Michael L. Mosher, an electrical engineer and veteran utility executive, on April 1 will step in as president and CEO of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., the Poughkeepsie-based company announced on Monday.
The native Red Hook resident succeeds James P. Laurito, who served in the top post at Central Hudson since 2009. Laurito has been promoted to executive vice president of the regional utility”™s Canadian parent company, Fortis Inc. He will remain on the Central Hudson board of directors.
“While Jim will have new opportunities to add value for Fortis shareholders throughout North America, Mike will build upon a nearly 25-year career at Central Hudson to better the customer experience for those we serve in the Hudson Valley,” said Barry Perry, Fortis president and C.E.O.
A graduate of Union College, Mosher joined Central Hudson as a junior engineer in 1985 and left to pursue another career opportunity before returning in 1993 to the utility”™s sister subsidiary, Central Hudson Enterprises Corp. He rose to the rank of vice president in 2000, responsible for energy services and retail electric sales, and in 2003 became Central Hudson”™s manager of corporate services. He was named assistant vice president of regulatory affairs in 2005 and was promoted to vice president of regulatory affairs the next year.
A Central Hudson spokesperson said Mosher will be the 10th president of the company since its incorporation in 1927. He will also serve as chief operating officer of CH Energy Group, Inc.
“Mike”™s substantial and diverse background in operations and regulatory affairs has prepared him to assume the leadership of Central Hudson at a critical time in its evolution,” said Central Hudson Board Chairwoman Margarita K. Dilley.
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. serves approximately 300,000 electric and 78,000 natural gas customers in a 2,600-square-mile service territory covering eight counties in the mid”‘Hudson Valley.
