NW Natural Appoints Robert S. Hess as Director of Investor Relations

Strategic Insights -

Northwest Natural Gas Company, operating as NW Natural, has chosen Robert S. Hess to lead the company's investor relations efforts, bringing over two decades of experience in senior communications and investor relations positions to the role.

Hess, a 52-year-old seasoned professional, joins NW Natural after serving as Director of Investor Relations for PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of ScottishPower, since 2000, and previously held positions at Oregon public companies and industry associations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Robert S. Hess, a 52-year-old seasoned professional, has been appointed as the Director of Investor Relations at Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural) effective October 3.
  • Hess brings over 24 years of experience in senior communications and investor relations positions, including serving as Director of Investor Relations for PacifiCorp since 2000.
  • He will assume the investor relations role from Jim Boehlke, who has directed the company's successful investor relations programs since 1997.
  • Hess graduated from the University of Oregon, attended New York University, and the University of Michigan for financial studies associated with the National Investor Relations Institute.
  • Before joining PacifiCorp, Hess served as director of corporate communications at NERCO, Inc., director of public affairs for Oregon's Associated General Contractors, and director of investor relations at Crown Pacific, Inc.
  • Hess serves on the boards of several local organizations, including the Portland chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute and the Franciscan Montessori Earth School.
  • He is married to local artist Gail Wells-Hess, and they have a son, Brient.
  • Hess will oversee NW Natural's investor relations efforts, with the company serving over 600,000 residential and business customers in Oregon and southwest Washington.

Statistics:

  • NW Natural has over 600,000 residential and business customers in Oregon and southwest Washington.
  • The company is the largest independent natural gas utility in the Pacific Northwest.
  • It has experienced customer growth in excess of 3 percent for 18 consecutive years, making it one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the nation.
  • NW Natural has over $1.7 billion in total assets.
  • The company has nearly 14 bcf of underground gas storage capacity at Mist, Ore., within its service territory.

Sources:

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