Arlen Orchard

Arlen Orchard, who previously served as SMUD’s General Counsel, was named Chief Executive Officer and General Manager in April 2014. He reports to the SMUD Board of Directors. As CEO, he leads the sixth largest community-owned electric utility in the nation serving a population of
1.5 million residents and managing a $1.7 billion budget.

Orchard serves as the President of the California Municipal Utilities Association; on the board of directors and executive committee of the Large Public Power Council; and on the board of directors of the American Public Power Association. . He also serves on the boards of directors of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Valley Vision, Align Capital Region, WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment), and the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council. He was appointed to the Alliance Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficiency. Orchard frequently speaks on issues impacting the electric utility industry.

He received a juris doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law, a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno, and attended UCD’s Graduate School of Management.