Mason Baker has been appointed as the new chief executive officer and general manager of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) by the UAMPS board of directors. The appointment is effective January 1, 2023.
Baker will replace Douglas Hunter, who will retire at the end of this year after 27 years as CEO/general manager and a total of 39 years with the association.
Baker joined UAMPS in 2011 as Chief Legal Office & General Counsel and has spent the last 11 years involved in every aspect of UAMPS’ operations and its electric generation projects. Besides overseeing all UAMPS legal functions, including oversight of outside attorneys, Baker has played a key role in development of UAMPS’ Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), which is on track to become the first small modular nuclear reactor project in the country.
He has overseen government affairs and regulatory activities, managed the compliance department, managed permitting of new UAMPS energy resources, performed oversight of information technology and human resources functions, led negotiations in securing a federal cost share award for $1.355 billion for the CFPP, overseen ownership restructuring and upcoming closure of the San Juan Coal Plant, and was a key team member in bringing the Horse Butte Wind project and Veyo Waste Heat project into production.
Baker earned a Juris Doctorate with a certificate in environmental and natural resources law from the University of Utah and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Colorado College.
“I’m very pleased to have Mason as my successor,” said Hunter. “He’s been involved in all UAMPS operations and every significant project over the last several years. I’m confident he has the experience, wisdom, and leadership to take UAMPS to the next level.”
“We’re pleased that we found the ideal replacement for Doug Hunter within our own ranks,” said Board Chair Les Williams. “We are all very impressed with Mason’s preparation and broad experience and we’re pleased to name him as CEO/General Manager.”
“I appreciate the confidence of the board of directors in naming me,” said Baker. “It’s humbling to step into the shoes of Doug Hunter, who has achieved nationwide legendary status in the public power world. UAMPS has a strong board to provide great leadership and excellent staff to make this transition successful, and I’m extremely excited to tackle the challenges ahead with this remarkable team.”
Hunter will retire after more than 43+ years of work in the electric utility industry. He served for a number of years on the board of directors of the American Public Power Association and was chair from 2015 to 2016. He has received national and international recognition as the prime force behind the Carbon Free Power Project, which will usher in a new era of smaller, safer, and less expensive nuclear electric generation.
