Vice President - SMUD Board of Directors

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About Nancy Bui-Thompson


"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer."

John F. Kennedy

My Values

  • Family comes first. 
  • Integrity matters.
  • Inspire others. 
  • Service above self. 
  • Honesty is a given. 
  • Humility is a gift. 
  • Know what you stand for
  • Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value

My family immigrated to the United States in 1975 from Vietnam. My mother raised three daughters on her own in Silicon Valley. I am the first in my family to attend and graduate from college, working several jobs to pay my tuition. I graduated from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Economics and Management Information Systems. I have lived in Rancho Cordova for 17 years and currently live in Kavala Ranch with my husband, Paul Thompson. 


In August of 2008, I embarked on a whirlwind journey on the path to become the Director that would represent the communities of Rancho Cordova, Gold River, Folsom, Rancho Murieta, Galt and Wilton on the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Board of Directors. Hard work truly does pay off. During my campaign, my husband Paul (then fiance) and I walked and talked to over 3000 households between the two of us, within a few short months. I personally made over 1,500 voter and fundraising calls.On November 8th, 2008, I was overwhelmingly elected to the Board.In 2012, I was honored to be elected my my peers to serve as Board President. In 2012 and 2016, I ran for re-election and am now serving my third term on the SMUD Board of Directors.  I have served as President of the Board in 2012 and 2016. I am currently serving as Vice President for 2020.


As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 70 years to Sacramento County. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD is the first large California utility to receive more than 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources.


I was awarded one of the “40 under 40” honors from the Sacramento Business Journal and is New Leaders Council National 40 Under 40 Award Winner.


In 2012, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) awarded the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF) to Bui-Thompson. The GMF is a non-partisan American public policy and grant making institution dedicated to promoting better understanding and cooperation between North America and Europe on transatlantic and global issues.


My in depth experience in energy, government, business and technology prepared to be successful SMUD Board Member. Having worked in various sectors and with numerous Fortune 500 companies and large public agencies has given me a perspective that is truly unique. My diverse business background enables me to be able to work with a variety of sectors. I am a technology and management consultant who has worked for two of the world’s most prestigious consulting companies, also known as the companies in the “Big 4” – Deloitte Consulting and Accenture. I am currently a Director at Public Consulting Group. Throughout my career in technology and project management, I have worked with various State and local government agencies, energy, and health care organizations successfully bridging the gap between technology and business.


My specialty is coming into very difficult situations and implementing a strategy for success. Saving failing projects, detangling complicated systems, implementing very large implementations, saving companies/projects that are at risk and communicating difficult messages are the types of work I do on a daily basis. At the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the organization that operates California's energy grid reliably and efficiently, I provided software development and project management expertise for the CAISO's software system implementations. Working with energy analysts on a daily basis gave me a perspective that is truly unique and will assist me greatly when evaluating energy pricing and resources.I have consulted executive level management for some of the country’s largest employers, bringing efficiency and project management to their organizations. As a consultant for several of the State’s largest and most complex software systems, I became an expert in building relationships between the public and private sector. Along with providing technology and project management expertise, I have personally managed and provided oversight for several $600M+ dollar projects. I provided project management and technology consulting services for Sutter Health Information Technology Services as they embarked on their largest technology and process implementation ever attempted.


As a former business owner, I know the importance of building relationships with businesses to ensure the health of our local economy.  By supporting and expanding SMUD's partnerships and incentive programs for businesses, I will work hard to attract and retain companies to Sacramento.Today, I work I am a Director at Public Consulting Group- a company who's focus is bringing efficiency and strategic thinking to government.


Serving as a Board Member for the United Way has enabled me to be a steward to programs and projects that make an incredible impact throughout the Sacramento Region for families in need.


As a member of the Advisory Board for the Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission, I ensured that residents in Sacramento County are treated fairly and have safe havens.


On the Sacramento Transportation and Air Quality collaborative I represented the City of Rancho Cordova. For almost seven years, the Collaborative developed a long range and comprehensive strategy for the Sacramento countywide area to improve transportation and air quality within a regional context, including relevant land use and economic vitality strategies.


I served on the Board of Directors for Sacramento Advocates for Girls Empowerment, a non profit that is entirely devoted to the encouragement and empowerment of middle-school and high-school girls in pursuit of careers in computer-related technology, life sciences, engineering, science, math and law.


I have brought the real world to students as a volunteer teacher for Junior Achievement (JA).  JA Worldwide is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. 


As the founder of Bear HUGS (Hope You Give Someone), I spoke to school children about child abuse and have collected teddy bears for children in abusive and traumatic situations.


I answered the call to duty after Hurricane Katrina and become a Red Cross Volunteer. I am a Disaster Services volunteer for the SacSierra chapter of the Red Cross.


I  have served on the National Advisory Board for the New Leaders Council, a non-profit organization that trains and supports the next generation of political leaders and entrepreneurs.



Today, I want to serve as your voice in Sacramento. A voice that echoes your concerns. A voice that matters. A voice that cares.