GridWise® Alliance Welcomes New Members of Board of Directors

Coalition Welcomes New Board Members from Utility, Technology, and Financial Communities

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The GridWise Alliance today announced seven new and returning members to its Board of Directors, all of whom are strongly committed to advancing the organization's efforts to build and expand the nation's smart grid. Three new directors replace directors whose two-year terms were completed, while four of the directors were voted to a second term.

"We now have the technology available to us to make significant advancements to the grid," said Bob Shapard, Chairman of the GridWise Alliance. "As the energy industry continues to install these technologies on the grid to benefit customers, the environment and economic growth, it becomes even more important that groups like the GridWise Alliance continue to attract leaders with new ideas and perspectives. Our new board members bring this type of innovative thinking and leadership to the Board of Directors."

The new and returning GridWise Alliance Board members, who will serve two-year terms, include:

• Kevin Dasso, Senior Director, Smart Grid & Technology Integration, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E);
• Becky Harrison, Director, Smart Grid, Progress Energy, elected to a second term;
• Laura Ipsen, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Connected Energy Networks, Cisco, elected to a second term;
• Kerrick Johnson, Vice President, External Affairs, Vermont Electric Power Company, elected to a second term;
• Chuck McDermott, General Partner, RockPort Capital Partners,
• Scott Prochazka, Corporate Senior Vice President and Division President of Houston Electric, CenterPoint Energy; and
• Bruce Walker, Founding Partner, Modern Energy Insights; elected to a second term.

"The diversity within our Board of Directors reflects the range of stakeholders within the Alliance who are dedicated to transforming our nation's electric system," said Jim Morozzi, President and CEO of the GridWise Alliance. "I look forward to working with the new directors to continue our thought leadership, education and advocacy on critical grid modernization issues at the federal and state levels."

About The GridWise Alliance:
The GridWise Alliance is the industry-leading coalition advocating for the transformation of the electric system to achieve a sustainable energy future for the public good. Through its diverse membership, the GridWise Alliance promotes the advancement of the electric system through thought leadership, production of white papers and reports, and legislative advocacy. Its membership includes more than 100 utilities, technology companies (large and small), telecommunications companies, equipment manufacturers and academia - all of which share a holistic and technology neutral view of the electric system.

For more information about the GridWise Alliance, visit: http://www.gridwise.org.

Media Contacts:
Rich O'Neill
GridWise Alliance
[email protected]
(202) 530-9740 

SOURCE GridWise Alliance