New CEO for JPS

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has appointed Kelly Tomblin, who has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the United States’ regulated utility and independent energy sectors, as its new chief executive officer.



The appointment takes effect today.



She replaces former president and CEO Damian Obiglio who resigned in November 2011 following a five-year stint with the company.



Tomblin’s leadership positions also span the traditional and renewable generation sectors, as well as the transmission and distribution arenas, JPS said in a release.



“The appointment of Ms. Tomblin is in keeping with our commitment to strengthen JPS, so that the organization can play an even more pivotal role as a partner in Jamaica’s development,” said JPS chairman, Hisatsugu Hirai.



“She brings to the organization extensive industry knowledge, strong business strategy and operations experience, as well as customer service expertise, which I am confident will be to the benefit of all our stakeholders,” he added.



Tomblin was most recently regional vice-president of GDF SUEZ Energy Resources, with responsibility for leading the company’s market, competitive and regulatory strategy in the five markets of Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and Washington, D.C.



Prior to that, she was vice president of corporate strategy, development and services at International Power, where she led corporate strategy, administrative affairs, business development, asset management and operations support groups.



She has also worked in senior positions in a number of other utility companies in the US, including Monmouth County Bayshore Outfall Authority, First Energy, and GPU International.



Tomblin holds a Master of Business Administration from New York University. She earned an undergraduate degree in public relations and a law degree from West Virginia University.



(In the Sunday Gleaner of April 1, she was incorrectly identified as Shelly Tomlin).



business@gleanerjm.com