Paul Lau

About Paul Lau

It’s my honor to serve SMUD, our customers and the Sacramento region for the last 41 years and counting. As CEO, I bring a lifelong passion for clean and reliable energy, through advanced technology, progressive thinking and a commitment to affordable rates and excellent customer care. With the experience and understanding I’ve gained in my roles at SMUD – from leading grid strategy and operations for the region, including development and implementation of industry-leading clean energy strategies and the transition to a holistic smart grid, to overseeing the SMUD’s research and development programs and partnerships, as well as managing customer service, energy delivery, energy efficiency and customer renewable programs – I approach every day as an opportunity to raise the standards for our industry. And as a delegate with the United States Energy Association, helping to electrify countries such as Bangladesh, India and Jordan, I’m focused on solutions that lead to a better, more sustainable future for our planet.I’m proud to have called Sacramento home since 1975, when my family moved here in search of a better life. I received my Electrical Engineering degree at Sacramento State University, and my wife and I raised our three children here in Sacramento. I’m passionate about serving my community and finding new ways to continually improve the quality of life in the Sacramento region through partnerships, education, innovation and inclusive economic development.

Experience

1. Chief Executive Officer & General Manager

   SMUD

   Oct 2020 — Present · Sacramento, CA, US

   Responsible for managing all operations and business affairs for the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned electric utility. Reports to the SMUD Board of Directors, with responsibility for a $2.1 billion annual budget. Responsible for developing and executing on SMUD’s 5-year Strategic Plan to deliver on SMUD’s purpose to enhance the quality of life for its customers and community through creative energy solutions. Leads a workforce of 2,200+ to deliver on SMUD’s commitment to safety, diversity, employee development, innovation, its customers, environmental leadership and consistently best-in-class employee engagement.

Education

• California State University-Sacramento

  Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters

  2025

• California State University-Sacramento

  Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  1979 — 1984

Skills

• Energy Efficiency
• Demand Response
• Budgets
• Process Improvement
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Business Strategy
• Project Management
• Natural Gas
• Business Development
• Coaching
• Negotiation
• Analysis
• Program Management
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Contract Negotiation
• Electricians
• Smart Grid
• Power Generation
• Leadership
• Forecasting
• Contract Management
• Strategic Planning
• Strategy
• Power Systems
• Customer Service
• Energy
• Management
• Team Building
• Sap
• Engineering
• Change Management
• Renewable Energy
• Process Engineering
• Electric Power
• Risk Management
• Energy Management