Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey Tuesday appointed former Arizona state legislator Justin Olson to serve on the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Olson served from 2011-2017 in the Arizona House of Representatives, where his assignments included serving as Chair of the Appropriations Committee. He currently works as a Senior Tax Analyst for the Apollo Education Group in Phoenix. Prior to that, he worked as Senior Research Analyst at the Arizona Tax Research Association and a Congressional Aide for U.S. Representative Trent Franks. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State University.

The Arizona Republic has called Olson “a staunch fiscal conservative,” who is “transparent,” and “has the ability to compromise.” "As appropriations chair, Olson set up town halls across the state to gather public input on the budget,” the newspaper wrote.

“Justin has built a reputation as a strong proponent for taxpayers and an incredibly hard worker,” said Governor Ducey. “He is someone with a proven record of service whose detailed understanding of regulatory and policy issues prepares him to hit the ground running from day one. I’m pleased to be filling this important position with someone with Justin’s significant experience and qualifications.”

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to represent Arizona citizens again in this new capacity,” Olson said. “My approach to governing and legislating has always been to keep an open mind, study the issues careful and thoroughly, be transparent, look out for the hard-working taxpayer, and put my constituents first. I will bring that same mindset to this important position with which I have been entrusted."

Olson and his wife Karyn, both native Arizonans, live in Mesa, where they just welcomed their ninth child to their family.