The director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, opens a new window (DES) is appointed by the Governor. The DES was formed in 1973.
| Name | Date | Appointed by |
| William J. Mayo | 1/1973 – 3/1975 | Governor Williams |
| James L. Scharnadan (Acting) | 4/1975 – 5/1975 | Governor Castro |
| Henry G. Diaz (Acting) | 5/1975 – 6/1975 | Governor Castro |
| John L. Huerta | 7/1975 – 11/1977 | Governor Castro |
| Edward D. Crowley (Acting) | 11/1977 – 05/1978 | Governor Bolin |
| Bill Jamieson, Jr. | 5/1978 – 12/1982 | Governor Babbitt |
| Donald B. Mathis (acting) | 12/1982 to 2/1983 | Governor Babbitt |
| Douglas X. Patino | 2/1983 to 1/1987 | Governor Babbitt |
| Edd Brown | 1/1987 to 3/1989 | Governor Mecham |
| Bill Jamieson, Jr. (acting) | 3/1989 to 5/1989 | Governor Mofford |
| Robert W. Harmon (acting) | 6/1989 to 7/1989 | Governor Mofford |
| Linda Moore-Cannon | 7/1989 to 2/1992 | Governor Mofford |
| David Lowenberg (acting) | 2/1992 to 8/1992 | Governor Symington |
| Linda J. Blessing (acting) | 8/1992 to 9/1992 | Governor Symington |
| Charles E. Cowan | 9/1992 to 8/1993 | Governor Symington |
| Linda J. Blessing | 8/1993 to 5/1999 | Governor Symington |
| John L. Clayton | 5/1999 to 3/2003 | Governor Napolitano |
| William Bell (acting) | 3/2003 to 8/2003 | Governor Napolitano |
| David Berns | 8/2003 to 6/2006 | Governor Napolitano |
| Tracy L. Wareing | 6/2006 to 1/2009 | Governor Napolitano |
| Linda Blessing (interim) | 1/2009 to 5/4/2009 | Governor Brewer |
| Neal Young | 5/4/2009 to 1/14/2011 | Governor Brewer |
| Clarence H. Carter | 2/09/2011 to 1/09/2015 | Governor Brewer |
| Jim Hillyard (interim) | 1/9/2015 to 3/2/2015 | Governor Ducey |
| Timothy Jeffries | 3/2/2015 to 11/23/2016 | Governor Ducey |
| Henry Darwin (interim) | 11/23/2016 to c. 5/24/17 | Governor Ducey |
| Michael "Mike" Trailor | c. 5/24/17 to 10/18/19 | Governor Ducey |
| Dr. Cara Christ (interim) | 10/18/19 to 3/20/20 | Governor Ducey |
| Tom Betlach (temporary assignment) | 3/20/20 to 6/3/20 | Governor Ducey |
| Michael Wisehart | 6/3/20 to 1/28/23 | Governor Ducey |
| Angie Rogers | 1/28/23 to present | Governor Hobbs |
Sources:
“Angie Rodgers, AzFBN CEO, Accepts Position as Director of the Department of Economic Security with the Hobbs Administration.” Arizona Food Bank Network. December 28, 2022
"Governor Ducey Announces Michael Wisehart As Director Of The Arizona Department Of Economic Security." Office of Governor Doug Ducey. May 28, 2020.
"Governor Ducey Announces Tom Betlach to Lead DES." Office of Governor Doug Ducey. March 20, 2020.
"Governor’s Office Announces Organizational Changes For The Department of Economic Security." Office of Governor Doug Ducey. September 26, 2019.
"Governor Ducey Appoints New Director Of The Arizona Department of Economic Security." Office of Governor Doug Ducey. May 24, 2017.
"Ducey names new Department of Economic Security director." Desert Sun. May 24, 2017.
"Governor Doug Ducey Announces Director of the Department of Economic Security." Office of the Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. February 18, 2016.
"Social-service agency chief resigns as Ducey takes office, opens a new window." The Arizona Republic. January 6, 2016.
"Ducey appoints Jim Hillyard new director of DES." KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix. January 23, 2015.
Fax from the Arizona Department of Economic Security 03/12/2003—Updated by Pima County Public Library reference staff.
Arizona Department of Economic Security | About DES | des.az.gov/des-directors-bio, opens a new window
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