March 14, 2018 • Local News
RTO Insider: Marquez to Depart Texas PUC
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Public Utility Commissioner Brandy Marty Marquez quietly resigned Thursday, saying she will pursue life in the private sector after two decades of public service.
Her resignation is effective April 2.
The announcement came several hours after the PUC’s open meeting. There was little hint of what was to come during the meeting, other than when Chairman DeAnn Walker, a close friend of Marquez, choked up in announcing the commission was going into a closed session to “deliberate personnel matters.” Walker avoided looking at Marquez as she gathered her composure.
“Is that it? Can we go?” Marquez said, smiling broadly. She had already met separately with Walker and fellow Commissioner Arthur D’Andrea before the open session to tell the of her decision.
Marquez’s resignation will mean the three-person PUC has completely turned over since last May, when longtime Chair Donna Nelson left. Her departure was followed by that of Ken Anderson, who resigned after his term expired in August. They were the two longest serving commissioners in PUC history, each having served eight years or more.
Marquez was appointed to the commission in August 2013 by then-Gov. Rick Perry and reappointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015. Her term was to expire in September 2019.
She said in a statement she leaves the commission knowing it will continue to serve Texas “with fairness under the principled leadership” of Walker and D’Andrea.
“Supported by the best staff of any Texas agency, the PUC will continue working tirelessly on behalf of stakeholders and consumers,” Marquez said. “I am honored to have served my fellow Texans. I leave with a happy heart.”
Despite speculation that she would return to the political arena, Marquez said she plans to enter the private sector. She served as Perry’s policy director during his successful 2010 gubernatorial campaign and was his chief of staff during Texas’ 83rd legislative session. The Legislature next meets in January 2019.
“The state of Texas has benefited greatly from the more than 17 years of dedicated service from Brandy Marquez,” Abbott said. “Her commitment and passion for public service have been on full display throughout her impressive career. I commend Brandy for her extraordinary accomplishments during her tenure as commissioner.”
While at the commission, Marquez also served on the Texas Reliability Entity, which serves as the PUC’s reliability monitor for the ERCOT region and enforces NERC standards.
Source: https://www.rtoinsider.com/puct-brandy-marquez-ordc-88123/
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