Published: 11-15-07
AUSTIN – Gov. Perry today named Barry T. Smitherman of Austin as chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. He replaces Paul Hudson who will continue to serve as a member of the commission and requested that a new chair be named. The three-member PUC encourages competition and customer choice in Texas and ensures electric and telephone operations services and rates are fair and reasonable. “In his nearly four years of service as PUC chairman Paul has worked tirelessly to improve competition in the retail electric market and to ensure an adequate and reliable supply of electricity for all Texans” said Gov. Perry. “I am certain that under Barry’s direction the commission will continue to develop policies and make decisions that ensure Texas utility costs remain competitive and affordable.”
Smitherman is a fourth generation Texan and has served on the PUC since 2004. Previously he spent more than 18 years in various public banking and legal positions. He is a past Harris County Assistant District Attorney and formerly managed the Houston public finance offices of Lazard Freres and J.P. Morgan. Smitherman is also past managing director and national director of the tax-exempt bond department at Bank One. He is a past adjunct professor of public administration at the University of St. Thomas in Houston a member of the State Bar of Texas and board member of Ballet Austin.
Smitherman graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He also received a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University where he received the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s first Joel Leff Fellowship in Political Economy.
