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NW Natural Holdings General Counsel Announces Retirement

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NW Natural Holdings General Counsel Announces Retirement
News

News

NW Natural Holdings General Counsel Announces Retirement

2025-12-15 19:00 Last Updated At:19:11

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 15, 2025--

MardiLyn Saathoff, General Counsel for NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), announced her intent to retire on April 1, 2026, after nearly 18 years of outstanding service to the company. The Board of Directors has appointed Megan H. Berge to succeed Saathoff as SVP and General Counsel, as well as Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary, effective January 1, 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215092233/en/

Saathoff will serve as Chief Legal Officer for the company and will retain responsibilities for regulation, business continuity and corporate security until her retirement next year.

“MardiLyn has been a steadfast and trusted leader of the NW Natural companies for nearly two decades,” said Justin B. Palfreyman, President and Chief Executive Officer of NW Natural Holdings. “She has had a tremendous impact on our organization and played a critical role guiding the business through its evolution from a natural gas utility in the Pacific Northwest to what is now a diversified company with four distinct businesses operating across seven states.”

Saathoff joined the company in 2008 and served as Chief Governance Officer and Corporate Secretary. During her tenure, she was appointed to roles that also oversaw other legal, risk, compliance, and regulatory matters. She has served as General Counsel since 2015.

Prior to her role at NW Natural, Saathoff’s career included leadership roles with several other leading institutions in the region, including legal roles at Tektronix, Danaher Corporation and Stoel Rives. Saathoff also spent four years with the Oregon Department of Justice and the administration of Oregon Governor Kulongoski.

Saathoff previously served as Chair of the Oregon Lottery Commission and is a past Director of the Boards of the Northwest Gas Association, Oregon Health & Science University, the Portland Center Stage, United Way of Columbia-Willamette, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, the Artists Repertory Theater, and the Classroom Law Project. She is also a past member of the Portland State University Business Advisory Council and previously served on the Oregon Public Officials Compensation Commission.

“We are fortunate to have benefited from MardiLyn’s counsel and breadth of legal, business and regulatory expertise for so many years, and we are now equally fortunate to welcome Megan into her new role,” said Palfreyman. “Megan is highly respected in the industry and a valued strategic partner among the leaders at our company. Megan’s addition to our team reflects our legacy of thoughtful succession planning that I believe sets us apart and positions us well across our growing businesses.”

Berge joined NW Natural Holdings in March 2025 as Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, as well as General Counsel of NW Natural, after a distinguished career with the international law firm Baker Botts, where she was a partner. Her practice included extensive rulemaking and advocacy work related to federal and state environmental law and civil litigation.

Berge has been nationally recognized by Chambers and Partners for climate law, as one of 500 Leading U.S. Environmental & Energy Lawyers by Lawdragon, and a Washington D.C. Super Lawyer-Rising Star by Thomson Reuters. She earned her law degree from the Francis King Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware.

About NW Natural Holdings

Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings) is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 166 years. It owns Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), SiEnergy Operating (SiEnergy Gas Utility), NW Natural Water Company (NWN Water Utility), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NWN Renewables), and other business interests.

NW Natural Holdings through its subsidiaries provides critical energy and delivers essential water and wastewater services to over one million meters across seven states. We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. NW Natural Holdings was recognized by Ethisphere® for four years running as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores.

NWN Gas Utility is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2 million people in more than 140 communities through approximately 807,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural owns and operates 21.6 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon.

SiEnergy Gas Utility is one of the fastest growing natural gas distribution utilities in the nation, serving over 83,000 meters in the greater metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas, and Austin, Texas.

NWN Water Utility provides water distribution and wastewater services to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, Texas, Arizona, and California. Today NW Natural Water serves an estimated 195,000 people through approximately 78,600 meters and provides operation and maintenance services to an additional 40,000 connections. Learn more about our water business at nwnaturalwater.com.

NWN Renewables is committed to leading in the energy transition by providing renewable fuels. Learn more at nwnaturalrenewables.com.

Additional information is available at nwnaturalholdings.com.

“World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC

MardiLyn Saathoff, NW Natural Holdings

MardiLyn Saathoff, NW Natural Holdings

First, Patrick Mahomes went down. Then, it was Micah Parsons.

The NFL lost two of its all-time greatest players to serious knee injuries in a span of a few hours on Sunday, ruining a day filled with exciting comebacks and fascinating stories.

Forty-four-year-old Philip Rivers played his first game in 1,800 days and nearly led the 14-point underdog Indianapolis Colts to a stunning upset against Seattle before Jason Myers kicked a 56-yard field goal with 29 seconds left to lift the Seahawks to an 18-16 victory.

Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills from a 21-0 deficit to a 35-31 victory at New England, snapping the Patriots’ 10-game winning streak and preventing them from clinching the AFC East.

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rallied the New Orleans Saints to a 20-17 comeback victory over the Panthers capped by Charlie Smyth’s 47-yarder as time expired, damaging Carolina’s chances to win the NFC South and boosting Tampa Bay’s hopes.

Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams overcame a 10-point deficit and rolled past the Lions 41-34, dampening Detroit’s playoff bid. The Rams lost three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to a hamstring injury in the game. He could miss Thursday night’s game at Seattle, a battle for first place in the NFC West.

Jalen Hurts played like the Super Bowl MVP and the Philadelphia Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-0 rout over the woeful Las Vegas Raiders.

But the injuries to Mahomes and Parsons overshadowed everything else that happened in Week 15.

Even the Chiefs being eliminated from playoff contention was secondary to the news about Mahomes.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP tore the ACL in his left knee late in the fourth quarter of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that ended Kansas City’s streak of 10 straight playoff appearances and seven consecutive trips to the AFC championship game.

“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes posted on social media before the diagnosis was announced. “And not going to lie it hurts. But all we can do now is trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.”

Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury hadn’t been confirmed by tests.

“I’m sickened,” Parsons told the AP in a text message.

Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers, who lost 34-26 to Denver on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.

Parsons was steps away from another sack when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground, grabbing at his left knee.

Asked about the possibility that Parsons tore his ACL, coach Matt LaFleur responded: “It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave it at that.”

With Parsons, the Packers were Super Bowl contenders. Without him, it’ll be much more difficult to get there. The Packers take on the Bears in a showdown for first place on Saturday night.

“We all know what type of player he is and the impact he’s had on our football team and to lose somebody like that, it’s tough,” LaFleur said. “Like I said, nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We’ve got to find a way and guys have got to rally around one another.”

Mahomes and Parsons will not only miss the rest of this season but their status for the start of 2026 is uncertain. Players typically return from ACL injuries in 9-12 months.

Running back Adrian Peterson tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee on Dec. 24, 2011. He was back on the field for Week 1 the next season, ran for 2,097 yards in 16 games and became the last non-quarterback to win the NFL MVP award in one of the most remarkable comebacks in league history.

Quarterback Carson Wentz tore his ACL, LCL and sustained damage to his IT band and meniscus on Dec. 17, 2017 and ended up watching the Eagles win the first Super Bowl in franchise history from the sideline. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 3 the following season, and threw for 3,074 yards, 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 102.2 passer rating in 11 games.

If Mahomes and Parsons didn’t damage other ligaments, it increases the possibility they could return for the 2026 season opener.

Regardless, both star players have a long, grueling rehab ahead.

AP Sports Writers Dave Skretta and Pat Graham contributed to this report.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is injured after being tackled by Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand (91) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is injured after being tackled by Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand (91) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

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