Press Release

PUC Appoints Chris Yother as Director of Bureau of Audits

Published on 5/8/2025

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric Gas Motor Carrier Pipeline Rails Telecommunications Transportation and Safety Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced the appointment of Chris Yother of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, as Director of the Commission’s Bureau of Audits, effective May 10, 2025.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Yother to this key leadership role,” said PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank. “His extensive audit background, technical expertise, and commitment to accountability and staff development will further enhance the important work of our Bureau of Audits.”

Mr. Yother has served with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities since 2015, where he conducted examinations of financial institutions, developed training programs for department personnel, and served as the department’s Risk Control Officer for its Enterprise Resource Management initiative. He is also recognized as an expert witness in banking and securities accounting matters.

Before joining the Department of Banking and Securities, Yother combined his public accounting experience with multiple auditing and supervisory roles with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Baltimore, accumulating over 14 years of supervisory experience in the auditing field.

He is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Pennsylvania, and holds a degree in Professional Accountancy from The Pennsylvania State University. Yother also served in the United States Army and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and is known for his advanced knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, his ability to design and evaluate risk-based audit frameworks, and his dedication to producing high-quality audit reports. He is also a strong advocate for training and professional development.

Mr. Yother and his wife, Jill, reside in Mechanicsburg.  They have three children:  Christian, Victoria and Andrew.

The PUC’s Bureau of Audits performs financial, management, operational, and specialized audits of electric, natural gas, steam heat, wastewater, water, and telecommunications utilities across Pennsylvania. The Bureau also reviews adjustment clause rate filings and 1307(e) reconciliation statements, conducts selected reviews of annual assessment reports for transportation companies, and oversees the reconciliation of distribution system improvement charges. These audits help ensure accurate cost recovery, identify operational improvements, and support potential cost savings for utilities and consumers.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov