The Electric Power Research Institute on April 29 announced the new leadership and members of its Board of Directors.
Tom Kent, president and CEO of the Nebraska Public Power District, Mike Innocenzo, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Exelon, and Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO, Southern Company, began their service as chair, first vice chair, and second vice chair, respectively, of the Board.
Kent has been NPPD president and CEO since May 2020.
He joined NPPD in May 1990 as an environmental qualification coordinator at Cooper Nuclear Station, and he has served in numerous positions during his more than 30-year career. He joined EPRI’s board as an interim director in 2022 and was elected to his own 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, " said Kent. "I’m honored to be part of the EPRI Board of Directors and for the opportunity to serve as EPRI board chair at a pivotal moment in time for the industry."
"Since joining the Board, Tom has made significant contributions, and I look forward to working with him in his new leadership role during the next year," said EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor. "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 EPRI Board chair Vince Sorgi, president and CEO of PPL Corporation, for his invaluable guidance over the past year."
Seven directors were elected for four-year terms to the Board by EPRI membership:
• Lisa Barton, president and CEO, Alliant Energy Corporation
• Jeff C. Bowman, president and CEO, Cooperative Energy
• Ralph LaRossa, chair, president and CEO of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG)
• Paul Lau, CEO and general manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
• Shane Lies, executive vice president of Projects and Services, American Electric Power
• Jason Wells, president and CEO, CenterPoint Energy
• Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO, Southern Company
Additionally, one new external director has been appointed for a four-year term -- Marc Spieler, senior managing director, NVIDIA.
External directors help EPRI support its public benefit mission. EPRI has six external directors on its Board.
The Tennessee Valley Authority has a permanent seat on EPRI’s Board of Directors and has appointed Don Moul, president and CEO of TVA, to serve.
