Looking Ahead at Post-College Life and Our Transforming Electric Utilities

Will O’Donnell grew up in the sprawling suburbs of Chicago before moving to the Pacific Northwest to attend Fairhaven at WWU. He graduated with a concentration in Art, Ecology, and Communications in 1998. Following graduation, O’Donnell worked on and then owned a series of organic farms before co-founding Mt. Townsend Creamery and later, Finnriver Farm. O’Donnell went on to direct the Jefferson County Farmers Markets and eventually became Executive Director of the WA State Farmers Market Association. In 2017, he joined Jefferson County PUD as their first full time communications manager. Jefferson County PUD was the first organization to take a private electric utility public in Washington State in more than 70 years. O’Donnell is responsible for all external outreach, marketing and communications at the PUD. He also runs the utility’s energy efficiency incentive program and leads grant writing for broadband, solar, and grid modernization projects. He is a passionate advocate for healthy and vibrant local communities and sustainable economic development.