Roy L. Jones has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of ElectriCities of North Carolina, effective Nov. 1, 2015. The Board of Directors unanimously voted to appoint Jones to replace outgoing CEO Graham Edwards, who announced his retirement in August.
Jones joined ElectriCities in 2009 and has served in numerous leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer since 2011. Jones brings more than 35 years of experience in the electric power industry, including both public power and investor-owned utility experience. Jones has extensive experience in operation of generating plants, transmission and energy markets.
“The ElectriCities Board of Directors has tremendous confidence in Roy’s ability to carry on North Carolina’s strong tradition of public power,” said Ron Hovis, chairman of the ElectriCities Board of Directors. “Roy played an instrumental role in helping us close the NCEMPA Asset Sale quickly and smoothly. He is extremely familiar with ElectriCities’ operations, has significant experience in public power and investor-owned utilities, and is well positioned to guide our organization into the future. We are thrilled that he has been named our new CEO.”
In determining the next CEO, the Board wished to build on the recent achievements in rate competitiveness for both Power Agencies and to provide continuity among the membership to address the many opportunities in the evolving electric utility industry.
“It’s my honor to lead North Carolina’s public power communities,” Jones said. “We will remain focused on providing safe, reliable and affordable power, while working with our members to take advantage of emerging technologies and develop strategies to attract jobs and growth to North Carolina. This is an exciting time for ElectriCities and our public power communities.”
The ElectriCities Board of Directors conducted an extensive nationwide search to find the organization’s next leader, interviewing many capable candidates before choosing Jones as the next CEO.
Jones began his career with Entergy in 1981, rising to the rank of Senior Director/Vice President of Capital Risk Management and Portfolio Strategy. Following his time with Entergy, he joined Midwest ISO in Indiana, where he was ultimately responsible for the design and implementation of its Energy and Ancillary Service Market and Balancing Authority consolidation. That action created one of the largest energy markets in the world with net benefits of nearly $3 billion annually. Jones then joined ElectriCities in 2009 as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Power Supply Planning.
Jones holds a bachelor of science in electric engineering from LaSalle University. Jones and his wife, Cindy, have two adult sons and one grandson.
About ElectriCities of North Carolina
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power. ElectriCities manages the power supply for two power agencies in North Carolina and provides technical services to assist members in operating their electric distribution systems. ElectriCities also helps these locally owned and operated public power providers thrive today and in the future by delivering innovative services, including legislative, technical, communications, and economic development expertise.
Visit www.electricities.com to learn more about the benefits of public power and how ElectriCities helps communities keep the lights on through access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy.
Media contact
Elizabeth Kadick
Vice President, Communications, ElectriCities
919-760-6285
ekadick@electricities.org