SCC News

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has named Joseph F. Damico its chief administrative officer.

Damico joins the Commission on July 25, 2024. He recently served as the deputy director the Richmond Department of Public Works. Prior to that, Damico served in leadership roles for more than 21 years at the Virginia Department of General Services (DGS), including six years as the director. He has over 30 years of public service experience. 

As the SCC’s chief administrative officer, Damico will oversee administrative divisions responsible for the SCC’s budget, human resources, computer technology, data security, public relations, procurement and facilities management. 

At DGS, Damico oversaw its statewide scope of responsibilities managing Virginia’s public health and environmental laboratory; procurement of non-technology goods and services; capital outlay management; construction management; real estate; management and maintenance of Capitol Square grounds and buildings; fleet management; the state and federal surplus property programs; and mail delivery at the seat of government. Damico managed an agency with more than 700 authorized employees and an annual operational budget of approximately $270 million, with an additional approximately $500 million in capital outlay projects. Among the major initiatives he led was the construction and renovation of projects to enhance and preserve Capitol Square, including that of the new General Assembly Building, Old City Hall, the Barbara Johns Building and Reid’s Row – all historically significant buildings – as well as repairs to the Capitol and enhancements to the grounds in and around the Capitol. 

Damico replaces Samuel A. Nixon Jr., who is retiring this month after nine years with the SCC. Prior to joining the SCC, Nixon was the chief information officer of the Commonwealth and the director of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency from 2010 to 2015. Nixon was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1994 to 2010, representing Chesterfield County.

The SCC, established in 1902 by the Constitution of Virginia, holds jurisdiction over many businesses that directly impact Virginia consumers. The SCC’s authority encompasses utilities, insurance, a health benefit exchange, state-chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising, railroads, and underground utility safety.

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Contact: Greg Weatherford, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – Longtime Commissioner Theodore “Ted” Morrison Jr. was remembered by fellow former commissioners as tough yet thoughtful, with a sharp legal mind and an encyclopedic knowledge of the Virginia General Assembly.  

Morrison, who died July 6, 2024, “could push hard,” recalled former Commissioner James Dimitri, who faced Morrison’s sharp questions both while working under him as SCC general counsel and while appearing before him in the courtroom. “But he would in the end work to be fair about what he was doing.”

Before serving as Commissioner from 1989 to 2008 – including six stints as chairman – Morrison served for 20 years in the Virginia House of Delegates. He was named to and helped lead many influential legislative committees and commissions including the Virginia Code Commission, the legislative body that arranges for the codification and incorporation of laws into the Code of Virginia. He was a founding member of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and chief patron of a bill creating the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

When elected Commissioner, Morrison brought that wealth of experience and insight on the General Assembly to the SCC.

Said former Commissioner Hullihen Williams Moore, “He not only knew the law, he knew the people who were making those laws.

Moore added, “He was a very fine, smart, helpful, articulate colleague. And he always told you what he thought.”

FERC Commissioner Mark Christie, who served alongside Morrison as SCC Commissioner, noted, “The first time I sat on a hearing where Ted presided, I knew I would learn how to preside over a hearing from him, so I better pay close attention – and I always did. I think it is fair to say Ted Morrison did not suffer fools gladly (and I do not exclude myself, as he occasionally made clear – but I learned each time).”

Christie continued, “He was the epitome of what an SCC judge should be: scrupulously fair both to consumers and to utilities and other regulated businesses, including banks and insurance companies. He was very concerned to make sure that consumers were treated fairly, and he brought that concern to protect consumers to the SCC."

Christie concluded, “I have always taken that lesson to heart, and in that sense Ted Morrison has always been my role model for how regulators should fulfill their duties. After Ted had retired, I frequently asked myself, ‘What would Ted do?’ And the answer was usually the right answer.”

Former Commissioner Judith Jagdmann called Morrison “a force of nature.”

“I had the pleasure of working both for and with him,” she added. “Like many intelligent and highly accomplished individuals, the judge was not known for his patient demeanor or subtlety. He expected you to know your position and defend it.  While he didn’t expect perfection, he demanded honesty and diligence. The Commission and the citizens of Virginia benefited greatly from his service. I count it a privilege to have served with him.”

Morrison attended Newport News High School and Emory University in Atlanta, where he graduated first in his class and was admitted to the Georgia bar before graduation.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sharon Bundy Morrison, and three sons. A stepson preceded him in death. A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.

Morrison’s work at the SCC helped shape its culture, say those who worked with him. In summing up Morrison's vast contributions, SCC Chairman Jehmal Hudson stated, “Ted never strayed from his commitment to providing the highest possible quality of public service. He took great pride in the Commission and its employees. Virginians can take great pride in Ted’s leadership and his enduring legacy. It is an honor to count him among the ranks of our commissioners.”

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Contact: Andy Farmer, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – Kelsey A. Bagot was sworn in today as the 39th commissioner of the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Bagot was elected by the General Assembly to fill a term ending January 31, 2030.

Prior to being elected to the Commission, Bagot was a Senior Attorney at NextEra Energy, Inc. Previously she served as Legal Advisor to Commissioner Mark C. Christie at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Christie served on the SCC for almost 17 years before joining FERC.

Bagot also served as a trial attorney at FERC as well as an associate at Troutman Saunders LLP and Van Ness Feldman LLP in Washington, D.C.

Bagot earned her Bachelor’s Degree from American University and her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

The other two SCC commissioners are Jehmal T. Hudson, the current chair, and Samuel T. Towell. The commissioners serve six-year terms.

Established in 1902, the SCC’s authority encompasses utilities, insurance, a health benefit exchange, state-chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising, railroad safety, and underground utility damage prevention. The Commission also serves as the Commonwealth’s central filing office for all entities formed or registered under Virginia corporate law. 

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Contact: Andy Farmer, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – Samuel T. Towell was sworn in today as the 38th commissioner of the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Towell was elected by the General Assembly to fill an unexpired term ending January 31, 2028.

Prior to being elected to the Commission, Towell was the Associate General Counsel at Smithfield Foods, Inc. Previously, he served for five years as Virginia’s Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation. In that role, he supervised the Insurance and Utilities Regulatory Section which appears before the SCC, the Consumer Protection Section, and the Office of Civil Rights, among others.

Towell also served as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry under Governor Terrence R. McAuliffe and as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Finance under Governor Mark R. Warner. In the private sector, Towell was a litigation attorney with McGuireWoods LLP and Williams Mullen, P.C. He also served as a judicial clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Towell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Towell joins Commissioner Jehmal T. Hudson, the current chair, who was appointed by Governor Ralph Northam and took office in July 2020.

Established in 1902, the SCC’s authority encompasses utilities, insurance, a health benefit exchange, state-chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising, railroad safety, and underground utility damage prevention. The Commission also serves as the Commonwealth’s central filing office for all entities formed or registered under Virginia corporate law.

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Contact: Andy Farmer, 804-371-9141