Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina has appointed a new member to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, announcing that John W. Gajda, P.E., will be bringing his extensive industry experience to the role. Gajda's professional history encompasses a broad swath of the electric utility sector and stretches over three decades, with a focus on practical aspects of power systems and policy. "He understands the technical, regulatory, and operational sides of this work, and he has earned the respect of stakeholders across the industry," said Stein in a statement obtained by Governor.nc.gov.
With a 36-year career in the utilities field, Gajda's appointment is not without merit. Before currently working as a Professor of Practice at North Carolina State University, he made a significant mark on the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office by leading their transmission planning efforts. Governor Stein expressed his confidence in Gajda, praising his integrity and judgment, along with his commitment to delivering "reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the people of North Carolina."
Gajda’s career in North Carolina dates back to 1992, where he began to weave his professional journey through various key entities within the state’s energy ecosystem. Among his roles, Gajda has served with the North Carolina Utilities Commission and Public Staff, worked for North Carolina's electric cooperatives, made contributions to Duke Energy, lent his expertise to Strata Clean Energy, and offered consultation through Electrical Engineering Consulting & Testing, PC. Notably, from 2005 to 2019, Gajda's involvement in renewable energy generation interconnections seems to have played a pivotal role, facilitating North Carolina’s stride towards greener solutions.
North Carolina, known for its varying landscapes from Atlantic coastlines to Appalachian mountains, will now have a seasoned veteran at the helm of its Utilities Commission, laying the groundwork for future energy projects and regulatory oversight. Having worked on staff for different energy providers, Gajda is poised to bring a wealth of knowledge to the board that governs these landscapes' lifeblood, the energy sector. The Governor's office anticipates that Gajda's appointment will fortify the Commission with a perspective that is both broad and deep, crucial for the stewardship of North Carolina's energy infrastructure in the coming years.
