The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has announced the appointment of Alexis Bechtel of Reading, Berks County, as the next Director of the Bureau of Consumer Services.

“In her years of professional experience, Alexis has developed significant expertise in several public utility matters,” Chairman James H. Cawley said. “She makes an excellent addition to our strong and capable roster of bureau directors with her knowledge of various utility and consumer-related issues.”

Before joining the PUC, Bechtel held several managerial positions dealing with customer service, call center operations and regulatory compliance.

Bechtel received her bachelor of science degree in business administration/finance and a masters of business administration in operations management from Almeda University.

The Bureau of Consumer Services responds to and investigates informal complaints by residential and small commercial consumers. The Bureau also serves as a mediator between utilities and consumers, working to resolve complaints or develop payment arrangements. The Bureau provides consumers with utility-related information and monitors compliance with PUC regulations regarding consumers. The Bureau provides an analysis of utility performance when handling consumer complaints and issues.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.