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Carson City – Governor Jim Gibbons today appointed Samuel
Allen Thompson to serve on the Public Utilities Commission of
Nevada (PUCN) and simultaneously appointed current Commissioner
Jo Ann Kelly chairman of the PUCN. Together, these appointments
fill the vacancy that will be created by the departure of
current Chairman Don Soderberg, whose resignation takes effect
July 13th.
“Sam Thompson has outstanding credentials for a PUC
commissioner. He has served as a judge, a judicial referee, a
mediator and a regulator. He has earned a reputation for
fairness by carefully listening to both sides of a case and
making a decision based on solid principle. He is the exactly
the sort of person who should represent Nevadans in utilities
issues,” said Governor Gibbons.
Samuel Thompson currently serves on the Nevada Transportation
Authority, which regulates busses, taxicabs and household
movers. Before he was appointed to
the Authority last year, Thompson served on the Standing
Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices.
His extensive background includes the practice of law, law
enforcement, education, corrections, administration, training
and mediation. He also served as judge for the General Sessions
Court of Shelby County Tennessee, Division VI from 1990 until
1998. Thompson earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Cecil
Humphery School of Law at the University of Memphis in 1984. He
lives in Las Vegas.
“I’m honored that the governor has expressed his faith in my
abilities by appointing me to this important position. I share
Governor Gibbons’ desire to develop renewable energy sources
within Nevada, and I’m looking forward to working with the
industry, the legislature and consumers to find the balance
needed to foster the development of this energy for the benefit
of all Nevadans,” said Thompson.
Jo Ann Kelly shares an interest in developing renewable energy
sources. Kelly has an extensive history of service in Nevada
government, beginning with her appointment to the Nevada Welfare
Board by Governor O’Callaghan and her reappointment by Governor
List in the 1970s. Governor Richard Bryan first appointed her
to the Public Utilities Commission (then known as the Public
Service Commission) in 1985, making her the first commissioner
to serve in the new Las Vegas office. She was re-appointed by
Governor Bob Miller, and continued to serve as a commissioner
until 1996. Governor Kenny Guinn brought her back to the
Commission through his appointment in 2005. Governor Gibbons
becomes the sixth governor to appoint her to a Nevada regulatory
board and the fourth to appoint her to the PUCN.
“Jo Ann Kelly has vast experience in Nevada’s energy matters,”
said Governor Gibbons. "We need that experience as we
meet the challenges of building the infrastructure to support
our continuing growth. I know Jo Ann shares my goal of an
energy-independent Nevada, and her expertise in resource
planning will be a significant factor in moving us in that
direction.”
“I appreciate the governor’s confidence in me,”
Kelly said. "As our energy demand rises with our growth,
we must ensure that our utility companies are building a supply
system that can provide reliable power for Nevadans for
generations to come. I am committed to making sure our
consumers get that reliable power at the best possible price.”
Kelly’s chairmanship and Thompson’s commission appointment both
take effect July 13th. |
