Commission Members and Benton PUD Leadership

 Our Team   Meeting Agendas & Minutes  

Benton PUD is governed by a three member board of commissioners elected by citizens of Benton County. Each commissioner represents a different sector of the county and serves a six year term. Each commissioner also represents Benton PUD as a delegate to various business organizations. The commission terms are staggered so that a different commissioner stands for election every two years.  

Commissioner Districts (1,2 & 3) Map

Commissioner District 1 Map
Commissioner District 2 Map
Commissioner District 3 Map

For questions about Benton PUD's District map contact Cami McKenzie, Clerk of the Board/Executive Assistant at mckenzic@bentonpud.org.

To send a message to one of Benton PUD's Commissioners please contact:

Commissioner Barry Bush
Commissioner Jeff Hall
Commissioner Lori Sanders

Commission Members

Jeff Hall

Jeff Hall became a Commissioner in January 2002, began his second term in January 2009, third term in January 2015 and fourth term in January 2021.  Jeff graduated from Prosser High School and then Washington State University with a B.A. in Education. After teaching in Richland, he moved back to Prosser and managed Hall Chevrolet Buick, a family owned and operated business until it sold in 2008. He is the past president of the Washington PUD Association.  Jeff and his wife Leontine have three children, Marcus, Andrew and Molly.

Lori Sanders

Lori Sanders became Commissioner in January 2005, began her second term in January 2011 and her third in January 2017.  She is the owner and president of Energy Incentives, Inc., a consulting firm on conservation and renewables. A Kennewick native, she brings to Benton PUD 25 years of experience as a successful small business owner.  Lori, her husband, Scott and her three children reside in Kennewick.

Barry Bush

Barry Bush became a Commissioner in January 2013 and began his second term in January 2019.   Barry is from the Tri-Cities and is a graduate of Columbia Basin College and Central Washington University.  He is also a former Marine. Barry, his wife, Janene and their two children reside in Kennewick.  His son is currently serving in the U.S. Army.

Management Team

Rick Dunn

Rick Dunn joined Benton PUD in 2007 and currently holds the position of General Manager.  Rick is a graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer with more than 34 years of electrical power and utility systems engineering, operations and management experience in both the public and private sectors.

Steve Hunter

Steve Hunter joined Benton PUD in 1986.  He was appointed Assistant General Manager on January 2, 2013, and holds that position in addition to his duties as Senior Director of Engineering & Operations.  Steve is responsible for overseeing the safety and reliability of Benton PUD’s electric system.  Steve is a Washington State licensed Professional Engineer.  He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Washington State University.

Jon Meyer

Jon Meyer joined Benton PUD in 2001. Jon is the Senior Director of Finance and Customer Service.  He oversees Benton PUD’s accounting, contract and purchasing, risk management, and treasury functions as well as customer service and key accounts.  Jon is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant with a Masters of Accounting from Washington State University.

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson joined Benton PUD in 1993 and currently serves as the Director of Power Management. Chris is responsible for power supply planning and analytics to meet the District’s electrical energy demand and oversees the Energy Programs function including energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, and electric vehicles. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration Office Management from Central Washington University.

Chris Folta

Chris Folta joined Benton PUD in 1996 and currently serves as the Director of Information Technology & Broadband Services. Chris is responsible for planning and implementing Benton PUD's information technology, data analytics, cybersecurity and broadband business strategies. Chris received a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems from Washington State University.

Melina Conover

Melina Conover joined Benton PUD in 2014 and currently serves as the Director of Executive Administration. Melina is responsible for human resources, communications and government relations, and commission management in addition to serving as Benton PUD’s Public Records Officer.  Melina has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources and Management from Washington State University.