Rob McDonald joins Energy Keepers as communications director

Energy Keepers Inc. recently hired Robert McDonald as communications director to focus on media relations, public relations, and wider communication efforts.

McDonald had worked as the communications director for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for 15 years beginning in 2006. Most recently, he had worked in the CSKT Natural Resources Division of Engineering and Water Resources, overseeing compact implementation.

“The last two summers required higher levels of responsiveness to community questions regarding snow pack and water levels. To better serve everyone, we’ve expanded our capacity to respond to emerging questions,” said Brian Lipscomb, EKI CEO. “Robert’s family is from here and as a former journalist and 15-year communications specialist, we’re glad to have him as part of the EKI team.”

Energy Keepers is a federally chartered corporation, created and wholly owned by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes to operate Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ dam, located six miles below the natural outlet of Flathead Lake on the Lower Flathead River. Dam managers came under fire last summer over low lake levels, caused by drought and an early runoff.

McDonald worked as a daily newspaper reporter at The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, and at newspapers in Indiana and Western Washington for 15 years before returning to the Mission Valley as CSKT’s spokesman. He graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in journalism in 1991.

He lives in the Mission Valley with his wife and his youngest son. His oldest son is finishing his third year in college.

To contact Robert McDonald, email Robert.mcdonald@energykeepersinc.com, or call 406-249-1818.