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PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF NEVADA (PUCN)

Carson City Main Number (775) 684-6101
Policy Fax Number (775) 684-6110
Fax Number (775) 684-6120
Las Vegas Main Number (702) 486-7210
Las Vegas Fax Number (702) 486-7206
Commission Policy/Administration
Commission
Executive Director
Public Information Office
Consumer Outreach
Administration
Business Process
EFRM
Computer Systems
General Counsel
Administrative Attorneys
Case Management
Hearing Officers
Policy Analysis 
Regulatory Operations
Staff Legal Counsel
Resource and Market Analysis
Financial Analysis
Engineering
Rail Safety
Consumer Complaint Resolution



PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF NEVADA

Organizational Structure

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (“Commission”) is divided into two general sections: Commission Policy/Administration and Regulatory Operations. Commission Policy/Administration includes the Commissioners, the Executive Director, Administration, General Counsel, Hearing Officers and Policy Analysis. Regulatory Operations includes the enforcement and analytical staff of the Commission, containing the Director of Regulatory Operations, Staff Counsel, Resource and Market Analysis, Financial Analysis, Engineering, Rail Safety and Consumer Complaint Resolution.


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COMMISSION POLICY/ADMINISTRATION

Commission
The Commission has three Commissioners appointed by the Governor to a four-year term with one designated as the Chairman by the Governor. Each Commissioner presides over assigned dockets, handling all aspects of adjudication of the issues presented. The Commissioner then presents a final proposal for a vote by all three Commissioners.

Commissioners

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Alaina Burtenshaw Chairman(775) 684-6101 christensen@puc.nv.gov Las Vegas
Rebecca Wagner Commissioner(775) 684-6101 christensen@puc.nv.gov Carson City
David Noble Commissioner(775) 684-6101 christensen@puc.nv.gov Carson City

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Executive Director
The Executive Director, under the authority of the Commission as a whole, is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Commission. The Executive Director directs the daily operations of the agency. The Executive Director also serves as chief financial officer and supervises and manages the overall administrative operations of the agency, to include Regulatory Operations. The Executive Director ensures that all employees perform at a high level of competence and professionalism.

Executive Director Staff

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Crystal  Jackson Executive Director(775) 684-6177cjackson@puc.nv.govCarson City
Debra  Christensen Executive Assistant(775) 684-6191christensen@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Public Information Office
Public Information Office is responsible for coordinating all external communications with the public, media, financial community, trade organizations and other interested groups. The Public Information Officer (PIO) monitors state legislative activities and produces reports as needed, and interacts with other state agencies and branches of local, state and federal government to increase understanding of Commission activities. Additionally, the PIO is responsible for the production and dissemination of news releases and various reports and other printed material.

Public Information Office Staff

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Peter  Kostes Public Information Officer(775) 684-6118pkostes@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Consumer Outreach
Consumer Outreach is responsible for promoting public understanding of the Commission and its function, providing opportunities for interested persons to acquire information relating to issues pending before the Commission, and assisting individuals and organizations interested in the comment processes available through consumer sessions and other proceedings. This outreach takes place through presentations to business and community organizations, displays at various community events, production and dissemination of informational brochures, and management of the Commission website.

Consumer Outreach Staff

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Dawn  Rivard Consumer Outreach Director(702) 486-7214drivard@puc.nv.govLas Vegas

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Administration
Administration is responsible for the overall administrative operations of the Commission to include budget and fiscal management; assessments, fees and administrative fines; human resources and management services; computer systems and operations; and docketing and record keeping.

Administration Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Donna  Skau Commission Secretary(775) 684-6197dskau@puc.nv.govCarson City
Breanne  Potter Asst Commission Secretary(775) 684-6167bpotter@puc.nv.govCarson City
Kristy  Wahl Administrative Analyst(775) 684-6187kwahl@puc.nv.govCarson City
Cari  Eaton Management Analyst II(775) 684-6154ceaton@puc.nv.govCarson City
Jordan  Neubauer Accounting Assistant III(775) 684-6198jneubauer@puc.nv.govCarson City
Desiree  DeGraff-Tese Accountant Tech II(775) 684-6195ddegraff@puc.nv.govCarson City
Carla  Ulrych Admin Assistant IV(775) 684-6168culrych@puc.nv.govCarson City
Nicole  Albright Admin Assistant III(775) 684-6196nalbright@puc.nv.govCarson City
Lisa  Scott Admin Assistant III(702) 486-7217lmscott@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Elsa  Trejo Admin Assistant II(775) 684-6101etrejo@puc.nv.govCarson City
Hannah  Harrison Admin Assistant I(702) 486-7210hharrison@puc.nv.govLas Vegas

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Business Process Services
Business Process Services is responsible for the Commission’s core business processes relating to docket management. This includes implementing processes necessary to support the acceptance and management of “legally defensible” electronic documents and records. Business Process Services also manages the master dockets, prepares agenda meeting notices and maintains the Commission’s master calendar.

Business Process Services Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Karen  Taylor Business Process Analyst II(775) 684-6144kstaylor@puc.nv.govCarson City
Trisha  Osborne Business Process Analyst I(775) 684-6112trosborne@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Electronic Filings and Records Management
Electronic Filings and Records Management (EFRM) System Management is responsible for ensuring that: the Commission’s EFRM System is operational and available for use by employees of the Commission; access to public records stored in the EFRM System is available and accessible by utilities, the general public, media and other governmental entities; the technical infrastructure of the system is leveraged, enhanced and maintained based on the needs of the Commission; the records stored in the system can be archived for historical purposes; the system supports the submission of electronic filings submitted over the Internet and over the counter; the EFRM System security is maintained; and support, training and documentation for use of the EFRM System is available.

Electronic Filings and Records Management Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Rupert  White EFRM System Manager(775) 684-6129rwhite@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Computer Systems
Computer Systems is responsible for the direct provision of computer assistance services to all employees of the Commission; oversight and maintenance of the local area network for the Commission; maintenance and updates of the database applications programs and records management system used by the Commission for docketing and docket tracking; security and data integrity of the database tables where the docketing information is stored; and oversight and maintenance of the Commission's video conferencing system and website.

Computer Systems Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Jeffrey  D'Amario Manager, Systems Operations(775) 684-6192jdamario@puc.nv.govCarson City

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General Counsel
General Counsel is responsible for representing the Commission’s interests in all proceedings in state and federal court. The division: represents the Commission's interests before various state and federal regulatory agencies including the FERC; counsels commissioners and administrative attorneys on legal and policy issues; and reviews and approves notices, orders, notices of agenda meetings, regulations, legislation and other legal documents prepared by administrative attorneys and the legal case manager. The division is also responsible for case management and reviewing the Commission's administrative procedures to assure compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act as well as other statutes and regulations applicable to the Commission.

General Counsel Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Jan  Cohen General Counsel(702) 486-7242jcohen@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Darci  Hayden Legal Research Assistant(775) 684-6108dhayden@puc.nv.govCarson City
Meredith  Barnett Case Manager(775) 684-6176mbarnett@puc.nv.govCarson City
Anna  Penrose-Levig Asst General Counsel(775) 684-6174alevig@puc.nv.govCarson City
Jordan  Pinjuv Asst General Counsel(702) 486-7237jpinjuv@puc.nv.govLas Vegas

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Administrative Attorneys
Administrative Attorneys are responsible for: providing preliminary advice and counsel to the assigned Commissioner; interpreting relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures as they apply to specific utility issues; drafting legally sufficient opinions, notices, orders and regulations for the Commissioners; and making fair and impartial recommendations to the Commissioners based on fact and conclusions of the law.

Administrative Attorneys

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Diana  Genasci Admin Attorney (Noble)(775) 684-6173dgenasci@puc.nv.govCarson City
Garrett  Weir Admin Attorney (Wagner)(775) 684-6185gweir@puc.nv.govCarson City
Shelly  Cassity Admin Attorney (Burtenshaw)(702) 486-7218scassity@puc.nv.govLas Vegas

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Hearing Officers
The Commission currently has two Hearing Officers appointed by the Commissioners. Each Hearing Officer presides over assigned dockets, handling all aspects of adjudication of the issues presented. The Hearing Officer then presents a final proposal for a vote by all three Commissioners.

Hearing Officers

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Nancy  Wenzel Utilities Hearing Officer(775) 684-6180nwenzel@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Policy Analysis
Policy Analysis is responsible for providing technical support and advice to the Commissioners. This involves evaluating, analyzing and interpreting utility data; drafting orders and regulations and ensuring they are technically accurate, consistent and complete; and providing technical assistance to the Commission during hearings and rulemaking sessions. The division also provides technical assistance to General Counsel during all proceedings before state and federal courts as well as federal regulatory agencies.

Policy Analysis Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Paul  Anderson Manager, Policy Analysis(775) 684-6182panderso@puc.nv.govCarson City
Karen  Olesky ARRA Policy Advisor(702) 486-7908kolesky@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
David  Chairez Policy Advisor(702) 486-7911dchairez@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Jon  Davis Policy Advisor(702) 486-7244jdavis@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Craig  McDonnell Policy Advisor(775) 684-6149cmcdonnell@puc.nv.govCarson City
Steve  Traxler Policy Advisor(775) 684-7582straxler@puc.nv.govCarson City

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REGULATORY OPERATIONS

Regulatory Operations Staff (“Staff”) appears and participates in cases before the Commission as an independent party, balancing the interests of ratepayers and utility shareholders to ensure safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates.

Director
The Director of Regulatory Operations supervises and manages all aspects of Regulatory Operations, consisting of Staff Legal Counsel and five technical divisions. Responsibilities include: organizing and managing all regulatory functions, making recommendations to the Commission regarding public utility matters, and assuring that consumer issues are resolved fairly.

Regulatory Operations Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Anne-Marie  Cuneo Dir of Regulatory Operations(775) 684-6135amcuneo@puc.nv.govCarson City
Mahin  Quintero Executive Assistant(775) 684-6105mquintero@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Staff Legal Counsel
Staff Legal Counsel is responsible for providing legal counsel and support to Regulatory Operations management and employees. These duties include: formulating legal strategy and legal positions regarding utility filings; drafting case discovery; reviewing utility filings for legal adequacy and content; and preparing pleadings, briefs, responses to petitions, stipulations and other filings applicable to the regulation of Nevada utilities.

Staff Legal Counsel Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Tamara  Cordova Staff Counsel(702) 486-7905tcordova@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Tina  Roberts Supr, Lgl Secretary, Case Mngr(775) 684-6141troberts@puc.nv.govCarson City
Zina  Hrycenko-Lee Legal Secretary(775) 684-6102zinalee@puc.nv.govCarson City
Shayla  Hooker Legal Secretary(702) 486-7275shooker@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Samuel  Crano Asst Staff Counsel(775) 684-6151scrano@puc.nv.govCarson City
Jermaine  Grubbs Asst Staff Counsel(702) 486-7239jgrubbs@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Cheryl  Hachman Legal Case Manager(702) 486-7904chachman@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Donald  Lomoljo Asst Staff Counsel(775) 684-6121dlomoljo@puc.nv.govCarson City
Debrea  Terwilliger Asst Staff Counsel(775) 684-6152dterwilliger@puc.nv.govCarson City
Louise  Uttinger Asst Staff Counsel(775) 684-6124uttinger@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Resource and Market Analysis
Resource and Market Analysis is responsible for all economic analyses of public utility performance; rate design; operating authority; mergers; competition; interconnection; and tariff reviews, and monitoring universal energy charge collections. The division also provides information to the public regarding installation of renewable facilities, participation in the renewable portfolio standard, and the availability of incentive or subsidy programs.

Resource and Market Analysis Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Yasuji  Otsuka Manager, Resource & Market(775) 684-6131yotsuka@puc.nv.govCarson City
Cristina  Zuniga Economist(775) 684-6127czuniga@puc.nv.govCarson City
Darci  Dalessio PEC Administrator(775) 684-6171dalessio@puc.nv.govCarson City
Monsur  Ahmed Economist(775) 684-6160mahmed@puc.nv.govCarson City
Anita  Castledine Economist(775) 684-6162acastledine@puc.nv.govCarson City
Ronald  Knecht Senior Economist(775) 684-6134rknecht@puc.nv.govCarson City
Manny  Lopez Economist(775) 684-6163lopez@puc.nv.govCarson City
Anita  Whitmore Senior Utility Analyst(775) 684-6138whitmore@puc.nv.govCarson City
Jeanne  Yaple Senior Utility Analyst(775) 684-6157jyaple@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Financial Analysis
Financial Analysis is responsible for all financial analyses of public utility performance, including project management and audit of deferred energy and purchase gas adjustments, mobile home park utility expenditures, operating authority, and annual reporting.

Financial Analysis Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Rex  Bosier Manager, Financial Analysis(775) 684-6148rbosier@puc.nv.govCarson City
Mary  Thompson Admin Assistant III(775) 684-6155mthompson@puc.nv.govCarson City
John  Brownrigg Financial Analyst(702) 486-7241jbrownrigg@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Fred  Buck Financial Analyst(775) 684-6190fbuck@puc.nv.govCarson City
Kim  Lighthart Financial Analyst(702) 486-7233klighthart@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Nichole  Matzek Financial Analyst(775) 684-6170nmatzek@puc.nv.govCarson City
Richard  Phillips Financial Analyst(775) 684-6125raphillips@puc.nv.govCarson City
Matthew  Rice Financial Analyst(702) 486-7276mrice@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Mary  Sullivan Financial Analyst(775) 684-6156msullivan@puc.nv.govCarson City
Charles  Whitman Financial Analyst(702) 486-7906cwhitman@puc.nv.govLas Vegas

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Engineering
Engineering is responsible for monitoring the implementation of electric renewable portfolio standards and demand-side management activities as well as forecasting Nevada’s electric energy and capacity requirements. The division monitors water and wastewater utilities for quality of service, environmental compliance and financial performance; and reviews UEPA applications for construction permits for compliance with environmental requirements for new water and/or wastewater facilities. The division also implements a gas pipeline safety program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Engineering Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Paul  Maguire Manager, Engineering(775) 684-6143pmaguire@puc.nv.govCarson City
Beth  Dunning Admin Assistant III(775) 684-6104bdunning@puc.nv.govCarson City
Gary  Cameron Resource Planning Engineer(775) 684-6137gcameron@puc.nv.govCarson City
Adam  Danise Electrical Engineer(702) 486-7299adanise@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Jason  Dunphy Gas Pipeline Engineer(775) 443-8968jdunphy@puc.nv.govCarson City
Mark  Harris ARRA Electrical Engineer(775) 684-6165mpharris@puc.nv.govCarson City
Kenneth  Jones Gas Pipeline Engineer(775) 684-6147kenjones@puc.nv.govCarson City
Percival  Lucban Electrical Engineer(702) 486-7094plucban@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Neil  Pascual Gas Pipeline Engineer(702) 305-9519npascual@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Edmund  Quaglieri Senior Engineering Analyst(775) 684-6179equaglieri@puc.nv.govCarson City
Craig  Rogers Gas Pipeline Engineer(702) 469-6733crogers@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Adam  Roney Senior Analyst(775) 684-6140aroney@puc.nv.govCarson City
Clark  Stoner Senior Gas Pipeline Engineer(775) 684-6139cstoner@puc.nv.govCarson City
Janelle  Thomas Water Engineer(775) 684-6146jkthomas@puc.nv.govCarson City
Wayne  Whitaker Gas Pipeline Engineer(702) 249-9462wwhitaker@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Jason  Woodruff Electrical Engineer(775) 684-6133jwoodruff@puc.nv.govCarson City

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Rail Safety
Rail Safety in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration participates in the enforcement of federal safety regulations and orders applicable to railroad track, hazardous materials shipments, rolling equipment and operations in Nevada. The division also reviews applications to modify or construct new railroad crossings.

Rail Safety Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Vic  Crumley Safety Supervisor, Railway(702) 486-7907vcrumley@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Roland  Figueroa Safety Specialist III, Railway(702) 486-7274rfigueroa@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Jerrina  McKinney Safety Specialist III, Railway(702) 486-7216mckinney@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Thomas  Miller Safety Specialist III, Railway(702) 486-7240tlmiller@puc.nv.govLas Vegas

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Consumer Complaint Resolution
Consumer Complaint Resolution is responsible for responding to utility consumer needs, problems and inquiries. The division is responsible for receiving, investigating and mediating complaints that arise between customers and their serving utilities including electric, gas, telecommunications, water and sewer. The division also tracks complaint levels and apprises the Commission of arising problem areas. Additionally, it makes recommendations to the Commission and the utilities regarding possible changes in policies or practices relating to the improvement of customer service and complaint resolution.

Consumer Complaint Resolution Staff Members

NameTitleTelephoneE-mailLocation
Karina  Aldana Admin Assistant III(702) 486-7228kaldana@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Kellie  Bowman Compliance Investigator II(775) 684-6117bowman@puc.nv.govCarson City
Alicia  Cager Compliance Investigator II(702) 486-7910acager@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Erika  Hernandez Compliance Investigator II(702) 486-7235hernandez@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Azucena  Maldonado Compliance Investigator II(702) 486-7230maldonado@puc.nv.govLas Vegas
Chris  Sewell Senior Compliance Investigator(775) 684-6119csewell@puc.nv.govCarson City
     
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