[BETA] Fortnightly

New Opportunities:

President Bush nominated Joseph Kelliher to chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Kelliher has served on the commission since 2003.

Xcel Energy named Richard C. (Dick) Kelly , 58, currently president and COO of Xcel Energy, as the new CEO. Kelly is a long-term employee of Xcel Energy and its predecessor companies, New Century Energies and Public Service Co. of Colorado.

NRG Energy Inc. said Kevin T. Howell would join the company as executive vice president, commercial operations, on Aug. 1. Since 2001, Howell has served as president of Dominion Energy Clearinghouse.

Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman swore in David K. Garman as Under Secretary of Energy for Energy, Science and Environment.

Calpine Corp. promoted Eric N. Pryor to executive vice president. Pryor will continue to serve as Calpine's deputy CFO and corporate risk officer, positions he has held since 2002.

Entergy Corp. promoted Kenneth R. Theobalds to vice president of governmental affairs for Entergy's Nuclear Northeast division. Theobalds has served as director of governmental affairs since joining Entergy Nuclear Northeast in 2002.

Avista Corp. named Marian Durkin as senior vice president and general counsel, effective Aug. 1. Durkin, 51, joins Avista from United Air Lines Inc., where she most recently served as vice president, deputy general counsel and assistant secretary.

Shuffle Board:

Trans-Elect Inc. elected a new board of directors. The election follows the recent recapitalization of the company with an affiliate of GFI Energy Ventures LLC becoming the majority shareholder of Trans-Elect. The newly elected board features long-time electricity and financing experts including former CEO of California Independent System Operator Terry Winter , who is now with American Superconductor, energy industry executive Richard S. Siudek , independent power developer and pioneer Jacek Makowski , and former JP Morgan/ Chase energy finance expert Richard D. Grant . Trans-Elect's Fred Buckman will continue to serve as non-executive chairman of the board.

DTE Energy named Joe W. Laymon , group vice president, corporate human resources and labor affairs for Ford Motor Co., to its board of directors.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Co. board elected Stewart M. Ramsay as vice president of electric transmission. Ramsay previously was a vice president at American Electric Power Co.

Retired:

Wayne H. Brunetti , chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy, retired as CEO. He remains chairman of the board until mid-December.

Resigned:

Paul O'Malley , chairman and CEO of TXU Energy, resigned effective mid-July. A replacement is expected to be announced by August. Until then, the TXU Energy leadership team will report directly to TXU Corp. Chairman and CEO C. John Wilder .

AES Corp. announced that Barry Sharp would resign as executive vice president and CFO by the end of this year. Following his departure from AES, Sharp will continue to work with the company as a consultant and assist the new CFO during a transition period.

Awarded:

The New Jersey Utilities Association awarded its 2005 Distinguished Service Award to Stephen B. Genzer , managing partner of the Newark office of Saul Ewing LLP. Genzer has been actively involved in the New