LUMA, the transmission and distribution operator of the electric grid in Puerto Rico, on March 4 announced the appointment of Janisse Quiñones as CEO effective as of March 30, 2026.
Quiñones has served as CEO and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power since May 2024.
As part of the planned leadership transition, LUMA’s current CEO Juan Saca will serve as an advisor to Quiñones and the LUMA Board of Directors to help ensure a smooth transition.
Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) in Mayaguez, Quiñones is a mechanical engineer and an expert in emergency management, having held senior leadership roles at some of the largest electric and gas utilities in North America, including Pacific Gas and Electric and National Grid.
“Returning home to serve Puerto Rico at this pivotal moment is both a professional honor and a deeply personal commitment. Strengthening and modernizing the Island’s electric system is essential to economic growth, public safety, and quality of life. Together with LUMA’s dedicated workforce, we will continue building a more reliable, resilient, and transparent energy system for all Puerto Ricans," Quiñones said.
Quiñones also served in the United States Coast Guard for more than two decades, retiring as a Commander with a specialization in emergency and disaster management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UPR in Mayaguez, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Advanced Studies in International Relations.
Since 2023, Saca has guided LUMA, increasing efficiency throughout the organization while strengthening the leadership team, positioning the company for continued success, LUMA said.
"Under Saca’s leadership, LUMA invested over LUMA invested over $2.5 billion, including federal funds, to stabilize and improve the T&D system, increased transparency, compliance and communication, engaging with key stakeholders to achieve a better electric system for the people of Puerto Rico," LUMA said.
Saca said, “It has been a privilege to lead LUMA as CEO for almost three years, alongside an amazing team of nearly 4,000 utility professionals that call Puerto Rico their home, working relentlessly to stabilize and improve the T&D system to deliver better service to the people of Puerto Rico. While there is still more work to be done and challenges ahead, we have established a strong foundation, making meaningful progress towards transforming the electric system. I truly believe the future is bright for LUMA with an accomplished leader such as Janisse.”
"Quiñones has led the nation’s largest publicly owned water and power utility through a period of operational focus, infrastructure modernization, and organizational strengthening — positioning LADWP to meet the evolving demands of climate change, wildfire risk, emergency management, system resilience, and long-term reliability," the office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on March 4.
“Janisse brought steady leadership and engineering expertise to LADWP during a critical period for our city,” said Bass. “Her focus on resilience, reliability, and strengthening the workforce has helped position the Department for continued progress. We thank her for her service to Los Angeles.”
“Serving the people of Los Angeles has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life,” said Quiñones. “I am deeply grateful to Mayor Karen Bass and the City of Los Angeles for the trust placed in me to steward essential infrastructure that supports the health, safety, and economic vitality of our communities. Los Angeles is a city defined by innovation, diversity, and resilience. It has been a privilege to serve a community that continually rises to meet its challenges.”
Quiñones also expressed appreciation for LADWP’s more than 12,000 employees, saying, “The true strength of LADWP lies in its people. I had the privilege of working alongside dedicated public servants whose professionalism and resilience power Los Angeles every day.”
During her tenure, LADWP reinforced electric grid and water system reliability, enhanced coordination during wildfire events, and advanced investments to strengthen resilience amid increasing climate pressures. A central focus of her leadership was culture transformation — building a more accountable, collaborative, and mission-driven organization prepared to navigate rapid industry change.
The leadership transition has been coordinated to ensure stability, continuity, and uninterrupted service to Angelenos, the Los Angeles Mayor's Office said in a news release.
"LADWP’s leadership team and operational strategy remain firmly in place to support continued progress. The City will announce interim leadership details shortly," the news release noted.
In June 2020, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority selected LUMA Energy to operate, maintain and modernize the electricity transmission and distribution system of PREPA for fifteen years through a public-private partnership.
