Rep. Ken Clark, D-15, has been appointed director of the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office and will begin his duties after his term ends on Jan. 10. While in the House, Mr. Clark served on the Environment, Rules, and Ways and Means committees and has been a supporter of sustainable energy policy. He chose not to run for re-election.

The office encourages energy efficiency, renewable-energy and provides policy advice. The appointment was announced Dec. 27 by Commerce Director Gilbert Jimenez.

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The former executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party, Paul Hegarty, has been named assistant deputy director for Community Development for the Arizona Department of Commerce. Mr. Hegarty also has worked with the U.S. Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closing Commission and with the office of former Vice President Al Gore.

The appointment was announced Dec. 27 by Commerce Director Gilbert Jimenez.

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Loriann Maxwell has been named director of operations and communications for WESTMARC. Ms. Maxwell has been the executive assistant for the group since February 2004. Before that, Ms. Maxwell was executive secretary in the Maricopa Community College District Chancellor’s Office. She begins her duties Jan. 3. WESTMARC, an acronym for Western Maricopa Coalition, was founded in 1990 to promote western Maricopa County and to advocate on its behalf.

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Israel G. Torres has been elected as the incoming chairman of the board for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Torres, director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, assumes his year-long post on Jan. 1. Mr. Torres served as vice chair of the Chamber in 2004 and has been involved with the organization for more than 12 years. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1948 and incorporated in 1976.—