Electric Utility Fundamentals + Insights – Puget Sound Energy – Virtual (Feb 15-16)

Booga is an experienced senior executive and advisor with a successful record of leading and partnering with stakeholders and teams to achieve great results, innovate and integrate technology and leading practices, navigate disruption, develop people, and a passion for safety. She has spent over three decades in the energy industry and most recently served as COO at Puget Sound Energy, where she was responsible for all facets of electric and gas operations, implementing strategies to modernize and digitize infrastructure and operations, and enable clean energy solutions. She was also responsible for safety operations and culture across the company.

Booga previously served on and chaired the Western Energy Institute board. She also chaired Edison Electric Institute’s National Response Executive Committee and served as an American Gas Association peer review executive. Booga has served as a member of the Energy System Industry Consortium Board at Washington State University and chaired the University of Washington’s Electrical Engineering Industry Consortium. Booga’s previous experience also includes labor relations, consumer goods manufacturing and vocational instruction.

Currently, Booga focuses on energy, infrastructure, and enabling strategy, policy, and technology. She also serves as an independent board director for a leading green hydrogen company. In addition to instructing for WEI, Booga is a speaker on leadership and professional development at university, industry and leadership events.

Booga holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington, a Master of Business Administration degree from City University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Data Science.

Eric Christenson brings 20 years’ industry experience and an inextinguishable energy for new ideas to the Western Energy Institute team.

In his role as Director of Program Curriculum + Engagement, Mr. Christenson works to ensure key industry information and education are available to all WEI Members and others in the energy business. He leads a team that provides nearly seventy courses annually to thousands of industry professionals. He also supports overall Member engagement and his teammates with his professional background in database marketing experience, analytics, and business consulting.

Mr. Christenson joined WEI after a wonderful career at Portland General Electric. While at PGE he developed and managed the company’s Enterprise Risk Management program and his ability to grasp complicated, interconnected opportunities brought him to work with several other areas including operations benchmarking, regulatory affairs, fleet services, AMI, and finance.

Prior to joining PGE, Mr. Christenson developed his skills in a leading internet marketing company and is role leading Strategy and Analysis at a lending company.

Mr Christenson earned his Bachelors in Mathematics and also in Economics from the University of Oregon. He has served the community as a past President of the Oregon Society of Association Management and Vice President of the Greater Portland Soccer District, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of Washington County’s citizen advisory organization.

Kristin Stathis has over 32 years of experience in the electric utility industry, including 27 years with Portland General Electric where she served in a variety of roles throughout the organization.

As Vice President of Operations Services for PGE, Kristin led teams responsible for supply chain, company fleet, property and facilities, corporate resiliency, security, safety and health, project management, change management and environmental services programs.

She previously served as VP of Customer Service Operations, where she oversaw metering, billing, payments, credit and collections, and the contact center. Kristin led PGE’s Customer Engagement Transformation program which culminated in the replacement of PGE’s customer information and meter data management systems. Other notable roles at PGE included assistant treasurer and manager of Corporate Finance and general manager of Power Supply Risk Management. She also served as PGE’s representative Board Member at the Western Energy Institute.

Currently, Kristin is serving as a contract subject matter resource for EY Consulting and enjoys part-time retirement.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University and a certificate in accounting from Portland State University.