Tom McDonald named chief financial officer

The Bonneville Power Administration has named Tom McDonald as executive vice president and chief financial officer. McDonald served as executive vice president of Compliance, Audit and Risk Management since 2017. McDonald begins his new role May 18. As CFO, McDonald will oversee the setting of BPA’s approximate $1 billion annual capital budget and nearly $4 billion expense budget, as well as the agency’s accounting, debt management, cash management and investor activities. 

“Tom has played a crucial role in BPA’s leadership and success since joining the agency in 2007,” said Administrator and CEO John Hairston. “His extensive cross-agency expertise and background in financial accounting and auditing will allow him to effectively lead the Finance organization as it continues to play a key role in BPA’s mission and strategy implementation.”

McDonald has more than 20 years of experience leading complex and highly regulated compliance and governance programs. He previously worked as a senior auditor for a multi-national accounting firm and has experience managing financial accounting and reporting for a publicly traded company and a nonprofit organization.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to join BPA’s highly professional Finance team at such a pivotal time,” said McDonald. "The entire team remains committed to sustaining the agency’s financial strength and competitive rates as BPA invests in generating and transmission infrastructure to meet the region’s growing energy needs.”

McDonald joined BPA in 2007 and held roles within BPA’s internal controls, governance, risk and compliance functions. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bob Jones University. McDonald lives in Camas, Washington, with his wife and has four grown children. He is an avid hiker and college football fan.