In memory of Jim Jura, former BPA administrator

Former Administrator James J. Jura, who served as BPA's chief executive officer from 1986 to 1991, died March 18 at the age of 83 in Mission Hills, Kansas. During his tenure, Jura restored access to public bond markets and restructured more than $6 billion in debt, ensuring the region's energy future remained secure.

Jura was first employed at BPA as the assistant manager of the agency's Washington, D.C., office in 1978. He moved to Portland in 1980 to take on the position of executive assistant administrator, serving as a key member of the leadership team from 1980 to 1986. 

BPA employees who worked (and played) with Jura say he was a well-loved and talented visionary. Two current staffers fondly remember shooting hoops with Jura on the BPA basketball team, as well as his professionalism and strategic leadership. 

“Jim Jura was a tall Nebraska boy who loved basketball and his adopted home, the Pacific Northwest," says Roger Seifert, special assistant to the vice president of National Relations. “He helped lead the effort to implement the 1980 Northwest Power Act, and he served as a team-building, personable BPA administrator."

Seifert further describes Jura's role in implementing the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act. “When the Act was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 5, 1980, its main provisions had to be enacted within 90 days," he says. “Congress ordered the short timeline, and BPA Administrator Peter T. Johnson put Jim in charge of identifying what BPA had to do to implement the Act. Those were heady days."

John Williams, constituent account executive for Idaho, says, “Jim Jura was an avid basketball junkie. Once, BPA's basketball team had a game at Roosevelt High School. The other team didn't show up, and the refs called a forfeit. Jim asked the refs if we could use the court, and they said do whatever you want. Jim said, 'Ok, we're playing four-on-four full court!' After we played a few games, we all headed out to a local pub."

Wiliams also remembers Jura's effectiveness as a leader who supported decision-making at the local level. “Jim elevated managers of the four area offices to special executive status so decisions could be made in those areas instead of at headquarters," he says. “Jim also elevated the Fish and Wildlife Division leadership position to the executive level, and upgraded the Equal Employment Opportunity manager to the GS-15 level."

Former BPA Administrator Steve Wright, who served in the role from 2002 to 2013, says he learned much from Jura. “Jim was a mentor and friend in the more than 40 years that I worked for or with him. He was highly ethical and taught me valuable lessons about how to handle challenges that confront an administrator. He was also a great competitor on the basketball court and a total gentleman off it. I was glad he was able to join the gathering of ex-administrators a few years ago, providing us all a chance to share good memories."

“Jim and I were good friends and business colleagues for most of his time at BPA from 1980 to 1991," recalls Randy Hardy, who was the BPA administrator from 1991 to 1997. “When thinking about Jim and his time as BPA administrator, three qualities stand out: integrity, forthrightness and being an excellent listener. During his administrator tenure, Jim was instrumental in helping BPA recover from the WPPSS crisis, as well as building up nearly $1 billion in BPA financial reserves by refinancing BPA's outstanding debt."

Hardy's mention of the WPPSS crisis refers to a municipal bond default by the Washington Public Power Supply System in January 1983, when cost overruns and delays, along with a slowing of electricity demand growth, led BPA to cancel the construction of two nuclear plants, including one that was 75% complete. Describing Jura's help in strengthening BPA's financial outlook from the WPPSS debacle, (nicknamed “Whoops") Hardy says, “This financial cushion was critical in helping BPA avoid missing its future annual Treasury payments and remain financially stable during three consecutive very low water years in the early 1990s. Quite a legacy."

For a deep dive into Jura's time at BPA, see pages 105 to 108 of BPA's 75th anniversary book, "The Power of the River."

After Jura worked at BPA, he served for 25 years as the chief executive officer of Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Springfield, Missouri, from 1991 until 2016. Under his leadership, the cooperative experienced historic growth and financial stability. Jura's military service also shaped his career and leadership style. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1968. After completing his military service, Jura earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington and a master's in business administration in 1970.

Jura's earlier career included service in the Executive Office of the President under the Nixon and Ford administrations, where he shaped energy policy within the Office of Management and Budget. He also played a key role in the foundational years of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, helping to establish the agency's staffing and policy frameworks. Jim began his professional journey with The Boeing Company, supporting the iconic 707, 727 and 747 aircraft programs.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sylvia, his six children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.