WASHINGTON – The Alliance to Save Energy announced Tuesday that Southern Company’s Chris Womack, president of Georgia Power Company, has been elected chairman of the Alliance’s Board of Directors while Mary Kipp, Puget Sound Energy president and CEO, joins the board in the role of vice chair.

The new board leadership takes effect as Paula Glover becomes the Alliance’s new president, leading the organizations daily operations. Also joining the board effective Jan. 1 are executives from New York Power Authority, Hannon Armstrong, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Womack succeeds NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones as board chairman.

“Energy efficiency is one of the most powerful energy resources we have because lower total energy consumption reduces emissions and benefits consumers and business alike,” Womack said. “I look forward to continuing this organization’s remarkable success in promoting more sustainable, productive, and equitable energy use. I thank Gil for his work as chairman and look forward to collaborating with Paula – another longtime friend – to further advance our mission.”

Quiniones, who served as Alliance chairman since December 2016, said: “It’s been a great honor to serve as chair of the Alliance’s board for the past four years. We’ve faced unique challenges, from fighting for bipartisan energy efficiency legislation in a time of deep divides, to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating economic fallout. Through it all, the Alliance did what it does best: convening diverse stakeholders to propel high-impact policies while communicating the importance of efficiency and keeping an eye toward future trends. I have full confidence that the Alliance is in the best position possible to continue its leadership in the exceedingly capable hands of Paula and Chris.”

Glover’s appointment by the board was announced in October and she began her role on Jan. 4.  Glover succeeds Clay Nesler, who stepped forward to serve as the organization’s interim president in 2019 and led the Alliance’s successful efforts in 2020. Glover brings more than 25 years of experience as an energy industry leader, including most recently as president and CEO of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.

“I’m thrilled to begin 2021 at the Alliance’s helm,” Glover said. “As we look with fresh eyes toward a new year, new Congress, and new administration, we know there’s a terrific amount of work to be done to realize energy efficiency’s potential as a climate solution, job creator, and enabler of more affordable and equitable energy access – particularly important in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The Alliance is an incredible coalition of companies and organizations, and I firmly believe that with the new beginnings that 2021 presents, this could be a milestone year for advancing our energy efficiency goals.”

Replacing Quiniones on the board is NYPA Executive Vice President and General Counsel Justin Driscoll. Additionally, NYSERDA Acting President and CEO Doreen Harris joins the board along with Hannon Armstrong Senior Vice President Robert Johnson.

Among those leaving the board are longtime Alliance supporters Kemel Dawkins, former vice president for strategic infrastructure planning and facilities at Michigan State University, and Jeff Eckel, Hannon Armstrong’s chairman and CEO.

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

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