NYISO is reorganizing its leadership team in preparation for CEO Stephen Whitley’s plan to retire next year.

The ISO’s Board of Directors announced last week that it had extended Whitley’s contract to mid-2016, when he will cap an eight-year tenure as CEO.

The board also announced a reorganization of NYISO’s leadership team and the promotion of two executives.

Richard Dewey was promoted from senior vice president and chief information officer to executive vice president, responsible for operations, information technology and market structures. Thomas Rumsey, formerly vice president of external affairs, was named senior vice president of external affairs with responsibility for media relations, corporate communications, government and regulatory affairs, stakeholder services and strategic planning.

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Gonzales has added responsibilities for preparing the ISO for its growing dependence on natural gas as well as the increasing penetration of renewable and distributed energy resources. Senior Vice President of Market Structures Rana Mukerji will be responsible for market design, demand response and system planning.

NYISO said the restructuring will “drive internal efficiencies, expand the scope of its key leaders and best position the company to meet the emerging challenges in the industry.” It cited growing dependence on natural gas, the increased penetration of renewable and distributed energy resources and new environmental regulations as key issues facing the reorganized team.

The NYISO board said it will conduct a nationwide search for Whitley’s successor and consider both internal and external candidates.

Before joining NYISO in July 2008, Whitley was SVP and COO at ISO-NE for seven years. Prior to that, he was ISO-NE vice president of system operations from 2000 to 2001.

He also spent 30 years at the Tennessee Valley Authority, last serving as electric system operations general manager of the transmission power supply group.