[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF BILL POST

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2009

  Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a few 
minutes to praise and reflect upon the career of an outstanding CEO and 
an even better friend, Bill Post. I first met Bill in the early 1970s 
when he was financial officer for the Arizona Public Service, also 
referred to as APS, and I was a Maricopa County Supervisor. He 
impressed me as a smart, young executive.
  Bill Post is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arizona 
Public Service--my home state's largest electric company. Bill recently 
announced his retirement from APS and its parent company, Pinnacle West 
Capital Corporation, after 37 distinguished years with the companies.
  Starting his career as a Draftsman after finishing college at Arizona 
State University, Bill quickly climbed the ranks at APS. He became an 
officer in 1982, then ascended to President and CEO of APS and 
President of Pinnacle West in 1997. He earned the title of Chairman of 
the Board for both companies in 2001.
  Of course what he accomplished and the relationships he built were 
always far more important to Bill than any title. He guided APS through 
a period of incredible growth for our state. In the last decade alone, 
APS added more than 300,000 customers, yet the company has been a model 
of efficiency. Despite its rapid growth, APS continued to meet 
Arizona's expanding energy needs while also improving customer 
satisfaction, setting new standards of electric reliability and keeping 
employee numbers essentially flat.
  Revered for his business acumen, Bill is also ubiquitous in the 
community--continually lending his guidance, energy and financial 
resources to non-profit organizations such as Greater Phoenix 
Leadership, Valley of the Sun United Way, the Arizona Business 
Coalition, and the Children's Action Alliance. His dedication to our 
community and state led me to often refer to Bill as the ``Big Dog in 
Town.'' Bill's own generosity has always set the tone for his company--
APS and its employees are known across Arizona as leaders in the 
communities they serve.
  Bill Post embodies the character and uniqueness of my home state. A 
lifelong Arizonan, Bill is as at home driving his Jeep through dusty 
desert trails as he is guiding strategy in a corporate boardroom. In 
his retirement from APS, I know he will probably be providing 
leadership to the people of Arizona.

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