CESA Announces its New Executive Director!

CESA has named Scott Murtishaw as the new Executive Director to lead CESA as it reforms its organizational structure to better serve members in the future. Scott is a recognized leader in the energy industry, bringing to CESA extensive experience at two other leading energy generation and storage trade associations and at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). 

Before stepping into his leadership position at CESA, Scott was the Policy Director at the Independent Energy Producers Association (IEPA).  At IEPA, Scott briefed members on policy developments, facilitated member consensus on policy positions, and prepared comments for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and California Independent System Operator (CAISO) on resource adequacy, integrated resource planning, and wholesale market rules for generation and storage. Scott also advocated for IEPA’s positions with legislators and staff. 

Prior to his role at IEPA, Scott was the Senior Advisor for Regulatory Affairs at the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA).  In addition to his advocacy role, Scott collaborated with other trade associations and advocacy groups to formulate campaign strategies using his negotiation skills to advance many issues of importance to the association.  Scott was CALSSA’s subject matter expert for media outlets on net energy metering, customer storage, and utility rates.  Before transitioning into the trade association community, he was the Energy Advisor to the President at the CPUC, where he led the development of the CPUC’s policies on distributed energy resources, rate design, and several other issue areas. 

Scott’s unique professional experience with both energy trade associations and the CPUC made him the ideal candidate to lead CESA as the Executive Director, relying on his many areas of expertise in the energy arena and his experience with regulatory processes to formulate effective strategies for the organization.

Scott will join CESA’s new Vice President of Policy, Rachel McMahon, to lead the organization under the direction of the CESA Board of Directors and members. Scott and Rachel will be supported by Smith Moore & Associates (SMA), who will provide association management and member services, and GDS Associates, who will provide policy and advocacy support.  Scott, Rachel, SMA, and GDS will continue to build on the organization’s historical success.