ACC welcomes new commissioners

The Arizona Corporation Commission today welcomed three new Commissioners to its ranks. Sandra Kennedy, Paul Newman, and Bob Stump took their oath of office today to begin a four-year term on the Commission. The two Commissioners continuing their terms in office are Kris Mayes and Gary Pierce.

Sandra Kennedy made history in November in 2008 when she became the first African American elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Kennedy has been elected to a number of public offices beginning with her 1986 election to the Arizona House of Representatives where she served for six years (1986-1992). During her tenure at the House of Representatives; her major legislative accomplishment was the domestic violence bill she co-sponsored with former Representative Patricia Noland. The passage of the legislation was the first major law that granted protection and rights to the victims of Domestic Violence. In 1990 she was also elected to a four-year term on the Phoenix Union High School Governing Board. After serving in the Arizona House of Representatives, Kennedy was elected State Senator in 1992 and subsequently served three terms (1992-1998). Commissioner Kennedy has also held appointed positions and been active in many community and civic projects. Governor Rose Mofford appointed her to the Arizona Employment and Training Council.

A graduate from South Mountain High School, Kennedy majored in Accounting and Business Administration at Arizona State University. Kennedy is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and arrived in Phoenix in 1971.

In addition to raising her three children, Mahogany; Amber and Seth, she has been a successful small business owner and a member of the National Association of Female Executives.

Kennedy supports protecting consumers, the creation of Green jobs for the state and energy independence.

Paul Newman served two-terms as Cochise County Supervisor and three terms as a State Representative. Before moving to Arizona in 1988, he was an administrator, researcher, and consultant with the California court system where he served as Court Management Consultant for the National Center for State Courts, California Supreme Court, Los Angeles Municipal Court, Sacramento Municipal Court and San Diego Superior Court from 1976 through 1986.

Newman has also served as a Public Defender in San Diego County, Cochise County and Pima County and maintains a private practice in Bisbee. He has also completed a Certificate in Public Policy from the University of Arizona.

Newman was born and raised on his family’s dairy farm in New Jersey. He earned a B.A. in Behavioral and Social Science from the University of Maryland, a Master in Public Administration and a Master in Judicial Administration from University Southern California, and a Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law.

Newman is an advocate for creating a sustainable economy while protecting our environment and seeks to lead Arizona in becoming a significant source of solar energy.

Bob Stump represented District 9 in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2002-2008. While there, he served as a member of the House Water and Agriculture Committee, helping to promote sound water management policies for the state. He has a wide range of policy experience, having served as Chairman of the House Health Committee; Co-Chair of the Joint Select Committee to Investigate Operations and Conditions at the Arizona Veterans Home; Vice Chair of the Health and Rules committees; and as a member of the Commerce & Military Affairs, Ways & Means, Financial Institutions & Insurance, Ethics and Education committees. Bob also helped craft several multi-billion-dollar budgets for our state.

Before seeking public office, Stump worked as a reporter and editor for leading national and local magazines and newspapers in Washington, D.C., and Tucson. He also served as a research associate via the New York-based Manhattan Institute to author and former presidential speechwriter David Frum; as an aide to Fred Barnes and William Kristol; and as a speechwriter for Republican candidates and officeholders in Arizona.

Stump holds degrees from Harvard University, where he studied political philosophy with columnist George F. Will; and the University of California at Berkeley, where he studied philosophy and social thought, and from which he graduated with High Honors.

Few state offices affect the daily lives of Arizonans as much as the Arizona Corporation Commission. The Arizona Corporation Commission regulates public gas, electric, water, sewer and telecommunication utilities, but has additional responsibilities granted by the Arizona Constitution. The Commission also registers corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) doing business in Arizona, regulates the sale of securities or investments, registers investment advisers and sales representatives and enforces railroad and pipeline safety statutes.

By virtue of the Arizona Constitution, the Commissioners function in an executive capacity; they also adopt rules and regulations, thereby functioning in a legislative capacity; and they act in a judicial capacity by making decisions in contested matters.

The Commission is required by the Arizona Constitution to maintain its chief office in Phoenix and is required by law to conduct monthly Open Meetings.

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