By Amanda Durish Cook

The Organization of MISO States announced Monday that its board of directors has promoted Marcus Hawkins to head the organization, replacing outgoing Executive Director Tanya Paslawski next year.

Hawkins, formerly an engineer with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, joined the organization in 2016 as its director of member services and advocacy. (See Former Wisconsin PSC Engineer Marcus Hawkins Joins OMS Staff.)

Paslawski, who has headed OMS since 2015, will leave effective Dec. 31 to become president of the Michigan Gas and Electric Association. (See OMS Executive Director to Exit.)

“OMS commissioners know and have great respect for Marcus Hawkins’ work as director of member services and advocacy. We look forward to working with him in his new role,” said OMS board President Ted Thomas, chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

Hawkins said he is excited to lead the organization during “rapid change in the electric industry.”

In addition to his role at the Wisconsin PSC, Hawkins has also worked at Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp. and PA Consulting Group. Hawkins has a master’s in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s in nuclear engineering, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.