Tempe, Arizona – Sacramento, CA – April 3, 2013

Western Grid Group, a progressive policy advocacy project of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT), announced today that Amanda Ormond, an energy consultant and former state energy official, will take over leadership of the organization as Managing Director.

Ormond replaces David Olsen, who led the group for the past three years. Olsen will now focus on his responsibilities on the Board of Governors of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which operates the grid serving most of California and the state’s wholesale electricity market.

John White, CEERT Executive Director, welcomed Ormond to her new role. “Amanda’s outstanding communication and collaboration skills will enable her to make Western Grid Group an even more effective force for modernizing the western electric grid.”

Ormond, who is a former director of the Arizona State Energy Office said, “Western Grid Group will continue its work with regulators, utilities and stakeholders to transition the West to a more intelligent, integrated and flexible transmission grid capable of delivering more secure and sustainable electric service.”