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Bill Broyles, a research associate with The University of Arizona's Southwest Center and the chairman of the Sonoran Desert National Park Friends committee, said that while the park plan has yet not been approved by U.S. Congress, Gibson's analyses "confirmed the value of what we were trying to do and gave us stronger legs to stand on."

Most useful, Broyles said, was Gibson's balanced approach and ability to bring out the best sides of debate and discussion. "Because he understands economics and geography, he's able to look at a proposal and see how it might help a whole bunch of players and how the players might help the project."

Gibson has used similar skills to consult with Arizona's Indian tribes. He is currently part of an ongoing dialogue with the Apache Sunrise Resort to determine the economic impact of winter tourism on the White Mountain Apache tribe. He also just finished work with the Tonto Apache tribe near Payson, Ariz., measuring the economic impact of a casino.

Gibson says the most rewarding aspect of his research and consulting work is providing possible solutions for clients in the real world. "The curiosity component of research exists, but it's not enough for me. It's a lot more satisfying when someone else wants to know."

Of course, client-driven research is not without its complications. "Things are never as neat as they seem. In social science, theory is pretty easy. Testing that theory and confirming your suspicions is tough. The world is a messy place, but we owe it to our discipline to go out and see if theory really works."

Gibson believes it is this kind of "messy" fieldwork that best prepares his students to carry on research and economic development work of their own. Many of his former students now hold jobs in city governments or as development consultants.

David Roderique, who started his undergraduate studies in architecture at The University of Arizona in the late 1970s, remembers taking Gibson's Introduction to Economic Geography course as an elective. He liked the class so much he switched his major to geography and regional development, in which he earned both a bachelor's and master's degree, he says.

What kept him in the field was the hands-on community work that he did with Gibson, Roderique says. "As part of work that he was doing, he employed a lot of students for research. I worked around the state doing practical direct work, which provided a huge leg up after graduation. Not only did I have both degrees, but I had all that work experience."

Now, Roderique is the general manager of economic vitality for the City of Scottsdale, a position that oversees economic development, redevelopment, tourism activities, and business services in Scottsdale. "I rely heavily on that basis that I learned with Dr. Gibson," he says.

Gibson also offers his expertise and skills to community leaders from across the country through his work as director of the Arizona Economic Development Course, offered each year at the University. Some 70 participants from all over the country, nearly half from Arizona, including local government officials, nonprofit directors, and Native American leaders attend the course to further their understanding of regional economic development, Gibson says.

In addition to his research and teaching, Gibson has served on numerous boards, belongs to several professional and academic organizations, and has won many awards for his contributions to his profession and to Arizona, national, and international development initiatives.

Broyles attributes much of Gibson's success to his thorough understanding of Arizona history and his genuine love for the state. "He understands at heart what makes Arizona work and would like to keep it working, not only in terms of how to keep its spirit and protect neighborhoods and communities, but also how to keep people employed."