AEIC Appoints New Leadership for 2027: A Focus on Collaboration and Innovation

AEIC's New Leadership for 2027

At the recently held 142nd Annual Meeting of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC) in Ojai, California, new officers for the year 2027 have been elected. This pivotal meeting saw Ben Felton, currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Portland General Electric (PGE), taking the helm as President of AEIC. Felton succeeds Jim Heilbron, Senior Vice President of Technical Shared Services at Southern Company, who will step into the role of Immediate Past President.

Ben Felton is a remarkable choice for this leadership position, being the first AEIC President to come from Portland General Electric. His extensive background in utility operations and management aligns closely with the organization's mission of addressing the unique challenges faced by utility operators today. The AEIC CEO, Steve Hauser, praised Felton's leadership qualities and his commitment to safety, innovation, and operational excellence, stating, "Ben has brought valuable perspective and leadership to AEIC as first vice president. He understands the demands facing utility operators and the value of bringing their expertise together."

Felton expressed his enthusiasm regarding the new role, stating, "The pace of change in our industry creates an opportunity to drive innovation, learn faster, and accomplish more together. AEIC brings together the experience, ideas, and leadership to turn that opportunity into progress. I'm honored to serve as president and build on AEIC's strong legacy of collaboration and innovation as we work to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable power for the customers and communities we serve."

Joining Felton in the leadership team for 2027 are Jacob Tetlow, the Executive VP and COO of Arizona Public Service, who will serve as First Vice President, and Michael Finissi, Deputy CEO and COO of Santee Cooper, who will hold the position of Second Vice President. This diverse team aims to reinforce AEIC's commitment to joint efforts among utility leaders to improve the electric utility sector.

The annual meeting, hosted by Southern California Edison at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn from October 20 to 22, also recognized eleven member teams with Achievement Awards for their exceptional work across various operational areas. These awards exemplify the collective efforts and success stories within the industry, showcasing best practices that drive progress.

Since its establishment in 1885 by pioneering station operators involved in creating the first electric systems, AEIC has been dedicated to the growth and development of the electric utility industry. Today, it represents over 190 member companies and approximately 1,000 utility representatives. The organization's guiding principle, "Collaborate. Innovate. Transform," reflects a profound commitment to fostering communication, sharing ideas, and embracing technological advancements within the sector.

For those interested in engaging further with AEIC, they can connect via LinkedIn, where the organization shares updates and highlights about their ongoing initiatives and achievements. The new leadership is set to steer AEIC into a promising future, where collaboration and innovation will be the foundation for overcoming challenges and advancing the electric utility sector.