New Jersey Utilities Association Board of Directors 

Appoints Rockland Electric’s Michele O’Connell as Chair

A respected leader in the gas and utilities industry, O’Connell currently serves as president and CEO of Orange and Rockland Utilities, where she is helping to lead the company’s ongoing transformation of the energy sector while maintaining a commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable service for customers. Orange and Rockland Utilities and its subsidiary, Rockland Electric Company, serve a population of approximately 1 million people in six counties in New York and northern New Jersey.

“Michele is an exceptional leader whose experience, vision, and deep understanding of our industry make her uniquely qualified to guide NJUA during a critical time for New Jersey’s utility sector,” said NJUA president and CEO Rich Henning. “As our industry continues to navigate affordability, reliability, and the evolving energy needs of our customers, Michele’s leadership will be invaluable in helping advance solutions that benefit communities and businesses across the state.”

O’Connell, who held positions of varying responsibilities spanning two decades with Consolidated Edison, the parent company of Orange and Rockland Utilities, previously served as senior vice president of Customer Operations. In that role, she oversaw many aspects of customer experience, including customer outreach and education, call center operations, billing, meter reading, field collections, special services for large customers, retail choice, and field investigations related to customer inquiries. Additionally, O’Connell played a crucial role in the oversight and implementation of a new customer billing system. Prior to that, O’Connell oversaw a multitude of capital construction, substation management and operations projects across every borough of New York City.

“Energy is the infrastructure that keeps our economy, our communities, and our daily routines running, enabling everything from industry and innovation to the essential services people depend on,” said Orange and Rockland Utilities President and CEO Michele O’Connell. “Thoughtful, strategic leadership is essential to maintaining a reliable system that responsibly balances service, resilience, and customer costs for all New Jerseyans.”

In addition to her executive responsibilities at Orange and Rockland Utilities, O’Connell serves on the boards of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress and the NJUA. She is a member of the New Jersey Energy Coalition Advisory Board, Edison Electric Institute Operating Company Leadership Group, Partnership for NYC Urban Resiliency Advisory Board and Women’s Forum of New York.

For further information, please visit NJUA.com.

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The New Jersey Utilities Association (NJUA) is a statewide trade association for investor-owned utilities that provide essential water, wastewater, electric, natural gas and telecommunications services to New Jersey residents and businesses. NJUA has provided a forum for the exchange of ideas and a unified voice in the public policy arena for its members since 1915.