The Center on Global Energy Policy was pleased to host a Women in Energy lunch and roundtable discussion with Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. Ms. Powell discussed her current job, career paths, and perspectives on what it means to be a female leader in the energy industry.
Biography
Mary Powell has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Green Mountain Power Corporation since 2008, following seven years as Chief Operating Officer. She initiated and implemented a strategic and comprehensive restructuring of the company that dramatically transformed Green Mountain Power and has been the backbone of a cultural transformation and service quality improvement.
Ms. Powell launched an ambitious energy vision to provide low carbon, low cost and reliable power to Vermonters. As a result, the company has built Vermonts largest wind farm, made Rutland, Vermont the Solar Generation Capital of New England, and has installed smart grid technology across the entire utility infrastructure.
In 2012, Ms. Powell led an acquisition of Central Vermont Public Service, with a promise to generate $144 million in savings for customers. GMP has grown from serving 88,000 customers in 2008 to serving well over 260,000 customers, with revenues of more than $640 million and $2 billion in assets.
In 2014, Ms. Powell announced a new partnership with NRG Energy, Inc. to make Vermont a leader in sustainable energy. And in 2015, she led another partnership with Tesla, with GMP becoming the first utility to offer the Tesla Powerwall battery. In 2004 Ms. Powell was recognized by Fast Company magazine as one of the “top 50 fast leaders” in the US and in 2014 was recognized by Powergen as the Woman of the Year.
