04 Jan Utilities Technology Council Board of Directors Names Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams as New President and CEO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Utilities Technology Council Board of Directors Names Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams as New President and CEO
Arlington, VA—January 04, 2024—
The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) announced today that it has named Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams as the association’s new President and CEO. Rusty takes over UTC’s leadership from Ron Beck, who served as Interim President and CEO from May to December 2023.
“After a rigorous three-month process, which involved interviewing and evaluating dozens of applicants from across the country based on strategically aligned criteria, I’m convinced that the right person will lead UTC into its next 75 years,” said UTC Board Chair Kirt Mayson of NorthWestern Energy. “We needed to get this right, and we needed to get it done by the end of the year. Rusty’s combination of decades of industry experience with a deep knowledge of UTC is the perfect fit to lead our staff and serve our members as UTC continues to be on the cutting edge of shaping utility mission-critical technologies through public policy and advocacy, cyber and security, and membership engagement.”
UTC’s search process began in September with more than 30 applications, which were narrowed down to three finalists through a process of interviews based on key criteria identified as essential to the position. The finalists were interviewed in person at UTC’s December Board Meeting in Chicago. Following a final graded review and evaluation, the decision was made to offer Williams the position of UTC’s next President and CEO.
Williams, a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, comes to UTC with extensive utility industry experience. He worked at LightRiver Technologies for seven years, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Before LightRiver, Williams worked for nearly four years as Director of Business Development at AFL Telecommunications. He also worked for more than 25 years at Southern Company, where he held various telecommunications and IT management positions. Williams earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Mayson went on to say that Williams’ experience will be a key driver of UTC’s continued commitment to being a trusted advocate and thought leader on regulatory issues and emerging technology, as well as a valued training source in the utility telecommunications and networking space. Spectrum allocation, emerging technology initiatives, and cyber and security are just a few of the challenges and opportunities that will be faced by UTC members and the industry in the years ahead, Mayson said.
“It is an honor to be selected to lead this prestigious association that, for the past 75 years, has protected and advocated on behalf of the critical infrastructure industry,” Williams said. “I look forward to building on the work of my predecessors and working on behalf of UTC members to create a favorable business, regulatory, and technology environment. The need is great to ensure the integrity of the utility services provided to the country and across the globe. UTC and its members are up to the task.”
“In welcoming Rusty, I also want to extend my personal gratitude to Ron Beck, who jumped in with lightning speed to give his time and guidance to UTC as its Interim President and CEO. Ron has been involved with UTC at every level, and I know that this is not goodbye but simply farewell. On behalf of the Board, I wish him the very best in his new endeavors,” Mayson continued.
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About UTC
The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) is a global trade association dedicated to serving critical infrastructure providers. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, UTC creates a favorable business, regulatory and technology environment for our members who own or operate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems in support of their core business. For more information: UTC.org
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