Kim Rush named president of Portland utility NW Natural Gas
(UI) — Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural) has announced the appointment of Kim Rush as its next president, effective April 1, 2025. Rush, a 26-year veteran of the Portland-headquartered utility, will take on full strategic, financial, and operational responsibilities for the company.
“I am so proud to have spent most of my career at NW Natural, where our team has a deep commitment to the communities we live in and where our core values really mean something,” Rush said. “I’m particularly excited to lead the utility at a time when the work we do is more important than ever to reliably serve our customers and support the regional energy system.”
The leadership transition aligns with Justin B. Palfreyman’s expected promotion to CEO of NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural, following the retirement of David H. Anderson.
Rush joined NW Natural in 1998 and has held key leadership positions in communications, marketing, and operations. Most recently, she served as senior vice president and chief operating officer. Her previous roles include chief marketing officer and chief corporate communications officer.
“Kim plays an integral role in how we operate every day and in how we show up outside our organization, including to customers and stakeholders,” said Palfreyman, president of NW Natural Holdings. “Her extensive knowledge of our gas utility and her commitment to safety and reliability make her an exceptional leader for this role.”
Before joining NW Natural, Rush held senior communications roles at Alltel Corporation and Bank of America Corporation in Chicago. She is actively involved in industry organizations, serving on the board of the Northwest Gas Association and participating in committees of the American Gas Association.
Rush holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science in Communications from Northwestern University.
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