Full Name
Susan Bitter Smith
Job Title
Executive Director
Company (Please input the full name of your organization)
Southwest Cable Communications Association
Speaker Bio
Susan Bitter Smith has been Executive Director of the Southwest Cable Communications
Association since 1980. The SWCCA serves cable operators in Arizona and New Mexico.
She has an undergraduate and graduate degree in Business Administration from Arizona
State University and is a Past Chairman of the ASU Alumni Association. In addition, she
serves as the Honorary Chair of the ASU MBA Alumni Association, is a Past Chairman of
the Walter Cronkite Foundation, Past Chairman of the Arizona First Amendment Coalition,
and is the Past Chairman of the Arizona Competitive Telecommunications Coalition.
Susan received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1987 and is a Past
President of the Arizona Society of Association Executives. She received AzSAE's
Executive of the Year Award in 1988 and again in 1998. She is a Past Chairman of the
American Society of Association Executives (first Arizonan to ever serve as Chairman), a
member of the ASAE Government Relations Section Council, Past Chairman of the ASAE
Government Affairs Committee, and an ASAE Fellow. She is a member of the US Chamber
of Commerce Public Affairs Committee and their Association Committee of 100.
A native of Arizona, she has served as a member of the Scottsdale City Council and was Vice
Mayor. She is a past President of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board of
Directors (the first woman to hold this position) and was a candidate for Congress in
Arizona's District Five. She was elected in November 2012 to serve on the Arizona
Corporation Commission and served as the Chair in 2015. In addition, she was Co-Chair of
Arizonians for Bush/Quayle in 1988 and 1992 and Chair of the Forbes in Arizona Campaign
in 1996. Susan was a founder of Arizona Women in Cable and the Valley of the Sun Cable
Club and is the Past Chair of the National Cable TV Pioneers. In 2001, the American Society
of Association Executives bestowed its highest honor, the Key Award, on Susan. Arizona
Girls Scouts has honored Susan with its "Advocacy" Award. The Arizona Capitol Times
honored Susan and the CAWCD Board as the Public Policy Government Leaders of the
Year. She currently serves an elected member of the Maricopa County Community College
District Governing Board.
Susan is a frequent guest of local radio and television hosts providing commentary on
local and national political issues. She is a contributing columnist to the "Arizona
Republic," a contributing analyst for the BBC, and has served as the co-host of the
"Arizona Almanac" Radio Show.
Association since 1980. The SWCCA serves cable operators in Arizona and New Mexico.
She has an undergraduate and graduate degree in Business Administration from Arizona
State University and is a Past Chairman of the ASU Alumni Association. In addition, she
serves as the Honorary Chair of the ASU MBA Alumni Association, is a Past Chairman of
the Walter Cronkite Foundation, Past Chairman of the Arizona First Amendment Coalition,
and is the Past Chairman of the Arizona Competitive Telecommunications Coalition.
Susan received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1987 and is a Past
President of the Arizona Society of Association Executives. She received AzSAE's
Executive of the Year Award in 1988 and again in 1998. She is a Past Chairman of the
American Society of Association Executives (first Arizonan to ever serve as Chairman), a
member of the ASAE Government Relations Section Council, Past Chairman of the ASAE
Government Affairs Committee, and an ASAE Fellow. She is a member of the US Chamber
of Commerce Public Affairs Committee and their Association Committee of 100.
A native of Arizona, she has served as a member of the Scottsdale City Council and was Vice
Mayor. She is a past President of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board of
Directors (the first woman to hold this position) and was a candidate for Congress in
Arizona's District Five. She was elected in November 2012 to serve on the Arizona
Corporation Commission and served as the Chair in 2015. In addition, she was Co-Chair of
Arizonians for Bush/Quayle in 1988 and 1992 and Chair of the Forbes in Arizona Campaign
in 1996. Susan was a founder of Arizona Women in Cable and the Valley of the Sun Cable
Club and is the Past Chair of the National Cable TV Pioneers. In 2001, the American Society
of Association Executives bestowed its highest honor, the Key Award, on Susan. Arizona
Girls Scouts has honored Susan with its "Advocacy" Award. The Arizona Capitol Times
honored Susan and the CAWCD Board as the Public Policy Government Leaders of the
Year. She currently serves an elected member of the Maricopa County Community College
District Governing Board.
Susan is a frequent guest of local radio and television hosts providing commentary on
local and national political issues. She is a contributing columnist to the "Arizona
Republic," a contributing analyst for the BBC, and has served as the co-host of the
"Arizona Almanac" Radio Show.
