Elliot Mainzer leaving Bonneville Power Administration.

Mainzer was sworn in as the 15th administrator in BPA’s 83-year history on Feb. 20, 2014, after serving as acting administrator since July 2013. From day one, Mainzer prioritized taking care of the BPA workforce and building a healthier and stronger organizational culture, which he did by instituting safety as a core value and implementing a new executive structure, decision-making process and focusing on management excellence, diversity and inclusion. Under Mainzer’s leadership, BPA has achieved the strongest safety performance in the organization’s history.

Mainzer served as administrator during a period of significant industry change. In response, he led the development of BPA’s 2018-2023 strategic plan, which serves as a roadmap to sustain BPA’s financial strength, modernize BPA’s assets and system operations, provide competitive power products and services, and meet transmission customer needs efficiently and responsively. A central element of the strategic plan has been a focus on grid modernization and preparing BPA to adapt to evolving energy markets and new technologies. Mainzer also advanced new approaches to transmission planning and advocated for an enhanced regional resource adequacy program and a reinvigorated Northwest Power Pool.

Throughout his 18-year career at BPA, Mainzer focused on the opportunities and challenges of large-scale renewables integration and helped enable BPA to connect more than 5,000 MW of wind energy to its high-voltage transmission system.

In recent years, he has also worked to strengthen regional partnerships and understanding of shared interests within the Columbia River Basin on the complex issues associated with salmon recovery, hydroelectricity, tribal culture, navigation, irrigation, and rural economic development.

Mainzer will continue to serve as administrator through Aug. 31. DOE will announce an acting administrator at a later date to ensure a smooth transition.