Barry Wong

Former lawmaker Barry Wong has been named to fill the seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission vacated by Marc Spitzer, who resigned to take a job with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Mr. Wong, a Republican, will serve out the remainder of Mr. Spitzer’s term, which expires in January 2007.
Corporation Commission Chairman Jeff Hatch-Miller said Mr. Wong is intelligent, personable and has a good grasp of the issues the commission deals with.
“I know he’s only going to be here for five months, but I think he’s going to be a valued member of the commission in that time,” he said.
The Corporation Commission is expected to consider several major issues in the coming months, including a vote on mandating the use of more renewable energy to reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels. While in the Legislature, Mr. Wong worked on measures to increase solar and renewable energy sources.
Because Mr. Spitzer is a Republican, Governor Napolitano had to appoint a Republican to fill the seat.
“While reviewing possible candidates for the Corporation Commission, Barry emerged as an obvious choice,” Ms. Napolitano said. “I have no doubt that he has the integrity and knowledge to be an advocate for Arizonans in cases before the commission for the next several months.”
Mr. Wong represented north-central Phoenix as a state lawmaker from 1993 to 2000. A graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law, he is a lawyer and business consultant at his own firm. Previously, he was a vice president for CIGNA, specializing in government relations for the company’s ten Western states. He is also involved in community organizations, serving as a member of the Arizona Asian American Association, the Fiesta Bowl Committee and is an honorary commander alumnus for Luke Air Force Base’s 56th Fighter Wing.
Mr. Wong is eligible to take the position immediately, though a commission spokeswoman said a time had not been set for his swearing in. Mr. Hatch-Miller said he expected Mr. Wong to be sworn in by Aug. 1 at the latest.
Rep. Gary Pierce, R-19, has already been appointed by the state Republican Party to replace Mr. Spitzer on the fall election ballot.