Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced she is appointing Ron Burgess, Fred Johnson, Demarcus Joiner and Quinton Ross to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Ivey signed legislation into law in April, expanding the PSC from three to seven members.
The law expands the PSC from its current three seats to seven, with seats elected by the public in each congressional district. The bill also creates a new cabinet-level secretary of energy, who would control the commission's administrative functions.
All three Public Service Commissioners are currently elected by a statewide vote. The new law initially appoints four additional members.
Ivey appointed two members from a list of recommendations submitted by House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, and State Sen. Pro-Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman). She appointed the other two members from a list of candidates submitted by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) and Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro).
Eventually, all seven commissioners will be elected to their positions by congressional district.
"For Alabama to remain the best state in which to live, work and raise a family, we need good people serving in public office, including on our Public Service Commission. I am proud to tap these four experienced leaders to serve their fellow Alabamians in this capacity," Ivey said. "I expect these individuals to serve with honesty and integrity."
The appointments are:
- Ron Burgess, a retired three-star general, most recently served as executive vice president at Auburn University, having held the post since May 2018. He first joined the university in 2012 as Senior Counsel for National Security Programs, Cyber Programs, and Military Affairs. Burgess retired from the U.S. Army as the 17th director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Throughout his 38-year career in the U.S. Army, his exceptional leadership, knowledge, and drive contributed to the success of countless missions and the security of U.S. intelligence.
- Fred Johnson is an expert in rural telecommunications and electric distribution. After his more than 40-year career in the field, which included 23 years as chief executive officer of Farmers Telecommunications, he served as a member of the board of directors for the National Cooperative Solutions Cooperation.
- Demarcus Joiner works as an associate in economic development and government affairs for Maynard Nexsen. He has prior experience working in public policy through his time at the University of Alabama System. Joiner is also a previous University of Alabama Student Government Association president.
- Quinton T. Ross, Jr. currently serves as the 15th president of Alabama State University. Prior to leading ASU, Ross served in the Alabama State Senate as a Democrat and has more than two decades of experience as an educator both in K-12 and higher education.
These individuals join PSC Commission president Cynthia Almond, who was also appointed by Ivey. Their appointments are effective January 18, 2027. Two other seats on the PSC will be filled in the November general election.
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