Listed below are short BIOs of each of the 6 registered ACC candidates and 1 write-in candidate.  To print this information, click on the link here:  BIOs

BRENDA BURNS

Brenda Burns has a long history of representing Arizonans as a conservative Republican. She first served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995. In 1993, Republican House members elected Brenda to the position of Majority Leader, making her the first woman to hold the position in Arizona. Brenda served eight years in the Arizona State Senate. In 1997, she became the first woman to hold the position of Arizona Senate President.

Brenda's persistent emphasis on protecting Arizona citizens from high taxes, high regulatory costs and excessive spending led to her recognition by the U.S. Small Business Administration as "a leader in regulatory reform".

Throughout her political career Brenda Burns worked with leaders throughout the United States. As an active member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, she served on its board for nine years, becoming ALEC's national President in 1999. There she worked with other national leaders on many issues, with a strong focus on States' Rights.

Brenda is married to Bob Isbell. They have six adult children and ten grandchildren.

DAVID BRADLEY

David Bradley has been a member of the Arizona State Legislature for the last eight years serving District 28 in Tucson.  He served on the Health, Human Services, Banking and Insurance, Higher Education and various adhoc committees during his tenure, with an emphasis on advocating for children and families during his legislative career.  He has consistently been endorsed by business groups as well as environmental advocates.  Dave has been the CEO of La Paloma Family Services, Inc., a nonprofit child welfare agency, for over 18 years.  He has been working in child welfare and mental health services for over 30 years, practicing as a licensed counselor and administrator throughout southern Arizona.

He is the author of Management by Essay, a compilation of essays written to his staff over a ten-year period of time, and Pursuits of Justice, a collection of speeches, editorials and essays written during his tenure in the legislature.

Dave has been an Arizona resident for over 50 years.  After earning his degrees in management, psychology and counseling while serving in the Navy (eight years), he returned to Tucson where he currently lives with his wife and daughter.  He has three grown sons and five grandchildren.

RICK FOWLKES

Rick Fowlkes is a professional structural engineer.  He has over 38 years experience with commercial, residential, and industrial engineering designs, including projects for the electric power industry.  A former vice president with two prominent engineering firms in Phoenix, Rick has owned and operated his own consulting engineering business in Mesa since 1983.

He has helped to design electrical power plants, substations, and transmission line structures.  With his experience in electric utilities, Rick will be able to offer a professional perspective on this critical part of the Commission's work.

JORGE LUIS GARCIA

As the Arizona Senate Democratic Leader, I have fought and will continue to fight, for the interests of workers, consumers, and the environment. 

I was born in Nogales, Sonora. At age 9 my mother, who was born in Miami, AZ, moved us to Nogales, AZ, and later to Phoenix. After graduating from Phoenix Union HS, I moved to Tucson with my wife. I earned my Bachelors degree from the U of A and a Masters degree in Social Work from ASU.  Maria and I have three adult children: Yvette (Special Education Teacher), Dominique (Marketing) and Rolando (Civil Engineer). Maria and I also have four grandchildren. 

In my 7 years as State Senator for District 27, I have worked hard to bring justice to the interests of workers, consumers, and the environment.

RENZ JENNINGS

Renz Jennings is an Arizona native who served three terms in the state legislature, one term as Justice of the Peace, and fourteen years as a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission.  Renz served as Corporation Commission Chairman for 8 years, and was widely recognized as smart, fair and pro-consumer.  Under Renz' leadership, Arizona was one of the first states to implement a Renewable Energy Standard (RES).  Since then, nearly 30 states have adopted RES plans.

Renz is well-known and well-regarded nationally for his expertise in the areas of energy policy and consumer advocacy, and served on many state, regional and national boards.

Electric utility and water policy is at a critical juncture, and Arizona needs an experienced regulator who can hit the ground running.  Renz has a proven track record, a deep understanding of the industry, and an abiding commitment to Arizona's citizens. Renz walks the talk and knows how to lead. 

Renz has a Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University; and he and his wife Dianna own and operate a small farm in the South Mountain foothills of Phoenix.

GARY PIERCE

Gary Pierce was born in Illinois and raised in Mesa, Arizona.  He graduated from Mesa High School.  A track scholarship took him to Mesa Community College then transferring to Arizona State University, he graduated in 1974 with a Bachelors Degree in Education.

Pierce taught at Mesa's Taft Elementary School with a career in the automobile business following his teaching experience.  After managing dealerships for four years in Sierra Vista, he moved to Yuma and became a Honda and Nissan dealer.  Pierce also owned a Shell Gas Station and Budget Rent-A-Car franchise. The Pierce family moved back to Mesa 1998.

Gary Pierce was twice elected to the Yuma County Board of Supervisors and served in the Arizona House of Representatives from District 19 (North/East Mesa) from 2001 thru 2006.  In 2005 and 2006 he served as Majority Whip.  He served on a number of legislative committees including Environment; Natural Resources and Agriculture; and as Chairman of Transportation.  Commissioner Pierce previously served on the Arizona Housing Commission, the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation Advisory Board.

In January of 2004, Representative Pierce sponsored HB2456, which authorized Maricopa County to call an election for a twenty year extension of the half-cent sales tax to fund transportation.  The Regional Transportation Plan was placed on the November ballot, as Proposition 400.  That measure passed, ensuring the resources to continue construction of our freeways with the goal to build a complete transportation system in Maricopa County.

Commissioner Pierce has been married to Sherry, a Mesa native, for 37 years and they have four sons, four daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.

BARRY WONG

Barry Wong is an American-born son of Chinese immigrant parents. A lifelong Arizonan, Barry was born in Phoenix where he joined his parents and five siblings working at the family grocery store in South Phoenix.  Barry also served four terms in the Arizona House of Representatives and was appointed to fill an open seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2006.

Barry currently serves as a public member of the Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee and has served as past president of the City of Phoenix Industrial Development Authority.

Barry received a B.S. Degree in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University and a Law Degree from the University of Arizona.