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Keystone Welcomes Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Robert Kenney as New Trustee
Christine Scanlan, president and CEO of the Keystone Policy Center, welcomed Robert Kenney as the newest member of the organization’s Board of Trustees. Scanlan said Kenney’s experiences and perspectives as the Vice President for CPUC Regulatory Relations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company will provide Keystone with essential guidance as it works to inspire leaders to rise above entrenched positions to reach common higher ground.
“Keystone Policy Center has a long history of working with leaders in the energy industry and other key sectors to promote collaborative solutions to society’s biggest challenges, “ Scanlan said. “We’re honored to welcome to Robert to our Board of Trustees. We look forward to his guidance and expertise as we work to inspire leaders to reach common higher ground.”
Keystone’s board meets three times each year in Washington, D.C., and in Colorado. The board oversees Keystone’s work and supports its mission throughout the year.
Learn more about Keystone’s Board of Trustees by visiting keystone.org/about/board-of-trustees/.
Bio
Robert S. Kenney is VP, Regulatory Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for executive management of all aspects of PG&E’s interactions with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the California Energy Commission (CEC), including all regulatory filings and proceedings.
Robert is responsible for providing overall strategic guidance for the company’s interactions with the CPUC, the FERC, and the CEC, ensuring compliance with regulatory mandates, and facilitating positive regulatory outcomes. He leads a team of regulatory professionals responsible for developing and implementing regulatory strategy, supporting the implementation of PG&E’s business objectives.
Robert has more than 25 years of experience developing, analyzing and implementing public policy at the local and state levels and more than 15 years of experience litigating complex cases in federal and state courts and administrative tribunals.
Prior to joining PG&E, Robert was Chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, where he led a 190-person agency, presiding over numerous complex proceedings deciding rate increases, mergers and acquisitions, transmission siting, resource adequacy, and implementation of Missouri’s Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Efficiency Investment Act. During his tenure, he emerged as a nationally recognized leader in public utility law and regulation and public policy development and implementation, serving on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and as President of the Organization of MISO States (OMS). While at the Missouri PSC, Robert lead efforts to institute best practices in consumer education and outreach and to enhance legal education related to public utility law and regulation.
Prior to his appointment to the Missouri PSC, Robert served as Chief of Staff to the Missouri Attorney General. Previously, Robert was a shareholder at the Polsinelli law firm, where he practiced in the commercial and business litigation practice group.
Robert remains committed to public service and civic engagement, serving on the board of the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD). Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampton University and a law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law.
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, became the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack is focusing on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.
Shelby Coffey III is a distinguished journalist, media executive, and thought leader whose career has helped shape the landscape of American news and public discourse. Over several decades, Coffey has held some of the most influential roles in journalism, including serving as editor of the Los Angeles Times, executive vice president of ABC News, and deputy managing editor of The Washington Post. His editorial leadership extended to key roles as president of CNN Financial News, editor of the Dallas Times Herald, and U.S. News & World Report.
Jerry Steiner has spent 40 years involved in agriculture following growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. He began his career with Monsanto, in multiple business leadership roles. From 2003-2013 he served as a member of the Executive team, as the company’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs. He led the company’s global Government, Public and Industry Affairs teams across the 70 countries where Monsanto conducts business. This experience got Jerry connected to the Keystones centers work in agriculture. Key among his responsibilities were shaping the company’s public policy and building partnerships aimed at helping farmers around the world produce more food, while conserving valuable resources like water and energy. Two unique partnership that developed under his leadership were drought tolerant corn with 5 African countries, CIMMYT and the Gates foundation, and a building a sustainable business model in Brazil with the value chain leading to significant multi-company investment and soybean varieties that can protected themselves.
Jennifer Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of The Nature Conservancy, leading a team of nearly 6,000 staff working in more than 80 countries and territories tackling the dual crises of the 
Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years. He serves on the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was also appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve as one of four Democrats on the prestigious Rules Committee. Rep. Neguse serves as Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, which he previously Chaired in the 117th Congress.
Llewellyn King was born in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He went into journalism as soon as he turned 16, stringing for Time magazine and United Press in Africa.
Steven Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo North America, overseeing a more than $48 billion business that spans PepsiCo’s Foods and Beverage operating units. His leadership encompasses more than 125,000 associates and over 900 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Steven joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, which he joined in 1997, and has held leadership positions of increased responsibility since.