Steve Peru
Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Steve Peru to the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï in March 2026. Regent Peru brings more than three decades of experience in °µÍø³Ô¹Ï local government, education and nonprofit leadership. He served Coconino County in progressively senior roles, including community resources coordinator, elections director, deputy county manager and county manager.
As county manager, he served as the chief administrative officer for Coconino County, supporting a workforce of more than 1,200 professional, technical and administrative staff while leading county operations through major public health, emergency response and organizational challenges. Most recently, he served as special assistant to the county manager for strategic projects and partnerships.
In addition to his public sector service, Regent Peru has held leadership roles in the nonprofit and education sectors, including serving as president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Northern °µÍø³Ô¹Ï, chief external affairs officer for Coconino Community College and executive director of the Coconino Community College Foundation. Regent Peru currently serves on several nonprofit and civic boards, including the Northern °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Leadership Alliance, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Early Childhood Development and Health Board and the Museum of Northern °µÍø³Ô¹Ï.
A native of Morenci, °µÍø³Ô¹Ï, Regent Peru moved to Flagstaff to attend Northern °µÍø³Ô¹Ï University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied sociology with an emphasis in social work and later a master’s degree in public administration. He has also completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.