EWEB Commissioners Select Roger Gray as New General Manager

The Eugene Water & Electric Board of Commissioners has selected Roger Gray, a consultant and former California utility executive, as EWEB’s next general manager.

Commissioners on Friday, March 5, voted to offer the position to Gray, 48, who plans to be on the job May 1. He will replace Randy Berggren, who has led Oregon’s largest public utility for the past 20 years. Berggren plans to retire on May 1.

As general manager, Gray will direct a 520-employee utility that serves approximately 200,000 people with electricity and water in the Eugene metropolitan area and the lower McKenzie River Valley. EWEB is the nation’s 34th largest public power utility, in terms of customers served. EWEB’s combined electric and water revenue is approximately $310 million per year.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity at EWEB and look forward to working with the Board, EWEB employees and the community to build upon the tradition of excellent service to our customers,” said Gray.

“Under Mr. Berggren’s leadership, EWEB has been well positioned for the challenges of today and the future. Utilities provide critical services to society, and public power utilities have unique obligations. I understand the mission, take the obligations very seriously and look forward to getting to work in May.”

Gray currently lives in Alamo, Calif. He started a management consulting firm in 2004 after retiring from San Francisco-based Pacific Gas & Electric Co., where he had worked for 19 years. He held several positions at PG&E, ranging from operations to planning, including his last position as vice president and chief information officer.

Prior to his career at PG&E, Gray worked for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Edison, Bechtel Corp., and Duke/Louis Dreyfus Electric Power, Inc.

He holds bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Gray was selected from four finalists who were interviewed on March 1 by the Board and panels of EWEB employees, senior managers and community leaders.

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