GOVERNOR O’MALLEY NAMES TWO COMMISSIONERS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 17, 2011) – Governor O’Malley today appointed Kevin Hughes and Kelly Speakes-Backman to serve as Commissioners on the Public Service Commission (PSC). The appointments of Hughes and Speakes-Backman fill two vacancies on the PSC. Hughes will serve a five-year term ending in 2016, and Speakes-Backman will finish the term of Commissioner Goldsmith, who left to become the Insurance Commissioner. Speakes-Backman’s term will end in 2014.

“We are pleased that Kevin and Kelly have chosen to use their many talents to continue serving the people of Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “Both of these individuals understand the importance of a long-term view of the costs and benefits of the State’s energy supply. They bring valued experience in the energy field, and will help us continue to protect the best interests of Maryland consumers and families.”

Kevin Hughes has many years of experience working in state government. He has served as the Governor’s Deputy Legislative Officer since 2007, focusing on energy policy, transportation, K-12 and higher education, state and local taxation, state aid to local governments, and personnel and pensions. Hughes played a vital role in implementing the Governor’s electricity reliability standards and helping the State meet its energy goals. Prior to joining the Administration, Hughes served as the Principal Analyst for the Maryland Department of Legislative Services and has served as Deputy Legislative Officer under Governor Parris Glendening and Legislative Officer under Governor William Donald Schaefer. Hughes earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Kelly Speakes-Bachman spent 20 years in the private sector, working in energy, sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental business strategies across the nation, including Maryland, Connecticut, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio, prior to joining public service. Most recently, Speakes-Backman served as the Clean Energy Director at the Maryland Energy Administration, where she led a team of policy experts and grant administrators to implement programs to meet the Administration’s goal of increasing Maryland’s renewable energy portfolio to 20 percent by 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical engineering from Boston University and was named a National Merit Scholar from the Minority Engineering Society.