Nationwide Industry Advisory Board

Kim Collier is the vice president and 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. 

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 digital solutions and chief information officer for Portland General Electric (PGE), where he is responsible for information systems, advancing operational effectiveness through deeper use of technology. John has more than 20 years of experience in the information technology industry. Prior to joining PGE in 2018, 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.

Mike Mertz is senior vice president of PNM Operations for TXNM Energy (formerly PNM Resources), the parent company of PNM and TNMP. In his current role, Mike is leading the energy transition and grid modernization efforts underway on the journey to a carbon free portfolio in New Mexico by 2040. In doing so, Mike oversees the operations functions, including customer operations, integrated systems planning, and all generation, transmission, and distribution capabilities. He joined TXNM Energy in 2010 and has previously served as the vice president of New Mexico operations, chief information officer, as well as vice president and treasurer. Prior to joining TXNM Energy, 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.

Kerry Overton is the deputy general manager and chief customer officer for Austin Energy where he oversees the utility’s customer care services, customer account management, workforce development and risk management, information technology, and corporate quality services divisions. He joined Austin Energy as a member of the corporate consulting team in 2000 and served in several key managerial roles. His more than 22 years of energy industry experience includes governmental sector management, energy service operation, revenue system planning, key account services, and small commercial and residential customer utility contact center operations. Kerry holds a BS in managerial studies and political science from Rice University, an MBA from the University of Texas Graduate School of Business, and an MPA from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs.  He attended the Energy Executive Course in 2007.

Daniella Piper is the executive vice president and chief innovation officer for the New York Power Authority (NYPA) where she coordinates strategic business goals, technology innovation, digitization, and research and development efforts. With more than 16 years of experience in the energy industry, Daniella has a long history of success at the NYPA, having started as a developmental intern in 2007. Most recently, she served as regional manager leading operations at NYPA's largest hydro asset – the Niagara Power Project in Western New York. She has been integral to some of NYPA's most trailblazing efforts, such as the construction of the Marcy South Series Compensation Project, NYPA’s 10-Point Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan. 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.

Amanda Rome is executive vice president and group president of utilities and chief customer officer 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. She previously the held position of chief legal and compliance officer where she was responsible for the company's law department and overall legal strategy. 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.

Jerry Schmitz is the vice president of safety and quality for Southwest Gas Corporation (Southwest). He is responsible for the environmental programs, occupational health and safety, safety management systems, quality improvement, quality assurance and safety, quality, training and qualifications departments. In his current position, Jerry is focused on elevating safety and quality across the company and developing and communicating strategic initiatives that advance the company’s safety and quality cultures. In his 35 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 BS in genetics from the University of California, Davis and a BS in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University. Jerry attended the Energy 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. Amy has been with Idaho Power for 20 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.

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 retired as vice president of electric sales and marketing for DTE Energy where he was 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.

Christi Woodworth is vice president of marketing and communications for OGE Energy Corp., where she is responsible for corporate communications, interal communications, public releations, stakeholder engagment, and community outreach. She is involved with numerous community organizations and serves on the boards of Angels Foster Family Network Oklahoma, Downtown OKC, Edmond Public Schools Foundation, and Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma. Christi holds a BS in liesure services and studies from Florida State University and an MBA in arts management from Oklahoma City University.