Burns will remain with Community Power through Jan. 15, 2027 as an Executive Advisor to support a smooth leadership transition and ensure continuity for the organization, its employees, and the communities it serves.
“Since joining Community Power, Karin Burns has been instrumental in transforming a newly established agency into one of the nation’s leading community choice energy providers,” said Community Power Board Chair and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “Under her leadership, Community Power has become a strong agency, assembling an exceptional team and establishing a foundation that will serve our communities for years to come. We thank Karin for her service and wish her success in the future.”
Burns joined Community Power in early 2022 and oversaw a period of significant advancement and achievement for the agency. During that time, Community Power expanded renewable energy procurement, strengthened its financial position, and launched innovative customer programs.
“Having served on the Community Power Board during many of the organization’s most formative years, I saw firsthand Karin’s ability to turn the Board’s ambitious vision into a high performing organization,” said San Diego City Council President and former Community Power Board Chair Joe LaCava. “She brought the leadership, discipline, and determination needed to navigate a complex and rapidly changing energy market while building an organization capable of delivering lasting value to our communities.”
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Expanding service to nearly one million customer accounts, becoming the nation’s second-largest community choice aggregator
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Building an investment-grade public agency with an ‘A stable’ credit rating from S&P Global and more than $500 million in reserves
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Growing the team from fewer than 20 to nearly 100 employees and establishing the systems and operating practices needed to support the agency’s expanding scale
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Securing contracts for more than 3.4 gigawatts of renewable energy and energy storage capacity to support cleaner electricity at competitive rates
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Launching the region’s first Regional Energy Network to expand access to energy efficiency programs and strengthen coordination among local governments and community partners
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Advancing behind-the-meter solar and battery storage programs and a regional virtual power plant (VPP) to help customers manage energy costs, reduce emissions and strengthen resilience
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Investing millions of dollars in community-based organizations, workforce development and local clean energy projects
