Paul Penzone

Vice President & Chief Community Relations Officer

Paul Penzone joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) as vice president and chief community relations officer in January of 2024, bringing with him the experience of a distinguished career in public service.

Prior to joining AZ Blue, Paul was elected the 37th Sheriff of Maricopa County. As Sheriff, he led the fourth largest Sheriff’s Office in the U.S. from 2017 to 2024, responsible for over 9,000 square miles and one of the largest jail systems in the country. His many accomplishments include instituting more comprehensive drug recovery programs for inmates, creating a health and wellness division for Sheriff’s Office employees, and establishing boards to ensure diversity, equality, and inclusion within the organization.

Paul’s tenure as Sheriff was the conclusion of nearly 30years of service in law enforcement. He served with the Phoenix Police Department from 1988 to 2009. While with the Phoenix Police Department, Paul was director of the Silent Witness Program. He established a multi-lingual tip line and revamped community outreach efforts, all designed to facilitate critical crime related information with the goal of solving cold cases throughout Maricopa County. Under his supervision, Silent Witness played an integral role in solving two serial killer investigations for which Paul was recognized by Crime Stoppers International as Program Coordinator of the Year in 2009.

Woven within an exemplary career in public safety is Paul’s service to non-profit organizations. He has been an executive leader of both Child help and notMYkid, overseeing prevention programs and governmental affairs. Throughout his professional career, and in his personal life, Paul has worked to protect, support, and provide services in the promotion of health, safety, and wellness for children and young adults.

Paul studied Criminal Justice at Glendale Community College and Northern Arizona University. He graduated from the esteemed Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute, a development program offered to a select few national and international law enforcement leaders each year.