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Contact: Marty Berkowitz (614) 387-2962
berkowitz@occ.state.oh.us

 

Melissa Yost named Deputy Consumers' Counsel

By The OCC Governing Board

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jan. 15, 2013 – Melissa Yost, Senior Counsel with the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), was appointed Deputy Consumers' Counsel by the OCC Governing Board today.

"We are pleased to appoint Ms. Yost to the position of Deputy Consumers' Counsel," said Gene Krebs, Chairman of the OCC Governing Board. "She has shown a strong commitment to Ohio's residential utility consumers during her seven years at OCC."

OCC is the state agency that advocates for Ohio's residential utility consumers regarding the affordability and quality of their electric, natural gas, telephone, and water services. Ms. Yost joined the OCC as an attorney in 2005. In her current position as Senior Counsel, she has administrative responsibilities that include service as OCC's ethics officer and she provides advocacy in cases and advice to Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston.

"I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the agency and Ohio consumers as Deputy Consumers' Counsel," said Melissa Yost.

As the Deputy Consumers' Counsel, Ms. Yost will have expanded responsibilities to contribute to OCC's advocacy for Ohio consumers. In this regard, she will be available to perform the duties of the Consumers' Counsel during any times of his unavailability.

Ms. Yost previously served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Ohio Attorney General's Office, from 2000 to 2005. Her legal experience with OCC and the Attorney General's Office includes litigation and settlement of complex cases. She received her Juris Doctor with cum laude distinction from Capital University Law School in 1999 and her bachelor's degree in natural resources development from The Ohio State University in 1993.

 

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.