NOMINEE REQUIRING SENATE CONFIRMATION

EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT BACKGROUND SUMMARY

 

 

NOMINEE:   Douglas C. Cole        

 

POSITION:   Nonattorney Member, District 1, Commission on Trial Court

Appointments, Maricopa County

 

REPLACING:  RE-APPOINTMENT

 

APPOINTING GOVERNOR:   Janice K. Brewer

 

DATE OF APPOINTMENT:    February 6, 2009

 

TERM ENDS:  January 16, 2012

 

FUNCTION OF THE COMMISSION ON TRIAL COURT APPOINTMENTS, MARICOPA COUNTY:

Pursuant to Article 6 § 41 of the Arizona Constitution, the Commission on Trial Court Appointments, Maricopa County (Maricopa County Commission) reviews judicial applications for Maricopa County Superior Court by conducting investigations, holding public hearings and taking public testimony.  The Maricopa County Commission subsequently recommends at least three applicants for nomination to the Governor.

 

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION:

Pursuant to Article 6 § 41 of the Arizona Constitution, the Maricopa County Commission consists of 16 members: ten nonattorneys, no more than two of whom are from the same supervisorial district; five attorneys, none of whom reside in the same supervisorial district and not more than three of whom are members of the same political party; and the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, who is the Chairman.  Members serve staggered four-year terms.

 

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP AND TERM EXPIRATIONS:

 

Members                                Position, Party           District            Term Expires

*Douglas C. Cole                   Nonattorney, R           (1)                    01/16/12

*Karen L. Smith                      Nonattorney, I             (1)                    01/24/11

Jill C. Kusy                             Nonattorney, R           (2)                    01/18/10

VACANT                               Nonattorney                (2)                               

Dean S. Miller                         Nonattorney, R           (3)                    01/19/09

Debra W. Stark                       Nonattorney, D           (3)                    01/15/07

Diane E. Rosztoczy                Nonattorney, D           (4)                    01/15/07

Dr. Ron Cox                           Nonattorney, R           (4)                    01/19/04

Frances J. Castillo                   Nonattorney, D           (5)                    01/18/10

VACANT                               Nonattorney                (5)       

James E. Blair, Jr.                    Attorney, R                 (1)                    01/18/10

*Ronald S. Reinstein               Attorney, I                   (2)                    01/21/13

 

 

Michael A. Leal                      Attorney, D                 (3)                    01/15/11

VACANT                               Attorney                      (4)       

Jennifer Hunter                       Attorney, D                 (5)                    01/18/10         

* Pending Confirmation

 

SALARY OR OTHER COMPENSATION:

Upon approval by the Chairman, the expenses of meetings of the Maricopa County Commission and the attendance of members for travel and subsistence is paid from the state General Fund.

 

BUDGET AND FTES:       

None.

 

NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education:    

B.A. in International Studies, Cum Laude, School of International Studies, the American University

 

Employment:

            HighGround Inc., Public Affairs Consultants  – Senior Vice President (1998 - present)

Senator John McCain – Arizona Communications Director (2000 Presidential Bid)

            Arizona House of Representatives – Director of Communications (1997-1998)

            Governor Fife Symington – Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications (1991-1997)

            Congressman John J. Rhodes, III – Press Secretary (1987-1991)

            Central Arizona Project – Public Information Assistant (1985-1987)

            Congressman John McCain – Legislative Intern/Staff Assistant (1985)

 

Other Qualifications:

Nonattorney Member, District 1, Commission Trial Court Appointments, Maricopa County

Precinct Committeeman (Elected on Sept. 2, 2008)

Public Information Officer Training Seminar in Bucharest, Romania – Participant (September 1998)

Phoenix Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee – Chairman

Involvement in numerous political campaigns and statewide initiatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judiciary Committee

April 29, 2009