Biography
In a state full of success stories, newly-elected Secretary of State Michele Reagan has risen to Arizona's second highest elective office. Through a combination of hard work, commitment to public service and the pioneer spirit; she exemplifies what it means to be an Arizonan.
Name: Michele Reagan
Name as Secretary of State: Michele Reagan
Notes: Named by the Aspen Institute to its prestigious Rodel Fellowship, a program designed to bring together elected officials who have demonstrated an outstanding ability to work responsibly across partisan divisions and bring greater civility to public discourse.
Other Elected Offices:
Arizona State Senate, 2010
Arizona State House, 2002
Education: Illinois State University, graduate
Military Service: n/a
Occupations: Small business owner of FASTSIGNS, Phoenix
Memberships & Committees: Named Chair of the Commerce Committee in the House; Chair of the Economic Development and Jobs Creation Committee in the Senate.
Firsts: Youngest female to chair the House Commerce Committee
Notable: Best Legislator in 2008, Arizona Capitol Times; named a Small Business Guardian from the National Federation of Independent Business; and a recipient of the Eye of the Eagle award from the Arizona Small Business Association.
Memorial/Resolution: n/a
Source: Full Biography
In a state full of success stories, Secretary of State Michele Reagan has risen to Arizona's second highest elective office. Through a combination of hard work, commitment to public service and the pioneer spirit; she exemplifies what it means to be an Arizonan.
Moving from the south suburbs of Chicago in 1991, Secretary Reagan adopted Arizona as her second home and opened FASTSIGNS in Phoenix, learning quickly about the issues that face the state's small businesses each day. Her steadfast advocacy for small business, community involvement, fiscal conservatism and a desire to do more became the catalyst to run for public office.
Secretary Reagan's illustrious career in public service has spanned more than a decade in both houses of the legislature. Recognized as a tireless champion of small businesses, Ms. Reagan was named Chair of the Commerce Committee in the House, and later, Chair of the Economic Development and Jobs Creation Committee in the Senate.
During her candidacies for office, Secretary Reagan developed a passion for fair, accurate and efficient elections. This passion contributed to the formation of the first Senate Elections Committee, of which she was Chair. She was encouraged by community advocates, state and local leaders, and the last four Secretaries of State to run for the state's second highest office. Ms. Reagan was elected to serve as Arizona's 20th Secretary of State in 2014.
Secretary Reagan's distinguished career has earned her numerous awards and accolades including: Small Business Guardian from the National Federation of Independent Business, the Eye of the Eagle Award from the Arizona Small Business Association and one of the 50 most Influential Women in Arizona by AZBusiness Magazine in 2013.
Secretary Reagan proudly serves on the Lieutenant Governors Association's Board representing the Western states. She also serves on the Advisory Boards of Childhelp USA and Worldly Kids.
Secretary Reagan is a graduate of Illinois State University and was named by the Aspen Institute to its prestigious Rodel Fellowship, a program designed to bring together elected officials who have demonstrated an outstanding ability to work responsibly across partisan divisions and bring greater civility to public discourse.
Ms. Reagan is married, has a stepdaughter, three dog children, and a desert tortoise named Casey.