But part
of my job is to make sure not only that it works right now,
but that it remains a tremendous success for years to come. If
we get this right, it’s something that can have a generational
impact on the people and families that the OZ program is
designed to serve.
Why do you think you’re the right man for the job?
What’s your vision for the council?
The President set this council up in order to fulfill his promise
not to leave anyone behind. The focus and the spirit of this
mission is to revitalize distressed American communities
where investments haven’t been made in a very long time.
For me personally, and for those working on this team, we’re
focused on helping people and communities in opportunity
zones and working as we can to make sure these communities
have the opportunity for revitalization.
Part of the reason is my background in public service in
Texas. But it’s also my heart for people, and my drive to see
individuals and groups of people and communities achieve
their God-given potential. I’ve done that all my career —
even serving in the National Football League, and helping
players make the difficult transition from professional sports
to private life. This work is really a continuation of that —
I want to use this platform, and all the experiences I’ve had,
to help people grow and fulfill their potential. I believe that's
why I'm here.
Why is this a priority for the President?
Well, it's a priority because he cares about people. For
generations, there has been a lack of investment in the
distressed communities of America. But there are great
people, great citizens, and great potential inside of these
communities. You know, there are 35 million people that live
in Opportunity Zones, and it's very important that we reach
those people, so that the OZs can be revitalized and their
potential can be fulfilled.
I want to use this platform,
and all the experiences I’ve
had, to help people grow and
fulfill their potential. I believe
that's why I'm here.
Do you think you’ll be able to deliver on that potential?
OPPORTUNITYZONEMAGAZINE.COM
31