Hairston named CEO of Portland’s Bonneville Power Administration

John Hairston was tapped as the administrator and CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in Portland, Ore.

Hairston, who was appointed to the post by Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, has served as acting administrator and CEO since September 2020. Before that, he served as chief operating officer at BPA and has worked at the organization for 29 years in various roles.

In this role, Hairston will lead BPA, the Pacific Northwest’s Federal Power Marketing Administration. It generates about $4 billion annually, provides roughly 27 percent of the electric power generated in the Northwestern United States, and maintains more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission line.

“John has made a lasting and significant impact on the Bonneville Power Administration over the past 29 years, and I am proud to announce him as the new Administrator,” Brouillette said. “BPA is an important provider of reliable, renewable hydroelectric and clean nuclear power to the Pacific Northwest, and John’s commitment to serve BPA will support the Department’s critical energy mission.”

Brouillette said Hairston’s wide range of experiences at BPA will be invaluable in representing the organization’s interests and region in policy establishment at the national level.

“I am truly honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead BPA during this dynamic time, we will continue to deliver on our strategic goals in order to remain a long-term provider of choice for low-cost, reliable, and responsible carbon-free power,” Hairston said. “I will continue to work closely with BPA’s utility customers, Federal partners, State and local elected officials, tribal leaders and other stakeholders in the region to ensure the Federal power system continues to meet a diverse set of needs and purposes as we address the energy and environmental challenges facing the Northwest.”