About Marsha Arzberger
Click Here to Download a Complete Bio
Marsha Arzberger is the current State Senator for Legislative District 25. She represents all of Cochise County except within the city limits of Sierra Vista; most of Santa Cruz County; all of rural Pima County outside of the Tucson city limits; half of Marana; Avra Valley; Ajo; Gila Bend; and the Tohono O’odham Nation reservation.
Marsha has lived in Arizona for since 1967 and is married to Gus Arzberger, farmer and rancher (now retired) and a former State Senator. Marsha was a participating partner in the farm and ranch operations, and also managed real estate investments. The Arzberger family originally homesteaded in the Kansas Settlement southeast of Willcox in 1908.
On the farm, Marsha helped her husband in many ways, including driving grain trucks, riding the combine with her husband, and delivering lunch. She drove to town to pick up parts, or flew their airplane to Phoenix or El Paso to pick up equipment that was needed right away. On the ranch, she rode her horse on roundups, fed lunch to the cowboys who helped, gave inoculations, assisted first-calf heifers with the birth of their calves, bottle-fed orphan "dogie" calves, doctored horses, etc. Marsha was responsible for most of the bookkeeping for the family businesses.
Marsha's garden was her pride and joy.
Family –
Gus and Marsha have been married for 32 years. They have two children, two step-children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Education –
Bachelor of Science degree in Education, NWMSU (With Honors)
Master's degree in Public Administration, ASU (With Distinction)
Additional graduate coursework toward a Masters in Political Science
Appointments & Boards –
Appointed to the Commission of Agriculture by a former Governor, 1979-1983
Member of the Cochise College Foundation Board
Member Statewide Water Advisory Group (SWAG)
Arizona Water Institute Advisory Board member
Background & Experience –
Marsha was raised on a farm in Missouri and worked her way through college with the help of scholarships she earned. Marsha was a business college professor in Oklahoma, Dean of a Business College in Kansas City, MO, a substitute teacher at Willcox High School, and a volunteer at Willcox Elementary School. She also worked, some years ago, as a Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist. For seven years, Marsha worked for the Arizona Board of Regents as a higher education research analyst. Her various occupations have given her a broad background of knowledge in education, higher education, rural issues, small business management, and health issues.
Marsha is a pilot –
She holds a Private Pilot's license with instrument rating and over 5000 hours of flying experience.
Civil Air Patrol – Marsha served as a volunteer search pilot for 30 years, and was Group Commander for southeast Arizona, and was Mission Commander for over 80 search-and-rescue missions.
Marsha is an author –
A published novelist, Marsha has also written articles on agriculture and politics.
Organizations –
Cochise College Foundation Board, Civil Air Patrol, Farm Bureau, Cattle Growers, Business & Professional Women; AAUW (American Association of University Women); Sulphure Springs Valley Historical Society; Cochise County Democrats; Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; League of Women Voters; Friends of the Library; Daughters of the American Revolution.
