Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Contact: Beth Gianforcaro, 614-466-9491

Krebs elected Chairman of the OCC's Governing Board

New board members contribute to first meeting

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sept. 18, 2012 – During the regular meeting today of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) Governing Board, Gene Krebs, of Camden, was elected as its new chairman.

Mr. Krebs has served on the board representing residential consumers since 2005 and has been vice-chairman since 2011. As chairman, Mr. Krebs replaces John Moliterno, of Girard, whose term on the board expired this month.

"It is my honor to serve as the Chairman of the OCC Governing Board that is dedicated to representing Ohio's residential utility consumers," Mr. Krebs said. "The newly appointed board members have already contributed greatly to the diversity of opinions needed to be an effective advocate for Ohio's residential consumers."

By law, the bipartisan board is made up of nine members – three each representing residential consumers, organized labor and family farmers. These board members are appointed by the Ohio Attorney General for a term of three years.

Earlier this month, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced three appointments to the OCC Governing Board:

Jason D. Clark of Dayton will represent organized labor. He currently serves as business representative for the members of Millwright Local 1090, where he is also a board member.
Susheela D. Suguness of Dublin will represent residential consumers. She is the owner of Prime Engineering and Architecture, Inc.
Stuart Young of Springfield will represent family farmers. He is the general farm manager at Young's Jersey Dairy, Inc. and he has been a volunteer firefighter for the Hustead Fire Department for 31 years.

Their appointments have been presented to the Ohio Senate for confirmation for terms that would expire on Sept. 1, 2015.

"For more than 35 years, the OCC board has been well served by dedicated Ohioans," said Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce J. Weston. "Ohio's residential utility consumers are fortunate to have the experience and leadership of Mr. Krebs as the board's chairman to help shape policy and direction for the OCC."

Mr. Krebs spent three years on the Eaton City School Board, eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives, and four years as Preble County Commissioner. Until recently he was a senior executive with a small think tank in Columbus. He spent several years as a full time professional farmer.

Since leaving state political office, he has served on the Joint Committee on High Technology Start-up Business, Sales Tax Holiday Study Committee (Chair), and the Eminent Domain Task Force, all by legislative appointment. He was appointed by Governor Ted Strickland to serve on Ohio's 21st Century Transportation Task Force and most recently by Governor John Kasich to the Local Government Innovation Council. He has been appointed or reappointed to the Ohio Consumers' Counsel Governing Board by both Republican and Democrat Attorneys General. Mr. Krebs also appears on a regular basis on the television show Columbus on the Record.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues. For more information, please visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.