The Public Utilities Commission has a new chairman

Governor David Ige has appointed Leodoloff “Leo” R. Asuncion, Jr. to head the Public Utilities Commission, of which he has been a member since April 2019.

“Hawai’i has led by example as the state accelerates its transformation toward a clean energy economy,” said Gov. David Ige. “Under Leo’s leadership, the Public Utilities Commission will continue this work that directly benefits the environment and creates new businesses and jobs that are in balance with our natural resources while protecting the interests of Hawaii’s working class families.”

Asuncion’s term as chairman begins today and expires on June 30, 2026. He replaces James “Jay” Griffin, who announced his retirement in January at the end of his term.

Previously, Asuncion served in the Office of Planning, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism from 2013 to 2018 as a planning program administrator and director. He was also the planning program manager for the Hawaii Coastal Zone Management program from 2011 to 2013.

Asuncion has over 30 years of planning, policy analysis and management experience throughout Hawaii and the Pacific region, in both the public and private sectors. He has worked for the Hawaiian Electric Company, SSFM International and the Hawaii State Judiciary. He was a member of the State Land Use Commission.

Asuncion earned a master’s degree in business administration from Hawai’i Pacific University, a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, and a BA in political science from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.