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Richard Kelly, Xcel Energy chairman and CEO, has recently been appointed chairman of BrightSource Energy’s board of directors. Bringing over 40-years of experience in electricity generation and the public utility industry, Kelly’s appointment allows for former company chairman John Bryson to depart and fulfill his appointment by President Obama as US Secretary of Commerce.
“Dick has been a leading voice within the utility industry during his tenure at Xcel, determinedly pushing for the adoption of clean, cost-effective and reliable electricity. The depth and breadth of his leadership experience combined with his keen understanding of the world’s energy markets make him an ideal leader for our board,” said John Woolard, president and CEO of BrightSource Energy. “We’re very pleased to have Dick join us as chairman of our board of directors as we continue to expand our company domestically and internationally.”
Kelly began his career with Public Service Company of Colorado in several finance-related positions. When the company merged with Southwestern Public Service Company to form New Century Energies, Kelly served as CFO, a position he worked in until the company merged with Xcel Energy. Kelly not only served as CEO and chairman of Xcel, but during his time there was the president and CFO.
Kelly is chairman of the board of trustees at Regis University, chairman of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and chairman of the board of trustees of the Science Museum of Minnesota. He is a board member of the Capital City Partnership, the Electric Power Research Institute, the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Canadian Pacific Railway.
He graduated with both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in accounting from Regis University. He also attended the University of Colorado’s Executive Education Conference and the University of Michigan’s Public Utility Executive Program.
