National Grid (NYSE: NGG) has named Rudolph Wynter as its New York president as part of what the energy company calls its transition to a “deeply local” model for its U.S. business. The announcement includes the expansion of New England and New York leadership roles and a new chief customer officer, National Grid U.S. President […]
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) has named Rudolph Wynter as its New York president as part of what the energy company calls its transition to a “deeply local” model for its U.S. business.
The announcement includes the expansion of New England and New York leadership roles and a new chief customer officer, National Grid U.S. President Badar Khan said on Dec. 3.
National Grid will align all operations to New York and New England (Massachusetts and Rhode Island) presidents who will report to the U.S. president, effective April 2021.
“The changes we’re making today deepen our ties to the community and align the full weight of our expertise and operations with each region,” Khan contended in a statement. “We’ll be able to move faster for our customers in the coming years — years that are critical in creating the clean energy future we need to combat climate change without leaving anyone behind.”
About Wynter
Wynter currently serves as National Grid’s COO for wholesale networks and capital delivery.
He will split his time between offices in Albany and New York City, according to Virginia Limmiatis, who handles U.S. strategic communications for National Grid. Wynter will oversee 9,600 employees, including 5,000 in upstate New York, Limmiatis told CNYBJ in an email.
Wynter will also look after 83 offices and operation centers across upstate and downstate New York that serve 4.1 million gas and electricity customers. That figure includes 1.6 million electricity customers and 630,000 natural-gas customers in the upstate New York area.
Wynter has worked at National Grid for more than 25 years, most recently overseeing one of the largest electric transmission networks in the Northeast, generation plants, and the development and construction of “complex” capital projects across the region. In addition, Wynter has managed the company’s portfolio of energy-storage assets.
An external search for the New England president is underway and a leader will be announced “at a later date.” John Bruckner — who currently serves as New York president — will take on a new role as COO of electric for New York, National Grid said.
Shift in business model
CNYBJ also inquired as to what National Grid means by a “deeply local” business model.
As of April 1, 2021, “we are moving from being centrally managed to being aligned regionally under New York and New England presidents. This change will deepen our ties to the community and align the full weight of our expertise and operations within each region,” said Limmiatis.
She went on to explain that in New York, National Grid has, for a number of years, provided natural gas and electricity service in upstate New York and natural-gas service in downstate New York.
“We are focused on building a smarter energy grid, enhancing storm resiliency, promoting economic growth and preparing for the next generation of clean energy. And, we’re doing all of this while further improving safety, reliability, affordability and customer service. Our electricity and gas systems power economic segments including manufacturing, health care, banking, nanotechnology, agribusiness, education, defense, medical research and development, transportation, entertainment and tourism, service industries, and much more,” Limmiatis said.
National Grid’s New York business represents 60 percent of the company’s U.S. business.