McDonald elected as PSC head, replacing Wise

Governor appoints Pridemore to represent District 5’s 23 counties.

Georgia’s Public Service Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously voted in Lauren “Bubba” McDonald as the new chairman of the regulatory body for the next two years.

McDonald, who has served on the commission for three terms, will take over the position of Stan Wise, who resigned yesterday.

“I am honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with this leadership position,” said McDonald. “I look forward to chairing this commission as we continue to deal with the construction of two new nuclear power plants, placing more renewable energy in Georgia’s portfolio and ensuring that consumers of Georgia have just and reasonable rates,” McDonald said following the vote.

The vote came shortly after Governor Nathan Deal appointed Tricia Pridemore to represent District 5, which includes Cobb, Paulding, Henry and 20 other counties in central and western Georgia, left vacant after Wise’s resignation.

“Tricia has significant experience in both the private and public sectors, and I am confident she will be an effective member of the Public Service Commission,” said Deal in a press release announcing the appointment.

Deal also thanked outgoing chairman Wise for his service to the state, spanning more than two decades and wished him the best in his future endeavors.

According to the governor’s office, Pridemore’s appointment takes effect immediately.

Pridemore will serve the remaining months of Wise’s six-year term until elections in November.

Pridemore is the former Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development and has served in the boards of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority.

She was also a member of the governor’s 2011 transition team and co-chaired his Inaugural Committees in 2011 and 2015.

She resides in Marietta with her husband, Michael Pridemore.