GOVERNOR O’MALLEY APPOINTS KEVIN HUGHES CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley announced the appointment of Commissioner W. Kevin Hughes as chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission. He has served as a commissioner since 2011. Commissioner Hughes' designation as chairman follows Governor O'Malley's announcement that current Chairman Douglas R.M. Nazarian has been appointed to the Court of Special Appeals.

“Commissioner Hughes’ tenure on the Public Service Commission has been exemplary,” said Governor O’Malley. “He has demonstrated a commitment to protecting the interests of ratepayers while also balancing the needs of utilities and ensuring that Marylanders have access to clean, affordable energy. Commissioner Hughes also understands that the State of Maryland must be an active participant in regional and federal decisions that affect our energy markets.”

Prior to his appointment to the Public Service Commission, Commissioner Hughes served as deputy legislative officer to Governor O’Malley and Governor Parris Glendening, where he gained expertise in energy policy, transportation, K-12 and higher education, and state and local taxation. Earlier in his career, he served as principal analyst for the Maryland Department of Legislative Services and as legislative officer under Governor William Donald Schaefer. Commissioner Hughes graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1994, earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 1985, and obtained a B.A. degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.