Leadership

In February 2024, the UTC commissioners appointed Jeff Killip to serve as the agency's Executive Director and Secretary. Working with the commissioners, this role guides the commission’s overall direction and daily operations

Jeff most recently served as Chief of Cal/OSHA. He has also held many executive leadership roles, including with Washington state’s Cal/OSHA equivalent, the Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) at the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. Jeff practiced law for about twenty years, mostly in criminal and civil prosecution and enforcement. He began his legal career with the U.S. EPA as an Assistant Regional Counsel. Later, he returned to school to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH). 

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology from Colgate University, a Juris Doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law with a focus on environmental law, and an MPH from Johns Hopkins University. He was born and raised in the New York City area and enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and family. He is also an avid runner, triathlete, and Seattle Mariners fan.

Lawrence Banks joined the UTC in May 2025 as chief information officer. He leads the Information Services Division, which provides reliable and secure high-quality hardware, software, and services for commission staff and external customers.

Lawrence previously served as chief information officer for the Department of Commerce, and as Deputy CIO and Interim CIO for the Employment Security Department. During more than 18 years with Washington state, Lawrence has held Data Privacy manager, and Virtual and SAN Storage administrator roles.

Before his state service, Lawrence worked as a contracted network and systems administrator supporting clients including Washington State Employees Credit Union and Weyerhaeuser. Lawrence served in the US Air Force, graduating from the Community College of the Air Force with a degree in computer systems. Lawrence also holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Grace College in Indiana.

Neiri joined the UTC in July 2022. With more than 17 years of leadership experience spanning regulatory services, nonprofit management, and higher education, Neiri is committed to creating equitable, sustainable solutions that protect the public and strengthen communities.

As Regulatory Services Director for UTC, Neiri leads economic analysis and policy recommendations that balance the interests of customers with those of utility and transportation providers. Her oversight extends to energy rates and services, energy transformation, energy planning, telecommunications, and solid waste/water/transportation, ensuring regulatory compliance, innovation, and operational excellence.

Bridgit was appointed Director of Consumer Protection in November 2023 after serving as assistant director since May 2016. Bridgit oversees consumer protection, consumer complaints, compliance investigations, and public involvement programs.

Bridgit has more than 30 years of experience working in Washington State government, 21 of which was with the Department of Revenue (DOR). At DOR she spent her last nine years with the Human Resources (HR) Division as the labor relations manager and a senior human resources consultant. Before her time in HR, she spent ten years in the Taxpayer Services Division providing consumer assistance, information, and education. Bridgit has a bachelor’s degree in management and business from the Evergreen State College.

Michael joined the UTC in October 2025. He provides strategic leadership and oversight of statewide policy development for the regulation of the utility and transportation industries. This division guides the agency’s policy agenda, offering expert advice to Commissioners, administrative law judges, and executive leadership on complex regulatory and legislative matters.

Michael joined the UTC after serving as director of the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office. Before that, he spent nearly 10 years at the Washington State Department of Commerce, leading the State Energy Office. He also developed New Mexico’s weatherization assistance program, a role he took on again in Washington. He holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico.

Evan has served as the Director of Operations at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission since January 2025, leading agency-wide operations and enterprise risk management in the Administrative Services Division. He works with the finance, IT, and compliance teams to equip the commission’s regulatory and safety staff with the resources they need to protect Washingtonians.

Before joining the UTC, Evan worked at the Washington State Department of Health, where he guided statewide strategies for risk, privacy, and compliance. He has also held senior roles in education agencies and continues to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He is a member of the Washington State Bar, holds a J.D./M.B.A. from Quinnipiac University, and is certified in public-sector risk and privacy management.

Kathy joined the UTC in 1989 from the Department of Licensing, as a Forms and Records Specialist. She’s held positions in several UTC divisions and currently leads the Transportation Safety Division. The team exists to protect the people of Washington by ensuring transportation services are safe, available, and reliable.

Among her accomplishments, Kathy is currently the Washington Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator and represents her region at the national level including The National Advisory Council. She is a past Vice President of the Association of State Rail Safety Managers and continues to serve on the executive committee. In 2019, she was awarded the Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award. Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communications from Western Washington University.

Amy Neal joined the UTC in February 2024. She leads the Human Resources division, which oversees the strategic and operational framework for all personnel and workforce activities. The division provides guidance on state and federal laws, training, and supports the full scope of work that helps the UTC recruit, develop, engage, and retain high-performing employees.

Amy’s extensive background includes more than 25 years in state government, with nearly 20 of those in human resources. She has served as the HR manager for the Office of Financial Management, and as a senior human resource business partner for the Department of Corrections (DOC). At DOC, Amy played a vital emergency response role during COVID, helping facilities respond and operationalize new procedures and processes for a 24/7 operation. Amy has also held roles at the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Labor & Industries.

Amy joined the UTC in January 2025. In her 25 years of public service, she has held leadership roles in communications and change management at multiple agencies. Amy leads the UTC’s Communications, Strategy and Innovation (CSI) division, which provides diverse support to UTC staff and the public including media relations, internal communications, project management, process improvement, strategic planning, social media, website management, graphic design, plain talk, and more.

Among her accomplishments, Amy is particularly proud of her efforts to launch the award-winning WA Notify, the state’s COVID exposure notification tool that saved the lives of hundreds of Washingtonians during the pandemic. Amy holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Evergreen State College.

Dennis joined the commission in 2011 and has served as Acting Director for Pipeline Safety since September 2025. The Pipeline Safety Division has two primary focuses. To educate the public about safe digging practices and requirements to prevent pipeline damage. The division is also responsible for ensuring that regulated hazardous gas and liquid operators maintain a safe and reliable system while meeting their safety requirements for regulated utilities. This is accomplished through rigorous inspections, investigations, and enforcement.

Most recently, Dennis served as Chief Engineer. He has previously worked for contractors, consulting engineers, public works, and the Washington State Department of Ecology. Dennis holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in Washington.

Shambricia joined the UTC in 2025, bringing over two decades of experience driving equity initiatives in the nonprofit sector. Known for her ability to transform organizational culture, she helps employers integrate inclusive practices into strategy, fostering workplaces that inspire growth, innovation, and accountability.

As Equity Director, she leads the commission’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, aligning it with the agency’s strategic plan and ensuring compliance with laws, rules, and executive orders. She plays a key role in shaping the commission’s vision for an anti-racist, inclusive workplace. Through strategic partnerships with commission leadership and Human Resources, Shambricia advances initiatives that strengthen employee experience, improve recruitment and retention of diverse talent, modernize policies, and embed equity into decision-making. Her work supports organizational goals and drives measurable progress toward a more just and inclusive workplace.

Connor Thompson joined the UTC in February 2024. He leads the Administrative Law Division, which oversees hearings, drafts orders, works with commissioners on decisions, takes part in rulemaking, reviews complaints, and issues penalties.

Before joining the UTC, Connor worked as a faculty member at the University of Houston Law Center, researching transformative energy technologies, the energy transition, and the associated legal frameworks. Before that, he was in private practice working on energy issues and representing clients before the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Connor holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wyoming.