Two top Sonoma Clean Power officials leaving to join consulting firm

A Santa Rosa-based energy consulting startup has hired two senior staff members away from Sonoma Clean Power, the public electricity provider. The move reflects the increasing competition for talent as communities across the state explore similar public energy programs and private industry looks to capitalize on their expansion.

Kelly Foley, Sonoma Clean Power’s former general counsel, and Nathanael Miksis, formerly head of power procurement at Sonoma Clean Power, have joined California Clean Power in similar roles, according to CEO Peter Rumble. The consulting firm, which launched last month, aims to help governments with financing, regulatory support and power procurement for new community-choice power agencies.

“We now have two stellar people with proven track records at Sonoma Clean Power,” Rumble said. “They have an opportunity to have a statewide impact and help other communities do what we were able to do in Sonoma County.”

Sonoma Clean Power launched in May and began serving the bulk of the county’s electricity customers in December. It was the ?second such program in the state after Marin Clean Energy. At least 10 jurisdictions around the state are considering starting similar programs to compete with investor-owned utilities that have traditionally enjoyed monopolies.

Rumble said California Clean Power has yet to sign a client, but he said he has had talks with a few cities and counties. With the two new hires, the consulting firm has a staff of five.

With the two departures, Sonoma Clean Power has a staff of eight.

At Sonoma Clean Power, Foley made $170,000 per year, according to the agency. She had been with the venture for 13 months. Miksis, who started in August, made $160,000. He was hired to bring power procurement in house, Sonoma Clean Power CEO Geof Syphers said. During his time, Miksis negotiated deals for most of the agency’s power needs through 2016 .

“He was very good at the business and he set up permanent relationships for us,” Syphers said. “We are already in a strong position now with all of our functions.”

Foley, whose background is in the often murky world of utility regulation while at PG&E and other companies, helped Sonoma Clean Power through its startup phase, Syphers said.

“She has helped us craft this agency, and she was instrumental in helping us be in a strong position,” he said. “I’m excited to see two good people helping community choice grow in California.”

Rumble declined to disclose the salaries Miksis and Foley will receive with California Clean Power.

Syphers said Sonoma Clean Power is “gearing up” to hire for the two positions. In the meantime, the agency has three-month consulting contracts with Foley and Miksis that allow them to continue providing services during the transition, Syphers said.

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Brown at 521-5206 ?or matt.brown?@pressdemocrat.com.