Matthew Fossum Named Assistant Consumer Advocate

The Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA) announced on April 15 that attorney Matthew J. Fossum, the OCA's director of regional and federal affairs, had been named Assistant Consumer Advocate, effective immediately.

"Matthew has distinguished himself since he joined us in December as our first director of regional and federal affairs, and has emerged as a leader inside our organization," said Consumer Advocate Donald Kreis.  "So, it makes sense to recognize Matthew's importance to our organization by un-retiring the title of assistant consumer advocate and bestowing it upon him."

The OCA's enabling statute, RSA 363:28, authorizes the OCA to maintain its current staff of six people and specifically identifies two posts:  Consumer Advocate and Assistant Consumer Advocate.  The last person to hold the title of Assistant Consumer Advocate was Pradip Chattopadhyay, an economist who is now one of the three commissioners at the PUC.

"Matthew will continue his great work representing the OCA at NEPOOL -- the stakeholder body that helps lead the regional grid operator ISO New England -- and its various committees," said Kreis.  "We are fortunate to have one of New Hampshire's best and most experienced utility lawyers working on behalf of residential utility customers."