MEDIA RELEASE: NWGA Names Kelly Fukai as New Chief Executive Officer

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D. Scott Peterson

peterson@libertystarstrategies.com

503.236.8776

Portland, OR – The Northwest Gas Association (NWGA) is proud to announce the appointment of Kelly Fukai as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 22, 2025. With a distinguished career spanning the energy, technology, and public affairs sectors, Fukai brings deep strategic, regulatory, and stakeholder expertise to lead the NWGA into its next chapter.

Fukai most recently served as CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), where she successfully led statewide initiatives and policy coalitions to strengthen Washington’s innovation economy. Prior to that, she held senior leadership roles in government and community affairs at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Spokane Airports, and spent over a decade at Avista managing natural gas resource planning and procurement.

“Kelly’s combination of operational knowledge, policy acumen and collaborative leadership strongly aligns with NWGA’s mission to advocate for our industry and customers,” said Joe Mazza, Chair of the NWGA Board of Directors. “Her forward-thinking approach and deep regional roots will be a valuable asset as our industry works to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy options for the customers we serve.”

Fukai began her career in accounting and rose through the ranks in utility operations, regulatory affairs, and public advocacy. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Gonzaga University, and has been recognized as one of Spokane’s “25 People of Influence in 2025.”

“I am honored to return to the energy sector and lead NWGA at a time of such transformation and opportunity,” said Fukai. “Natural gas continues to play a vital role in ensuring affordable, reliable energy for our communities. I look forward to working with our members and partners to shape a sustainable energy future for the Northwest.”

Fukai succeeds Dan Kirschner, who will retire at the end of the year after more than two decades of service to NWGA.

About NWGA

The Northwest Gas Association is a bi-national trade organization of the Pacific Northwest natural gas industry. Its core purpose is to advocate for the role of the region’s gas infrastructure in safely delivering a clean, dependable and affordable energy future. NWGA members include six natural gas utilities and three transmission pipelines that transport natural gas from production areas in Alberta, British Columbia, and the U.S. Rockies into and through the Pacific Northwest. Together, NWGA members serve warmth and comfort to 10 million residents in communities throughout British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington and productive energy to almost 350,000 businesses, institutions, and industries in the region. For more information, go to www.nwga.org or find NWGA on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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