Puget Sound Energy hires Mary Kipp as new president

Puget Sound Energy recently announced the appointment of Mary Kipp as president of the company.

Kipp joins Puget Sound from El Paso Electric, where she was president and CEO. She will report to Kimberly Harris, who is CEO of the utility. It is expected that Kipp will assume the additional role of CEO when Harris retires in January 2020.

“In Mary, we have found a uniquely qualified leader who brings deep industry experience and shares our commitments to customers, to clean energy, and to being a key part of the community,” Scott Armstrong, Puget Sound Energy board member and chair of the board’s search process, said.

Kipp has been with El Paso Electric since 2007. She became CEO in 2015 and has served as president since 2014.

“PSE is at the center of one of the most dynamic regions in the world,” Kipp said. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to join the team and lead their efforts to serve such an amazing area, to be part of their transition to a clean energy future, and to ensure PSE is our customers’ trusted energy partner. I look forward to continuing the wonderful work done by Kimberly and her team.”

Prior to El Paso Electric, Kipp was a prosecuting attorney for FERC for four years, investigating and prosecuting violations of federal energy laws.

Harris welcomed Kipp to the company.

“It’s been such a tremendous honor to lead the team of 3,200 employees at PSE,” Harris, who has been at the helm for nearly 10 years, said. “I’ve loved each and every moment. And I’m so excited to welcome Mary to the region and the team. She embodies our vision and values and will be an incredible asset to the team and to the customers and communities we serve.”

Kipp is chair of SEPA (Smart Power Electric Alliance), the deputy chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, chair of the Borderplex Alliance, and on the executive committee of the Texas Business Leadership Council.