March 23, 2016: Paul A. Thomsen, Public Utilities Commission of Nevada
Paul A. Thomsen became Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on Oct. 1, 2015. Gov. Brian Sandoval appointed Chairman Thomsen to replace outgoing Commissioner Rebecca Wagner. Previously, Chairman Thomsen served as Gov. Sandoval’s appointee as the Director of the Governor's Office of Energy. He was selected for that position in September 2013.
Prior to his service as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Energy, Chairman Thomsen was the Director of Policy and Business Development for Ormat Technologies, a leading vertically integrated global provider of a diverse range of renewable energy solutions, headquartered in Reno. He has also worked for the law firm of Lionel Sawyer and Collins, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, and U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan.
In addition, he was President of the Board of Directors of the Geothermal Energy Association, Chairman of the U.S. Clean Heat and Power Association, President of the Nevada Geothermal Council, and industry expert for the U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Program Blue Ribbon Panel. He also served on the boards of the Economic Development Authority of Nevada, Nevada Mining Association, Nevada Lung Association and AVA Ballet.
Chairman Thomsen earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno.