Preng & Associates Seeking Senior Operations Leader for PJM Interconnection

December 12, 2023 – Houston-based Preng & Associates has been retained by high-voltage electric power system PJM Interconnection to lead in its search for a new executive vice president – operations, planning & security. Consultants Mark Ciolek and John Goodrum are leading the search on behalf of Preng & Associates.
This important role will continue to focus on reliability, planning for the grid of the future, and operational excellence. In addition, it combines physical security, cybersecurity, enterprise information security, IT compliance, business continuity, and security engineering & architecture in a new division. The search will be handled by Preng & Associates with a target of having the position filled in the second quarter of 2024.
PJM Interconnection manages the high-voltage electric system that provides power to 65 million people. It’s the largest power grid in North America. As a neutral, independent party, PJM administers a competitive wholesale electricity market. PJM’s long-term regional planning process provides a broad, interstate perspective that identifies the most effective and cost-efficient improvements to the grid to ensure reliability and economic benefits. PJM serves all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Preng & Associates, founded in 1980, is the only retainer-based, international executive search firm specializing solely in the energy industry. The firm’s experience spans the entire energy value chain – from the well head to the wall socket. Its subsector verticals have specific expertise in oil and gas (upstream, midstream, and downstream), oilfield equipment and services, power and utilities, renewables, engineering and construction, and industrials. Preng & Associates has conducted more than 4,000 engagements for over 880 companies and placed individuals for board, executive management, and professional positions in 92 countries.
Related: Preng & Associates Fills Board Positions for NET Power
Mr. Ciolek leads the utility/power practice at Preng & Associates. His search practice is focused on electric and gas utilities, independent generators, renewable energy, and industrial/services companies supporting the utilities and power sector. Mr. Ciolek combines 12 years of senior-level search experience with an extensive knowledge base and network developed during his prior 25 years of industry and management consulting. He conducts a wide variety of senior level assignments, including CEO/president, COO and CFO roles. His functional search experience includes operations, engineering and construction, business, and project development, regulatory, strategy and IT.
Preng & Associates Recruits CFO for Flotek Industries
Preng & Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Bond Clement as the new chief financial officer of Flotek Industries Inc., a NYSE-traded provider of technology-driven specialty green chemistry solutions. “We are excited to welcome Bond Clement to Flotek,” said John W. Gibson Jr., chairman, president, and CEO of Flotek. “We believe the combination of his deep energy industry expertise and a proven track record as a public company CFO positions him to immediately add value as we transition into a profitable, cash generative company.” Mr. Clement has more than 25 years of financial and accounting experience within the energy sector.
Mr. Goodrum joined Preng & Associates in 2013 working on the global oilfield service and equipment team. He has a broad range of search experience including leading senior-level operations, HR, and financial searches. Clients include large, publicly traded companies, private equity backed companies, and privately owned energy companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Goodrum worked in Washington, D.C. where he served as director of management and associate director of personnel at the White House for President George W. Bush.
Past Search Assignment
Preng & Associates recently assisted in the placement of Tommy McKeith as an independent non-executive director for CleanTech Lithium PLC (CTL), an exploration and development company advancing next-generation sustainable lithium projects in Chile for the EV transition. The assignment was led by consultants Edward Blyth and Jozsef Marton, both located in London. “Tommy McKeith has considerable board experience in Australia and a wealth of knowledge, including developing and operating mining projects around the world, including Chile, and as our Australian resident independent non-executive director will greatly help the company gain the most it can from the planned listing on the ASX,” said executive chairman Steve Kesler.
Mr. McKeith, based in Perth, Australia, is an experienced public company director and geologist with over 30 years of mining company leadership, corporate development, project development, and exploration experience. He has held roles in an international mining company and across several ASX listed mining companies. Mr. McKeith previously served as non-executive director of Evolution Mining Ltd. and as non-executive chairman of Arrow Minerals Ltd.
Related: Preng & Associates Places New Leader for Traverse City Light & Power in Michigan
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media