On Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (the “Commission”) Chairman, Jon Wellinghoff, named Thomas R. Sheets the new General Counsel.  In his new role, Mr. Sheets will be responsible for the legal portion of the Commission’s activities and will represent the Commission before the courts and Congress. 

Currently, Mr. Sheets is a partner at the McDonald Carano Wilson law firm in their Las Vegas Office and has served as Chairman of the Nevada Tax Commission for the last four years.  Mr. Sheets has more than 32 years of experience in the energy, administrative, and regulatory fields.  Mr. Sheets graduated from the University of Toledo, College of Law after earning a bachelor’s degree from Ashland University.  Mr. Sheets will replace Cynthia A. Marlette, who has been the General Counsel since October 2007 and previously served in the same position from 2001-2005.