SEPA Fortifies Board with Diverse Leaders for Energy's New Era

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 27, 2026 – The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) today announced a strategic expansion of its Board of Directors, appointing three seasoned executives who represent critical, and often distinct, corners of the energy industry. The new members are Lora Anguay, Chief Energy Resources Officer at Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD); Brian Heithoff, CEO of Trico Electric Cooperative; and David Springe, Executive Director of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA).

The appointments signal a deliberate move by the influential nonprofit to deepen its expertise and ensure a more holistic approach to navigating the monumental challenges of decarbonization, grid modernization, and energy affordability. By formally integrating leadership from a large public power utility, a rural member-owned cooperative, and a national ratepayer advocate, SEPA is reinforcing its role as a central convener in an increasingly fragmented and complex sector.

A Strategic Play for a Unified Grid

In an industry facing unprecedented change, SEPA's leadership views this expansion as essential for fulfilling its mission. The alliance, which counts nearly 1,000 members from utilities, tech companies, and regulatory bodies, aims to serve as a bridge between high-level policy goals and the practical realities of implementation.

“The pace of change in our industry is extraordinary, and these appointments reflect SEPA's commitment to meeting that moment with the best thinking from across the sector,” said Sheri Givens, President and CEO of SEPA. “Lora, Brian, and David have built remarkable careers turning complex challenges into opportunity, and I'm thrilled to have their expertise and energy guiding our work alongside our members.”

This move is more than just filling seats; it's a calculated strategy to ensure the organization's guidance is grounded in the diverse experiences of the entire energy ecosystem. The new members bring perspectives shaped by different business models, customer bases, and regulatory environments, which is crucial for developing solutions that are both scalable and equitable. Their collective presence is expected to enrich board-level discussions, ensuring that SEPA’s roadmaps for a clean energy future account for the unique needs of urban and rural communities, as well as the financial pressures on everyday consumers.

Balancing Ambition with Operational Reality

The new appointees bring decades of on-the-ground experience in managing the complex machinery of the power grid. Lora Anguay represents SMUD, a utility at the forefront of aggressive decarbonization. SMUD has committed to a 2030 Zero Carbon Plan, a goal that puts it 15 years ahead of California’s statewide mandate. Anguay has been central to this effort, overseeing the deployment of smart meters, distribution automation, and the development of a sophisticated system to manage distributed energy resources (DERs).

Her work involves balancing one of the nation's most ambitious climate targets with the non-negotiable duties of maintaining grid reliability and affordability for the Sacramento community. This includes tripling renewable energy sources and integrating cutting-edge technologies like virtual power plants and long-duration storage.

“Building a reliable, affordable grid mandates the cross-industry collaboration that SEPA facilitates,” said Anguay. “I look forward to representing public power on the Board and offering a perspective grounded in the real-word operational realities of the energy transition.”

Complementing this perspective is Brian Heithoff, who brings over 30 years of experience from the electric cooperative sector. As CEO of Trico Electric Cooperative in Arizona, he leads an organization focused on serving over 54,000 members in rural and suburban communities. Cooperatives like Trico are member-owned and often prioritize local resilience and community-focused programs, such as Trico’s community solar offerings and demand management initiatives. Heithoff’s expertise is vital for ensuring that the transition to a smarter grid includes solutions tailored for less densely populated areas, which face unique challenges in infrastructure and access.

“Serving on SEPA’s Board is a meaningful opportunity to ensure that the move toward a stronger grid remains laser-focused on the communities we serve,” Heithoff stated.

Placing the Ratepayer at the Center of the Transition

Perhaps the most critical new voice is that of the consumer, represented by David Springe. As the Executive Director of NASUCA, Springe is the national voice for utility consumer advocate offices across 45 states and several countries. His entire career, including 13 years as Consumer Counsel for Kansas, has been dedicated to ensuring that the interests of residential and small commercial customers are not overlooked.

Springe's appointment comes at a pivotal moment. With the U.S. facing rising electricity prices and the immense capital investment required for grid modernization, energy affordability has become a primary concern for policymakers and the public. The clean energy transition, while essential, carries costs that ultimately land on customer bills. Springe’s role on the board is to be a constant advocate for cost-effective solutions and equitable outcomes.

“The energy transition must work for everyone, and SEPA’s work is critical in protecting consumers,” said Springe. “I’m honored to serve on the Board to support cost-effective solutions that deliver real value to the homes and businesses paying the utility bills as we navigate unprecedented energy demand.”

His perspective ensures that SEPA’s work on integrating advanced technology and promoting clean energy is always weighed against its impact on the end user, particularly in vulnerable and historically overburdened communities.

Navigating an Era of Unprecedented Change

The appointments are timely, as the energy industry grapples with a perfect storm of challenges. Unprecedented load growth, driven by data centers, AI, and the electrification of buildings and transport, is straining grid capacity. Simultaneously, extreme weather events are testing the limits of grid resilience, demanding more robust and intelligent infrastructure.

These industry-wide pressures directly align with SEPA’s core strategic focus areas, which include Resilience, Equity, Policy, and Emerging Technology. The combined expertise of Anguay, Heithoff, and Springe provides SEPA with a powerful internal brain trust to address these interconnected issues.

Anguay’s experience with SMUD’s 2030 plan offers a real-world case study in rapid decarbonization. Heithoff’s work at Trico provides a model for community-based resilience and DER integration in rural settings. And Springe’s consumer-first advocacy ensures that the push for innovation remains tethered to the principles of equity and affordability. Together, their contributions will help SEPA craft practical, actionable guidance that its diverse membership can use to navigate the path forward, ensuring the alliance is well-equipped to guide the industry toward a cleaner, more resilient, and equitable power system for all.