# Gregg Kantor

> Gregg Steven Kantor (1957-2025) was a Portland utility executive and civic leader who led NW Natural as CEO from January 2009 through July 2016. Trained in geography, environmental studies and urban planning, he previously worked in government affairs and communications and supported Portland institutions including Lan Su Chinese Garden and Albina Vision Trust.

- **Role:** Former President and Chief Executive Officer of NW Natural (deceased January 31, 2025)
- **Organizations:** NW Natural, Kantor & Associates, Portland General Electric, Bonneville Power Administration, Oregon governor’s office, American Gas Association, Oregon Business Council, Oregon Global Warming Commission, Greater Portland Inc., Portland Business Alliance, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, Portland Schools Foundation, All Hands Raised, Albina Vision Trust, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland Chinatown Museum
- **From:** Chicago, United States
- **Education:** BA in Geography and Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, MA in Urban Planning, University of Oregon
- **Known for:** Helped explain and advance NW Natural’s regulatory approach to conservation and customer-shareholder alignment., Led NW Natural during its 2010 national J.D. Power residential gas customer satisfaction result., Served as 2014 chairman of the American Gas Association.

## Career timeline

- **1991-1993** — Manager of Community Development at Portland General Electric.
- **1994-1996** — Principal of government affairs consulting firm Kantor & Associates.
- **1996-1998** — Director of Public Affairs and Communications at NW Natural.
- **1998-2003** — Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications at NW Natural.
- **2003-2006** — Senior Vice President of Public and Regulatory Affairs at NW Natural.
- **2006-2007** — Executive Vice President of NW Natural, beginning December 2006.
- **2007-2008** — President and Chief Operating Officer, effective May 1, 2007.
- **2008** — Elected to NW Natural’s board in September.
- **2009-2016** — CEO of NW Natural from January 1, 2009 through July 31, 2016; president until 2015.
- **2014** — Chairman of the American Gas Association.
- **2016** — Advised NW Natural’s board through December 31 following CEO handover to David Anderson.
- **2018** — Publicly supported Albina Vision’s neighborhood vision as a board member.

## Achievements

- Helped explain and advance NW Natural’s regulatory approach to conservation and customer-shareholder alignment.
- Led NW Natural during its 2010 national J.D. Power residential gas customer satisfaction result.
- Served as 2014 chairman of the American Gas Association.
- Helped develop Lan Su Chinese Garden and advised the Portland Chinatown Museum.
- Helped establish a corporate matching-gift program, as described by Oregon Natural Desert Association.

## Latest updates

- **2025-03** — The Oregonian published his obituary, recording his death on January 31, 2025, aged 67.
- **2025-03** — ONDA’s Spring + Summer 2025 newsletter featured his conservation support and use of matched donations.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-kantor-60177114

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/gregg-kantor
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22