Pacific Gas & Electric has reportedly hired a bodyguard to protect CEO Patti Poppe.
CalMatters reported that an “executive protection officer” has been hired for the second time in three months.
The big picture: According to the report, the responsibilities of the executive protection officer include proactively monitoring for threats, helping executives map out travel, coordinating with law enforcement and being available around-the-clock for executives and their families.
- The bodyguards are required to have a concealed carry permit or the equivalent of one and have combat shooting expertise.
- The position is part of PG&E’s executive protection department.
State of play: PG&E is beefing up security after years of negative sentiment turning against the utility over the last several years.
- The utility has often been under fire by the public, especially after there were six rate hikes last year alone.
- PG&E has also agreed to major settlements in recent years to avoid prosecution for destructive wildfires.
- The security increase also comes after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered last year.
