BPA names Michelle Cathcart vice president of Generation Asset Management

Bonneville Power Administration has named Michelle Cathcart as its vice president of Generation Asset Management in Power Services. Cathcart permanently takes over the role on July 30, vacating her role as vice president of Transmission System Operations. Ricky Bustamante, manager of Transmission Planning, will take over as VP of Transmission System Operations in an acting capacity. 

Since coming to Bonneville Power Administration in 2016 as the leader of Transmission System Operations, Cathcart has overseen the safe, reliable and open-access operation of BPA’s high-voltage transmission system. This organization operates and supports BPA’s two 24/7 regional control centers and represents the agency on operations and other coordination issues with external entities such as the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, Western Power Pool, California Independent System Operator, and other balancing authorities and transmission operators. 

Before she came to BPA, Cathcart was the director of Strategy and Organizational Performance at Peak Reliability, a reliability coordinator for the Western Interconnection. 

“Michelle brings a depth of knowledge and experience to our generation operations and asset management organization,” said Administrator and CEO John Hairston. “I’m confident that she’ll continue to make essential contributions to our executive team in this new role.”

In her move to Power Services, Cathcart will be responsible for directing BPA's Generation Asset Management program, including developing and implementing strategy to support power marketing and sales. Essential duties involve maintaining relationships with leaders at other federal agencies as well as with public and private utilities on matters related to Power Services’ generation policies and the Federal Columbia River Power System’s management and resources issues. Cathcart will also help guide and formulate policy for BPA's strategic planning, fiscal strategies and business decisions. 

“Michelle is a purpose-driven leader with a diverse skill set and I’m excited to have her join our Power team,” said Suzanne Cooper, senior vice president of Power Services. 

Cathcart has a doctorate in geography and environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.

“I am excited for this opportunity to lead another critical function in the agency,” shared Cathcart. “I am a life-long learner and welcome the chance to gain experience with the Power business line. There is such a critical inter-relationship between our transmission system and the interconnected generation, and I look forward to working with the dedicated professionals in Generation Asset Management in continuing to keep the lights on in the Northwest.”