Chris Colson
Senior Vice President and Infrastructure Asset Management and Planning Manager
Western Area Power Administration
Chris Colson was named Senior Vice President and Infrastructure Asset Management and Planning Manager in August 2025. In this role, he leads infrastructure policy and planning for more than 17,000 circuit-miles of WAPA’s high-voltage transmission systems across 15 states. Colson is responsible for infrastructure lifecycle management and transmission service strategy, helping ensure the efficient, reliable and data-driven operation of electric power systems critical to WAPA’s mission.
Before this role, Colson served as WAPA’s Transmission System Planning Manager. Earlier in his career, he served as a submariner in the U.S. Navy.
Colson holds a bachelor’s degree from the United States Navy Academy, a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University, and a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Montana State University. He has authored more than a dozen technical articles in peer-reviewed journals and led several industry teams and projects supporting secure, affordable and reliable energy future.