SERC Reliability Corp. on Monday announced Jason Blake, vice president and general counsel of ReliabilityFirst, as its new CEO, effective Nov. 15.
He will replace Gary J. Taylor, who has served in the position since 2016.
“Our search encompassed a variety of industry segments including public power, investor owned utilities, and the electric reliability sector,” Tom Linquist, managing partner of Lyceum Leadership Consulting, SERC’s search firm, said in a statement.
“I have the utmost confidence that Jason will provide the superior level of leadership, management and vision required to take SERC to the next level in our mission of promoting effective and efficient administration of the bulk power system within our jurisdiction,” SERC Chair Greg Ford said, citing Blake’s “extensive experience.”
Blake, who joined Cleveland-based ReliabilityFirst in 2010, led the organization’s legal and regulatory affairs, enforcement and external communications departments. He also was corporate secretary and a member of the CEO’s executive team.
Before ReliabilityFirst, Blake gained business and regulatory experience in private practice in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
ReliabilityFirst is the NERC-delegated regional entity (RE) for the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Charlotte, N.C.-based SERC, is the RE for all or portions of 16 Central and Southeastern states.
“This is a great move, not just for SERC, but for the entire [Electric Reliability Organization] enterprise,” ReliabilityFirst CEO Tim Gallagher said in a statement. “Our pride in seeing him named CEO is matched only by our sadness in seeing such a great friend and valued colleague leave the RF family.”
RF has begun a search for Blake’s replacement. Megan Gambrel, managing legal and regulatory counsel, was appointed interim general counsel.
Taylor is departing SERC after a little more than two years as CEO. He joined SERC in 2015 and served as chief operating officer after retiring from Entergy, where he served as group president of Entergy’s utility operations and CEO of its nuclear unit.
Blake and SERC officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
— Rich Heidorn Jr.
