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New Leader Appointed to Bonneville Power Administration by Staff Statesman Journal, January 27, 2014

Elliot Mainzer has been appointed administrator for the Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy announced today.

Mainzer currently serves as BPA's acting administrator and has worked in the energy industry for more than 16 years.

"Elliot Mainzer has the proven experience to lead BPA during this important time and I look forward to working with him to serve BPA's customers, constituents and employees in the months and years to come," Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said.

As one of four power marketing administrations within the department, BPA markets carbon-free hydropower from the federal Columbia River Power System.

BPA also owns and operates most of the surrounding power grid, transmitting renewable and other energy resources to the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Mainzer has been with BPA since 2002 and has held a variety of other management positions within BPA's power, transmission and corporate organizations, including trading floor manager, manager of transmission policy and strategy and executive vice president of corporate strategy.

He was appointed acting deputy administrator in February 2013 and appointed acting administrator in July 2013.

Mainzer led BPA's strategic planning and asset management programs, and provided policy direction for BPA's work on renewable resource integration and technology innovation.

He has also provided leadership and coordination of significant regional initiatives, including the Northwest Wind Integration Action Plan in 2007, the Northwest Power Pool Members' Market Assessment and Coordination Initiative and, as acting administrator, served as chair of the U.S. Entity for the Columbia River Treaty.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead BPA during this challenging and historic time for the region," Mainzer said. "I am excited to work with our employees, customers and constituents, state, local and tribal governments, and the Northwest Congressional delegation to meet the energy and environmental challenges facing the Northwest and position BPA to continue to deliver value to the region well into the future."

Mainzer received an undergraduate degree in geography from UC Berkeley and master's degrees in business and environmental studies from Yale University.

He lives in Portland with his wife and twin boys.