BOSTON – Yesterday, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton announced Robert Hayden will serve as Commissioner of the Department of Public Utilities, Angela O’Connor will serve as Chair of the Department of Public Utilities, and Ronald Gerwatowski will serve as Assistant Secretary for Energy. The Secretary also announced other key leadership positions within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
“We continue to assemble a team of top-notch talent to serve the environmental and energy needs of the Commonwealth and its residents,” said Matthew Beaton, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “Both Bob and Angela will call upon their previous experiences and vast industry knowledge to ensure that utility consumers in the Commonwealth are provided with the most reliable and dependable service at the lowest possible cost. Furthermore, Ron’s experience and steadfast commitment to a clean energy future and cost-effective energy for Massachusetts will be a tremendous asset as we set forth to advance the mission of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Bob, Angela, and Ron will be pivotal in making Governor Baker’s vision of a clean, reliable and affordable supply of energy a reality.”
“I’m excited to work on behalf of the Charlie Baker and Karyn Polito Administration to ensure gas pipeline safety, electric reliability and adequate supplies of energy resources to mitigate market price volatility in the Commonwealth,” said Robert Hayden, Commissioner of the Department of Public Utilities.
“I am eager to bring all of my energy expertise to the Department of Public Utilities and become part of Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton’s team to tackle the energy challenges facing Massachusetts,” said Angela O’Connor, Chair of the Department of Public Utilities. “I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, and other state agencies in implementing policies that will further the goals of the Commonwealth and provide the most value to customers.”
“There are so many important energy policy issues facing the Commonwealth that need to be addressed,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Ronald Gerwatowski. “I am delighted to be joining Secretary Beaton’s team to advance Governor Baker’s vision of implementing a thoughtful and balanced plan that maintains the Commonwealth’s commitment to a clean and reliable energy future at reasonable cost to consumers.”
Robert Hayden, Commissioner of the Department of Public Utilities
Bob Hayden joined the Department of Public Utilities in 2001 and has served as a Hearing Officer in the Legal Division and focused on enforcement in the Pipeline Safety Division. Prior to joining the Department of Public Utilities, Bob was a prosecutor with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted nearly two hundred trials for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Angela O’Connor, Chair of the Department of Public Utilities
Angela O’Connor has served as the Executive Director for New England operations for TechNet from February 2011 until November 2014. O’Connor joined TechNet from the New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA) – the largest trade association in the region representing electric power generators. As the organization’s founding president, O’Connor provided strategic leadership to NEPGA and served as chief spokesperson for the owners and operators of the electric generating infrastructure in New England.
O’Connor previously served as Vice President of Energy Policy at Associated Industries of Massachusetts (A.I.M). Before joining A.I.M., O’Connor was Operations Manager for Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority PowerOptions program, the largest energy-purchasing consortium in New England consisting of colleges and universities, hospitals, other non-profits, and municipalities. Earlier in her career, she served as an environmental assistant to the City of Boston’s Environmental Department, and was a small business owner. O’Connor is a graduate of The University of Massachusetts – Boston.
Ronald Gerwatowski, Assistant Secretary for Energy
Ron Gerwatowski is the former Senior Vice President for United States Regulation and Pricing for National Grid, where he had executive responsibility for rates and related energy policy matters for National Grid’s United States businesses. He retired from the company in July of 2014 after 28 years of service.
Ron has broad experience across all dimensions of energy policy, including energy markets, utility rates, renewable energy, and the regulation of electric and natural gas utilities. He has been directly involved with the development and implementation of clean energy policy initiatives in New England, including the Green Communities Act in Massachusetts. Ron also has served as a regulatory lawyer for the company over the course of his career, graduating from Boston College Law School in 1985.
Secretary Beaton also announced the following Interim Commissioner appointments within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: Alisha Bouchard as Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources, John Murray as Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Daniel Burgess as Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources, and Mary-Lee King as Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.
Alisha Bouchard, Commissioner of Department of Agricultural Resources
Alisha Bouchard is currently the Executive Director of the State Mosquito Control Board and has also worked within the Department of Agricultural Resources as the Director of Administration.
John Murray, Commissioner of Department of Conservation and Recreation
John Murray is the current Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), a position he has held since June 2014. In addition to his time at DCR, John has extensive experience in transportation and environmental management in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Additionally, John has worked for the United States Public Health Service and Hands On Network to coordinate recovery and relief activities in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Biloxi following Hurricane Katrina. Murray is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the University of Massachusetts – Boston.
Daniel Burgess, Commissioner of Department of Energy Resources
Daniel Burgess currently serves as the Department of Energy Resources Deputy Commissioner, and previously as the Energy and Environmental Affairs Legislative Director of Energy. He has a Masters in Public Administration from Northeastern University and Bachelors in Business Management from the University of Maine.
Mary-Lee King, Commissioner of Department of Fish and Game
Mary-Lee King currently serves as the Legislative Director for the Department of Fish and Game, a position she has held since 2006. King has previously held the position of Chief Policy Advisor in the Weld Administration, and served as Chief of Staff for State Senator Paul Cellucci.
