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 Chairman Mike Gleason was born in Iowa, where he lived on a farm before joining the United States Navy during World War II. After his discharge from the Navy in 1947, he enrolled at Iowa State College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in forestry in 1950. In 1951, he received a Masters Degree in range management from Texas A&M, and two years later, Gleason was awarded a PhD in plant physiology from Iowa State.
Gleason's private-sector experience in applied agricultural sciences spans nearly 40 years of employment with the Rockefeller Foundation, Pacific Oilseeds, Monsanto and Cargill, Inc. During this period, his duties required that he reside in Mexico, and later, France. Other responsibilities took Gleason on frequent travels throughout the world, including Peru, Kenya, Bangladesh, Senegal, Zaire, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Pakistan. After moving to Arizona In 1990, Gleason served as Precinct Committeeman and District Chairman before seeking elected office. In 1996, he was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives, where he represented his West Valley district through 2002. Gleason was Chairman of the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee and Vice-chairman of the Rural and Native American Affairs Committee. He also served on the Economic Development and International Trade, Transportation, Human Services, Environment and Rules committees. Drawing on his extensive experience with agricultural and water issues, Gleason sponsored legislation to ensure efficient regulation of irrigation districts, effective management of groundwater and long term preservation of Arizona's allocation of Colorado River water. In furtherance of Gleason's efforts to ensure that Arizona's communities have dependable, long-term water supplies, House Speaker Jim Weiers appointed Gleason to serve as an ex officio member of the Arizona Water Banking Authority.
In the 2000 election, the voters approved an amendment to Arizona’s constitution expanding the Corporation Commission from three to five members and changing the term of office from a single six-year term to a four-year term with the option to run for a second term. The two new seats were phased-in with an initial two-year term. In 2002, Gleason was elected to one of the new two-year seats, beginning in January 2003. He won his current four-year term in November 2004, and in March 2007, he was elected by his fellow Commissioners to be the Chairman. Chairman Gleason is a resident of Sun City West, Arizona. He and Shirley, his wife of more than 50 years, have four children. Gleason's civic activities include 4-H Club, Little League, PONY League, Swim Commission, Swim Coach, Country Club Board, Fort Collins Airport Board, President Racquetball Club and Sun City West Water Committee. He enjoys bicycling, reading, sudoku, and scuba diving.
Arizona Corporation Commission
Commissioners Wing
1200 W. Washington - 2nd Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 602.542.3682
E-mail Gleason-web@azcc.gov
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