Flanigan to lead Grant PUD's energy-exploration team

Thursday, 03 April 2025

A 19-year Grant PUD employee with ample insights into energy-trading markets and the changing utilitenvironment has been named to lead the team researching investments in new sources of energy to power Grant County into the future.

Rich Flanigan will begin his new role as chief commercial officer on April 11, 2025, but is already serving as "interim" chief until his official start date. He replaces John Mertlich, whom commissioners recently chose to lead the utility as general manager & CEO.

"I am confident that with Rich's experience and proven track record, he will be a great leader and advocate for Grant PUD," Mertlich said.

"This is an exciting opportunity," Flanigan said. "I've done a lot of different things at Grant PUD and have a good understanding of the District; that will help in my new role. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."

Flanigan is an Ephrata High School graduate. He holds bachelor's degrees in accounting and finance from Washington State University. He joined Grant PUD in 2006 as a financial analyst and has since held positions that include senior term marketer and senior manager of Wholesale Marketing and Supply.

He and his wife Dawn have lived in Ephrata for the past 35 years and have raised their four children there. In his spare time Flanigan enjoys family snow-skiing trips, working around the yard and reading.