BPA solidifies senior leadership positions; Suzanne Cooper named deputy administrator and COO

The Bonneville Power Administration has filled key senior executive positions following leadership departures earlier in the year.

Suzanne Cooper will serve as BPA's first deputy administrator and chief operating officer. Cooper, who has been acting COO since March, is gaining the designation of deputy administrator to establish a clear chain of command. The administrator's decision to merge the deputy administrator and COO roles also streamlines and strengthens executive oversight of the agency's day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives.

As BPA's deputy administrator and COO, Cooper is the first assistant to the administrator, participates jointly with the administrator on national policy initiatives, and acts with the full range of the administrator's authority and responsibility in his absence.

“Solidifying Suzanne's role positions BPA to optimize our delivery of abundant, reliable and affordable power and transmission services," said Administrator and CEO John Hairston. “Suzanne brings more than 20 years of management experience to the role, including 14 years of executive leadership. Her expanded role will support sound decision-making and ensure BPA is executing our priorities in the most efficient manner."

Cooper was previously BPA's senior vice president of Power Services. She began her career with BPA in 1991 after graduating with an economics degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She initially demonstrated skillful leadership as a manager in Generation Asset Management before overseeing the Power Policy and Rates organization and then becoming vice president of Bulk Marketing.

Several other leaders in acting positions since March have also been made permanent:

• Michelle Cathcart will serve as the permanent senior vice president of Power Services, effective Oct. 19.  In this position, she is responsible for the acquisition, sales and scheduling of wholesale and bulk power; generation asset management of the federal hydro system and one nuclear plant; energy conservation; management of wholesale power contracts and rates; and business relationships with more than 140 retail utility customers.  

• Mike Miller will serve as the permanent senior vice president for Transmission Services, effective Oct. 19.  In this role, he is responsible for BPA's high-voltage transmission grid, including 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage line spanning a 300,000 square mile service area. 

• Rachel Dibble will serve as the permanent vice president of Generation Asset Management effective, Nov. 2. In this position, she is responsible for hydro operations and maintenance, and capital investments at the 31 federal dams and one nuclear power plant that comprise the FCRPS. 

“With their deep knowledge and breadth of experience, I am confident these leaders will continue to provide the stability and strategic direction needed to drive BPA's continued success," said Hairston.