DED leader announces Missouri public counsel

Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Joseph L. Driskill announced Oct. 16 the appointment of John Coffman of Columbia as public counsel to represent consumers of public utilities before the Missouri Public Service Commission and the courts.

Coffman has been acting public counsel since Jan. 1, 2002, following the retirement of Martha Hogerty. Prior to that he had been deputy public counsel for 2 1/2 years and has been with the office for almost 14 years.

"The Office of Public Counsel is very important because it represents the interests of consumers, particularly residential and small business customers, in issues related to public utility companies," Driskill said in a news release.

"This office focuses on utility customers who are not otherwise represented, and so it is critical that the office be headed by a strong and effective advocate. John Coffman has been such an advocate, not only during his tenure as acting public counsel, but throughout his tenure. We are pleased to have him in this position on a permanent basis," he added.

Coffman said he looks forward to continuing his work as public counsel. "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a very dedicated and professional group of consumer advocates," Coffman said. "It is rewarding to provide a voice for Missouri ratepayers within the increasingly complex world of utility regulation."

Coffman serves on Gov. Bob Holden's Missouri Energy Policy Council, which advises the governor on a wide variety of energy issues; is chair of the Missouri Universal Service Board, which is responsible for managing that fund for telecommunications customers; and serves as secretary for the Committee to Keep Missourians Warm, an organization of utility companies and advocates who work together to assist low-income families with heating bills.

At the national level, Coffman was chosen this year to serve on the executive committee of the National Association of State Utility Advocates. From 1994-97 he served as chair of the association's Water Committee.

Coffman has participated in complex litigation involving electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer companies.

Last April he completed his second term on the Columbia City Council and is active in a number of civic organizations. He has a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The Office of Public Counsel has a staff of 14 and is part of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.