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Montana PSC appoints Jamie Peterson executive director; approves external recruitment for external affairs role
Summary
After a closed session April 7, the Montana PSC appointed Jamie Peterson executive director by a 4–1 vote (Commissioner Molnar dissenting), voted 4–1 to post the external affairs coordinator position as an externally advertised competitive search, and named an interim HR officer.
Following a publicly noticed closed session on April 7, the Montana Public Service Commission announced it had appointed Jamie Peterson as executive director in accordance with an offer letter dated April 3, 2026. President Jeff Welborn said the appointment passed by a 4–1 vote, with Commissioner Molnar dissenting.
President Welborn had opened the meeting by publicly noticing that the commission would move into a closed session to discuss confidential personnel matters, citing Montana Code Annotated § 2‑3‑203(3) and saying the discussion would relate to individual privacy interests. He said there would be no web or audio feed during the closed session and estimated the break would last 40–45 minutes. After resuming public session Welborn announced the appointment and the recorded vote.
The commission next considered the recruitment method for the external affairs coordinator position now vacant with the appointment of Jamie Peterson to executive director. Vice President Felder moved that the recruitment be an externally advertised competitive process; that motion was seconded and approved by a 4–1 vote with Commissioner Molnar dissenting. Felder said broadening the search would help find a candidate to support the executive director.
Welborn also announced the appointment of Laura Wachowski as the agency’s interim human resources officer while Tina Lemelson is on leave. The commission adjourned at 3:13 p.m.
The closed session was publicly noticed as a discussion of confidential personnel matters; the commission cited Montana Code Annotated § 2‑3‑203(3) when moving into closed session and reported actions on return to open session.
