The Board of Directors of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has announced the appointment of Steve Berberich, as the light and power company’s new president and chief executive officer (CEO).

His appointment took effective Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Berberich replaces Michel Gantois, whose chief executive tenure at JPS ended on May 30.

Steve Berberich is an internationally recognised industry expert in electric grid operations and markets, renewable and related technologies, information technology and cyber security.

He brings over 38 years of experience from fields such as utility leadership, business consulting, financial services, banking and finance.

Berberich is the former president and CEO of the California Independent System Operator (ISO), which is one of the world’s largest transmission organisations, managing the electric grid and wholesale power markets for 32 million Californians and throughout the Western US.

During his tenure, he navigated the ISO through a series of major changes underway in the energy industry.

Berberich was instrumental in facilitating the transformation of the power grid to lower its reliance on fossil fuels, and driving energy policy to foster new ways to produce and consume electricity. Recognized as one of the 10 most influential energy leaders in the United States in 2014, Berberich oversaw the integration of more renewable energy than any other region in the world.

He directed the deployment of the USA’s first Energy Imbalance Market, which welcomed several additional western states into the ISO’s bulk power markets.

Berberich is a frequent speaker in the US and internationally about the 21st century grid.