AUSTIN, TEXAS (Oct. 1, 2019) — The Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Katie Coleman as the 2019 recipient of the GCPA emPOWERing Young Professionals Award. This award is presented annually in recognition of an individual under the age of 40 who has achieved excellence in the electric power industry, making unique contributions to the success of the electric power market and serving as a role model and leader for others.
Coleman has been active in the power industry for more than a decade and is best known for her role representing the interests of large industrial electric consumers before the Legislature, the Public Utility Commission, and ERCOT. Coleman is a frequent speaker on electric regulatory and market design issues. She is a partner at Thompson & Knight, LLP, where she leads the firm’s Government & Regulatory practice group. An active GCPA member, Coleman currently serves as Vice President of the GCPA Board of Directors. She previously chaired the GCPA Spring Conference in 2016 and the GCPA emPOWERing Women Conference in 2018. She has been recognized as a leader in her field by numerous publications, including being named a “Lawyer on the Rise” by Texas Lawyer in 2018 (23 attorneys under 40 statewide), “Lawyer of the Year” for Energy Regulatory Law (Austin) in The Best Lawyers in America® by Woodward/White Inc. in 2019, and a Texas Rising Star® by Thomson Reuters (Legislative & Governmental Affairs) from 2016-2019. She also served as the President of the Public Utility Law Section of the State Bar in 2016-17. Coleman has a BA in Plan II Honors from The University of Texas, and a JD from The University of Texas School of Law.
In response to her nomination, Coleman stated: “Over the past twelve years, I have tried to dedicate both personal and professional resources to representing the interests of consumers and pursuing policy goals that I believe are in the best interests of Texas. Attending and speaking at GCPA events has given me the opportunity to be recognized as a leader on industry issues and has helped me build a profile with my clients, peers, and regulators. It has also exposed me to many other viewpoints that have helped shape my policy objectives and broadened my thinking. Being recognized at GCPA for my work within the industry is a true honor.”
Margaret Pemberton, Director of the Legal Division of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, who nominated Katie for this award, stated, “I’ve worked with Katie on various cases over the last ten years and found her to be a skilled practitioner, tireless contributor and selfless mentor to young professionals in the industry. I could not imagine anyone more deserving of this award. I am fortunate to call her a colleague.”
Mark Walker, Assistant General Counsel for Xcel Energy Services and GCPA Board President, commented, “GCPA is proud to recognize Katie Coleman with the emPOWERing Young Professionals Award. Katie exemplifies the highest ideals of professionalism in her advocacy and leadership in our industry. In addition, she has volunteered countless hours and contributed her impressive talent to numerous GCPA and GCPA emPOWERing Women conferences and activities.” This view was seconded by Mark Dreyfus of MD Energy Consulting and GCPA Treasurer, “Everywhere I go in the regulatory arena, the PUC, ERCOT and the Legislature, there’s Katie Coleman shaping public policy related to the ERCOT marketplace. With the GCPA EmPOWERing Young Professionals Award, we want to identify and recognize young professionals who are successful in every corner of the electric industry, as Katie Coleman has been successful in the legal and public policy arena. We hope all these talented young professionals will bring the same energy and spirit of innovation to GCPA that they bring to their organizations and to the whole electric industry.”
About the emPOWERing Young Professionals Award:
The EYP award is given to a GCPA individual or corporate member who is less than 40 years old at the end of the calendar year and has achieved excellence in the power industry. The nomination criteria include the following:
• Career Progress
• Industry Involvement
• Leadership Development
• Innovation
• Reputation within the community
• Role model for other young professionals
• Noteworthy professional and personal achievements
• Commitment to excellence and proven leadership
• Expertise, passion and the ability to inspire others