From professional baseball to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and now Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), John Hairston's career is illustrated by his ability to lead, be a team player, and understand the delicate balance of family and life outside of work. His time as administrator would require him to lean into these values while the agency–and the region–faced significant pressures on hydropower, the reliability of our grid, and the affordability of energy. We caught John just after his retirement from BPA, and just before his start as EWEB's next general manager, to learn about his journey, the lessons he's learned along the way, and his outlook on the bigger picture ahead for our region.