Neil Smith, former CEO of generation developer InterGen, has resigned from the PJM Board of Managers.

PJM CEO Manu Asthana announced Smith’s resignation in a letter to stakeholders April 12. Asthana said Smith vacated his board seat effective April 8 to take an executive position with a company that “would have presented a conflict of interest” if he continued to serve on the board.

Smith’s new position was not identified.

“I want to thank Neil for his valuable service to the PJM Board,” Asthana said.

Smith retired as InterGen’s CEO in 2016 after 25 years with the company. He also previously served on the board for The Wood Group, a U.K.-based company providing project, engineering and technical services to energy and industrial clients.

Smith joined the PJM board in 2018, filling a position held by Howard Schneider for 21 years. (See PJM Board Elects New Chair, Welcomes New Member.)

Asthana said the RTO’s Nominating Committee, which has been working to replace other board members, will meet soon to discuss the next steps for Smith’s vacancy.

The committee recently announced it selected Paula Conboy, former chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, and Jeanine Johnson, vice president of product security at Netgear, to replace board Chair Ake Almgren and board member John Foster. The committee had also renominated Smith for his position. (See PJM Nominates Replacements for Board of Managers.)

Asthana said it is unlikely PJM will nominate Smith’s replacement in time for the RTO’s Annual Meeting in May but will attempt to have a nomination in place for the Members Committee meeting on June 23.