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BPA honors Energy Northwest CFO

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Bonneville Power Administration, an agency under the U.S. Department of Energy, presented Pasco, Wash., resident Brent J. Ridge with one of its highest honors as part of the agency’s 2016 Administrator’s Excellence Awards program.

The annual program honors employees and members of the public whose innovation, initiative, superior service or courageous acts have made exceptional contributions to BPA’s mission, the electric utility industry or the local community.

BPA Administrator Elliot Mainzer presented the awards earlier this month at BPA’s Portland headquarters. “These individuals represent excellence in everything they do,” said Mainzer. “No matter their corner of the organization or their specific job, they all do their work in the context of a bigger picture and greater cause, and they’ve made a difference through their tremendous contributions to BPA’s public service mission.” 

Ridge, who is vice president for corporate services and chief financial and risk officer at Energy Northwest in Richland, Wash., received the Administrator’s Exceptional Public Service Award. The award recognizes individuals or groups who have significantly contributed to BPA’s public service mission as it serves the Pacific Northwest.

Through strategic leadership, creative problem solving and a collaborative spirit, Ridge developed an integrated approach to manage BPA debt associated with Northwest nuclear power projects. Under Ridge’s leadership, Energy Northwest worked with BPA to extend the repayment date for $680 million. This action freed up BPA funds to pay off higher interest debt first, saving $300 million in gross interest through 2044.

“BPA is truly fortunate to have Brent as a partner. He’s an invaluable collaborator and helped to save millions of dollars benefiting Northwest ratepayers for years to come,” added Mainzer.

Ridge is a 1985 graduate of Clarkston High School, in Clarkston, Wash. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Idaho in 1990. Ridge also holds a 2006 master’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver, Colo.

AEA recipients were nominated by their peers and were evaluated on numerous criteria such as excellence in their chosen field, technical achievement, community outreach and service as an “unsung hero.”

 
 
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