The New Jersey Utilities Association (NJUA) Board of Directors has appointed Michele O’Connell, a seasoned utility executive, as its new chair.
O’Connell, who currently serves as the president and chief executive officer of Orange and Rockland Utilities and its subsidiary, Rockland Electric Company, succeeds Melissa Orsen, senior vice president of South Jersey Industries.
O’Connell steps into the leadership role at the NJUA as the industry continues to balance rapid transformations in the energy sector with the foundational need for safe, affordable, and reliable service.
“Michele is an exceptional leader whose experience, vision, and deep understanding of our industry make her uniquely qualified to guide NJUA during a critical time for New Jersey’s utility sector,” NJUA President and CEO Rich Henning said. “As our industry continues to navigate affordability, reliability, and the evolving energy needs of our customers, Michele’s leadership will be invaluable in helping advance solutions that benefit communities and businesses across the state.”
In her statement, O’Connell emphasized the fundamental nature of the industry and the importance of strategic leadership in managing current grid and customer challenges.
“Energy is the infrastructure that keeps our economy, our communities, and our daily routines running, enabling everything from industry and innovation to the essential services people depend on,” O’Connell said. “Thoughtful, strategic leadership is essential to maintaining a reliable system that responsibly balances service, resilience, and customer costs for all New Jerseyans.”
O’Connell brings over two decades of utility and operational experience to the NJUA chair position. The bulk of her career was spent with Consolidated Edison, the parent company of Orange and Rockland Utilities, where she held a variety of high-level leadership roles:
- Senior Vice President of Customer Operations: Oversaw comprehensive customer experience initiatives, including outreach, billing, field collections, call center operations, and the implementation of a new customer billing system.
- Capital Construction & Operations: Managed extensive capital construction, substation management, and operational projects across all boroughs of New York City.
Under her current leadership, Orange and Rockland Utilities provides service to a population of approximately 1 million people across six counties in northern New Jersey and New York.
Beyond her executive duties at Orange and Rockland Utilities, O’Connell maintains a robust presence on several key industry and regional boards, including:
- Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation
- Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress
- New Jersey Energy Coalition Advisory Board
- Edison Electric Institute Operating Company Leadership Group
- Partnership for NYC Urban Resiliency Advisory Board
- Women’s Forum of New York
