Garry Brown

Garry Brown
Chairman, New York State Public Service Commission

Garry A. Brown was confirmed as a Commissioner of the New York State Public Service Commission on December 13, 2007 and was named Chairman on January 2, 2008. His term runs through February 1, 2015.

Mr. Brown has nearly 30 years of experience in the public, private and not-for-profit energy and electricity sectors, including previously holding a position as Senior Policy Analyst for the former New York State Energy Office, which had been charged with developing a sustainable and sound energy policy and promoting energy efficiency, while protecting the environment and fostering economic development.

Mr. Brown sits on the board of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC) which oversees NARUC’s general and financial functions and approves policy resolutions. He is chair of NARUC’s Committee on Electricity, which develops and advances policies that promote reliable, adequate, and affordable supply of electricity. Through strong collaboration with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and related Federal agencies, the Electricity Committee also seeks ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of regulation through education, cooperation, and exchange of information.

Mr. Brown serves on the NARUC-Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Smart Grid Collaborative, which serves as an important forum for discussing technological and other issues to facilitate the transition to a smart electric grid. He is a member of the Advisory Council to the Board of Directors of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Immediately prior to his appointment, Mr. Brown had been Vice President of External Affairs at the New York Independent System Operator, a not-for-profit company that manages New York’s electricity transmission grid and oversees New York’s wholesale electricity markets. He has worked for Sithe Energies Inc. In addition, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Independent Power Producers of New York.

As PSC chairman, Mr. Brown sits on the State Energy Planning Board. He is also chairman of the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. He sits on the board of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Environmental Board, and the board of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc. Mr. Brown is a member of the New York State Council for Universal Broadband and the Governor’s Economic Security Cabinet.

Mr. Brown received his B.A. from State University College at Plattsburgh and his Masters of Public Administration from the Rockefeller School of Public Affairs at the State University of New York at Albany.

Mr. Brown was born and raised in Williamsville, outside of Buffalo. He and his wife, Linda, reside in Averill Park, and are the proud parents of a son and daughter.