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