Staff runs the place
Who is working at the Arizona Corporation Commission?
The Arizona Corporation Commission is Arizona’s fourth branch of government and also its most forgotten. It’s long been said that staff runs the place and not always for good reasons.
The makeup of the five-member commission is back at a 4-1 Republican split after the GOP only held a one-seat majority for two years and when two incumbents don’t return, plus the chair changes, that also means staff shifts around. At least in typical branches of government.
It’s another reason why staff runs the agency. They typically remain for years even through political changes and new commissioners. There is a lot of information they need to know in the quasi-judicial roles –– more than just setting utility rates –– so if advisors and division directors don’t have enough knowledge it could lead to a lot of chaos.
It took a few months, but I obtained a list of the Commission’s staff, their roles and how much they are earning in taxpayer-funded salaries.
There have already been major staff changes since the new commissioners (Republicans Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers) and new chairman (Republican Jim O’Connor) swore in back in January like Tom Broderick, the once former exec director who was serving as O’Connor’s policy advisor, who resigned after facing internal complaints from another top staffer:
Broderick was replaced by Katharine Fredriksen, who is Commissioner Kevin Thompson’s sister and she ran his and Nick Myers’ campaigns in 2022. Fredriksen tried to get the executive director job, but the commission narrowly voted against her.
Fredriksen has a background in the coal industry and is seen by many as someone who will help encourage O’Connor to vote in favor of public utilities on manners whereas Broderick was viewed as a voice of reason for the Commission’s conspiracy-laden chairman.
Fredriksen is also the highest paid policy advisor, but not by much. I’m sure it’s because she’s the chair’s advisor and not because of who she’s related to1.
She’s earning $110,235 annually, which is just $235 more than Ryan Anderson, Thompson’s policy advisor and former AG Mark Brnovich’s communications director. Anderson previously worked on city campaigns for Thompson years ago.
New executive director Douglas Clark’s salary is not listed on this file because the records request was fulfilled before his start date this month.
Here’s the final five candidates who were up for the top staff job:
Elijah Abinah, the utilities director, is listed as having the highest salary among staff at $163,000.
See here for a full list of staff and their salaries at the commission.
Sarcasm.