Gov. Perry Appoints Anderson and Nelson to Public Utility Commission of Texas

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Kenneth W. Anderson Jr. of Dallas and Donna L. Nelson of Austin to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). The three-member PUC encourages competition and customer choice in Texas, and ensures electric and telephone operations, services and rates are fair and reasonable.

Anderson is an attorney in private practice with more than 20 years’ experience in corporate finance law and regulatory and administrative legal matters. He previously served as appointments secretary for Gov. Perry and chief deputy director of governmental appointments for former Gov. William Clements. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas’ Business Law and Administrative and Public Law sections, and a past member of the Securities Law and Corporation Law committees. He is also a past board member of the North Central Texas Health Facilities Development Corporation and Texas Securities Board, and past member of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Anderson received a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. Anderson’s term will begin Sept. 2, 2008, and he replaces Julie Parsley of Austin for a term to expire Sept. 1, 2011.

Nelson most recently served as a special assistant and advisor on energy, telecommunications and cable budget and policy issues in the Governor’s Office. She also assisted the Governor’s Competitiveness Council with the preparation of the Texas 2008 State Energy Plan. She previously served as director of the PUC telecommunications section and legal advisor to the PUC chairman. Additionally, she is a former assistant attorney general of Texas, where she specialized in antitrust lawsuits. Nelson is a member of the State Bar of Texas and past member of the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Delays. She received a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State College and a law degree from Texas Tech University. Nelson’s term will begin on Aug. 18, 2008, and she replaces Paul Hudson of Austin for a term to expire Sept. 1, 2009.