FRI - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Manager of Regulatory Relations & Policy for Alliant Energy
Amy Wheatley is the Manager of Regulatory Relations & Policy for Alliant Energy. Shas over 15 years of regulatory and finance experience, primarily in the energy industry. She has testified before the Iowa Utilities Board in rate case and Advanced Ratemaking principal filings. Amy has led the Financial Planning & Analysis team at Alliant Energy focusing on preparing financial analysis, including financial forecasting, earnings analysis, rate case filings and leading strategic planning efforts.
In her current role she leads and implements strategic and transformational regulatory initiatives to advance the utility-of-the-future and address cross-jurisdictional regulatory issues. She manages regulatory project work, rate regulated compliance activities, and relationships with regulatory staff and related stakeholders. She advises senior leadership on regulatory policy and strategy.
Mrs. Wheatley earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Western Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from Mount Mercy University. When not working, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, Justin, and their two children, Trenton and Alexis.
Ann McCabe was appointed to a five-year term at the Illinois Commerce Commission starting February 1, 2022. She previously served on the Commission from March 2012-January 2017.
Prior to returning to the ICC, for two years Ann led the US team at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), a non-profit that advises state utility regulators, staff and stakeholders. She has over 25 years of energy and environmental policy and regulatory experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
In her prior term, Ann focused on grid modernization, power transformation, regional transmission, and nuclear issues. She was president of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI) and of the MidAmerica Regulatory Conference (MARC) boards and chaired the Nuclear Issues Subcommittee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
Ann has master's degree in public policy from the University of Chicago's Harris School and a bachelor's in political science from Williams College.
Job Titles:
- Commissioner / Kansas Corporation
Annie Kuether was appointed to the Kansas Corporation Commission by Governor Laura Kelly on September 8, 2023 and confirmed by the Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee on September 13, 2023. Her term expires March 15, 2027.
Kuether is a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 55th district from 1997 to 2022. She was the highest ranking Democratic member of the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee and served on the House Judiciary, House Corrections and Juvenile Justice, Joint Committee on Rules & Regulations, and Joint Committee on Pensions, Benefits, and Investments.
Kuether was a legislative member of KEEP, KETA, and the Kansas Film Commission. She chaired the Shawnee County Legislative Delegation three times and is a past president of the Womens' Legislative Network of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
Kuether attended Bowling Green State University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of Rates & Regulatory Affairs / Atmos Energy / Advisory Board Member
Brannon Taylor is the Vice President, Rates & Regulatory Affairs, for Atmos Energy's Kentucky/Mid-States Division. In this role, Brannon is responsible for Atmos Energy's regulatory activities in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Brannon joined Atmos Energy in 2012 and has held various roles of increasing responsibility, assuming his current role in November 2020.
Brannon is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a major in political science, and a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law. He is currently licensed to practice law in Texas.
His outside work interests include golf, Vanderbilt baseball and University of Kentucky basketball.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Affairs / ITC Holdings
- Director of Business Affairs for ITC Holdings, Corp
C. Patrick Woods is Director of Business Affairs for ITC Holdings, Corp., a Fortis Company, the largest independent electricity transmission company in the United States. He previously served as Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Strategy, where he managed the company's involvement in the Southwest Power Pool, and represents the company in various SPP Regional Transmission Organization working groups. Additionally, he represents the company in various regulatory proceedings in Kansas and Oklahoma, with a focus on transmission planning, cost allocation and rate policy. Patrick is headquartered in the company's ITC Great Plains operating company in Topeka, K
Patrick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science-History with a minor in Spanish from Friends University in Wichita, Kan., and a Master's degree in Public Administration, emphasis on public sector economics and policy, from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS.
Cheryl joined the FRI in August 2019 as Program Manager. She assists with the creation and execution of interactive forums for public utility stakeholders to facilitate innovation, understanding, and education in public utility policy. In this role, Cheryl also works to ensure that program goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with established priorities, time limitations, funding limitations, or other specifications. Cheryl has spent much of her career in program development and donor/client engagement. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri.
Cheryl is the recipient of the 2023 MU Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) Excellence Award. This award recognizes an employee who characterizes excellence in job performance, teamwork and personal qualities.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director of the North Carolina Utilities Commission Public Staff
Christopher J. Ayers has served as Executive Director of the North Carolina Utilities Commission Public Staff since July 1, 2013 and currently serves as President of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). The Public Staff represents the using and consuming public and investigates electric, gas, water, wastewater, and transportation matters before the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Prior to joining the Public Staff, he practiced law in Raleigh, North Carolina with the law firm of Poyner Spruill LLP from June 2009 to July 2013 and Hunton & Williams LLP from August 2003 to June 2009. He served a two-year term on the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission from July 2011 through June 2013.
Mr. Ayers serves on the Consumer Advocates for the PJM States Board of Directors, Department of Energy Electricity Advisory Committee, Critical Consumer Issues Forum Executive Committee, Financial Research Institute Advisory Board, Keystone Energy Board, New Mexico State University Center for Public Utilities Advisory Council, and is Chairman of the State Employees Credit Union Board of Directors.
Mr. Ayers earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and received his Juris Doctor with Honors from the University of North Carolina. He resides in Apex, North Carolina with his wife Rebecca.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Attorney General for Public Protection
Chuck Harder, Deputy Attorney General, leads the Public Protection Division of the Office of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. The Public Protection Division protects consumers and the legitimate business community from deceptive trade practices, unfair business practices, and excessive utility rates or charges; mediates disputes between consumers and businesses; and educates the public regarding consumer issues.
Previously, he was the Vice President of Regulatory and Government Affairs for SourceGas LLC. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of SourceGas' regulatory and legislative strategy, policies, processes, tariffs, compliance and relationships at the federal, state and local levels. Mr. Harder has 28 years of experience in the energy industry. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry conferences and continuing education programs on innovative regulatory policies and strategies, building collaborative relationships with policymakers, and successfully managing rate cases. Before joining SourceGas, Mr. Harder held legal and regulatory leadership positions at CenterPoint Energy, Inc. where he led many successful regulatory and legislative initiatives in six states and at the FERC.
Mr. Harder has served on the advisory board of the New Mexico State University Center for Public Utilities and he is a member of several trade and professional organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas and a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. He is both an Attorney and a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive).
Job Titles:
- Member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
Commissioner Passidomo is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and was recently appointed to the NARUC Committee on Gas and the NARUC Gas Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.
Job Titles:
- Director of Rates & Regulatory Affairs
- Is Director of Rates
Cory Slaughter is Director of Rates and Regulatory Affairs for Oklahoma Natural Gas, a division of ONE Gas, Inc., and is responsible for regulatory relations, preparation of regulatory filings, and managing compliance with tariff requirements. Prior to Rates and Regulatory, Cory served in various roles including Audit Assurance, Internal Audit, and Financial Planning. Cory has twelve years of experience in the regulatory field. He is a CPA and graduate of East Central with a BS in Accounting.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Vice President, State Affairs With the American Gas Association
- Associate VP State Affairs / American Gas Association / Advisory Board Member
Dan Lapato became Associate Vice President, State Affairs with the American Gas Association (AGA) in 2023. He first joined AGA in 2019 as Senior Director, State Affairs in 2019 and then served as Managing Director from 2022 to 2023.
Prior to AGA, Dan served as American Public Gas Association (APGA)'s Director of Government Affairs for five years. He also served as a policy specialist and Deputy Director of External Affairs for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Dan has more than 15 years of technical, policy, and project management experience. He is skilled at cultivating relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials as well as trade and other non-governmental organizations. His professional career has allowed him to develop solutions and strategies to influence outcomes and establish long-term professional relationships.
Dan received his bachelor's in soil science and agronomy from West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Dan Watermeier was elected to the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) in November 2018 for a six-year term representing District 1, comprised of eight counties in Southeast Nebraska. Prior to joining the Commission, he served as a state senator in the Nebraska Unicameral from 2012-2018.
A farmer by trade, Commissioner Watermeier received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. He is member of, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Energy Resources and Environment; the Nemaha NRD (chairman); Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (chairman); Luther Memorial Church (ELCA); fellow, Nebraska LEAD VII; Syracuse TeamMates program. A resident of Otoe County, Dan and his wife, Jean Ann, have three children.
Job Titles:
- Board Member for KidsTLC
- KCP & L in 1996 As an Accountant
- Vice President of Regulatory Affairs
As vice president, regulatory affairs, Darrin Ives oversees the strategic development and administration of pricing, rates, rules and regulations, revenue requirements, tariff filings, and customer contracts at federal and Kansas and Missouri levels. He also is responsible for ensuring regulatory affairs supports corporate strategies and objectives and satisfies the complex and rigorous requirements of regulatory rules, policies and processes.
Mr. Ives joined KCP&L in 1996 as an accountant in the external reporting department. He assumed progressive levels of responsibility in the accounting services division, serving as assistant controller at the time of his move to regulatory affairs. As assistant controller, he was responsible for external financial reporting, regulatory reporting and accounting research.
As a certified public accountant, Mr. Ives' career in public accounting began in 1992 with Coopers & Lybrand LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Kansas State University, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Mr. Ives is a current board member for KidsTLC, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, and a former board member of Camps for Kids.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
David Springe is the Executive Director of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). NASUCA's 59 member offices represent the interests of utility consumers in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica.
Prior to assuming his duties at NASUCA, Mr. Springe served for thirteen years as Consumer Counsel for the Kansas Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) and spent nine years as an economist and expert witness for both CURB and the Kansas Corporation Commission. Mr. Springe received his M.A. in Economics and Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. Mr. Springe served as President of NASUCA from 2007-2009 and continues to represent consumer interests on numerous advisory boards.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Policy Research
Dr. Adrienne Ohler is FRI's Associate Director of Policy Research and an Associate Extension Professor at the University of Missouri with extensive research and teaching experience in the field of applied economics and statistics. Her research rests at the intersection of regulatory economics, energy and health policy, and externalities involving environmental and population health impacts. Her work employs secondary data analysis and simulation modeling to examine the impact of policy changes and institutional structure on health, the environment, and economic outcomes. Her academic research can be found in Land Economics, the Journal of Regulatory Economics, Contemporary Economic Policy, the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Finance, The Energy Journal, Energy Policy, and the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management.
Dr. Ohler earned a Ph.D. in economics and M.S. in statistics from Washington State University, and a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Illinois. Prior to joining the faculty at Missouri in 2019, she was an Associate Professor of Economics at Illinois State University, and Director of Outreach for the Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Economist and Associate Professor
Dr. Michael Sykuta is an economist and Associate Professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Missouri. He was appointed Executive Director of FRI effective January 1, 2021.
Dr. Sykuta's research focuses on contracting practices, firm organization, organizational governance, and the implications of regulation and government programs for firm and industry behavior. He has published articles in such peer-reviewed journals as Journal of Law and Economics, Financial Review, Journal of Corporate Finance, Antitrust Bulletin, Managerial and Decision Economics; and book chapters on econometrics of contracting and organizational economics research. He co-edited and published The Elgar Companion to Transaction Cost Economics with Peter G. Klein.
He is an affiliate scholar with the International Center for Law & Economics and is co-editor of the Social Science Research Network (SSRN)'s New Institutional Economics eJournal. He is Co-founder and Director of the Contracting and Organizations Research Institute (CORI), an interdisciplinary research program at the University of Missouri focused on the economics and law of contracting, organization, and corporate governance.
He earned a PhD in economics from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS in economics from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Prior to joining the faculty at Missouri in 1998, he was on faculty at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.
Emile C. Thompson was appointed to the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2021 and re-appointed as Interim Chairman on December 1, 2021. He was confirmed as Chairman on June 7, 2022.
Before the Commission, Chairman Thompson was an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. He has also served as a Principal Member of the D.C. Water Board of Directors since 2016. While on the Board, Chairman Thompson chaired the Human Resources and Labor Relations Committee and served on the Governance, Strategic Planning, and D.C. Retail Rates committees. Chairman Thompson began his career as a clerk for the Honorable (Ret.) Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He also served in the Mayoral Administrations of Vincent Gray and Muriel Bowser.
Chairman Thompson is an active member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), representing public service commissions that regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. He serves as NARUC Co-Vice Chair of the Committee on Critical Infrastructure established after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to provide state regulators a forum to analyze solutions to utility infrastructure security and delivery concerns. He is a member of the NARUC Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment, which focuses on energy efficiency, environmental protection, renewable and distributed resources, consumer protection, and low-income weatherization and assistance. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Organization of PJM States, Inc., which promotes and protects the public interest in providing reliable and reasonably priced electric service.
Chairman Thompson graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in Computer Science and minors in Math and Biology. His law degree was conferred from Wake Forest University School of Law.
Born in Washington, D.C., Chairman Thompson resides with his wife and children. He is active in the D.C. community serving as a board member of the Abramson Scholarship Foundation, and is a former board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington.
Erik M. Helland began his service at the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) on May 1, 2023, for a term that runs through April 30, 2029. He also was appointed Chair of the IUB through April 30, 2025. Helland previously worked at the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board and served four years in the Iowa Legislature. He earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and a law degree, both from Drake University.
Gabriella Passidomo was appointed to the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) in May 2021 to fill a vacant seat through January 1, 2023.
Before being appointed to the Commission, Commissioner Passidomo served in the FPSC's Office of General Counsel, where she provided analysis and recommendations on issues spanning the Commission's regulatory jurisdiction.
Commissioner Passidomo served as a law clerk for the Florida solicitor general in the Office of the Attorney General. As a law student, she interned in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy. Commissioner Passidomo also authored a report on federal certifications for natural gas pipeline construction under the National Environmental Policy Act, becoming very familiar with federal energy and environmental policy.
Commissioner Passidomo graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science in political science from the University of Florida. She earned a juris doctorate from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and is a member of the Florida Bar. She is currently in the Master of Business Administration program at Florida State University
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Regulatory Services
- Vice President of Regulatory Services of American Water
James M. Jenkins is vice president of regulatory services of American Water, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. He has over 30 years of experience in the utility sector and joined American Water in 1991 and assumed his current position in 2016. In his current role, he is responsible for leading the regulatory services function across the company. Mr. Jenkins directs the analytical team that supports rate case filings, mechanism filings and regulatory reporting. He works closely with the American Water executive leadership team, senior business leaders and functional leaders to develop, support, and coordinate regulatory strategy and policy initiatives across the enterprise.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director of Renew Missouri
James Owen has served as Executive Director of Renew Missouri since 2017. In that role, James works to ensure the organization's mission of making Missouri a leading state in clean energy is realized through policy advocacy and formulation, litigation, public education, and general outreach such as lobbying and social media.
In addition to serving as Executive Director of Renew Missouri, James serves as an expert witness before the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) as well as administrative tribunals in Kentucky and Kansas. Prior to this role, James was appointed as Public Counsel for Missouri, where he represented ratepayers before the PSC. Before moving to mid-Missouri, James served as an Associate Circuit Judge in Webster County and practiced law in his native southwest Missouri.
James obtained his BA from Drury University in Springfield and obtained his law degree from the University of Kansas. In his spare time, he likes to write and watch movies. Combining these two hobbies, James is the film columnist for The Columbia Daily Tribune and on-air critic for KFRU. He lives in Columbia with his wife, Claire, and their daughter, Cecile.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Connecticut Water Planning Council
- III Is Vice Chairman of Connecticut 's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority ( PURA ) .
- Vice Chairman / Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority / Advisory Board Member
John "Jack" Betkoski III is Vice Chairman of Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).
Betkoski has served on Connecticut's utility regulatory authority since 1997 when he was named a Commissioner of the Department of Public Utility Control. He was elected Vice Chairman of that body in 2007. When PURA was established on July 1, 2011 as the state's new regulatory authority, Betkoski was appointed a Director and elected as Vice Chairman of the new authority.
He is the former President of the New England Conference of Public Utilities Commissioners (NECPUC) and is the past immediate President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
In addition to his NECPUC and NARUC responsibilities, Betkoski is currently Chairman of the Connecticut Water Planning Council. Betkoski is also a member of the American Water Works Association Research Foundation's Public Council on Drinking Water Research. He was also a member of the EPA National Drinking Water Advisory Council, serving on its Water Security Working Group.
Betkoski is past Chairman of the Board of Directors for Griffin Hospital in Derby, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Director for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter. He is on the board of Waterbury Youth Services, and VARCA, Inc. of Derby, a private non-profit agency which provides work opportunities to individuals with special needs. He also is a member of the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army of Waterbury.
Betkoski served as a member of the Connecticut General Assembly, representing the 105th District (Ansonia, Beacon Falls, and Seymour) as a state representative from 1987-1997. He was co-chairman of the legislature's Commerce Committee from 1993 to 1997. His experience in the legislature and in working with issues affecting the underprivileged, through various human service agencies, gives him a unique perspective on the needs of all segments of Connecticut's population.
Betkoski was the Waterbury Salvation Army's Director of Human Services from 1989-1997, and held various administrative positions in human services agencies from 1974-1989. He served on Beacon Falls' Board of Selectmen from 1981-1987 and Board of Finance from 1979-1981. He presently serves as Chairman on the Beacon Falls Economic Development Commission.
Vice Chairman Betkoski was born in Waterbury and is a lifelong resident of Beacon Falls, Connecticut. He received his B.A. from Sacred Heart University, and his M.S. and Sixth Year Diploma in Advanced Studies in Administration and Supervision from Southern Connecticut State University.
John Reynolds was appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Dec. 23, 2021, and reappointed on Dec. 22, 2022.
Commissioner Reynolds had previously served as Managing Counsel at Cruise LLC since 2019. Prior to that, he held multiple positions at the CPUC, including Interim Chief of Staff to Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma in 2018, Advisor to former Commissioner Carla J. Peterman from 2015 to 2018, and Public Utilities Counsel from 2013 to 2015. He was Associate at De la Pena & Holiday LLP in 2012. Commissioner Reynolds earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Regulatory and Deputy General Counsel
Joseph F. Accardo Jr. was named Vice President-Regulatory and Deputy General Counsel in November 2018.
As leader of PSEG's regulatory function, Mr. Accardo oversees the full range of PSEG's state and federal regulatory matters before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He is the lead attorney for PSEG's regulatory and rate proceedings, and all regulatory compliance matters. He is a member of PSEG's Legal Department leadership team.
Mr. Accardo started his career at PSEG in 2005, and shortly thereafter headed PSEG's labor and employment law practice. He successfully extended his skills and knowledge in the corporate strategy and regulatory areas, and has served in a variety of roles at PSEG with increasing responsibility and scope. Prior to joining PSEG, Mr. Accardo spent ten years in private legal practice in New Jersey.
Mr. Accardo graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree and from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, multiple United States District Courts, and the state courts of New Jersey. He is a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel and the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Mr. Accardo serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, and is chair of its Legal, Human Resources, and Insurance Committee. He also serves on the board of the New Jersey Utilities Association. He joined the FRI Advisory Board in 2022.
Josiah Cox - Founder, President
An experienced and deeply passionate water utility industry executive, early in his career, Josiah spent several years leading wildlife habitat studies and water and wastewater civil engineering land development efforts. In 2010, he developed a business strategy to acquire and recapitalize failing water and wastewater systems as investor-owned utility companies. Ultimately, this became Central States Water Resources which now operates in 11 states and is the 10th largest investor-owned utility in the U.S. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Water Companies and is on the Advisory Council for the Center for Public Utilities at New Mexico State University. He also had the honor of being recognized by Ernst and Young in 2022 as a National Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist Josiah received his undergraduate degree in environmental sciences from the University of Kansas, where he also was a student-athlete, and his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Job Titles:
- Commissioner
- Member of the Regional State Committee
Justin Tate of Little Rock was appointed to the Public Service Commission by Governor Asa Hutchinson in January of 2019.
Prior to his appointment, he served in Governor Asa Hutchinson's Office in various roles including Chief Legal Counsel, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel, and Director of Rules and Regulatory Affairs.
Commissioner Tate received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt University Law School. He is licensed to practice law in Arkansas.
Commissioner Tate serves as a member of the Regional State Committee (RSC). He is also a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). He currently serves on the Committee on Gas and the Critical Infrastructure Committee.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Chairman to the Water Committee of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
- Senior Assistant Attorney General
Karen is an Assistant Attorney General with the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Protection and Advocate. In this role, she focuses on proceedings before the Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC), which is responsible for regulating Tennessee's investor-owned utility companies. The Consumer Advocate seeks to enforce laws applicable to public utilities, to remove barriers to competition in public utilities markets, and to seek a healthy balance between regulation, competition, and the public interest. It participates in regulatory proceedings before TPUC and monitors complaints filed against various utilities in the state.
Karen began her legal career with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation where she held various titles and job responsibilities including Deputy Commissioner of Environment, Assistant Commissioner, Managing Legal Counsel and Deputy General Counsel. She also previously worked in the Attorney General's Office in the Law Enforcement and Prosecution Division.
Karen is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women, where she majored in Biology. She attended law school at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis.
Karen is currently the Chair to the Water Committee of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). The NASUCA Water Committee hosts speakers six times during the year and provides speakers to NASUCA's annual and midyear meetings. She is also a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the American Water Works Association, and the Energy Bar Association.
Kent A. Chandler was appointed to the Kentucky Public Service Commission by Governor Andy Beshear on July 6, 2020 and designated as Chairman on August 3, 2021. His term expires June 30, 2024.
Prior to his appointment, he served as Executive Director of the PSC. Previous to becoming Executive Director, he was an advisor to the commissioners, focusing on federal wholesale gas and electricity markets.
Before coming to the PSC, Chairman Chandler advocated for Kentucky ratepayers as an attorney in the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Rate Intervention. In that position, he regularly represented consumers before the PSC in electric, gas, water and sewer utility cases and also served on the executive committee of the Consumer Advocates of the PJM States.
Chairman Chandler serves on the board of directors of the Organization of PJM States and the National Regulatory Research Institute. He is a member of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners, where he serves as second vice president. Chairman Chandler earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from Murray State University. He received a Juris Doctor from Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
Job Titles:
- Commissioner
- Commissioner / Oklahoma Corporation
Commissioner Kim David is a native Oklahoman and an established trendsetter during her tenure in the Oklahoma State Senate from 2010 to 2022. She was sworn in to her first term as a Corporation Commissioner on January 9, 2023.
Commissioner David is the first woman since statehood to be named majority leader of the state senate. She is the first woman to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee and is the first republican woman to serve as majority whip.
During her final term in the state senate, Commissioner David sponsored legislation creating a hydrogen fuel production standard and establishing provisions for reporting hydrogen fuel production.
As small business owner managing multiple properties, Commissioner David is well-versed on issues impacting small businesses. She previously worked in petroleum marketing both nationally and internationally. She is currently a member of the Committee on Electricity and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety for National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
Commissioner David's husband, Dan, is a retired federal law enforcement officer. Her daughter is an officer in the Oklahoma Air National guard. Her son served in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is also the proud grandmother of three grandsons.
Commissioner David holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geology from Oklahoma State University.
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate General Counsel for the Commonwealth Edison Company
Kristin Munsch is Senior Associate General Counsel for the Commonwealth Edison Company, an electric utility which serving Northern Illinois. Her work focuses on regulatory policy and litigation, including the implementation of Illinois' most recent energy legislation, the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act.
Before working with ComEd, Munsch was the Director for Regulatory and Customer Strategy with National Grid where she focused on policies and strategies to advance state and company clean energy goals. Munsch comes from a consumer advocacy background, having served as Deputy Director for the Illinois Citizens Utility Board and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois in the Public Utilities Bureau. Before entering law school, Munsch primarily focused on program design and implementation of federal workforce development and public assistance programs for the City of Chicago and State of Illinois.
She is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- Director of Indiana Electric Regulatory and Rates / CenterPoint Energy / Advisory Board Member
- Is Director
Matt is Director, Indiana Electric Regulatory and Rates at CenterPoint Energy. In this role, he is responsible for the company's electric regulatory and rate matters in southwestern Indiana before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and for the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). This plan illustrates how CenterPoint Energy will continue to generate and deliver safe, reliable and reasonably priced electricity to its southwestern Indiana customers. Prior to this role, Matt served as Manager of Resource Planning.
Before the merger with CenterPoint Energy, Matt was Director of Research and Energy Technologies for Vectren Corporation in which he was responsible for market research, emerging technologies research and spearheading Vectren's IRP. Before joining Vectren in 2007, Matt served as a Senior Market Research Analyst at American General Finance (now OneMain Financial).
Active in his community, Matt is an advisory board member for the Financial Research Institute and a coach, a board member for the Evansville Homeschool Hornets Archery team and a member of the Evansville Green River Kiwanis. In addition, he has served as the booster club president of the Lorraine Swim Team in Evansville, Indiana for 10 years. Matt is a former president of the Energy Marketing Research Council and former board member for the Mental Health America Vanderburgh County.
Matt earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of State Regulatory Policy / Edison Electric Institute / Advisory Board Member
- Senior Director of State Regulatory Policy at the Edison Electric Institute
Patrice Jones Hunter is the Senior Director of State Regulatory Policy at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). She was recently promoted to Senior Director in December 2023 after serving as the Director of State Energy and Regulatory Policy for two years. In her current role, she serves as the lead on state regulatory policy issues and activities in support of the investor-owned electric power industry.
Prior to working with EEI, Patrice served as an Energy Regulatory Reform Manager at Deloitte Consulting LLP providing strategic consulting to the federal government public sector in the areas of policy reform, regulatory oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to that role, she held various leaderships positions at the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, including Chief of Policy & Development and Special Advisor to DC PSC Chairman Willie L. Phillips.
Before joining the DC PSC, Patrice also worked for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and NextEra Energy Resources in areas of compliance, government affairs, and regulatory affairs.
She was recognized by Public Utility Fortnightly as a Top Innovator in 2019. Hunter has an M.B.A., and a B.A., in Communication from Howard University. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and three sons.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President of Regulatory Policy, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Southwest Power Pool, Inc
- Executive VP of Regulatory Policy / General Counsel
- Executive VP of Regulatory Policy General Counsel / Southwest Power Pool Inc. Advisory Board Member
Paul Suskie is the Executive Vice-President of Regulatory Policy, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP). SPP is a non-profit Arkansas corporation designated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to serve as the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) in eleven states. As an RTO, SPP is mandated by the FERC to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale prices of electricity in eight states. As a part of these mandates, SPP oversaw wholesale energy and transmission markets with transactions totaling $18 billion in 2016.
Prior to joining SPP, Suskie was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe, to the Arkansas Public Service Commission as Chairman and as member of the Governor's cabinet. During Suskie's tenure on the Commission, he served in several leadership roles as a state regulator and was named to Arkansas Business's Top 40 under 40 list of individuals influencing business in Arkansas.
When appointed to the Commission, Suskie was serving in his third elected term as North Little Rock's City Attorney. While City Attorney, his office received numerous state and national awards for successfully addressing crime ridden neighborhoods through the use of civil nuisance abatement laws.
Before joining the North Little Rock City Attorney's office, Suskie worked for former United States Senator David Pryor in Pryor's Washington and Little Rock offices and was law clerk for Arkansas Attorney General Winston Bryant.
Suskie is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, and the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. He is a Colonel in the U.S. Army's JAG Corp that has been appointed as a state military judge and is a veteran of both the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2005, Suskie served a tour in Afghanistan and in 2008 he served a tour in Iraq with the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Job Titles:
- Director of Regulatory Affairs for Nicor Gas
As Director of Regulatory Affairs for Nicor Gas, Rachelle leads regulatory policy, strategy and planning and is responsible for regulatory activities with the Illinois Commerce Commission for the largest natural gas distribution company in Illinois serving 2.3 million customers.
Rachelle joined Southern Company Gas in 2014 leading external affairs strategies for Virginia Natural Gas. She has 25 years of experience formulating and executing regulatory and legislative solutions to achieve financial and operational business goals in the changing policy landscapes of the natural gas, telecommunications, and health care industries.
Rachelle received her undergraduate degree from Hope College and earned an M.A. in International Policy Analysis from the University of Denver. She completed the Executive Finance Program at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. After college, Rachelle served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic teaching English to children and fundraising for critical local school improvements.
She currently serves on the Advisory and Strategic Planning Committee of the Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council (IUBDC), the Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies (Illinois State University) Advisory Board, the Center for Public Utilities (New Mexico State University) Advisory Council and is an active member of AGA's State Affairs Committee.
Job Titles:
- President
- President of Missouri American Water
Rich Svindland has been president of Missouri American Water since 2021. He is a professional engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. He leads a team that is responsible for providing safe, clean, and reliable water and/or wastewater service to approximately one in four Missourians in 200 communities throughout the state.
Before coming to Missouri, Svindland served as president of California American Water and Hawaii American Water for five years. He has also served as Vice President of Operations for California American Water and Vice President of Engineering for California American Water and Hawaii American Water. Before his roles in California, he worked in engineering consulting and for Kentucky American Water and Pennsylvania American Water. Svindland was named 2003 Civil Engineer of the Year in Industry by the Kentucky section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Svindland received his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech and a master's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, and Design Build Institute of America.
Job Titles:
- Director of Regulatory for Black Hills Energy
Rob Daniel is the Director of Regulatory for Black Hills Energy and responsible for overseeing and participating in the development of regulatory strategy, policy, tariffs, regulatory filings, and regulatory relations for Arkansas and Kansas. Rob began his career at the Arkansas Public Service Commission and spent over five years with CenterPoint Energy in various regulatory roles.
Prior to his current role at Black Hills Energy, Rob served as the Manager of Regulatory and Finance mainly responsible for Kansas matters. Rob has been in the utility industry for approximately fifteen years, focusing primarily on regulatory matters.
He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a BBA in Finance and holds an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Rob is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of State Regulation & Rates
Robert joined Louisville Gas & Electric in 1987 as an electrical engineer in Distribution Planning and moved to Generation Planning in 1991. He held various analyst and management positions in generation including promotions to Group Leader, Generation Planning, in 2000 and Manager, Generation Planning, 2001. He took over as Manager of Rates in March 2004 and was subsequently promoted to Director, Rate in February 2008. In his current role, he is responsible for development and implementation of the state regulatory strategy of the company, which includes maintaining compliance with applicable statutes and regulations at the state and local levels and managing the company's rates and regulatory function.
Robert received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in 1987 and a master of business administration from Indiana University in 1998. He is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and has completed various management programs at the Center for Creative Leadership and London Business School. He also serves on the Financial Research Institutes Advisory Board and is a member of various professional and industry groups including the EEI Rates and Regulatory Affairs Committee and Southeastern Energy Exchange Rates and Regulation Committee.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director / External Affairs - Central Region
- Executive Director of External Affairs - Central Region for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Robert Kuzman is the Executive Director of External Affairs - Central Region for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). In this role, Mr. Kuzman is the organization's primary internal and external leader for Central Region operations, customer management and government relations. He oversees the Central Region customer integration efforts, focusing on extending and protecting the value of the organization. Mr. Kuzman's goal is to ensure sufficient two-way communications in order to provide exceptional customer service and add more value to consumers.
Previously, Mr. Kuzman served as Regional Director of Regional Affairs- Central Division for MISO. As Regional Director he worked with subject matter experts and leadership to understand the needs and issues of stakeholders and regulators while communicating position on strategic MISO matters.
Prior to joining MISO, Mr. Kuzman was an attorney/lobbyist at the firm of Kopka, Pinkus,and Dolin in Indianapolis. Prior to Kopka, Mr. Kuzman was a partner at the law firm of Ice Miller with a practice in municipal finance and lobbying. Mr. Kuzman was a state legislator in Indiana for 11 years where he served in several leadership roles. He holds a B.S. in Business from Ball State University and a Law Degree from Thomas Cooley Law School.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman and CEO of the New York Public Service Commission
Rory M. Christian is Chair and CEO of the New York Public Service Commission. He was first appointed to the Commission in June 2021, and subsequently appointed Chair and CEO in September 2021.
Mr. Christian began his career in the energy with KeySpan Energy where he first served as a civil engineer before transitioning to a role engaging government agencies operating in Long Island and New York City. In this role, he was responsible for coordinating activities between KeySpan and government organizations, negotiating contracts, developing contingency plans and streamlining operations to satisfy both organizations' operational needs. Mr. Christian then transitioned to Exelon Energy, where he developed new products targeting public sector clientele and helped facilitate the creation of multiple partnerships and alliances.
Mr. Christian then served as the Director of Energy Finance and Sustainability for the New York City Housing Authority, where he oversaw the Authority's then $500M+ utility portfolio with the aim of reducing annual energy expenditures while achieving city, state and federally mandated greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements. More recently, he was the Director of New York Clean Energy at Environmental Defense Fund where he provided strategy management, programming, business development and stakeholder collaboration for the Clean Energy program in NY. He oversaw a multidisciplinary team (economists, lawyers, and engineers) to design, implement, and manage legislative and policy campaigns to lower the environmental impact of electricity production.
He currently teaches energy efficiency courses at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies. He also volunteers time with workforce development organizations and is a longtime supporter and former Chair of WE ACT for Environmental Justice's (WE ACT) Board of Directors.
Mr. Christian graduated from the City College of New York's, Grove School of Engineering with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA from the Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business. He resides in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
Job Titles:
- President / RCHemphill Solutions LLC
- President of RCHemphill Solutions LLC
Ross C. Hemphill, PhD is President of RCHemphill Solutions LLC, an economic consulting and research firm in Saint Charles, Illinois. Ross was Vice President of Regulatory Policy & Strategy for Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) until the end of 2015. In that capacity he was responsible for revenue policy including the development of annual revenue requirements; retail rates including the development and implementation of ComEd's pricing policy; analysis of strategic policy options for ComEd's distribution business; and, the monitoring of regulatory compliance throughout the company. Ross' entire 35-year career has been devoted to energy and regulatory policy with a primary focus on rate-making theory and practice. His experience has included working, both directly and as a consultant, for utilities, research institutions and regulatory agencies.
Ross has published articles on utility economics and pricing design in Electricity Journal, Public Utilities Fortnightly and Resources and Energy, as well as reports for the Electric Power Research Institute, Edison Electric Institute, the National Regulatory Research Institute and American Public Power Association. He holds a doctorate in resource economics from The Ohio State University, a master's degree in economics from Indiana State University, and a bachelor's degree in economics from Lewis University.
Sarah Freeman was appointed as Commissioner on Sept. 19, 2016, and was reappointed on December 29, 2017. She is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' (NARUC) Committee on Critical Infrastructure and Committee on Telecommunications. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI).
Prior to her appointment, Commissioner Freeman served as a senior staff attorney with the nonpartisan Indiana Legislative Services Agency for 16 years. In that capacity, she drafted utility and transportation legislation and served as counsel to numerous legislative committees. In addition, Commissioner Freeman was a member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the NCSL Task Force on Cybersecurity.
Before joining the legislative branch, Commissioner Freeman served as a deputy attorney general with the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, where she specialized in appellate law, post-conviction relief, and juvenile issues. Commissioner Freeman also served as judicial clerk to the Honorable Frank Sullivan of the Indiana Supreme Court.
A native Hoosier, Commissioner Freeman earned her undergraduate degrees in psychology, French, and political science from Indiana University - Bloomington and her juris doctor degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Commissioner
- PSC Commissioner
Chairman Scott Rupp has served as a PSC Commissioner since 2014. He was appointed Chairman in January 2023. Previously he served two terms in the Missouri State Senate and two terms as a State Representative.
Commissioner Rupp earned his Master of Science degree in Energy & Sustainability from the University of Denver, and his MBA from Lindenwood University. Scott is a member of the 2017 graduating class of the National Renewable Energy Labs' Executive Leadership Program and a 2016 Graduate of the Flatirons Institute's Regulatory Law and Economics Leadership Program.
Scott and his wife Carissa live in the St. Louis, MO region with their five teenage children.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Regulatory
- VP of Regulatory and Governmental Affairs
Scott Weitzel is the Vice President of Regulatory and Governmental Affairs for Spire Missouri. In this role, he leads regulatory affairs, legislation, government affairs, strategy, policy, advocacy, stakeholder/commission engagement, external affairs, energy efficiency, and rates functions for Spire Missouri. He provides updates on regulatory strategy and governmental matters to the board of directors and leadership council.
Before his current position, Scott served as the Managing Director, regulatory and legislative affairs, Director of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, which focused on advancing the Company's positions on rate recovery, maintaining relationships with regulatory bodies, and other regulatory filings. Scott joined Spire in 2016 as the Manager of Tariffs and Rate Administration. Prior to joining Spire, he worked at Ameren for 10 years, where he spent most of his career in various roles in gas supply. Part of that experience included gas business development, focusing on extensions and acquisitions. After college, he worked as a Gas Marketing Rep/Analyst for CenterPoint Energy.
Scott received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Environmental Sciences, with a major in Consumer Affairs, a minor in Leadership and Public Service from the University of Missouri - Columbia, and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University in St. Louis.
Job Titles:
- President
- President of Duke Energy 's Indiana
Stan Pinegar serves as president of Duke Energy's Indiana operations, the state's largest electric utility, serving approximately 820,000 customers in 69 of Indiana's 92 counties. He is responsible for the financial performance of Duke Energy's regulated utilities in Indiana, in addition to managing regulatory affairs, government relations and community affairs. He also has responsibility for advancing the company's legislative and regulatory strategies and integrated resource planning.
Prior to assuming his current position in November 2018, Pinegar served as vice president of government affairs for Duke Energy Indiana. In this role, he was responsible for state government and regulatory policies, strategies and relationships impacting Duke Energy Indiana's interests and those of its customers. This included leading the Indiana legislative affairs team and coordinating regulatory affairs with the executive branch of Indiana government.
Pinegar has more than 20 years of experience leading various trade associations, representing members before the Indiana General Assembly and Indiana regulatory agencies. He joined Duke Energy in July 2012 after eight years in leadership roles, including president and CEO of the Indiana Energy Association. In 2018, Pinegar was appointed by the Indiana Speaker of the House as a member of the Indiana Host Committee for the National Conference of State Legislators' annual conference to be held in Indianapolis in 2020. Pinegar currently serves on the board of directors of the Indiana Legal Foundation and the Indiana Manufacturers Association. He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and its Taxation, Utility and Environmental Law sections. He is a member and past president of the Governmental Affairs Society of Indiana. Pinegar was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Govs. Evan Bayh and Mike Pence and recognized as a Champion of Diversity by the Indiana Energy Association's Supplier Diversity Committee. He was awarded Zionsville Little League's highest honor in 2013 in recognition of his 15 years of volunteer service and leadership.
Pinegar earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. He is a graduate of Duke Energy's Strategic Leadership Program and currently serves as executive sponsor of Duke Energy Indiana's Leadership Development Network.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of External Affairs & Communications / Ameren