Director: Arizona Department of Commerce

Jan Lesher is a former business owner and director of Governor Janet Napolitano’s Southern Arizona Office. Born, raised and educated in Tucson, Lesher’s professional experience is extensive; she served as Vice-President of Communications and Marketing for the Tucson Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director of the Tucson Community Cable Corporation and Vice-President of Warner-Amex Cable. She founded Lesher Communications in 1990, handling corporate, public and government relations for various entities.

During her four years directing Gov. Napolitano’s southern Arizona office, Lesher was responsible for serving as a liaison between communities in Pinal, Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties and the Governor’s office, often working with other government agencies to address problems and work on solutions. She helped forge solid relationships between state government and rural Arizona, dealing with complex issues, such as water and infrastructure development.

Appointed by Governor Napolitano as director in January, 2007 and charged with modernizing the Arizona Dept of Commerce, Lesher brings a new level of energy to the agency through a long list of community and professional associations. Lesher holds positions on numerous panels and commissions, including the Arizona-Mexico Commission, the Greater Arizona Development Authority, the Arizona Aerospace and Defense Commission, the Governor’s Council on Innovation and Technology, Governor’s Council on Workforce Policy. Lesher is also a key member of Governor Napolitano’s Growth Cabinet, a panel composed of Arizona state agency directors and others that is laying the groundwork for current and future growth needs, including economic development, and planning for schools and essential services.

Lesher is a graduate of the University of Arizona.