FirstLight Board Chair Joins Biden-Harris Administration
Company leadership commends Mr. Giudice for his contributions to FirstLight and offers congratulations on his new role as Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy
Burlington, MA – February 16, 2021 – FirstLight Power, a leading clean power producer and energy storage company, today announced that the company has elected Stephan Rupert as Chair of its Board of Directors. This follows the departure of the company’s previous board chair Phil Giudice, who is joining the Biden-Harris Administration as Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy.
“We wish Phil great success as he brings his talent and expertise to advance the nation’s climate and clean energy leadership,” said Alicia Barton, CEO of FirstLight. “Given the Commonwealth’s recent goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and the similar aggressive goals the Biden-Harris administration are seeking to advance, FirstLight is ideally positioned to accelerate these efforts by leveraging our vast portfolio of clean energy generation. We are fortunate to have a strong Board of Directors, and Stephan will provide immediate leadership as our new Board Chair during this critical time for the company. We are well positioned to play a pivotal role in the region’s transition to a decarbonized energy future through our array of regional, clean energy assets including pumped-hydro storage, battery storage, hydroelectric generation, and solar generation.”
Mr. Giudice will bring over four decades of experience and leadership in the clean energy and climate sector to the newly created domestic climate policy team led by Administrator Gina McCarthy. Mr. Giudice served as Massachusetts Undersecretary of Energy and Commissioner of Energy Resources. He was also founding Board Member, Treasurer and Vice Chair for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), board chair of the National Association of State Energy Officials as well as a member of the DOE’s State Energy Advisory Board, Energy Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee and EPA/DOE’s State Energy Efficiency Action Network. He has led numerous successful energy innovation startups and served as a Board Member for several regional clean energy associations and non-profit organizations.
“We congratulate Phil on his new role as Special Assistant to the President, and to thank him for his invaluable contributions to FirstLight. As a long-time clean energy entrepreneur, executive and former state official, Phil will bring immense experience to the national stage and it heartens me to know that President Biden’s administration is tapping leaders with Phil’s passion, skills and expertise to play a leading role accelerating our nation’s path to a clean energy future,” said Mr. Rupert. “PSP is proud to sponsor FirstLight as part of its commitment to help shape a future defined by more sustainable and inclusive economic growth. I am honored to chair FirstLight’s Board at this exciting moment for our company.”
Mr. Rupert, who has over 20 years of experience in international mergers and acquisitions, asset management and operation, first joined FirstLight’s Board in 2016. He currently serves as Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments, at the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) where he oversees capital investment and asset management for the Americas.
ABOUT FIRSTLIGHT POWER
FirstLight Power (FirstLight) is a leading clean power producer and energy storage company in New England with a portfolio that includes nearly 1,400 megawatts of pumped-hydro storage, battery storage, hydroelectric generation, and solar generation – the largest clean energy generation portfolio in New England today. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA and New Milford, CT, FirstLight provides stewardship of and recreational access to 14,000 acres of land and waters along the Connecticut, Housatonic, Shetucket, Still, and Quinebaug Rivers.