GCPA Announces Jessie Horn as 2026 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award Recipient
The Gulf Coast Power Association is proud to announce that Jessie Horn, Senior Counsel in the Rules and Projects Division at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 GCPA emPOWERing Young Professionals Award.
This prestigious – annual award recognizes an individual under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributions to the electric power industry while serving as a role model for other young professionals.
Jessie's career reflects a deep and sustained commitment to public service in the Texas electric power industry. After beginning her legal career in administrative law, she joined the Office of Public Utility Counsel in 2019, representing the interests of residential and small commercial consumers. Shortly after Winter Storm Uri in 2021, she joined PUCT, where she has served first as counsel to Commissioner Lori Cobos – advising on issues across the ERCOT, MISO, and SPP power regions – and most recently as Senior Counsel in the Rules and Projects Division, where she leads the agency's implementation of legislation involving data center interconnections and transmission cost recovery in the ERCOT power region.
Most notably, Jessie has led the agency's implementation of Senate Bill 6 from the 89th Legislative Session – one of the most significant electric market policy initiatives in recent years, addressing large-load interconnections, transmission cost allocation, load forecasting, reliability protections, and emergency curtailment requirements. The work has required close coordination across PUCT, ERCOT, and market participants under demanding timelines, and has since served as a framework referenced by other jurisdictions.
“Jessie has become both a consistent and commanding voice on these issues, and the Commissioners and I trust her judgment completely,” said Thomas J. Gleeson, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. “She approaches every challenge with a level of calm, professionalism, and maturity that far exceeds her years, and her contributions have helped shape critical energy policies and strengthen the reliability of the Texas electric grid.”
“Jessie's journey from representing residential consumers at the Office of Public Utility Counsel to leading the implementation of one of the most consequential pieces of energy legislation in decades reflects exactly the kind of growth and leadership this award was created to recognize,” said Brian Lloyd, President of the GCPA Board of Directors. “Her work on Senate Bill 6, paired with her steady commitment to public service and to developing those around her, make her a truly deserving recipient.”
Colleagues who nominated Jessie described her as a rare bridge-builder able to reconcile competing legal, technical, and policy goals while developing durable solutions under intense public scrutiny – all while maintaining her characteristic grace, kindness, and work ethic. She was also recognized for her calm, professional demeanor and her willingness to seek out and take on complex, unfamiliar topics, qualities that have made her an excellent role model for other young professionals in the industry.
Jessie will be officially presented with the emPOWERing Young Professionals Award at GCPA's 41st Annual Fall Conference & Exhibition, taking place September 28–30, 2026, at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin, Texas. During the conference, GCPA will also recognize all of this year's exceptional nominees for their outstanding contributions to our industry.
The Fall Conference is the largest electric power conference for the ERCOT/Gulf Coast region and provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the achievements of young professionals who are shaping the future of our industry.
About the emPOWERing Young Professionals Award: This annual award recognizes individuals under 40 who actively participate in the electric power industry and contribute to the success of their employer, the electric power market, the development of other industry professionals, and provide leadership for projects or activities within the electric power profession.