Employee Spotlight

July 29, 2026

Jess Carpenter We’re excited to shine this month’s Employee Spotlight on Jess Carpenter, a dedicated leader whose expertise and commitment continue to make a meaningful impact at Washington Gas.

Jess celebrated five years with Washington Gas this past March, bringing with her an impressive 14 years of experience in the natural gas industry. She began her career working with a contractor, where she managed billing and as-built documentation—laying the foundation for the strong technical and operational knowledge she brings to her role today.  

For all five of her years at Washington Gas, Jess has been a key member of the Permitting team, and for the past three years, she has served as Supervisor of Permitting. In this role, Jess is a vital partner to our builder community, serving as their primary point of contact for navigating the permitting process. You can reach her at jessica.carpenter@washgas.com.  

Jess works closely with builders across Virginia, Maryland, and DC, providing guidance through a complex landscape of 50+ permitting agencies, each with its own timelines, processes, and requirements. Her ability to simplify this complexity and guide builders clearly and efficiently is a testament to her experience and dedication.  

Her support goes beyond guidance—Jess frequently meets with builders to review plans, ensuring they align with agency requirements before submission, helping avoid delays. She also keeps builders informed every step of the way, providing updates on permit status and helping maintain project momentum.  

One of Jess’s standout strengths is her ability to build and maintain strong relationships with permitting agencies. These connections can be critical in urgent situations, allowing her to help expedite permits when timing is essential.  

Outside of work, Jess brings the same passion and enthusiasm to her personal interests. She’s an avid reader, with a love for fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery/thriller genres—and proudly says her bookshelves are her “trophy cases.” Her favorite book is Ender’s Game. Jess also shares a love of all things Disney with her family, making it a tradition to visit Disney World nearly every year.  

Jess’s dedication to supporting our builders and helping projects move forward smoothly makes her an invaluable part of the Washington Gas team.  Thank you, Jess, for your leadership, partnership, and continued commitment!