Nationwide Industry Advisory Board

Kim Collier is the chief human resources officer for Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a Washington state energy company providing electrical power and natural gas primarily in the Puget Sound region of the northwest United States. She is responsible for developing and driving people strategies that promote a high-performance and inclusive culture, enabling PSE to attract and retain the best talent. Prior to joining PSE, Kim was the deputy director of Seattle Public Utilities responsible for enterprise functions including HR, safety, supplier development and service equity. Over her career, Kim has worked in a variety of industries including consumer products, telecommunications, and technology. She holds a BS from the College of New Jersey. Kim completed the Energy Executive Course in 2017. 

Cyndee Fang is the vice president of regulatory affairs for NorthWestern Energy where she is responsible for all state regulatory affairs, energy efficiency, sustainability, and South Dakota and Nebraska government affairs. She has almost 20 years of regulatory experience specializing in utility rate design and cost of service. Prior to joining NorthWestern Energy, Cyndee held various leadership positions at San Diego Gas & Electric including the oversight of the company’s electric rate strategy. She holds a BS in political economics of natural resources from the University of California Berkeley and a PhD (ABD) in applied economics from the University of Minnesota. Cyndee attended the Energy Executive Course in 2023.

Christy Fanous is the managing director for the generation operating unit at Southern California Edison (SCE) where she is responsible for a portfolio of power generating facilities including hydroelectric, gas-fired, battery storage, diesel generators and solar photovoltaic. Previously, Christy held a variety of executive and leadership positions in transmission, substations, vegetation management, quality oversight, pole program management, real properties, supply management, operations support, information technology, and corporate philanthropy.  Christy holds a BS degree in business administration from Pepperdine University and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at University of Southern California.

Anne Jones is vice president and chief human resources officer for MDU Resources Group, Inc. Prior to her current role, Anne served as vice president of human resources and customer service for Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU), Great Plains Natural Gas Company (GPNG), Cascade Natural Gas Corporation (CNGC), and Intermountain Gas Company (IGC). She also served as vice president of safety for MDU and GPNG. Anne has worked at MDU since 1982 and has worked in a variety of roles including, procurement, accounting, and human resources under the MDU Resources Group family of companies. Anne holds a bachelor's of science in business management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.

She attended the Utility Executive Course in 2011.

John Kochavatr is the vice president of information technology and supply chain and chief information officer for Portland General Electric (PGE), where he is responsible for the infrastructure, operations, and development of all information systems. He joined PGE in 2018. John has more than 20 years of experience in the information technology industry. Prior to joining PGE, he was senior vice president and chief information officer at SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions (formerly GE Water) and served in several information technology leadership positions at GE Power (formerly GE Energy). John holds a BA in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles and an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business in Chicago, Illinois.

Sara McCoy is the director of safety and risk management for Salt River Project.  SRP provides sustainable, reliable, and affordable water and power to more than 2 million people in central Arizona and has annual revenues more than $3 billion.  Sara is responsible for directing programs that minimize risk to SRP and its employees in the areas of safety, occupational health, and insurance.  Sara’s more than 25 years of experience at SRP include being SRP’s first female power plant manager, transmission operations, distribution planning, energy marketing, reliability regulatory compliance, water reservoir emergency operations, project management, and engineering.  She has a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona. Sara attended the Energy Executive Course in 2015.

Cristina McQuistion is vice president of corporate responsibility and stewardship for OGE Energy Corp., a newly created role across diverse functional and enterprise areas including operations, human resources, environmental, and corporate communication. She previously served as vice president and chief information officer where she led OG&E’s information technology functions including technology strategy, planning and architecture, solution development and IT, and telecommunications infrastructure. She holds a BA in history from Brown University and an MBA from Stanford University. Cristina attended the Energy Executive Course in 2010.

Mike Mertz is vice president and chief information officer for PNM Resources, the parent company of PNM and TNMP where he oversees the management and development of all business technology and security for PNM Resources, PNM and TNMP.  Mike is also responsible for federal reliability standards compliance, critical infrastructure protection, and the supply chain function. He joined PNM Resources in 2010 and has previously served as the vice president and treasurer, director of operations technology, and NERC reliability governance. Prior to joining PNM, Mike served as manager of information security at Southern California Edison. He holds a BS in biology from the University of New Mexico and an MS in information systems from Boston University. Mike attended the Energy Executive Course in 2013.

Daniella Piper is regional manager of the Western Region and chief transformation officer for the New York Power Authority where she provides leadership to select transformational initiatives, utilizing her extensive experience in leading the digital transformation office. Previously, Daniella was chief of staff and vice president of the digital transformation office where she influenced technology investments, implementation, and adoption that further the organization’s goals of becoming the first end-to-end digital utility. As chief of staff, Daniella served as a thought partner to the president and chief executive officer. She holds a BSE in electrical engineering from City College of New York, an MEE in power systems from New York University, and an MCE in construction management from Manhattan College. Daniella attended the Energy Executive Course in 2019.

Evelyn Robinson is manager of legislative affairs at PJM Interconnection where she is responsible for developing and maintaining effective relationships with consumer advocates and public interest groups in the PJM region. Previously, Evelyn managed government affairs for Green Mountain Energy Company. She holds a BS from the University of Montevallo and a JD from Ohio State University. Evelyn attended the Utility Executive Course in 2013.

Amanda Rome is the executive vice president and group president - utilities, Chief Customer Officer, and general counsel (interim) at Xcel Energy with responsibility for the overall strategy and execution of each of Xcel Energy's four operating companies as well as the customer-facing organizations including Clean Transportation, Customer Solutions and Innovation and Customer Care. In her previous role as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, she was responsible for the company’s law department and overall legal strategy. She previously held positions as vice president, deputy general counsel where she led the company’s regulatory, commercial and environmental groups across all jurisdictions and head regulatory attorney for Xcel Energy nationwide with responsibility for all federal and state regulatory jurisdictions. Prior to joining Xcel Energy, Amanda worked as a federal court litigator at Winston & Strawn in Chicago and Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis. She serves on the board of directors for the Minnesota chapter of the Trust for Public Lands. Amanda attended Penn State University where she was the starting outside hitter on a Penn State women’s volleyball team that won the division I national championship. She holds a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Jerome (Jerry) Schmitz is the vice president of engineering for Southwest Gas Corporation (Southwest)where he directs support to five operating divisions. His responsibilities include pipeline safety code compliance and security, transmission and distribution integrity management, environmental compliance, operations research and development, SCADA and GIS support, codes and standards, and quality assurance. Jerry is also responsible for technical training and qualifications, and the operation of two state-of-the-art Emergency Response Training Facilities. In his 27 years with Southwest, Jerry has held a variety of positions in the engineering and operations areas of the company. He is a registered professional engineer in the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada with a proficiency in mechanical engineering, and is certified as a quality auditor with the American Society for Quality. He holds a bachelor's in genetics from the University of California, Davis and a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University.

Jerry attended the Utility Executive Course in 2007.

Amy Shaw is the vice president of finance, compliance and risk for IDACORP and Idaho Power. Previously, Amy served as the director of compliance, risk, and security for Idaho Power Company where she oversaw the teams focused on the risk management, security, and compliance activities of the company. Amy has been with Idaho Power for 15 years. Prior to joining Idaho Power, she worked in public accounting for Deloitte & Touche. Amy serves on the steering committee for the Western Interconnection Compliance Forum. She holds a BS in business from the University of Idaho and is a certified public accountant and certified information systems auditor. Amy attended the Energy Executive Course in 2016.

Gun Shim retired as the vice president of supply chain management and chief procurement officer for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) where he was responsible for PG&E’s supply chain policies and standards, strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, materials and inventory management, logistics, supplier quality assurance, and supplier diversity. Gun has over 25 years of supply chain and procurement experience. He has served on a board of trustees, as well as multiple boards as vice chair, and has spoken at several supply chain conferences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. Gun attended the Energy Executive Course in 2011. 

Jason Thackston is senior vice president and chief strategy and clean energy officer for Avista Corp. He has held leadership positions at Avista in energy resources, customer solutions, energy delivery, finance, risk management, investor relations, and corporate development. He serves on the board of trustees of Whitworth University as well as on the boards of the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, the Northwest Gas Association, and the Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County. Jason holds a BA in international studies with an emphasis in business management from Whitworth University and an MBA from Gonzaga University. He attended the Energy Executive Course in 2003.

Tony Tomczak is vice president of electric sales and marketing for DTE Energy where he is responsible for executing high-level marketing programs and key customer service initiatives for community lighting and joint use margin, while reducing MPSC complaints. Tony previously served as vice president of corporate services and chief procurement officer where he was responsible for strategic management of the company’s procurement, supplier performance management, warehousing, fleet, facilities, and real estate organizations. Prior to joining DTE Energy, he was vice president of purchasing for Tower Automotive. Tony holds a BS in industrial engineering from Purdue University and an MS in industrial operation from Lawrence Technical University.