Dr. Janice A. Beecher has been named director of the Institute of Pubic Utilities at Michigan State University. She is the principal of Beecher Policy Research Inc., which specializes in public utility regulation. Prior to that, she was a senior research scientist and director of regulatory studies at the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, at Indiana University.
Calpine announced several promotions to its senior management team. Ann B. Curtis, one of the founders of the company, has been named vice chairman. Robert D. Kelly, who was president of Calpine Finance Company and senior vice president of Calpine, will succeed her as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Kelly joined the company in 1990 from Westinghouse Credit Corp. E. James Macias was promoted to executive vice president and COO of Calpine. Macias served as senior vice president of power and industrial marketing before his promotion, and was senior vice president with Pacific Gas and Electric before joining Calpine. Eric N. Pryor was promoted to the dual positions of deputy CFO and chief risk officer. Pryor joined the company in 1995 as a senior analyst and was later promoted to director, vice president, and then senior vice president of finance. Michael P. Thomas was promoted to senior vice president from vice president and corporate treasurer for Calpine. Thomas joined the company in 1994 as senior financial analyst after spending nearly a decade in the banking industry. And finally, Joseph E. Ronan Jr. was promoted to senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs. Ronan served as general counsel for Calpine from 1992 through 1998, when he was named vice president, government and regulatory affairs.
Alliant Energy also announced several new appointments. Tom Petersen was named managing director of communications and external affairs. He joined the company in 1991. Diane Ramsey was named managing director of key accounts West. She has been with the company for seven years. Pat Kelly has been named general manager for operations east. Kelly has been with the company for 22 years. Steve Baker was named general manager of resources and operations support. Baker is a 28-year veteran of the company. Scott Jones was named managing director of operations West. Jones has been with Calpine for 27 years. Dundeana Langer was named vice president of infrastructure security. Langer has been with the company for 17 years. Barb Siehr was named managing director of strategic projects and capital control. She has been with the company for 25 years. Chris Lindell has been named assistant to the president. Lindell is a 21-year veteran of the company. And finally, Vern Gebhart was named vice president of customer operations. Gebhart has been with Alliant for 17 years.
George Bilicic Jr. has joined Lazard as managing director. Prior to joining Lazard, Bilicic served as managing director for mergers and acquisitions at Merrill Lynch, with a focus on the energy and power industry. Before that, he was a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where he headed the law firm’s utility and power practice.
Fred E. Springer, hydropower advisor to Troutman Sanders LLP, was the recipient of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Exemplar of Public Service for a Distinguished Career in the Pursuit of the Vision, Mission, and Value of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission award, which recognized Springer as the “father of hydropower.” For more than three decades, Springer has been directly involved with the regulation of hundreds of the nation’s hydropower projects and has advised governments around the world regarding hydro projects and natural resource issues.
Timothy Keeney, director of environmental services at Northeast Utilities, has been appointed deputy assistant secretary of commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
David R. Hill, a partner with Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP, was appointed deputy general counsel for energy policy at the U.S. Department of Energy.
