PUCO Nominating Council Selects Six for Interviews

Six individuals will be interviewed later today (Friday, Feb. 19) in round two of the search to find the next Public Utilities Commission of Ohio commissioner for a seat that opens in April. Last month, Gov. Mike DeWine rejected the initial list of four finalists submitted by the PUCO Nominating Council.

Those selected for interviews are:

• Daniel Shields, director of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel’s analytical department (Independent);
• Jade Davis, vice president of external affairs for Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority (Democrat);
• Jenifer French, former Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge (Republican);
• Melissa Shilling, chair of the Environmental Review Appeals Commission (Republican);
• Nancy Hammond, former Fayette County Common Pleas Court judge (Republican); and
• Virginia King, Refining Sustainability Manager for Marathon Petroleum LP (Republican).

After conducting private interviews, the council will advance four finalists to the governor. The appointment is subject to Senate approval. 2/19/2021