John Robert Norris

John Norris was nominated by President Barack Obama to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a term expiring in June 2012. Commissioner Norris, a lawyer, has years of experience in energy policy and regulatory affairs. He most recently served as Chief of Staff to Secretary Tom Vilsack of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Prior to joining the USDA, he was Chairman of the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) from 2005 to 2009 where he served on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Electricity Committee and was Co-Chair of the 2009 National Electricity Delivery Forum. During his IUB tenure, Commissioner Norris also served as a Board Member, Secretary, and President of the Organization of Midwest Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) States as well as Chairman of the MISO Demand Response Working Group. Commissioner Norris graduated with distinction from the College of Law at the University of Iowa and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Simpson College in Iowa.