Russell Smoldon

Russell Smoldon is the Manager of State and Local Government Affairs of the Salt River Project (SRP).

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
Smoldon is also on the Private Enterprise Board of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as of 2011.

In 1997, Smoldon was also registered as a lobbyist in Arizona for the Better Schools for Arizona Committee, which was a pro-voucher group active in Arizona in the mid-1990s. ALEC has been an active proponent of school vouchers, publishing model legislation in support.

Salt River Project
The Salt River Project (SRP) is a collective name used to refer to two separate entities: the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, a political subdivision of the state of Arizona, and the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association, a private company that serves as an electrical utility and water provider for the Phoenix metropolitan area. Operating under the umbrella name, SRP, it is one of the primary public utility companies in Arizona.

In 2010, Salt River Project had a net revenue of $371 million

SRP employs 14 individual active lobbyists and three outside lobbying firms to push its legislative agenda in Arizona.

Russell Smoldon has been employed as an active lobbyist for SRP from 1997 through 2011.

Support of the American Legislative Exchange Council
SRP is a long-time member and supporter of ALEC. According to the Phoenix New Times, "in 1997, SRP, mainly through Smoldon, spent $6,573 on state legislators, including $2,352 to send Republican lawmakers to the annual American Legislative Exchange Council meeting; $152 for a picnic for legislators and staff; and various sums on flowers and food for public officials (including Jim Bloom, assistant to the chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission)."

Other Activities
Smoldon is also a Board Member of the Keogh Health Foundation, the Western Business Roundtable, Greater Phoenix Urban League, the Challenger Space Center and the Arizona Tax Research Association.