PSC Fills Executive Director Position
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Public Service Commission has ended its search to fill the agency’s Executive Director position. Former Montana State Representative Brad Tschida has been selected and has agreed to take the job effective January 17, 2023.
The executive director serves as the Department’s Chief Administrative Officer, Chief of Staff, and Director of External Affairs. Job duties include planning, directing, managing and supervising the day-to-day internal operations of the department; carrying out the adopted plans and policies of the Commission; and overseeing the agency’s public affairs.
PSC Vice President Jennifer Fielder, who has been leading the agency’s internal reorganization efforts, said the position was created in 2021 after an audit review found the department had been falling short in administrative matters. The Commission initially hired retired public school administrator Erik Wilkerson, but he recently decided to return to the education sector.
“It is a demanding job with a significant amount of internal and external pressure,” Fielder said. “We needed someone with the right mix of professional skills who is also capable of shouldering those types of demands. Mr. Tschida is very well-qualified with his legislative leadership experience and diverse background in management, finance, education, and public policy spanning over 40 years.”
After completing 8 years of public service as a lawmaker including 2 years as Majority Leader for the Montana House of Representatives, Tschida said he felt a strong desire to continue serving the citizens of Montana. “I am humbled and excited at the opportunity to assist the Commission with its critical work of regulating Montana’s largest monopolies. I fully believe in the PSC’s mission to fairly balance the interests of regulated companies and the public they serve, and I look forward to focusing my attention on this vital objective for the PSC and the people of Montana as a whole.”
In addition to his legislative experience, Tschida provided business services under the oversight of the Department of Commerce, served as a high school administrator and dean of students, managed a number of private business operations, and worked as a financial advisor and licensed real estate agent. He is a lifelong Montana resident.
The longest serving member of the current Commission, Commissioner Tony O’Donnell, noted, “I believe Mr. Tschida will do an excellent job of managing the expectations of commissioners, supporting our expert staff, and assisting the PSC with our ongoing efforts to improve agency operations and ensure that consumers receive vital utility services at fair and just prices.”
The Public Service Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, landline telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and oversees natural gas pipeline safety and intrastate railroad safety. State and federal law requires the Commission to provide an opportunity for regulated utilities to earn a reasonable return on their investment and recover reasonable costs associated with providing public utility services. The elected five-member Commission and their staff are dedicated to fairly balancing the interests of regulated companies and the public they serve. For more information, visit https://psc.mt.gov, call 1-800-646-6150, follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC, or check for updates at Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.
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