Scott Simms

Scott Simms joined the Public Power Council (PPC) as the Executive Director in the summer of 2019. With more than 25 years of energy industry experience, Scott provides strategic leadership for the collective interests of the region’s consumer-owned utilities that are preference customers of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Scott’s broad knowledge of the issues facing Northwest public power and focus on finding collaborative solutions are critical to ensuring that PPC members can continue to deliver reliable, affordable, and carbon-free power to thousands of businesses and millions of residents every day. In addition to his role as CEO & Executive Director of PPC, Scott also serves as the Chairman of the Columbia River Treaty Power Group, a coalition of consumer-owned and investor-owned utilities seeking to rebalance the Columbia River Treaty with Canada.
Prior to joining PPC, Scott spent 13 years at BPA, most recently as the Communications Director. He also held other leadership positions within BPA, including Manager of Long-Term Power Planning and Secretary to the U.S. Entity for the Columbia River Treaty negotiation process. Prior to joining BPA, Simms held senior communications positions at Portland General Electric and worked for Pacific Northwest-based public affairs firms, providing strategic communications and policy counsel to large commercial clients.
A Northwest native, Simms hails from Snoqualmie, Washington. He studied Public Relations and Political Science at Washington State University in Pullman, graduating with distinction. When he’s not at PPC, Simms and his wife and daughter spend their free time exploring the Pacific Northwest and traveling internationally.