Elijah Abinah, assistant director of the Arizona Corporation Commission's Utilities Division, has been promoted to acting director of the division, the ACC said in a recent news release.

In his new role, Abinah will be in charge of the team that reviews utility matters, such as rate cases for all forms of utilities and telecommunications, and deals with consumer complaints as well as rules and regulations.

“I am honored to be named to this very important position,” Abinah said. “There are many important cases that we will be addressing over the next several months and year. I look forward to working with the staff here who always strive for excellence.”

Abinah has been the division's assistant director for 14 years and has more than 22 years of experience in public utility regulation. He was named ombudsman for the Small Water Company Ombudsman Office last summer.

"Elijah is a strong leader,” ACC Executive Director Ted Vogt said in the release. “He has consistently demonstrated his leadership abilities, knowledge, and skill throughout his role as ombudsman of the newly formed Small Water Company Ombudsman Office and in his work on rate cases.”

Abinah has also participated in Power Africa and USAID efforts through the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners in Nigeria and Uganda.