District of Columbia PSC Chairman Willie Phillips to Lead the NARUC Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity

WASHINGTON (April 6, 2021) — National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Paul Kjellander has appointed DC Public Service Commission Chairman Willie L. Phillips as the new chairman of the Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity.

The Select Committee promotes inclusion and prudent, competitive procurement practices to advance opportunities for women, minority and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in utility supply markets. The Select Committee also aims to strengthen relationships that provide mutual economic benefits for ratepayers, investors and disadvantaged business enterprises.

Phillips was appointed to serve as chairman by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2018. Before joining the PSC, Phillips served as assistant general counsel for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and worked for Van Ness Feldman LLP. He also serves as president of the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, sits on NARUC’s board of directors and is a member of several energy and utility associations. He has a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Montevallo. 

Select Committee co-vice chairs are Commissioner Diane Burman of New York and Commissioner Jehmal Hudson of Virginia.

“Chairman Phillips is the regulatory equivalent of a rock star.  He is thoughtful and never takes on a task without giving it 110 percent,” Kjellander said. “I look forward to working with him in his new capacity as chairman of the Select Committee. He will help lead the committee on a path that helps NARUC remain relevant on issues associated with diversity in the utility and regulatory sector.”

 “I am honored to serve as Chair of the Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity. We’re looking to help create a pipeline of diverse businesses and professionals to change the essence of the discussion around diversity,” said Phillips. “I applaud President Kjellander for his leadership and for highlighting NARUC’s efforts in this space.”

“We truly appreciate the contributions of former commissioner Sadzi Oliva, who was instrumental in helping NARUC recognize the significance of issues associated with diversity in the utility sector and provided essential leadership as NARUC sought to elevate the status of the committee,” said Kjellander. “We know she will be successful in all of her future endeavors.”

Learn more about the Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity at NARUC’s website, bit.ly/NARUCSelectCommittee. 

About NARUC

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC’s member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of state public utility commissions before the three branches of the federal government.