Scruggs joins Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District
Irene Scruggs joins NWCPUD’s executive management team as Chief Legal Officer
From Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District:
The Dalles, Oregon – Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District has selected Irene Scruggs as its new Chief Legal Officer. In this role, Scruggs will serve as general counsel to the NWCPUD’s Board of Directors and as a key strategic leader and partner to the General Manager and executive management team with programmatic responsibilities in several key areas of the utility. Scruggs will assume the position in January of 2024.
“Irene brings legal, regulatory and policy prowess to the District’s executive team,” said General Manager and CEO Roger Kline. “Her depth of expertise, combined with her ability to see the big picture and deliver results, will benefit the District’s strategic execution as we meet the needs of our customers and our growing community.”
Prior to joining NWCPUD, Scruggs was the Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel of the Public Power Council, the region’s largest association of consumer-owned utilities. For more than a decade, Scruggs advised the PPC board and members on a broad range of critical issues pertaining to the procurement and delivery of affordable, reliable, and clean electric power to communities across the Pacific Northwest. She advanced the interests of PPC’s members in a variety of forums and her advocacy and legal work contributed to hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for Northwest consumer-owned utilities that purchase wholesale electricity and transmission service from the Bonneville Power Administration. Scruggs also advised PPC board and staff on policies related to corporate governance, employment, and contracts issues.
“I’m thrilled to join the team at Northern Wasco County PUD as it embarks on so many exciting opportunities,” said Scruggs. “I look forward to working with such a progressive-minded leadership team and Board in implementing strategies that enhance the quality of products and services the District provides to its customer-owners.”
Prior to joining PPC, Scruggs was in private practice with large firms in Portland representing business clients in commercial litigation. As Chief Legal Officer, Scruggs will support the NWCPUD’s evaluation of future power supply agreements, enterprise risk management and corporate governance.
“This role allows me to contribute to the District’s key strategic decisions as it evaluates opportunities, manages risks and capitalizes on its competitive and geographic advantages while considering cost discipline, rate impacts and environmental benefits,” added Scruggs.
Scruggs holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science, with minors in analytical finance and business, from Gonzaga University, and a Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School. She is a member of the Oregon State Bar and the Washington State Bar.
