May 1, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Justin M. Campbell to Head Newly Formed GridLiance West Utilities

GridLiance Holdco, L.P. (GridLiance) announces the addition of Justin M. Campbell as President of GridLiance West Utilities – GridLiance’s newly formed transmission company operating in the Western Interconnection.

As GridLiance expands its footprint in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) areas, Campbell will head new business and development efforts for GridLiance West Utilities. This includes managing the high voltage transmission system GridLiance is acquiring from Valley Electric Association, Inc. (VEA). This acquisition will deliver significant benefits to the CAISO region, including increasing the region’s attractiveness for economic development through improved transmission reliability and more access to low-cost renewable energy.

“We are excited to welcome Justin to the GridLiance team,” said Ed Rahill, President and Chief Executive Officer of GridLiance. “Justin’s expertise in developing electric transmission strategy in CAISO and WECC, as well as his leadership in pursuing new business development will be instrumental as we pursue additional opportunities in the west.

“Southern and western Nevada are emerging markets for renewable energy, and this growth is driving the need for transmission that can deliver low-cost energy throughout the region. Our partnership with VEA allows us to enter the market with assets located in a strategic area that will send clean energy to customers and strengthen the grid’s security.”

Campbell joins GridLiance from Edison International, where most recently, he was vice president of Edison Transmission, LLC, a subsidiary formed to pursue opportunities in transmission nationwide. He also held roles in Edison International’s strategic planning group and in Southern California Edison’s Transmission and Distribution Business Unit. Campbell previously held roles at the global investment bank Houlihan Lokey and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“I am joining GridLiance at a crucial time, when the company is on the verge of closing on an important acquisition in CAISO,” said Campbell. “I’m excited to be a part of a great management team and focused on this dynamic region. I look forward to working with public power utilities to address their transmission needs and with developers to bring more renewable energy to the west.”

GridLiance also announces the promotion of Calvin Crowder to President of GridLiance South Central Utilities. Crowder will lead GridLiance’s development in the RTO regions of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) South, as well as New Mexico. He will also manage GridLiance’s owned assets in the South Central region. Brian Gedrich also joins GridLiance as vice president of GridLiance South Central Region. Prior to GridLiance, Gedrich served as executive director of Transmission Development at NextEra Energy Transmission/Lone Star Transmission.

About GridLiance

Incorporated in 2014, GridLiance’s core business model is to partner with municipalities, public power agencies and electric cooperatives (Public Power) to increase system reliability and lower costs. GridLiance’s differentiated operating model provides its Public and Cooperative Power Partners with new opportunities to invest in regulated transmission projects or rely on GridLiance to plan and construct transmission for their benefit. GridLiance currently operates over 400 miles of transmission lines and related substation facilities in Oklahoma, has long term partnerships with Public Power utilities operating in Missouri, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Kansas, and is negotiating new arrangements with utilities in several other states. For more information about GridLiance, visit www.GridLiance.com.