The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has announced new leadership and fresh appointments to its Board of Directors.
In a statement released on April 29, EPRI named Tom Kent, President and CEO of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), as the new Board Chair. He will be supported by Mike Innocenzo, Executive Vice President and COO of Exelon, as First Vice Chair and Chris Womack, Chairman, President and CEO of Southern Company, as Second Vice Chair.
Tom Kent has been the CEO of NPPD since May 2020 and joined the company in 1990. He joined EPRI’s board in 2022 and secured his four-year term in 2023.
“As a thought leader and collaborator in the energy industry for more than five decades, EPRI continues to lead the way in applied research and development, including Artificial Intelligence and other new technologies to help utilities better serve our customers,” Kent said. “I am honoured to be part of the EPRI Board of Directors and for the opportunity to serve as board chair at a pivotal time for the industry.”
EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor praised Kent’s leadership and welcomed the new team.
“Since joining the Board, Tom has made significant contributions, and I look forward to working with him in his new leadership role next year,” Mansoor said. “Thanks to Tom, Mike, Chris, and all our Board members, EPRI is strongly positioned as we continue to shape the future of energy. I also want to thank outgoing board chair Vince Sorgi, President and CEO of PPL Corporation, for his guidance over the past year.”
Seven directors were also elected to four-year terms on the board. They are:
Lisa Barton, President and CEO, Alliant Energy Corporation
Jeff C. Bowman, President and CEO, Cooperative Energy
Ralph LaRossa, Chair, President and CEO, Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG)
Paul Lau, CEO and General Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Shane Lies, EVP of Projects and Services, American Electric Power
Jason Wells, President and CEO, Centre Point Energy
Chris Womack, Chairman, President and CEO, Southern Company
EPRI also appointed a new external director, Marc Spieler, Senior Managing Director at NVIDIA, for a four-year term. External directors help the organisation support its public benefit mission. There are now six external directors on EPRI’s Board.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which holds a permanent seat on the board, appointed Don Moul, President and CEO of TVA, as its representative.
