Contact: Regina Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org

Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee Commissioners Appointed to NARUC’s Board of Directors

WASHINGTON (December 5, 2019)—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Brandon Presley of Mississippi has announced the appointment of several commissioners to the Board of Directors. Commissioner Julie Imanuel Brown of the Florida Public Service Commission, Commissioner Kenneth C. Hill of the Tennessee Public Utility Commission and Commissioner Eric F. Skrmetta of the Louisiana Public Service Commission have joined the board. Skrmetta was also appointed as vice chair of the Washington Action Program.

Brown has served on the Florida PSC since 2011 and was the chairman from January 2016 to January 2018. Before joining the PSC, she was an associate legal counsel of First American Corporation, responsible for legal issues in the Eastern, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic Regions, including corporate compliance with regulatory authorities. Brown also worked as a corporate attorney at Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, LLP, in Tampa, Fla., specializing in mergers and acquisitions and securities law. She holds a B.S. from the University of Florida and a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

“I’m extremely grateful for the appointment to the NARUC Board and appreciate all of the hard work being done by Brandon Presley—it’s demanding work, and he’s showing exemplary leadership. I look forward to joining him in our critical role to serve the public interest,” said Brown.

Hill is vice chairman of the Tennessee PUC and served as a commissioner since 2009, including chairman. He is the President and CEO of the nonprofit Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation in Bristol, Tenn. (licensee of WHCB 91.5 FM) and has consulted in the areas of technical writing, communications and various aspects of media acquisition, appraisal and utilization. He has a B.S. from East Tennessee State University, an M.S. from Indiana State University, a B.A. from Baptist Christian College, a Master of Religious Education from Manahath School of Theology and a Doctor of Religious Education from Andersonville Baptist Seminary.

“I am honored to join the NARUC Board of Directors and I thank President Presley for this appointment,” said Hill. “As a member of the Association’s supervisory body, I look forward to working alongside my fellow commissioners to ensure that NARUC continues to achieve its mission of serving the public interest through effective utility regulation.”

Skrmetta was elected to the Louisiana PSC in 2008 and was re-elected December 6, 2014. He has been a practicing attorney since 1985 and a practicing mediator since 1989. He received a B.S. from Louisiana State University in 1981, a J.D. from Southern University Law School in 1985 and an LL.M. in Admiralty from Tulane University Law School in 1986.

“It is a tremendous honor to serve in a role that will allow me to shape public policy for generations to come. Our Association’s advocacy and outreach to improve utilities, while also protecting consumers and our environment, is a responsibility that I am eager to accept,” said Skrmetta.

“These commissioners are exemplary, dedicated public servants who are well-equipped to help
lead NARUC,” said Presley. “I am pleased to welcome them to the board and grateful for their
commitment to serve.”

The board consists of 20 members, plus the Association's president, the first and second vice
presidents and each past-president who is still an active NARUC member. The chair of each
standing committee is also a member of the board, which oversees the Association's general
and financial functions and approves resolutions that serve as the Association's policy.
Members are appointed by the current NARUC president and serve four-year terms.

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About NARUC

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.