PSEG names Scott Jennings permanent president for its Long Island operation
Scott Jennings previously was senior vice president for finance, planning and strategy at PSEG. He has worked for PSEG as a senior executive since 1998. Credit: PSEG
PSEG this week named a permanent replacement for the top post of its Long Island operation after it had been filled on an interim basis since 2022, appointing PSEG veteran Scott Jennings president and chief operating officer.
Jennings, who has worked for PSEG since 1998, previously was senior vice president for finance, planning and strategy for the Newark-based PSEG Services Corp.
Jennings takes the role filled on an interim basis since May 2022 by Dave Lyons, who is retiring. Prior to that, Daniel Eichhorn filled the role before retiring himself in 2022.
PSEG also named John Latka as senior vice president of electric operations for both the New Jersey utility and PSEG Long Island.
The appointments come as New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Office approved an extension of PSEG’s contract with LIPA amid a swirl of state and internal probes into events leading up to the $493 million, five-year contract award in September.
DiNapoli’s approval came with the condition that if the utility is found to have engaged in “criminality, fraud or abuse” as a result of those probes, LIPA must terminate the contract. At least two former LIPA officials have said they were pressured to lower scores for a PSEG rival in the bidding for LIPA’s contract to manage the grid. LIPA’s board ultimately rejected their recommendation to award the contract to Quanta Services; the board also voted to cancel the bidding altogether and awarded the contract to PSEG Long Island.
To date, the inspector general has not discussed its investigation of the utility other than to confirm it to Newsday, and no one has been charged with wrongdoing. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office has said "if anyone is found to have violated laws she will ensure they are referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.”
In 2022, LIPA trustees rejected the prior appointment of another PSEG official, Rodney Dickens, who subsequently was named an executive adviser overseeing the Long Island operations. Dickens retired last year.
"We conducted an extensive national search to find a leader who had the ideal skills and vision, while demonstrating a strong commitment to the role and the future success of PSEG Long Island,” PSEG chairman and chief executive Ralph LaRossa, said in a prepared statement. PSEG spokespersons didn’t respond to a request Friday for an interview.
LaRossa pointed to Jennings' “decades of experience and a strong strategic and financial background” and said PSEG was “confident that Scott will seamlessly lead PSEG Long Island in this new chapter and work in partnership with LIPA to enhance our safe, affordable, reliable energy future."
PSEG said Jennings had “extensive experience with PSEG Long Island's structure and operations,” after helping negotiate the original contract with LIPA prior to its start date in January 2014.
PSEG said Latka, a 40-year utility veteran, will “partner with Jennings in ensuring PSEG Long Island's operational excellence while also fostering collaboration on best practices across PSEG's utilities in New Jersey and on Long Island.”
Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.
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