Board of Directors

Milovan Blair serves as NPCC’s Chair of the Board. In that capacity, he serves as Chair of the Management Development and Compensation Committee and on the Corporate Governance and Nominating and Search Committees. Mr. Blair previously worked as Senior Vice President of Central Operations at Con Edison Company of New York where he was responsible for planning, designing, operating and maintaining the company’s electric transmission system, substations, primary control center, steam generating plant, steam distribution system and engineering and construction activities. Since 2016, he has also served as a member of NPCC’s Board of Directors, most recently as Vice Chair. Mr. Blair has a Master of Business Administration from St. John’s University and a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the City University of New York. He also completed the Columbia University Senior Executive Program. His Board experience includes serving on the Boards of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and Leadership Council Member, City College of New York Grove School of Engineering.

Charles Dickerson serves as President and CEO for NPCC. He is a recognized industry thought leader with 30 years of experience in the energy sector. Most recently, Mr. Dickerson served as President, Utility Division of SUEZ North America, where he led its regulated utilities across the United States. His previous positions include having served as Chief Operating Officer for Austin Energy where he led the generation, market operations, transmission, distribution, IT, technology, and strategic planning functions; and as President of National Grid - USA Business Services. Prior to National Grid, he worked for Exelon-Pepco Holdings Inc. for 27 years. In addition, Mr. Dickerson brings deep governance expertise as a past Board of Directors member for both the Seedling and RMEL organizations. Mr. Dickerson holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and master’s in applied management from the University of Maryland.

A dedicated and engaged manager and engineer, François Brassard has over 31 years’ experience in medium and high-voltage electrical engineering as well as in instrumentation and control. Mr. Brassard began his career with Hydro-Québec as a test engineer in the high-voltage test lab at the company’s research center before specializing in metering and in power transmission and distribution systems. He also has over 22 years’ experience managing technical teams in the fields of engineering and grid operations (distribution, transmission and generation). As Vice President – Integrated Energy System Design and Operation, he is responsible for establishing and developing the energy system’s architecture and design, from generation through distribution. As well as grid operations, he is in charge of engineering and technical support for various company projects, overseeing over $5 billion worth of projects yearly. In recent years, Mr. Brassard has served on several committees, including the Reliability Coordinating Committee of the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) and the Membership Representatives Committee of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), as well as various committees of Electricity Canada. He currently sits on the board of the Association de l’Industrie Électrique du Québec (AIEQ). As Hydro-Québec’s representative on various international projects and committees, he has also shared his expertise far beyond our borders.

Robert Brantley is currently the Vice President of Central Engineering at Consolidated Edison Company of New York. He is responsible for delivering industry leading engineering solutions for the electric transmission system, substations, and the steam generation and distribution systems. Mr. Brantley has 30 years of experience as a valued leader known for his extensive operational experience and strategic decision-making while balancing safety, reliability, technological advancement and fiscal responsibility. Throughout his career, he has held positions of increasing authority in various operational roles including fossil/nuclear, energy control center, planning, substations, and engineering. Mr. Brantley holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from The Cooper Union and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Brantley sits on the EPRI Transmission Sector Council and the EPRI Transmission Executive Committee.

As Vice President, System Operations & Market Administration, Peter is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the New England bulk power system and ensuring the fair administration of the region's wholesale electricity markets. This includes the Day-Ahead Energy & Load Response Markets, the Real-Time Energy, Reserve & Regulation Markets and the Financial Transmission Rights & Forward Reserve Market Auctions, transmission and generation outage coordination, system restoration, operator training, NERC/NPCC compliance, and development of operating procedures. Additional responsibilities includes the registration, auditing and verification of performance for Demand Resources as well as Generator Assets. Prior to ISO New England Peter was an employee of Northeast Utilities for seventeen years. At Northeast Utilities, he held various management positions in transmission engineering, operations and planning. Prior to Northeast Utilities Peter served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

In this role, Mr. Sohi is responsible for the reliable and efficient operation of the province-wide power system, the administration of Ontario’s real-time electricity markets and the continued development of electricity market designs. Mr. Sohi previously served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Business Development and Strategy at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), where he was accountable for commercial business functions including business development, acquisitions and electrification. As part of his focus on implementing OPG’s long-term strategic plan, he and his team delivered a growth strategy aimed at broadening OPG’s business within Ontario and beyond. In addition to his SVP role at OPG, Mr. Sohi also served as President and CEO of Global First Power, leading Canada’s first Small Modular Reactor project. He joined OPG’s predecessor company, Ontario Hydro, in 1991. Over the years, he held roles of increasing responsibility in several technical functions, corporate functions, asset management, high-voltage substation operation and maintenance, and hydroelectric plant operations at locations across Ontario. Mr. Sohi has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University. He has also served as a council member of the Generation Sector Council at the Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) and a member of the Thermal Generation Interest Group (TGIG) at the Centre for Energy Advancement through Technological Innovation (CEATI).

Alan MacNaughton serves as the Executive Director of System Operations for the New Brunswick Power Corporation. In his role, Alan is responsible for the New Brunswick Power System Operator, which is the Reliability Coordinator for the Maritime Provinces of Canada. He is also responsible for the NB Power Distribution Control Centre, Telecommunications Network Operating Centre, Open Access Transmission Tariff, Integration of Distributed Energy Resources, corporate physical security, and corporate cyber security. In previous roles, Alan held various director and technical engineering positions where he led transmission and distribution operations teams, and corporate system planning. Alan also serves as a board member for the Eastern Interconnection Data Sharing Network. Mr. MacNaughton is a licensed professional engineer in the province of New Brunswick, he holds a Bachelor of Science from Mount Alison University as well as an Electrical Engineering degree from Dalhousie University.

Amanda Downey is a member of National Grid’s New England Leadership Team and serves as Vice President, Strategy Development and Partnerships. In this role she is responsible leading the strategic direction, operations, and financial oversight required to deliver transitions services under the Share Purchase and Transition Services Agreements (~140 contracts) related to National Grid’s divestiture of its RI business. She is also the principal architect of New England’s first-ever Strategic Workforce Development Initiative and Clean Energy Academies, intended to build a sustainable, systematic pipeline of diverse talent so that our New England workforce, over the long-haul, reflects the communities that we serve. Amanda, has held a number leadership positions at National Grid with increasing responsibilities, including in Legal, FERC Strategy and Performance, Business Planning and Performance, Gas Capital Delivery - Complex Projects, Strategic Planning, Risk Management, and Corporate and Regulatory Compliance. She serves on several local non-profit boards and is a co-founder and former president of the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Amanda earned a Master of Laws in Banking, Corporate and Finance Law from Fordham University School of Law; a Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law; a Master of Business Administration degree from Franklin University; and a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education from Bowling Green State University. Amanda is licensed to practice law in New York and Texas.

Mr. Van Auken is responsible for directing the Strategic Operations, System Planning & Analysis, Technical Training, Engineering, Project Management & Construction departments within NYPA’s Utility Operation’s Business Unit. Van Auken began his career at NYPA’s former Indian Point 3 Nuclear Power Generating Station. He since has assumed increasing responsibilities in technical management, emergency management, operations, power generation, and transmission in various positions within the Authority’s Headquarters in White Plains and Hydroelectric Plants in upstate New York. Throughout his career at NYPA, Van Auken worked as a staff engineer in the Authority’s Electrical Engineering, Operations Technology, Control Room Operations, and Quality Assurance Engineering departments. Van Auken has also spent time during his career in technical, project management, and customer capacities at Central Hudson Gas & Electric, as well as Metromedia Fiber Networks Inc. Van Auken was promoted to Central Region Operations Superintendent in 2007, Vice President of Engineering in 2008, and his current position of SVP Operations Support Services & Chief Engineer in 2012. Van Auken graduated from the State University of New York’s Institute of Technology, is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New York, and has completed Executive Education Programs at Columbia University’s Business School. Van Auken has served on the Board of Director’s for (NPCC) Northeast Power Coordinating Council since 2012 and is also member of (LPPC) Large Public Power Council’s Operational Executives Working Committee. Van Auken dedicates time volunteering in youth sports programs in Stamford, CT where he resides with his wife and two children.

Nicole Fabbro is the Vice President of Central Engineering at Ontario Power Generation (OPG). She leads a team of four hundred engineering professionals that deliver engineering solutions for all of OPG’s Generating Assets. Throughout her career, Nicole has gained progressive leadership experience in a variety of power generation and business leadership roles across Thermal, Hydroelectric and Nuclear Generating Facilities. Her industry experience includes operations and maintenance, business planning and strategy, asset/project management, regulatory compliance, engineering and procurement. Ms. Fabbro serves as a Board Director for Burlington Hydro Inc. and holds a MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Civil Engineering) from Queen’s University.

Ronald C. DeCurzio is Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), serving at the pleasure of the MMWEC Board of Directors. He is responsible for management, staffing, administration and operation of MMWEC. In addition, he is responsible for overall relations among governing boards, employees, customers and the general public. Prior to becoming CEO in 2008, he served as MMWEC's Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Additionally, he sits on the boards of the Massachusetts Municipal Light Department Wind Energy Cooperative, the Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative Corporation and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Cooperative. Mr. DeCurzio joined MMWEC in 1997, bringing 15 years of treasury experience in areas such as debt restructuring, portfolio management, banking relations and cash management. Prior to joining MMWEC, he was employed at the New York Power Authority, where he served in various treasury positions. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Hofstra University's School of Business. Mr. DeCurzio is a member of the Association of Financial Professionals (formerly the Treasury Management Association) as was NYPA's representative on the New York State Securities and Investments Coordinating Committee. Mr. DeCurzio also is a member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Global Warming Solution Act (GWSA) Implementation Advisory Committee and a member of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Transmission Working Group (CETWG).

Alvin Tang is the CEO of Nexus Energy, where he has led its growth and expansion into the retail and clean energy/renewables sectors. His previous positions include having been a power trader at Ontario Power Generation, where he helped optimize its short-term physical & financial trading strategies. Prior to Ontario Power Generation, he worked for several of the top Canadian banks (Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal and Toronto-Dominion Bank) in various risk management departments and functions, including enterprise, market and trading risk. Mr. Tang holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics & Statistics and a master’s degree in statistics from the University of Western Ontario.

Leka P. Gjonaj is Chief, Electric Safety and Reliability within the Office of Electric, Gas, and Water at the New York State Department of Public Service or more commonly known as the New York State Public Service Commission. Leka has over 30 years with the Department of Public Service and has served in various technical roles over the course of his career. In his current role as Chief, he oversees a group of engineers who provide the engineering/technical expertise for the State’s extra high and high voltage transmission system, medium and low volage distribution systems and major generation facilities needed by the Public Service Commission in fulfilling its Public Service Law mandate to ensure the provision of safe and adequate electric service to NY state’s residents. Prior to joining the Department of Public Service, Leka was employed by General Electric in its Defense Systems division, with responsibilities including designing, implementing, and recommending manufacturing and quality control equipment used in the production of highly specialized weapons components and systems for the United States Navy. Leka holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Leka is also a licensed and registered Professional Engineer in New York State.

Dr. Mayer Sasson has been with Con Edison for more than 30 years working on system and regulatory reliability matters where he is now Technical Leader, Transmission Reliability. He is the current chair of the New York State Reliability Council’s Executive Committee. He is the recipient of various IEEE awards and was elected a Fellow of the IEEE. He is the author of several power systems technical expert opinions supporting Con Edison positions at FERC. Among his salient achievements are leading a team of around 45 professionals across the country in developing IEEE-USA’s 2011 “National Energy Policy Recommendations”, assisting the New York Transmission Owner team that formed the NYISO and the NYSRC, having overseen the successful initial software implementation of the NYISO, and, while working for American Electric Power earlier in his career, participated in the development of the first energy control center with a functioning real-time State Estimator. Dr. Sasson was born in Colombia, studied electrical engineering at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, holds BSc and MSc degrees from the University of Illinois and his doctorate degree is from imperial College of Science and Technology, London, all in power systems analysis.

Kim Moulton is currently a Senior Compliance Consultant at Archer Consulting (Archerint.com), providing regulatory compliance, security, internal control design, tool integration, project management, and training support to its clients. Kim is an accomplished, results-driven professional with over 30 years of industry experience focusing predominantly on NERC and FERC Compliance, Strategic Planning and Governance; Project Management; Engineering, Planning, and Risk Assessment of the electrical transmission system. Previous to her current position, Kim worked for multiple electric utilities throughout her career, including Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), where she held various positions, including Director of Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer. Kim has two degrees in Electrical Engineering and an MSA in Leadership. Kim is also a 2010 graduate of the Vermont Leadership Institute, which focuses on making greater industry contributions and leading transformative change. Using both her personal experience and education to enhance the overall reliability, resiliency, and security of the Bulk Electric System within North America, Kim works together with regulators, industry participants, and peers to create transparent, strategic, risk-based approaches to regulations through the use of strong controls to successfully mitigate ongoing threats that could significantly impact the grid’s future. In addition to the Board position, Kim is a long-time member of the NPCC Compliance Committee and has made multiple industry presentations for best practices associated with meeting the NERC Requirements and the positive business impacts internal controls can provide.

Jeff Heath spent most of his career in financial services. He currently serves on a number of non-profit boards, and provides advisory services to government agencies. He is currently the Chair of the Advisory Panel for Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Heath served as Executive Vice-President and Group Treasurer of Bank of Nova Scotia. In this role he was responsible for the bank’s treasury and investment operations on a global basis. Prior to this he held a number of senior positions in risk management at the bank. His past experience also includes being a director of TMX Group, The Canadian Depository for Securities, and a number of international subsidiaries of Bank of Nova Scotia. Mr. Heath holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University and is a CPA CA.

Elisa M. Speranza has served as an Independent Director on the NPCC Board since 2018. A recognized leader in the water and critical infrastructure industry, she has spent 30+ years serving in various roles in the government, non-profit, and private sectors. Ms. Speranza serves on company boards and provides consulting services through her firm Seventh Ward Strategies, LLC. Until 2017, she was an executive and board member for the Fortune 500 global project management firm CH2M (acquired by Jacobs Engineering). Before that she worked for several other companies and was Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. Ms. Speranza earned a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College. A native Bostonian, she’s lived in New Orleans since 2002 and spends summers in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.