Most recently, Gashus was a management consultant and partner at Agility Factor Inc. after five years as vice-president of customer service with FortisAlberta. Her career also includes service as chief operating officer of Regare Corporation/Pacific Coast Net, executive director of merger and integrations with Metronet Communications Inc., senior manager of customer service and accounts for Minerva Technology/Xwave, and senior positions at Imperial Oil.

“Karin has a great combination of experience in the utilities industry and customer service that makes her ideal for the position as advocate,” said Klimchuk. “I am confident she will be a strong representative for residential and farm consumers, and small businesses.”

The UCA team works to ensure small consumers have the information, representation and protection they need to better equip them to make informed choices in Alberta’s restructured electricity and natural gas markets. The advocate represents the interests of small consumers in regulatory hearings and helps resolve disputes between consumers and utilities.

“I am excited by the opportunity to work on behalf of consumers,” said Gashus. “In addition to the excellent work the UCA already does intervening on regulatory issues, I want to strengthen our efforts to educate consumers about their rights and choices, and build awareness that the UCA is there to help them.”

The Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate was created in 2003 and is part of Service Alberta. For more information about the UCA, visit www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca.