Susan Kennedy was quickly cleared by the Senate Rules Committee for confirmation as the new commissioner at the California Public Utilities Commission. Statewide consumer, utility and environmental groups appeared to support the appointment of the former Democratic Party and governor’s adviser. Confirmation by the full Senate is expected later this month. In part of her questioning, Kennedy said she was unhappy with the level of the so-called exit fees assigned late last year by the CPUC for direct access customers in California. At their current levels, she said it would take 10 to 20 years for bundled utility customers to get their fair share from the customers buying their own power supplies from third-party providers.

Dynegy Inc. named three new members to its board of directors on Friday, bringing the total number to 13. David W. Biegler, 56, is retired vice chairman of TXU Corp. He also served as chairman, president and CEO of ENSEARCH Corp. and is currently chairman of the American Gas Foundation. Patricia A. Hammick, 56, an independent board member and consultant based in Washington, DC, previously served as senior vice president of strategy and communications for Columbia Energy Group. She also has served as COO of the Natural Gas Supply Association and currently is an independent director for Consol Energy. William L. Trubeck, 56, is executive vice president of Waste Management Inc.’s Western Group. He formerly was CFO of International Multifoods. Russell Reynolds Associates assisted in the search for the new directors.

Williams Tuesday named Donald R. Chappel as senior vice president and chief financial officer. “Don Chappel brings considerable, relevant experience to Williams as we continue to strengthen our finances and refine our focus on integrated natural gas businesses,” said Steve Malcolm, chairman and CEO. Chappel, 51, most recently founded and served as chief executive officer of a development business in Chicago. His previous experience includes serving twice in the late 1990s as CFO of Waste Management, Inc. during periods before and after its 1998 merger with USA Waste Services. On those occasions, a board-led management team comprised of a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, a fund manager/shareholder activist, and a financial-turnaround specialist recruited Chappel as CFO. In that role, Chappel is credited with successfully leading the company’s financial-recovery efforts and building a solid foundation for the future. Prior to Waste Management, Chappel served in financial leadership roles at Beatrice Companies and a major public accounting firm. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

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