Entergy Names David Ellis to Lead Entergy New Orleans

By LA Data News

David D. Ellis, a 27-year veteran providing global reliability and clean energy technology solutions, has been named to lead Entergy New Orleans, LLC, as its president and CEO, Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) announced today.

Ellis comes to Entergy New Orleans from Global Power Technologies (GPT) in Edison NJ, where he was president and CEO. GPT is a global company that delivers enterprise and cloud-based software solutions, manufactures reliability and energy management products, and provides energy consulting and advisory services to electric utilities and their customers. Prior to GPT, Ellis led businesses in North America, Asia, and Africa focused on driving technology-based energy solutions for utilities in those markets. Ellis will join the company on Dec. 10th.

“We conducted a comprehensive national search to find the right leader for Entergy New Orleans who can successfully implement our plan to improve reliability, create a smarter and greener energy grid for the city, and renew our role as a trusted partner and service provider for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Rod West, group president utility operations, Entergy Corp. “David’s deep background in innovation, reliability and resource management, and delivering customer-focused products and services make him the right choice to lead Entergy New Orleans into the future. We welcome him to the Crescent City.”

In August, company officials announced a renewed strategic focus for New Orleans electric customers that includes reliability and storm hardening to reduce power outages, nearly 100 megawatts of incremental renewable resources and the creation of a smarter energy grid with new technology to give customers more control and more options. These initiatives, along with the construction of the New Orleans Power Station, will provide a safe, reliable local source of power generation for New Orleans and the region while strengthening the grid and improving our customer experience.

“I believe Entergy New Orleans can and should be the model for the electric utility of the future,” said Ellis. “I found the tremendous potential and willingness to create a smarter energy future for New Orleans compelling, and I look forward to partnering with the City Council and the community to make that potential a reality.”

In his 27 years as a reliability, technology and clean energy executive, Ellis has held a number of leadership positions at energy-focused companies, including Comverge International, Clean Power Markets, Inc., and Enerwise Global Technologies. His experience includes the design and administration of renewable portfolio standards, global demand response market development, and energy software & hardware technology leadership.

Ellis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Penn State University where he played basketball for four years, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Eastern University. He and his wife, Christine, have nine children, ranging in age from 8 to 24.

This article originally appeared in the New Orleans Data News Weekly.