PJM is restructuring its executive team, the RTO announced Nov. 28, promoting Stu Bresler to executive vice president of market services and strategy and creating two new positions.

“Over the years, Stu has helped build many of PJM’s markets and has made sure all of PJM’s markets are supporting the mission of reliability at the least cost for consumers,” CEO Manu Asthana said in a statement. “PJM and its stakeholders have come to rely on his expertise, diligence [and] leadership and his willingness to listen to all viewpoints that can help PJM ensure a reliable energy transition.”

Bresler started at PJM as a professional engineer in 1994 and was subsequently responsible for implementing its demand response program. He now oversees the operations of all PJM markets.

“I have seen the power of competitive markets to reinforce grid reliability while controlling costs for consumers and attracting investment in cleaner and more cost-effective generation technologies,” Bresler said in the statement. “It is a real honor and privilege to be able to help PJM ensure the reliable delivery of electricity through the current transition as our region moves toward a lower-emitting generation fleet.”

PJM has also established a new chief security officer position, which Steve McElwee, a 15-year PJM veteran who currently serves as chief information security officer, will fill Jan. 10. Along with his current responsibilities for cybersecurity, McElwee will have oversight of business continuity, facility services, physical security, and identity and access management.

“Steve’s cyber experience in his current role, coupled with his experience supporting business continuity and recovery, physical security tactics and NERC [Critical Infrastructure Protection standards] compliance, will add tremendous value to the PJM security program,” Asthana said. “He has put his stamp on the industry for his ability to heighten awareness and educate employees and stakeholders on security risks and practices.”

“The landscape of threats aimed at the electrical grid continues to increase exponentially, and I’m committed, along with PJM, to meeting this challenge with the resources necessary to keep power flowing for the 65 million people we serve,” McElwee said.

McElwee will report to another new position, the RTO said: the executive vice president of operations, planning and security. The hiring process will be handled by Preng & Associates, with the goal of having the position filled by the second quarter of next year. Until then, McElwee will continue to report to Chief Information Officer Thomas O’Brien.

“This important role will continue to focus on reliability, planning for the grid of the future and operational excellence. In addition, it combines physical security, cybersecurity, enterprise information security, IT compliance, business continuity, and security engineering and architecture in a new division,” PJM said.

The changes are the latest in a series to PJM leadership. This month, the RTO named Paul McGlynn to replace Ken Seiler as vice president of planning following Seiler’s retirement April 1, 2024. McGlynn will report to Seiler until then. Seiler will remain with PJM through the end of next year in a consulting role “to transition his duties in a seamless manner,” the RTO said.