Since 2018 Philip Bashaw has served as the Arizona Farm Bureau Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary. In this role, he oversees the operations of Arizona’s largest general farm organization. AZFB serves more than 26,000 members statewide. Of those members, more than 2,400 are active farmers and ranchers who set the strategic policy direction of the organization.

Bashaw grew up in Safford, Arizona before studying Agriculture Technology Management at the University of Arizona. He started his career with AZFB in 2006 as a government relations manager where he was instrumental in working on legislation related to agricultural property taxes, transportation and air quality regulations. He was also active in AZFB’s efforts for visa reform and studied the economics of immigration while obtaining his master’s degree in Public Policy.

Prior to prior to taking over as the CEO for AZFB, Bashaw served as the Director of Government Relations and Grassroots Advocacy for the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA). There he managed the political, policy and grassroots programs for the statewide association of the non-profit, member-owned electric cooperative utilities.

He is also a graduate of the rural leadership program Project CENTRL. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Arizona Power Authority. This appointed board of directors is responsible for allocating and managing Arizona’s portion of electric power generated at the Hoover Dam.

Phil and his wife, Lauren, live in Gilbert, Arizona with their two young children.