Paul Lau

Paul Lau is the current Chief Executive Officer and General Manager at SMUD. Prior to this, they served as the Chief Grid Strategy & Operations Officer from February 2015 to October 2020. In this role, they were responsible for SMUD’s power supply and distributed energy resources strategies, including the resources and operating strategies of SMUD generation, transmission and distributions systems. Paul also controlled a $670 million budget to ensure the reliability of the electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems; purchase and sale of gas and electric commodities and achievement of renewable portfolio standards.

From December 2011 to February 2015, Lau served as the Assistant General Manager - Power Supply & Grid Operations. In this role, they were responsible for the planning, operation and maintenance of SMUD’s electric generation, transmission and distribution systems. Paul also managed a team of 300 employees responsible for the day-to-day operations of these systems.

Prior to that, from April 2008 to December 2011, Lau served as the Assistant General Manager - Customer, Distribution & Technology. In this role, they oversaw all aspects of customer service, including billing, metering and call center operations. Paul also managed the development and deployment of new technology projects aimed at improving customer service.

Paul Lau received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from California State University-Sacramento. Paul then went on to earn a certification from Hammer & Company in Certificate of Reengineering Process Mastery.

Jennifer Davidson - Chief Financial Officer, Markisha Webster - Interim Chief Diversity Officer, and Brandy Bolden - Chief Customer Officer report to Paul Lau.