James Robb will take over as president and CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corp. in April, NERC's board announced March 16.
Robb, who currently serves as CEO of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, will assume his new duties April 9. "We are confident that Jim will provide the combination of strong leadership, vision and commitment to the reliability and security of the bulk power system across North America that is essential to NERC's continuing success," NERC board Chair Roy Thilly said.
The future NERC CEO has over 30 years of energy sector experience, including as an engineer, consultant and senior executive. Robb will replace prior NERC CEO Gerry Cauley, who was placed on a leave of absence following a Nov. 10, 2017, arrest on a domestic violence charge. Cauley resigned from NERC later that month.
"Jim Robb is a fabulous choice," said William Scherman, a former general counsel for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and partner with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher's energy, regulation and litigation practice group. "He is very smart, extremely knowledgeable, works hard and is a terrific person. At this critical time in the country’s history for ensuring the grids reliability and resiliency, NERC could not have made a better choice."
NERC's Senior Vice President and General Counsel Charles Berardesco served as acting CEO during Cauley's leave of absence and following his resignation. Berardesco will resume his general counsel duties after Robb becomes CEO.
