Brian Howell

Strategic, Operational and Financial Leader in Enterprise Planning, Budgeting & Performance Management. Proven organizational performance lead with 20+ years leading enterprise-wide budgeting, strategic planning, and performance operations across utility, finance and energy sectors. Expert in aligning financial strategies with enterprise priorities, risk frameworks, and board-level governance.

Known for driving innovation in business planning systems, leading multi-million-dollar portfolios, and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. Trusted advisor to executive leadership with a consistent track record of data-driven decision making, process improvement, and strategic alignment across complex organizations.

Business Unit Planning Coordinator – FP&A & Enterprise Performance at SMUD (2011 – Present)

Lead contact for Business Unit and Enterprise financial and operational performance. Building relationships behind the numbers. Lead all aspects of financial and resource planning, budgeting, enterprise performance analysis and cross-departmental alignment for over $185M annual budget and $365M+ capital project portfolio.

• Created, delivered and managed SMUD's Quarterly Business Review (QBR) framework to align strategic goals with budget performance to provide executive visibility.
• Partnered with Finance, Legal, Strategy, and Operations to optimize three-year rate case development and long-range strategic planning.
• Developed and maintained enterprise-wide reporting tools including P&Ls, operational forecasts, KPI dashboards, and Board reports.
• Spearheaded SMUD prioritization initiatives and provided performance management consulting to drive KPI success
• Mentored and developed cross-functional analyst teams, fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Supported Enterprise Risk Oversight discussions by providing financial impact analysis and scenario modeling.
• Acted as lead liaison between Finance and Operations to ensure consistent alignment on goals, execution, and budgeting priorities.
• Served as Director; Governance Committee Chair and Executive Compensation Committee Chair on Travis Credit Union's Board of Directors (effective 2020-2025).

Supervisor, Business Finance – Customer Energy Solutions at Pacific Gas & Electric (2009 – 2011)

• Serve as lead financial contact for Customer Energy Solutions V.P.
• Manage 13 CPUC Balancing Portfolio accounts totaling $960M
• Create custom CEE financial Operations portfolio cost model, performance dashboard and compliance tracking tool.
• Lead team of Sr. Financial Analysts, Data Analysts, Project and Program Leads.
• Management lead for monthly financial close, accrual process, SAP reporting, cost allocations, system data governance, cost mapping and regulatory reporting.

Sr. Financial Analyst at PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. (2007 – 2009)

• Financial Planning and Analysis Team Lead, creating custom loan portfolio management model and reporting suite.
• Build and maintain revenue, expense allocation, capital, premiums and investment models.
• Coordinate, test and implement $1.6B annual budget.
• Participate in strategic plan creation and implementation. Responsible for milestone design and tracking.

Senior Analyst at Chevron USA (2000 – 2007)

• Corporate Comptroller's Office (2006-2007)
• Corporate financial reporting and analysis.
• Strategic & Operational planning.
• Foreign exchange analysis.
• Corporate operational and earnings forecast and reporting ($6 Billion)
• Joint Interest Auditor (2005-2006)
• Joint venture partner audit liaison.
• Joint interest contract analyst.
• Field Operations Analyst (2002-2005)
• Field operational specialist, oil and gas operations. (26 US States)
• Build Field Production and Metering Operating Plan
• Perform monthly variance analysis (Gas & Oil Measurement) ($3.6 Billion).
• Capital project initiation and analysis; Merger Strategy Team Member (Texaco Merger)
• Cost Allocation Analyst (2000-2002)
• Monthly financial and operational reporting (P&L, Cap Ex, Cost Allocation, Joint Ventures)

M.B.A. in Finance – St. Mary's College of California (2007)

B.S. in Accounting – California State University, Sacramento (2000)