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WIRES Announces New Leadership for 2026

WIRES, the prominent transmission trade association dedicated to promoting investments in high-voltage grids, recently unveiled its leadership team for 2026. The announcement, made on December 2, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the organization as it continues to face new challenges and opportunities in the evolving energy landscape.

New Leadership Team

David Burnham, who serves as the Director of Transmission Policy at Eversource Energy, has been elected as the President of WIRES for the upcoming year. His wealth of experience in the energy sector positions him to effectively guide the organization as it advocates for a modern and efficient electricity transmission infrastructure.

Alongside him, the leadership team includes:

• - Vice President: Devin McMackin, Director of Federal Affairs at ITC Holdings
• - Secretary: Jamie Simler, Vice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs at Ameren
• - Treasurer: Mike Saer, Manager of Transmission Policy at Great River Energy

Larry Gasteiger, the Executive Director of WIRES, expressed his optimism regarding the new team. He noted, "WIRES continues to be a strong advocate for our growing coalition of transmission owners and associate members, working closely with regulators, legislators, and other policymakers to advance policies that will drive the expansion of timely, strategic, and affordable transmission."

2026 marks the 20th anniversary of WIRES, and the organization acknowledges the growing recognition of the necessity for a robust and modern grid. With electrification and advancements in artificial intelligence accelerating, the need for a more resilient and expanded transmission system has never been clearer. The incoming president, David Burnham, stated, "The rapid growth in electricity demand driven by data centers and manufacturing revitalization highlights the urgent need for accelerating the build-out of transmission infrastructure to support strategic economic development while ensuring reliability and affordability for customers."

Board of Directors

As part of the announcement, WIRES also disclosed its 2026 Board of Directors, which will play a crucial role in strategic decision-making:

• - Amanda Rumsey, Manager of RTO and Federal Regulatory Policy at PPL
• - Jodi Moskowitz, VP Regulatory and Deputy General Counsel at PSEG
• - Stacey Burbure, Senior VP at AEP
• - Kerry Powell, VP of Grid Integration at Duke Energy
• - Pulin Shah, VP of Transmission Development at Exelon

The leadership transition will see Amanda Rumsey join the Board while two directors will be re-elected for two-year terms. This continuity in leadership is vital as WIRES navigates the challenges of energy transition and infrastructure development.

The Path Forward

As WIRES prepares for a pivotal year, the organization remains committed to engaging with policymakers and stakeholders. They aim to highlight the benefits of a modern and resilient transmission network and advocate for stable regulatory frameworks that encourage long-term investments in transmission infrastructure.

Recently published analysis by WIRES highlighted the economic implications of delayed transmission upgrades. According to studies, every $1 billion investment in well-planned, delayed transmission projects can cost consumers between $150 million and $370 million in lost benefits for each year of delay. The resulting losses stem from postponed reliability improvements and reduced access to cost-effective energy solutions.

As WIRES enters its next chapter, it continues to emphasize the importance of a robust electrical grid system, which remains pivotal for not just energy reliability, but also for economic progress.

About WIRES

WIRES operates as a non-profit trade association representing various transmission providers, including investor-owned utilities, public utilities, and cooperatives. Its mission revolves around advocating for and promoting investments in the North American electric transmission system while ensuring that infrastructure solutions align with reliability, economic, environmental, and national security objectives. For more information on WIRES, visit www.wiresgroup.com.