EWEB’s Current & Future Landscape: General Manager John Hairston
Time: Noon to 1:15 pm
Venue: WOW Hall
291 West 8th
Eugene, Oregon
97401
- Join the Livestream
- YouTube
- Podcast
We will meet at the WOW Hall, 291 W 8th. Learn more: https://wowhall.org/about-us/. Walk, ride a bike or take the bus. You may park on the street or in the parking lot of FOOD for Lane County's Dining Room, across 8th from the WOW Hall. A freewill donation acknowledging the Dining Room's generosity may be made at the meeting.
Sorry - we no longer offer lunch. However, you are welcome to bring your own food.
Topic:
120 years ago, a typhoid epidemic ravaged Eugene and surrounding communities. When it was traced to the privately owned water company, Eugeneians did what they have done for generations hence: demand change. The rest, they say, is history.
The Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) has navigated all manner of change in the 116 years since its founding in 1911. Today, there is more transformation afoot, as advances in technology have both increased demand for power and enabled cheaper deployment of renewable energy at industrial scale.
Enter, stage right, John Hairston, who took the reins as EWEB’s General Manager this past May. We are excited to welcome Mr. Hairston to City Club to discuss the present challenges and future opportunities he sees for EWEB.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Speakers
Title: General Manager
Organization: Eugene Water & Electric Board
Website:
Biography:
Biography is provided by the speaker and edited for length/proofreading
John Hairston officially joined EWEB on May 11, 2026, bringing decades of energy industry leadership.
He spent 35 years at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) — the federal agency that supplies most of EWEB’s hydropower — rising through roles spanning compliance, rates, IT, energy efficiency, safety, and power planning, before serving as BPA’s Administrator and CEO.
He holds a law degree from Lewis & Clark College, a master’s in urban studies from Portland State University, and a bachelor’s in economics from Southern University in Baton Rouge.
John is focused on the utility issues that are critical to our community — transitioning to a cleaner, more resilient electric grid, ensuring the long-term reliability and stewardship of our water systems, and making responsible investments in the infrastructure our community depends on.
