Passion For People, Safety Drives PG&Es Stavropoulos

How do you know when you have the right person for the job, albeit a difficult one that can tolerate no error in judgment? That was the dilemma facing the leadership of Pacific Gas and Electric Company after the catastrophic Sept. 10, 2010 transmission pipeline explosion that decimated an entire neighborhood in the city of San Bruno, killing eight and injuring a number of others. In addition to bringing down the wrath of regulators and lawmakers throughout the state and nation because of its shoddy record-keeping and questionable operations practices, it effectively shattered the morale of the huge utility company.