Hairston named interim administrator and CEO of Bonneville Power Administration

U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette has named
John Hairston interim administrator and chief executive officer of the
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Hairston has worked at BPA for 29 years in
various positions, most recently as chief operating officer since September
2019.

Hairston will begin serving in this new role on Sept. 1, 2020, after the departure of current Administrator Elliot Mainzer as announced earlier this month.

“John has made a lasting and significant impact on the Bonneville Power Administration over the past 29 years, and I am proud to announce him as the interim Administrator,” said Brouillette. “BPA is an important provider of reliable, renewable hydroelectric and clean nuclear power to the Pacific Northwest, and John’s commitment to serve BPA will support the Administration’s critical energy mission.”

Hairston has maintained a focus on energy since the
beginning of his career and has served in multiple capacities in BPA’s Power
Services, regulatory and compliance organizations.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead BPA as we
continue to deliver on our strategic goals and manage the challenges of the
evolving energy landscape,” said Hairston. “Through this transition we will
continue to seek the right balance of the Northwest’s diverse set of needs and
interests that are associated with our operations and the role we play in the
region.”

Additional leadership changes, effective Sept. 1,
include Tom McDonald, executive vice president of compliance, audit, risk management
and equal employment opportunity, will serve on detail as acting COO. McDonald
has more than 20 years of experience leading and managing complex and
highly-regulated compliance and governance programs. And Christopher Frost, chief
compliance officer, will serve on detail as in the previously mentioned EVP
role. Frost has been with BPA for 13 years in a number of governance, audit and
compliance roles.