WECC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Western Area Power Administration / Member - Class 1
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
- Director of Reliability Risk Management
- Vice President of Reliability Planning and Performance Analysis
Branden Sudduth, Vice President of Reliability Planning and Performance Analysis at WECC, leads the organization's technical and analytical functions, overseeing Reliability Modeling and Assessments, Standards Development, Performance Analysis, Event Analysis, and Situation Awareness.
As Director of Reliability Risk Management, Branden led the strategic direction for WECC's Performance Analysis and Event Analysis/Situation Awareness departments. He actively supported industry stakeholders through the Operating and Market Interface Committees, ensuring alignment and collaboration. Additionally, with a strong foundation in engineering and management roles within WECC's Reliability Planning department, Branden brings deep expertise in bulk power system modeling and analysis, driving impactful results for the organization.
Branden holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University, a master's in electrical engineering from the University of Idaho, and an MBA from Weber State University.
Job Titles:
- Representative
- Independent Subject Matter Expert / Member - Class 3
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice Chair of the Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Professional Engineer
David Morton is a Professional Engineer with over 45 years of experience. David brings a unique combination of expertise in business, engineering, utility regulation, and energy policy. As a former Commissioner, Chair, and CEO of the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), David demonstrated strong leadership and played a pivotal role in key energy policy decisions, including inquiries into EV infrastructure, hydrogen fuel regulation, and Indigenous utilities.
David has extensive experience in cybersecurity, leading BCUC's development of a cybersecurity framework for public utilities. His international contributions as Chair of the International Confederation of Energy Regulators and his involvement in global training initiatives through NARUC and US AID underscore his expertise in regulatory issues.
Job Titles:
- Western Area Power Administration / Member
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Felicia Marcus brings organizational management, regulatory, and environmental and sustainability experience to WEC, leveraging her leadership experience from the California State Water Resources Control Board, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, City of Los Angeles, and national NGOs. Currently serving as the Landreth Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Water in the West Program, she brings her broad range of expertise to WECC, helping to shape policies to better assure power system reliability in a dynamic environment. Felicia chairs the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and serves on the Nominating Committee.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Vice Chair of the Board
Job Titles:
- Western Area Power Administration / Member
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Member - Class 4
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Ian McKay is currently leading discussions on key governance matters within WECC. With his background as Executive Director of Electricity and Alternative Energy at Alberta Energy, leading Winnipeg Hydro at the City of Winnipeg, and his over 26 year career at Manitoba Hydro, Ian plays a key role in advising on energy infrastructure and policy initiatives. His expertise ensures that WECC remains a leader in energy reliability across Western Canada and the U.S. Ian chairs the Governance and Nominating Committees.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
James Avery, as Vice Chair, is leading WECC's efforts to ensure long-term energy reliability in the West. He draws on his expertise from his tenure as Chief Development Officer at San Diego Gas & Electric, where he shaped the company's long-term vision. James is actively involved in addressing emerging challenges in transmission planning and power supply, contributing his industry knowledge to strengthen WECC's mission. James also serves on the Governance Committee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
- General Counsel and Corporate Secretary / Jeff Droubay, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary at WECC, joined the organization in 2022. Jeff leads WECC's legal team and the Assistant Corporate Secretary, providing comprehensive legal guidance and supporting the Board of Directors on governance documents, bylaws, policies, procedures, and executive matters.
As a member of the executive team, Jeff drives strategy, collaboration, and engagement across WECC. Before WECC, he was the Senior Vice President for Legal and Business Affairs at Dyno Nobel Americas, where he oversaw legal, compliance, and environmental functions, and served as vice-chair of the board of governors for the Institute of Makers of Explosives. Jeff's prior experience includes over a decade as an attorney at Parsons, Behle, and Latimer.
Jeff holds an undergraduate degree in English and a Juris Doctor from Brigham Young University, where he was Senior Editor of Law Review and graduated with honors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
- Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Jillian Lessner, Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at WECC, oversees Finance and Accounting, IT, HR, Meetings, Administrative Services, and the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS).
Jillian's journey at WECC began as Controller from 2008 to 2010, before returning in 2012 as Director of Finance and Accounting. Prior to rejoining WECC, she served as Corporate Technical Accounting Manager at Stanley Black and Decker. With over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management, Jillian has held key positions at Duke Energy Trading and Marketing and Forrester Research, Inc.
Jillian holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Vermont and an MBA from the University of Utah.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Joe McArthur is focused on strengthening WECC's compliance and operational frameworks, building on his 38-year career at Portland General Electric. He actively engages in strategic planning and compliance efforts, ensuring that WECC adheres to NERC/FERC standards while also fostering a culture of safety and accountability across the organization. Joe is the chair of the Standards Committee and serves on the Finance and Audit Committee.
Job Titles:
- Bonneville Power Administration - Transmission / Member
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
- Vice President, Strategic Engagement and External Affairs
Kris Raper, Vice President of Strategic Engagement & External Affairs at WECC, leads the coordination and oversight of engagement with strategic partners and stakeholders. Kris works regionally and nationally to drive efforts, facilitate conversations, and educate on critical reliability and security matters for the Western Interconnection.
Before joining WECC, Kris served as a commissioner for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for seven years, where she adjudicated regulatory matters related to investor owned utilities and participated in numerous regional energy market collaborations. In 2021, she chaired the Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (WIRAB) and represented the West on the FERC and NARUC Joint Task Force on Electric Transmission.
Previously, Kris was a deputy attorney general representing the Idaho Commission. She holds a bachelor's in criminal justice from Boise State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law..
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Executive Team
- President
Melanie Frye, President and CEO of WECC, drives the organization's mission to mitigate risks to the reliability and security of the Western Interconnection's Bulk Power System. She excels in engaging with members, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, ensuring WECC's positive relationship with NERC and the ERO Enterprise.
Melanie is a transformational leader, crafting WECC's Invented Future framework and fostering a dynamic internal culture aligned with WECC's core mission. Her previous roles at WECC include Vice President of Reliability Planning and Performance Analysis, where she led technical and analytical functions, and Vice President of Shared Services, overseeing Human Resources, Finance, IT, Project Management, and Administrative Services. Joining WECC in 2007 as Director of Human Resources, Melanie has continually advanced within the organization.
Before WECC, Melanie was a Senior HR Consultant at PacifiCorp, advising leadership of multiple power generation facilities and supporting over 2,500 employees.
Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Weber State University and a Utility Executive Course Certificate from the University of Idaho.
Melanie Frye leads WECC with a clear focus on mitigating risks to the Western Interconnection's Bulk Power System. She is actively strengthening WECC's leadership culture and has shaped the organization's transformation by creating the Invented Future framework. Through strategic partnerships with members, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, Melanie ensures WECC remains at the forefront of energy reliability and security.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Board
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
As Chair of WECC, Richard Campbell is actively guiding the organization's strategic direction, ensuring the reliability and security of the Western Interconnection's Bulk Power System. He brings extensive regulatory expertise from his previous roles, including Chair of the Utah Public Service Commission, and continues to leverage his experience to shape WECC's policies and initiatives. Richard plays a key role in steering discussions with stakeholders and regulatory bodies across the region. Ric also serves on the Governance Committee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Richard Woodward actively advises WECC's board on financial strategy and energy policy, drawing from his extensive background in investment banking and consulting. As a retired partner from Deloitte Consulting, Richard applies his experience in the energy sector to assist WECC in strategy development and navigating complex economic and regulatory landscapes. Richard chairs the Finance and Audit Committee and serves on the Human Resources and Compensation Committee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Sarah Mugel brings over 30 years of leadership at National Fuel Gas Company, where she served as Corporate Responsibility Officer, Corporate Secretary, and General Counsel. In her role, she led ESG initiatives, engaged with investors, and advised the Board on executive compensation and governance policies.
With a strong background in legal services, corporate governance, and ESG strategy, along with board experience at the Erie County SPCA and INGAA, she is a dynamic addition to the WECC team. Sarah is also recognized as one of Buffalo Business First's Power 200 Women in 2021 and 2022. Sarah serves on the Governance and Human Resources and Compensations committees.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
- Vice President of Reliability and Security Oversight
Steven Noess, Vice President of Reliability and Security Oversight at WECC, joined the organization in April 2022. Steve leads the implementation of WECC's risk-informed Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program (CMEP) and manages the Oversight department's diverse teams, including Entity Monitoring, Oversight Planning and Registration, and Enforcement and Mitigation.
As a member of WECC's executive team, Steve drives strategy, collaboration, transformation, and engagement across the organization. Before WECC, Steve was Director of Regulatory Programs at NERC, where he led the alignment and oversight of CMEP activities.
Job Titles:
- Tucson Electric Power / Member