An advisory panel and search committee have been put in place to start a national effort to find a staff director for the Utah Committee of Consumer Services.

Established in 1977, the committee is Utah's utility consumer advocate, representing residential, small-business and agricultural consumers in utility rate cases before the Public Service Commission.

Francine Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, will serve as chairwoman of the search committee. Other members include Laura Nelson, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s energy adviser; Claire Geddes, consumer advocate; DeeJay Hammon, chairman of the Committee of Consumer Services; Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake; Rep. J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton; and Scott Gutting, president of Energy Strategies.