About Commissioner Bentz
Leonard Bentz represents the Southern District of the Public Service Commission and is currently
serving as Chairman. He previously served as chairman of the Commission in 2008.
Commissioner Bentz has been committed to a life of public service. Commissioner Bentz started serving the public
as a Harrison County Deputy Sheriff in the patrol, narcotics, and investigations divisions until 1999. Upon
leaving the Sheriff’s Department, Leonard went to work for the Mississippi Public Service Commission as a utility
investigator where he worked for the Commission until 2003. In 2004 Commissioner Bentz ran for, and was elected
to the Mississippi House of Representatives representing District 116. He served in the House of Representatives
until April 2006. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Southern District Commissioners office was vacated, leaving
an unexpired term to fill. Governor Barbour, who knew Leonard’s unwavering commitment and his record for making
tough decisions, appointed Leonard to fill the unexpired term. In 2007, Commissioner Bentz ran for and was elected
to the office of Southern District Public Service Commissioner.
Commissioner Bentz understands that Federal intrusion in the utility business is the driving force behind such
initiatives as cap and tax and unrealistic environmental controls. These intrusions will severely handicap rate-payers
in Mississippi. This is one reason why he will take a proactive, creative, and common sense approach to solving
problems. Commissioner Bentz remains committed to his conservative values and principles to insure that the rate-payers
are protected.
Commissioner Bentz is a member of the Mississippi and National Republican Party, Gulf Coast Honor Flight, Rotary,
Area Development Partnership, Mississippi Farm Bureau, various Chambers, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited,
National and Mississippi Right to Life, USM Eagle Club, Mississippi Rural Water Association, various Regulatory Associations
and Young Professionals.
Commissioner Bentz, 40, is a ninth generation Mississippian and is married to his high school sweetheart, the
former Amber Fayard, of D’Iberville, MS. They reside in Woolmarket with their two children, Len, age 19 and
Hunter, age 14. The Bentz family belong to and attend, St. Mary’s Church in Woolmarket.
