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Wallen named general manager and CEO of Grant PUD

Wallen named general manager and CEO of Grant PUD
Rich Wallen was named to head Grant PUD (photo courtesy Grant PUD)

Grant PUD in Washington State named Rich Wallen as its new general manager and chief executive officer.

Wallen has served as interim general manager since Jan. 1, after former general manager Kevin Nordt stepped down to focus on his health and take on a new role ensuring the utility a reliable energy supply.

Commissioners pointed to Wallen’s knowledge, experience gained at Grant PUD and benefit of mentoring by Nordt for their decision.

“I can’t thank this team in here enough,” Wallen told commissioners and fellow executive managers. “Everybody’s been willing to help out, train and calibrate me when I needed to be calibrated… We’ve got a great group of folks on board, moving the District in a positive direction.”

Wallen joined Grant PUD in June 2017 as managing director of power production, overseeing hydropower operations and ancillary hydro programs. In his most recent role as chief operations officer, his responsibilities expanded to include power delivery, safety and operational excellence.

Wallen is a 30-year veteran of the energy industry. He grew up in West Virginia and joined the Navy. He spent more than a decade in the military, eventually becoming the chief mechanical operator aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. He holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in business from Clayton State University.

Grant PUD generates and delivers energy to millions of customers throughout the Pacific Northwest. The company owns and operates the 955.6-MW Priest Rapids and 1,092-MW Wanapum projects on the Columbia River, as well as operating the 9.4-MW Quincy Chute and 6.5-MW Potholes East Canal projects.