PSE Announces Board Leadership Transition and New Director Appointments

Bellevue, Washington (9/9/2025) Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and its parent company, Puget Energy, are pleased to announce leadership transitions and new appointments to their Board of Directors, effective this fall.

Bert Valdman, a current board member and longtime energy industry leader, will assume the role of chair of the board starting October 1. He succeeds local healthcare leader Scott Armstrong, who has served as chair since 2021, helping guide PSE during the most significant transformation in its history as the company works to comply with Washington state's ambitious clean energy laws while continuing to provide safe and reliable energy to customers across the Puget Sound region. Currently president and CEO of NorthStar Energy, Bert brings deep utility industry expertise from leadership roles at companies including Optimum Energy and Edison International. He previously served as PSE's executive vice president and chief operating officer (2007-2011) and chief financial officer (2003-2007).

Bert steps into the role as chair as PSE makes the final preparations to remove coal from its electricity supply at the end of 2025, the first major milestone under Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Bert as our new board chair during this pivotal time in PSE’s history,” said Mary Kipp, PSE president and CEO. “Bert’s deep understanding of our company, combined with his extensive energy industry experience, makes him uniquely qualified to lead our board as we continue our clean energy transition while providing customers with what they want most—safe, reliable energy. I also want to express our profound gratitude to Scott for his leadership over the past four years: his strategic vision and his deep commitment to the communities we serve have been instrumental during this time of significant change for PSE.”

PSE and Puget Energy also recently welcomed two new directors: Jerry Divoky, senior managing director for BCI's Infrastructure team, and Adam Friedrichsen, director at OMERS Infrastructure.

Jerry Divoky brings more than three decades of finance experience to his new role. Since joining BCI in 2004, he has served on boards across the firm's regulated assets globally, including Endeavour Energy, Transelec, Czech Gas Networks, Thames Water and National Gas Grid.

Adam Friedrichsen oversees the origination, execution and management of OMERS infrastructure investments across North America and Europe. He currently sits on the asset management team and board of Kenter-Groendus, a Netherlands-based energy infrastructure business. His previous board experience includes director roles at Ellevio, NextBridge, and Scotia Gas Networks.

Learn more about our board of directors at pse.com.

Media Contact:

Melanie Coon, 888-831-7250, psenewsroom@pse.com