My Last PUF. February to be Rachel’s First
Steve Mitnick has authored five books on the economics, history, and people of the utilities industries. While in the consulting practice leadership of McKinsey & Co. and Marsh & McLennan, he advised utility leaders. He led a transmission development company and was a New York Governor’s chief energy advisor. Mitnick was an expert witness appearing before utility regulatory commissions of six states, D.C., FERC, and in Canada, and taught microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics at Georgetown University.
You say yes.
I say no.
You say stop.
And I say go, go, go.
Oh no.
You say goodbye.
And I say hello, hello, hello.
I don’t know why you say goodbye.
I say hello, hello, hello.
I don’t know why you say goodbye.
I say hello.
(“Hello, Goodbye,” The Beatles, 1967)
Among the tasks of a leader is to select and smooth the path for a worthy successor. And that is what I, with tremendous support from SEPA, have managed to do.
Rachel Bryant will take the helm at Public Utilities Fortnightly starting with February’s issue. This old salt hands off the ship’s wheel to Rachel, after this issue, January’s PUF, my last.
My first issue was February’s PUF as well, though ten years ago, in 2016. What a voyage! Back there the waters were rough. But Neptune, in the form of Tom Kuhn, Tom Fanning, David Owens, Arshad Mansoor, Sue Kelly, Bob Rowe, Chris Crane, and too many others to name, calmed the waters for ship PUF to navigate through to port.
For PUF’s next voyage, this proud boat could not be in better hands. We found Rachel last May. We knew almost immediately that she would be the one to steer us into our second hundred years of seaworthy service, bearing as always towards utility service in the public interest.
Rachel was trained as an engineer and a lawyer. She served at FERC and the Western Area Power Administration. Then as a consultant to our industry, and afterwards with a vendor to utilities.
She is a superb writer and a super-engaging communicator. She can be so funny and yet is 24/7 passionate about utility regulation and its essential role in our homes, our businesses, and our nation.
Paul McCartney wrote this song for the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour album to express how a bittersweet parting can be joyful too. I do now say goodbye. But joyfully, as I step ashore, and wave a fond farewell to Rachel and PUF and SEPA, as they set sail. And most devotedly to you, the PUF reader.
But don’t be surprised if you see me at the next NARUC meeting.
