Former Tucson Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce CEO Brings Decades Of Business, Leadership Experience To Commission
PHOENIX, ARIZ.  — Governor Doug Ducey announced Thursday the appointment of former Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO Lea Marquez Peterson to the Arizona Corporation Commission, a seat vacated by outgoing commissioner Andy Tobin.

“I want to thank Lea Marquez Peterson for answering this call to public service,” said Governor Ducey. “Lea brings a unique and important voice to Arizona’s Corporation Commission. Lea is extensively involved in the Southern Arizona community, having led the largest Latino business organization in Arizona, and brings decades of leadership experience that has earned her bipartisan accolades. As an entrepreneur, she knows firsthand the challenges businesses face navigating a complex government bureaucracy, and will bring a fresh perspective on the commission. I’m grateful for her willingness to serve.”

“I’m honored to receive Governor Ducey’s appointment to serve on the Corporation Commission,” said Lea Marquez Peterson. “With a booming economy, more businesses and people are coming to Arizona. This is creating more opportunities for our citizens throughout the state than ever before. I look forward to drawing on my experience in the business community as a voice for all Arizonans.”

Lea Marquez Peterson brings decades of service and entrepreneurial experience to the Corporation Commission. From 2009 to 2018, Marquez Peterson served as the CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, one of the top ten largest Hispanic Chambers in the nation. Her tenure saw the chamber grow from 300 member businesses to over 1,800, making it the largest Latino business organization in Arizona. Prior to that, Marquez Peterson served as Executive Director for Greater Tucson Leadership and as an entrepreneur in Southern Arizona.

In 2017, Marquez Peterson was recognized with a Top Latino Leader Award by the National Latino Leadership Conference. Prior to that, she was appointed by the Obama administration to the National Woman’s Business Council (NWBC) a group that advises the President, Congress and the Small Business Administration on challenges facing women-owned businesses. In addition to being a Flinn Brown Fellow, Marquez Peterson has been honored for her service and involvement in the community by the University of Arizona Eller College with a 2014 Extraordinary Woman in Business award and by the University of Arizona Alumni Association with the 2012 Distinguished Citizen Award, and was recognized as a Tucson Small Business Leader of the Year.

Marquez Peterson currently chairs the board of St Mary’s Hospital, and serves on the board of the United States Hispanic Chamber and the University of Arizona Foundation. She formerly served as the Chairwoman of the Southern Arizona Business Roundtable, the Past Chair of the Tucson Business Alliance, the Founder and Past Chair of the Pima County Small Business Commission, the Chairwoman of the University of Arizona Hispanic Advisory Council and is a Past President of the Tucson chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Marquez Peterson received her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona, and her Masters in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She and her husband live in Tucson with their two children.

Youngsters can meet Corben Sharrah at Olympic Day event

Sports Park BMX, a Pima County-owned facility, is partnering with USA BMX, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Cycling to celebrate Olympic Day June 1 with free racing at the facility, 6901 N. Casa Grande Hwy.

The evening will feature free races open to all ages. Everyone who races receives an Olympic Day certificate.

Olympic Day is a worldwide commemoration of the first International Olympic Committee meeting in Paris in 1894 and the founding of the Modern Olympic Games.

Riders should bring their own bikes and wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts, helmets and closed-toe shoes. Sports Park BMX has full face helmets but will not have bicycles for rent. Riders also must be at least 3 years old and sign a liability waiver.

T-shirts and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Corben Sharrah, who competed in the 2016 Olympic Games and is training for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, will sign autographs during an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Olympic hopefuls Daleny Vaughn and Amakye Anderson will also be on hand to meet with fans.

BMX became an Olympic sport for men and women in 2008. The 2016 games were the first time Sharrah qualified outright for the BMX Olympic team. Four years previously, he qualified as an alternate.

MARANA, ARIZONA — Ina QOF, LLC an affiliate of I Chief, LLC, purchased the former Quick Mart at 4479 West Ina Road in Marana, at Ina & I-10, for construction of a Jack in the Box restaurant.  The .71 acres has a 1,071-square-foot building to be razed and was sold for $798,700 land value ($25.80 PSF) by David and Cathy Lee Trust.

David Lee with David Lee Real Estate Company in Tucson handled the transaction.

San Diego based, Jack in the Box Inc. (NYSE: JBX), is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box® restaurants, one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains, with more than 2,100 restaurants in 21 states and Guam.

The Southern Arizona franchisee was recently noted for its community participation in such programs as No Kid Hungry and Make a Wish Foundation. It is a family owned business that has completely remodeled 5 existing locations and committed to building 3 brand new Jack in the Box locations in metro Tucson with this its second in Marana. This location design feature will include RV and trailer parking and have a larger than normal drive-thru to accommodate travelers.

Gene Goldstein of Bramic Design Group in Tucson is the architect for the project.

The other two brand new Jack in the Box restaurants are the one just completed at Mission and Ajo and the soon-to-start construction location at Marana and Sandario roads.

For more information, Lee should be reached at 520.954.8008.