James previously served as vice president of
public affairs and marketing for PNGC, a co-op group representing utilities in seven western states
(PORTLAND, OR) -- BPA Administrator Elliot Mainzer announced
today the appointment of Dan James, formerly of the regional utility
cooperative PNGC Power, to the position of deputy administrator for the
Northwest power marketing agency.
“Dan is a terrific addition to the
leadership team at Bonneville – his character and experience get right at the
heart of what we are about: focusing on safety and staying connected to the
region through customers, tribes, constituents and others,” said Mainzer.
“Dan’s positive demeanor is infectious, and he’s dedicated to operational
excellence and achieving tangible results.”
As deputy administrator, James will be
responsible for leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and
regulatory affairs as well as intergovernmental and public affairs oversight.
He will oversee and provide direction and guidance for program execution and
administration to executive vice presidents, vice presidents and managers of
Corporate Strategy, Finance, Communications, Intergovernmental Affairs, the
Ombudsman, and Compliance, Audit and Risk.
“I am delighted to have Dan’s long-time
expertise in the energy field joining Bonneville,” said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of
Oregon. “His relationship with the congressional delegation spans decades, and
he brings an important knowledge of the Northwest’s energy needs.”
James comes to BPA from PNGC Power, where
he has served as vice president of public affairs and marketing since
2007.
Prior to his PNGC experience, James worked
as a federal affairs representative at Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
in Vancouver, Wash., and as a senior government relations specialist at Ball
Janik LLP in Portland and Washington, D.C.
“Dan is a great choice for the deputy
position,” said Scott Corwin, executive director of the Public Power Council,
which represents the interests of publicly owned utilities in the Northwest.
“Having worked in various sectors involving the river system, he is one of the
foremost experts on issues impacting BPA and the Columbia Basin. Dan has a
sterling reputation for integrity and sincere collaboration and will be a great
asset to Bonneville and to the citizens of the region in this role.”
“Dan understands the unique role that BPA
plays in the lives of the people it serves, and the opportunities and
challenges facing the agency,” said Beth Looney, president and CEO of PNGC
Power. “I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
James is also a member of the National
Preference Customer Committee of the National Electric Cooperative Association
and is a senior fellow of the Oregon chapter of the American Leadership Forum.
“The region is very lucky to have Dan named
deputy administrator at BPA. His broad knowledge base and vast experience, both
in the region and in Washington, D.C., will benefit all customers of BPA,” said
Mark Johnson, general manager of Flathead Electric Cooperative of Kalispell,
Mont., and chairman of the executive committee for the Public Power Council.
“As a Montanan, it is always nice to see another Montanan, especially one from
the Flathead Valley, achieve such an important and influential position. All of
us in public power will miss Dan in his current role, but we know he will
represent us well, and I look forward to working with him as the deputy
administrator.”
James grew up in western Montana near
Flathead Lake. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Pacific
University in Forest Grove, Ore., in 1987 and remains a faithful follower of
the university’s football team to this day. He also earned a utility management
certificate from Willamette University in Portland in 2015. He has served on
boards for such community organizations as United Way of Columbia-Willamette,
Pacific University, Oregon Wave Energy Trust and the Pacific Youth Choir. He
lives in Northeast Portland with his spouse and two teenage daughters.
“I have been fortunate to live in the
Northwest most of my life and work for the people of our rural areas most of my
career,” said James. “I am excited to join Elliot’s team at a time when the
agency faces unique opportunities and challenges.”
James is scheduled to start in the deputy
administrator position within the next several weeks.
