OLYMPIA — Kenneth Collins, Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioner, has been elected president of the executive board of the Washington State Public Utility Association.

The District 2 representative on the Jefferson PUD was elected to the position on the Washington State Public Utility Association (WPUDA) board at its monthly meeting in April, according to a press release.

WPUDA represents 27 member PUDs in state, regional and national legislative and policy processes. It also offers training and networking opportunities to its members, as well as outreach and education about the role and value of PUDs to the public, the press release said.

Collins had served as board vice president and secretary before being elected president.

He serves as secretary of the board for Energy Northwest, the joint operating agency responsible for the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant and various solar and wind installations. Collins also serves on the boards of the Public Utility Risk Management Service and Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet).

George Caan, WPUDA executive director, said Collins brings a thoughtful leadership style to his new role.

“He is a good listener with a calm demeanor and is always respectful of differing ideas and opinions,” Caan said.

Dan Toepper, Jefferson County PUD board president, said that Collins also brings a dry sense of humor and an attention to detail to WPUDA and PUD meetings.

“Commissioner Collins is well liked and respected by his peers and I am certain his tenure as the leader of WPUDA will be productive.”

Toepper noted that Collins is the second Jefferson County PUD commissioner to serve as WPUDA president. The role was held by former Commissioner Ken McMillen when the PUD provided only water and septic services.

PUD District 1 Commissioner Jeff Randall praised Collins’ early broadband advocacy.

“The pandemic has made it clear that broadband is a necessity, and that PUDs have an increasingly significant role to play in expanding access,” Randall said. “Ken gets this. He’s been active and vocal on the issue for a long time.”

Collins was first elected to the Jefferson County PUD commission in 2014 and was re-elected in 2020. Prior to running for PUD Commissioner, he and his wife Judith founded Marrowstone Vineyards. Before moving to Washington state, Collins worked as a behavioral healthcare consultant to Fortune 100 companies, a manager at Chevron Corporation, and a psychotherapist in private practice.