Pend
Oreille Public Utility District commissioners unanimously agreed to hire Jay
Pickett as the next general manager. “We had a number of highly qualified
internal and external applicants”, said commission president, Dan Peterson. “We
believe Jay has the experience and leadership skills to ‘hit the ground
running’ with the current challenges facing the PUD, as well as the potential
for effective long-term service to our county.”
Jay
Pickett has over 20 years of experience in energy, with a thorough understanding
of the Western United States bulk power system, power distribution, power
generation, and industry training. He has accumulated over 10 years of
management experience in a utility setting including power generation
operations and maintenance, marketing, resource leveling, and training in
multiple energy technologies. His formal education began in the US Naval
Nuclear Power Program. He has a BS degree from Southern Illinois University and
a MBA from the University of Phoenix, as well as law enforcement training.
Mr.
Pickett comes to us from being the Manager of Generation and System Operations
at Centralia City Light. Prior to that, Jay was Seattle City Light’s Manager of
the Boundary Dam and Lucky Peak projects. He and his wife, Ruth, are familiar
with Pend Oreille County, especially the north end. They have six children and
eight grandchildren. Favorite family activities include camping and quad
riding, and Jay is an accomplished SCUBA diver. “Ruth and I are delighted to be
able to return to Pend Oreille County”, he said. “I am very excited about this
opportunity and look forward to the challenge.” He will begin work at the PUD
on May 7th.
