Hwikwon Ham was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission by Governor Walz, on January 3, 2024. Commissioner Ham has spent 20+ years in state government working on energy issues. Most recently, he was the supervisor for the regional energy program within the Commission. Prior to his tenure with the PUC, he was an energy rates analyst with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  

His expertise lies in ensuring grid reliability, fostering efficient energy markets, guiding transmission planning, and advocating for equitable transmission cost allocation. Commissioner Ham has defended Minnesota interests within the complex landscape of federally regulated Regional Transmission Organizations and engaged in the MISO stakeholder process. He has served as a staff member of the Organization of MISO States and led the Market Work Group.  

Commissioner Ham is married and has two adult children. He earned an M.A. in economics from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.