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Republican
Candidate for Corporation Commission
Email: susan@bittersmith.com
Website: www.bittersmith.com
Twitter: @BitterSmith
5806 E Lewis, Scottsdale, AZ 85257.
Age: 56. (08/23/55, Phoenix, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth.
Occupation: Vice-president, Technical Solutions, since 1990; executive director, Arizona/New Mexico Cable Communications Assn since 1980.
Marital: Married (Paul Smith, president, Technical Solutions.).
Children: 2.
Religious preference: United Church of Christ.
Education: M.B.A., ASU, 1982; B.S., business administration, ASU, 1977.
Political experience: Central AZ Water Conservation District Bd, 1999-2010, president 2007-2010; Balsz Elementary School Bd, 2005-2008; Maricopa County Charter Committee, 1997; Scottsdale City Councilmember, 1988-1992.
Memberships: American Society of Assn Executives (past chair, Key Award winner, Women Who Advance Excellence award winner and fellow), U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Assn Committee of 100), Colorado River Water Users, ASU Alumni Assn (past chair and distinguished alumni award recipient), ASU Walter Cronkite Endowment Bd (past chair), ASU, M.B.A. Alumni Assn (honorary chair), Central AZ Project Assn, AZ Society of Assn Executives (past chair and outstanding assn exec award winner), St Theresa Catholic School Development Bd, Brophy and Xavier Mother’s Guild.
Interests: Politics, music, travel.
Political influence: Margaret Thatcher.
Background & experience: My tenure on the Central AZ Water Conservation District Board and my role as president of that board has uniquely qualified me to serve on the Corporation Commission. CAP is a significant water provider to the state and is Arizona’s largest consumer of power. CAP board members spend a great deal of time on water rate issues (an issue which is a significant component of the commission’s workload) and on managing the CAP diverse energy portfolio. My 12 years of service on the CAP board has given me the necessary understanding of the importance of energy and water rates and the training to tackle the tough issues at the commission.
Top priority: Reform of the private water company regulatory process. Arizona’s private water companies have an aging infrastructure and the current regulatory process is so cumbersome that many small water companies are not in a position to update and maintain their necessary plant and equipment which creates challenges for many Arizona water customers and Arizona’s water future.
Role of Legislature: The State Constitution defines the leadership role of the ACC in establishing energy policy. It is also clear that state legislators want to be involved in some components of energy policy. Working together within constitutional and statutorily defined roles will provide a more cohesive state energy plan.
Privatization: Railroad safety issues could easily be turned over to another more appropriate agency.
Control costs: The cost of regulation in Arizona has increased which in turn increases energy costs for Arizonans. Expediting and streamlining that over-burdensome system can help reduce costs to ratepayers. In addition, securing new and affordable energy sources should be a priority of the commission.
Campaign finance: public.
