Dave Armstrong, Bonneville Power Administration executive vice president and chief financial officer, will serve as the agency's acting deputy administrator for six months beginning March 1.

"I am delighted that Dave is taking on this challenge," said Administrator Steve Wright. "He has an excellent relationship with our utility customers and is greatly respected by managers and staff across the agency. His deep understanding of our fiscal tools and market risks will be especially valuable."

As chief financial officer since 2005, Armstrong has presided over development of the highly regarded Integrated Business Review, in which BPA customers and interested parties track the agency's financial performance each quarter and review its program costs before those are included in its wholesale power and transmission rates.

Before becoming CFO, Armstrong managed BPA's Power Services' trading floor, which is responsible for marketing BPA surplus power and purchasing power when necessary to meet BPA's power supply obligations to Northwest electric utilities. Armstrong has previously filled roles as capital and risk manager in Finance, as manager of BPA's rates staff, and other roles in power marketing, rates and load forecasting. Armstrong joined BPA in 1980.

Armstrong will replace Allen Burns, who has been serving as acting deputy administrator and is returning to his permanent role as vice president of Bulk Hub Marketing in Power Services. BPA is rotating senior executives through the deputy administrator position on an acting basis until that role is permanently filled.