Meet the Commissioners

Lea Márquez Peterson currently serves on the Arizona Corporation Commission and is the past Chairwoman.  During her tenure, she has fought hard for affordable utility rates and has focused on ensuring energy reliability.  She was appointed by the Governor in 2019 and later won election to a four year term in 2020 and in 2024.  Lea is the first Hispanic woman to serve in a statewide seat in the history of Arizona and is the only Commissioner based outside the Phoenix area.

Lea has established a reputation on the Commission as a knowledgeable commissioner who is known for her fairness to consumers and utilities. She has focused on ensuring that Arizona has a reliable energy grid at the most affordable rates. She is concerned with any vote at the Commission that will impact the ratepayer- especially those who are vulnerable and who may be facing financial challenges.

Lea received her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona and her Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

Lea previously owned a chain of gas stations and convenience stores in the Tucson area putting many people to work.  Additionally, she served nearly ten years as the President of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber – one of the largest chambers in the state.

In her role as Commissioner, Lea co-chairs a national advanced nuclear taskforce, serves on the national board for NARUC (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners) and chairs their education and research efforts.  She also serves on the advisory board of EPRI, a global energy think tank.  Additionally, she holds leadership positions as Vice President of the Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners (WCPSC) and Chair of the Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (WIRAB), which works on regional interconnection in the West.

Lea has been recognized as the 2022 U.S Hispanic Chamber Business Woman of the Year, the 2021 Most Influential Woman in Arizona Business by AZ Big Media, a 2025 Woman Achiever in Arizona, and a member of Arizona’s Power 50 by the Arizona Capitol Times, among several other awards. Additionally, Lea serves on the Advisory board for Carondelet Health network which operates hospitals in Southern Arizona.  She lives in Tucson with her husband and 2 children.