Denise Buffington
Business Leader & Corporate Counsel: Expert in Corporate Governance, Deal Structuring, Strategic Direction, Partnership Building, Negotiations, and Regulatory Compliance
- Role
- Director, Federal Regulatory Affairs at Evergy
- Location
- Kansas City, MO, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Denise Buffington
A proven corporate leader, I blend business and legal acumen to define and implement strategic direction and corporate policies and procedures that drive growth and profitability in a heavily regulated market. Additionally, I excel in collaborating up and down an organization while building strong external relationships to negotiate and advance win-win partnerships and transactions.As the Director of Federal Regulatory Affairs at Evergy, Inc, I provide proven leadership in crafting and communicating company position and policy on regulatory issues and driving achievement of public policy objectives. I specialize in creating and implementing policies for transmission rates and market-based service conditions. Evergy was formed in 2018 as a merger between Westar Energy and Kansas City Power & Light (where I’ve worked since 2010). At that time, I provided leadership in winning federal regulatory approvals for the merger and structuring corporate governance thereafter. My areas of expertise include:* Deal Structuring: Provided leadership in formulating plans and capturing federal regulatory approvals for the merger of Great Plains Energy (Kansas City Power & Light’s parent company) and Westar Energy to form Evergy, Inc. in 2018. Also led the formation of Transource Energy in 2012, a JV between Great Plains Energy and American Electric Power Co.* Coalition Building: Organized and represented SPP transmission owners in litigation against Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, winning additional compensation for as-available transmission service. Built coalitions and teams for multiple departments and JVs, working to adjust to market changes while driving growth and profitability.* Legal Representation: Guided electric utility in planning, drafting, and submitting an unprecedented application for approval to distribute excess decommissioning fund proceeds and net gains from the sale of a nuclear power plant, yielding a settlement to resolve all issues with a distribution of a one-time payment of funds to existing wholesale clients.* Strategic Leadership: Define direction and represent utilities before state and federal regulatory bodies, influencing transmission and wholesale power rates, driving business growth, winning approval for M & As, and more.As a member of the District of Columbia Bar and Kansas State Bar, I earned my JD at American University. I also completed an Executive MBA at University of Missouri Kansas City and a Bachelor’s in Political Science (Minor in Business Law & Law Enforcement) at Minnesota State University.
Experience
Director, Federal Regulatory Affairs
Jun 2018 — Present · Kansas City, MO, US
In 2018, Evergy, Inc. was created as a public utility holding company as a result of a merger between Westar Energy and Kansas City Power & Light Co. In this new entity, I lead the development and implementation of federal regulatory strategy, driving achievement of policy objectives before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) while aligning policy across multiple states. Additionally, I direct Evergy’s corporate initiatives related to the Southwest Power Pool, Inc.(SPP), including energy markets, transmission growth, and federal regulatory matters. I astutely manage 50+ direct and indirect reports while chairing multiple committees and leading outside counsel for state/federal-level litigation and initiatives. Among my other duties, I create and implement policy for transmission rates and market-based service conditions while crafting company position and policy on regulatory issues and public policy objectives. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:President, PRAIRIE WIND TRANSMISSION, LLC (2018-Present): Evergy owns a 50% interest in Prairie Wind Transmission, a joint venture with AEP and Berkshire Hathaway. As President, I manage corporate governance and strategic direction for a single-project entity that leverages Evergy employees and resources, ensuring achievement of all contract terms, collecting revenue, controlling budgets, and paying quarterly dividends.Vice President, TRANSOURCE ENERGY, LLC (2018-Present): Evergy owns a 13.5% interest in Transource Energy, a joint venture with American Electric Power (AEP), focusing on the development and operation of competitive transmission projects in regional markets across the U.S. In my role as VP, I provide strategic leadership while developing competitive electric transmission projects.
Education
American University Washington College of Law
Juris Doctor, Legal
2000 — 2003
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General
2014 — 2016
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Bachelor of Science, Political Science, Business Law & Law Enforcement
1990 — 1994
Find verified contacts for anyone on LinkedIn
Unifers gives sales teams verified emails and direct dials, enriched profiles, and outreach that lands in the inbox.
Free plan included · No credit card required
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.