Betsey Bayless

Betsey Bayless is the Director of Arizona Department of Administration. Prior to that, she was Secretary of State. She has served as a member of the Arizona Partnership for the New Economy and was instrumental in laying the foundation for e-government by supporting legislation giving electronic transactions the same legal standing as paper transactions and authorizing electronic notary services.

Ms. Bayless has a long history of public service. She served as a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors from 1989 to 1997 and chaired the Board in 1992 and 1994. She began her career in public service as an intern in the State Personnel Department and has since served Arizona in a variety of capacities, including Director of the Arizona Department of Administration, Acting Director of the Arizona Department of Revenue, and Assistant Director of the Arizona Board of Regents.

She also has experience in the private sector. She holds a securities license and served as vice president of Public Finance for Peacock, Hislop, Staley & Given, Inc., Investment Bankers. She is a member of the board of directors of Harris Trust Bank.

Ms. Bayless serves on the boards of several organizations including the University of Arizona College of Business & Public Administration, ASU West, Childhelp USA, and Arizona Center for the Book. Additionally, she chairs the Governor's Commission for the Prevention of Family Violence and headed Arizona's Census 2000 efforts.

As a third-generation Arizonan and fluent in Spanish, Ms. Bayless holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a master's degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University.