Gov. Ned Lamont announced Friday Elin Swanson Katz, Connecticut’s consumer counsel since 2011, is leaving her post to pursue a technology-development opportunity, effective July 5.
The governor said Katz will pursue her passion in the private sector for improving broadband access for Connecticut’s citizens.
The independent Office of Consumer Counsel represents state utility customers on relevant matters before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
Prior to joining the OCC, Katz was a lawyer at law firms in Hartford, Boston and Washington, D.C. She also previously served as assistant counsel at the former state Department of Environmental Protection and taught at Trinity College in Hartford. She is vice-chair of the West Hartford Board of Education.
“Elin has been a passionate advocate for all of Connecticut’s citizens for nearly eight years,” Lamont said in a statement. “Her expertise and experience has helped ensure Connecticut consumers have an advocate on their side and no doubt that advocacy will continue as she begins working to bring broadband and 5G technology – and its transformative powers – to all Connecticut consumers.”
The governor said he will soon start the search process for a new consumer counsel.