Tennessee public power utility EPB has named Janet Rehberg to serve as president of its recently established Strategic Initiatives business unit.
“Building out this new business unit is the next step in EPB’s continuing strategy to keep Chattanooga on the cutting edge as the energy and communications industries undergo rapid change,” it said.
“In her new role, Rehberg will leverage her extensive experience and leadership skills to spearhead future-facing initiatives with the goal of capitalizing on emerging opportunities for the benefit of the community,” the utility said.
At the same time, EPB’s Energy and Communications business unit, with Ryan Keel as president, will continue to provide technology and customer service through the company’s established business lines.
EPB CEO David Wade emphasized that Rehberg’s leadership of the new business unit brings an added dimension to EPB’s mission to serve the community.
“As we explore how we can enhance and further utilize Chattanooga’s highly advanced energy and connectivity infrastructure to serve our customers, Janet’s proven track record of driving change and fostering innovation makes her a great fit for this role,” Wade said.
“Her leadership will be instrumental as we work to provide community benefit through initiatives like EPB Quantum NetworkSM while also serving customers by exploring innovative possibilities such as integrating geothermal energy into the EPB local energy mix.”
Rehberg has spent nearly twenty years in leadership roles within the energy sector. Most recently, she served as Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Engineering for Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Aledo, Texas.
In this position, she had responsibility for formulating strategy and leading a wide range of departments including engineering, system operations, field services, business development, community relations and legislative affairs.
She is a long-standing member of the Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals, serving as president in 2014 and earning recognition through the organization’s Honorary Life Award in 2021. Rehberg has also served on numerous non-profit, community and professional boards and has been recognized as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Project Mentor Match of the Year (2011) and as the Touchstone Energy Brand Champion in 2018.
