Will McAdams joined Mike Toomey and Associates after 18 years in public service at both the federal and state levels of government. Most recently Will served on the Public Utility Commission of Texas as Governor Greg Abbott’s first appointment to the Commission following the longest and most severe grid event in Texas history during the winter of 2021.
Following his nomination Governor Greg Abbott said that “Will McAdams will bring a fresh perspective and outstanding leadership to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Will’s wealth of experience in public service and state government make him the ideal leader to carry out the PUC’s mission to protect customers, foster competition, and promote high quality infrastructure across Texas. Will is committed to charting a new course for the commission and restoring trust with Texans. I am confident that he will lead the agency with integrity and transparency and I urge the Senate to confirm Will’s appointment.” (https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-appoints-mcadams-to-public-utility-commission-of-texas)
Following his confirmation to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) McAdams proposed enhanced weatherization standards for all electric power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities located in Texas. Once adopted, these standards became the foundation for the most stringent power plant weatherization program in the nation. McAdams also launched the Aggregated Distributed Energy Resource (ADER) Pilot program, which allowed virtual power plants to contract with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), to sell their excess power into the grid’s portfolio of backup power services, also known as ancillary services. This was a first program of its kind in the United States.
McAdams was active outside of ERCOT as well serving as the Texas delegate and officer to the governing council of regulators for the Southwest Power Pool, the energy grid that serves consumers in 14 states from North Texas to North Dakota. McAdams was chairman of the Resource and Energy Adequacy Leadership (REAL) Team, responsible for developing policies that ensure sufficient supplies of power can be developed and delivered within the SPP region.
Prior to his appointment to the Public Utility Commission, McAdams was President of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, a statewide trade association representing over 1600 companies comprised of general and subcontractors, suppliers and vendors operating in both commercial and industrial construction within Texas.
McAdams also worked in various senior staff roles in the Texas Legislature over 11 years. These duties included serving as Advisor to the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives for Business and Regulated Industries. Additionally, McAdams served as Director for the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, developing legislation that allowed for 5G telecommunication service deployment throughout Texas (SB 1004). As Director for Senate B&C, McAdams oversaw the movement of all legislation related to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as telecommunication services, property and casualty insurance, banking, alcohol regulations, and occupational licensing regulations for the State of Texas. He also served as Deputy Director for the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, and Legislative Director and Media Relations Director for several state senators.
Prior to working in state government McAdams served for four years as an infantry officer in the United States Army, serving overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and retiring honorably as a captain.
In addition to joining Mike Toomey and Associates, McAdams is president of McAdams Energy Group LLC, a firm that provides strategic advice and assistance in the areas of energy, and critical infrastructure.
McAdams is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Minor in Business.
McAdams in the News:
Luke Metzger of Environment Texas said of McAdams that “his experience suggests he understands the electric industry. The question is, will he stand up to the industry and vigorously work to protect consumers and the environment? The PUC is a shipwreck right now.” (https://environmentamerica.org/texas/media-center/environment-texas-statement-on-appointment-of-will-mcadams-to-public-utility-commission-of-texas)
When McAdams announced his departure from the PUC, Bloomberg News reported that “Two key figures in the oversight of Texas’ power infrastructure are set to resign at a critical time for the second-largest US state amid booming electricity demand.”
Bloomberg further reported that “McAdams was nominated by Abbott to occupy one of the four Public Utility Commission seats in the aftermath of the February 2021 freeze. The appointment was part of a post-disaster clean sweep of the agency’s leadership. Since McAdams joined the commission, the PUC has pushed through reforms to procure more electricity reserves, help cover power-plant fuel costs and oversee implementation of efforts to insure against another grid disaster.”
Channel 13 Houston quoted Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a professor at the University of Houston upon the announcement of McAdams departure as saying “Having those two voices in the decision making process, I think was important, is important, and that viewpoint is important. I think the citizens in the state of Texas are going to be less well-served without those voices.” (https://abc13.com/ercot-resignation-announcement-governor-greg-abbott-texas-power-grid/14041049)