Karpel Associates offers utility and grid modernization executive search for electric and water utilities, transmission developers and grid technology companies throughout the US. If you need a leader to plan transmission, manage a regulatory agenda, harden infrastructure or roll out smart grid systems, we find the people who have done that work in a regulated setting.
The leadership challenge facing utilities
Utilities are being asked to do several hard things at once. Load is growing from data centers, electrification and new manufacturing. Large amounts of solar, wind and storage are waiting in interconnection queues. Extreme weather and wildfire risk demand new investment in resilience. All of it has to be justified to state commissions and paid for by customers.
That workload is reshaping the executive bench. Utilities need leaders who understand traditional reliability and regulated returns, but who are also comfortable with distributed energy resources, advanced analytics and fast-moving technology vendors. Many experienced utility leaders are retiring, and the replacement pipeline is thin.
Water utilities face a parallel version of the same problem. Aging pipes and treatment plants, tighter drinking water standards and growing energy costs all push water systems to modernize, and they compete for many of the same engineering, capital program and regulatory leaders that electric utilities want. We recruit for both, and we know where their candidate pools overlap.
On the vendor side, grid technology companies selling sensors, software, protection equipment and analytics need executives who understand how utilities buy. Long procurement cycles, regulatory approval of spending and conservative engineering cultures shape every sale, and leaders who have worked inside a utility often outperform those who have not.
Grid and utility roles in highest demand
- Transmission planning and development. Long-term regional planning under new FERC transmission rules and interregional coordination both require people who can model the grid and also build consensus among stakeholders.
- NERC compliance and reliability. Directors who can manage CIP and operations and planning standards, prepare for audits and build a culture of compliance are always needed.
- Grid modernization and DER integration. Leaders who can deploy ADMS, DERMS, advanced metering and virtual power plant programs while keeping operations stable.
- Cybersecurity. Operational technology security is a board-level concern, and experienced utility CISOs are scarce.
- Regulatory affairs. Rate case leaders who can secure recovery for large capital programs.
What utilities should expect from a candidate
| Competency | Evidence we look for |
|---|---|
| Regulatory judgment | Filings led, testimony given, outcomes achieved with commissions |
| Capital program delivery | Multi-year programs delivered within approved budgets |
| Reliability culture | Audit results, outage performance, safety record |
| Technology adoption | Systems deployed at scale, not just piloted |
| Stakeholder leadership | Work with labor, communities, cooperatives and ISOs |
Why we fit utility searches
Utility hiring is careful and often slow, but leadership gaps carry real risk. We keep the process disciplined: a discovery call to define the role, a direct search of passive candidates, a curated shortlist of three to five, and follow-up after placement. Our average search time is under 28 days and our offer acceptance rate is 98%.
Our founder, Stacey Karpel, holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business and has worked solely in renewable energy recruiting for 15+ years. Our long-term client list includes Schneider Electric and American Water, so we know how both grid technology providers and regulated water utilities approach leadership hiring. To understand how we work with clients, visit our about page.
Grid hiring overlaps with several other sectors we cover. Utilities adding batteries draw on candidates from our energy storage recruiting work, and owners of hydro fleets often combine grid and generation searches through our hydropower practice.
Start a utility or grid search
From a chief operating officer to a director of NERC compliance, we can help you fill critical seats with leaders who understand both reliability and change. Contact our team to talk through the role.