Gov. Doug Ducey recently announced that former Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin, now serving as director of two state agencies, will fill a vacancy on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).

Tobin is taking over the seat held by Susan Bitter Smith, who announced her resignation last month.

Upon taking the ACC post, Tobin will step down as director of the Arizona Department of Insurance and as the interim director of the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions.

Tobin served as a state representative for rural parts of Arizona in the state House. He acted as majority whip, majority leader and eventually House speaker from 2011 until 2015.

Tobin has served as director of the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures, where he achieved greater efficiency and cost-cutting actions; owned and operated an insurance office for six years as well as his own employee benefit firm; and ran a local aerospace company. 

In her resignation letter dated Dec. 17, outgoing ACC Commissioner Smith thanked Ducey and indicated her willingness to see to a smooth transition period. “I have enjoyed working on behalf of the people of Arizona and am grateful for the opportunity to serve,” she said.