0-5 years

State-appointed utility regulator confirmed unanimously by the Washington state Senate in 2017

Highly skilled at building meaningful relationships and working with stakeholders to advance policy and regulatory priorities

Able to foster confidence in decisionmakers as a trusted resource for information and offer reasonable, clear and concise solutions to complex issues

Familiarity with the legislative landscape, politics and policy preferences of Western state governors and legislatures

Continuously maintain robust and constructive relationships with Washington state Democrat and Republican elected officials, legislative staff, executive branch staff and stakeholders with diverse viewpoints

Deep knowledge of state legislative budgeting and appropriations process with expertise in Washington state tax policy, transportation policy and budgeting

Ability to adapt and manage high-stress, time-sensitive and politically complex situations

Understanding of the importance of legislative and executive branch staff in shaping opinions of legislators and agency leadership for new initiatives

Jay Balasbas served as a commissioner of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission from May 2017 to March 2022. Jay is currently the President of JMB Strategies, an independent consulting firm that provides expert advice on utility regulatory process, utility and transportation policy, state tax and fiscal matters, general legislative advocacy and political perspective.

Prior to Jay's tenure as a commissioner, he served as senior budget assistant to the governor in the Office of Financial Management working in the General Government Section, Transportation Section and as lead analyst on revenue issues. Before that, Jay worked for the Washington House of Representatives in a variety of roles, including senior fiscal analyst, assistant director of policy and policy analyst on transportation and finance issues. He also worked for the Washington Department of Transportation.

Jay served as the chair of the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety, co-vice chair of the Committee on Critical Infrastructure, and as a member of the Committee on Gas for the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC). He also served as a member of the Gas Technology Institute Public Interest Advisory Committee, the Washington Action Program and as an ex-officio member of the Washington Highway Users Federation Board of Directors.

Jay has a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Science in finance from Seattle University.

20+ years

Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. in 1993 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Montana in 1997.

Mark has extensive experience in a wide variety of business, legislative, and regulatory matters, representing client interests before the Montana Legislature, and Montana's State and Federal Courts. In addition, Mark's business consulting activities extend to more than 25 states in a variety of topics, primarily focusing on information technology and public safety initiatives.

In the health care arena, Mark previously served as general counsel to the Montana Hospital Association for nearly 15 years. In addition, he has served as counsel to more than a dozen hospitals across Montana on various matters. Mark is well-recognized in the hospital regulatory arena in Montana, including having been published in several hospital-related trade publications. He currently serves as Chair of the St. Peter's Hospital Board of Directors, is a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana Advisory Board, is on the Pontifical Gregorian University Foundation Board and the Sacred Story Institute Board, and several other corporate boards.

Mark was born and raised in Central Montana (near Lewistown), where he and his family continue to operate their family farm and ranch. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Elaine, and their two daughters, Morgan and Raegan. Mark also enjoys hunting, golfing, fishing, and traveling.