Sixty years ago, Arizona Gov. Paul Fannin looked south across the border to Mexico and famously said, “God made us neighbors; let us be good neighbors.” It was then that the stage was set for the Arizona-Mexico Commission, an international entity that works to foster economic partnerships and an enduring friendship, which has only grown stronger through the challenges of the intervening decades.

After two cancelled meetings and more than a year of controversy, the Arizona-Mexico Commission will hold its first plenary session since the advent of SB1070.

Wearing multiple hats was not uncommon for Arizona’s political figures when the state was much younger and less populated, but the career of at least one legendary figure merits being labeled as unique.

The longtime lobbyist, who heads up the firm Policy Development Group, became Sen. Dennis DeConcini’s top staff member at just 24 years old, but didn’t take long to decide that the Beltway wasn’t for him. Since then, Ober has been at the forefront of some of Arizona’s most contentious public policy debates.