The Vermont Gas Board of Directors announced today that Donald Gilbert will be retiring at the end of the year and Donald J Rendall will become the new President and CEO of Vermont Gas, effective January 1, 2015. Rendall, who comes from Green Mountain Power Corp, succeeds Don Gilbert of Hinesburg, who has led Vermont Gas for over 13 years.
“I am proud of my tenure leading Vermont Gas,” said Gilbert. “Vermont Gas is in a strong position to continue to offer Vermonters clean, low cost fuel and help transition the state to a renewable energy future. I am looking forward to working with Don Rendall over the coming weeks to achieve a successful leadership transition.”
“The Board appreciates Don Gilbert’s many years of service to Vermont Gas, his community and Vermont. He has led Vermont Gas, the state’s gas distribution utility, to strong, steady customer growth and excellent customer service over his tenure,” said Pierre Despars, Chair of the Board.
“The Vermont Gas Board of Directors is very pleased that veteran Vermont utility and community leader Don Rendall will become the new CEO. He is well-regarded throughout the state for his senior executive leadership as well and for his many community and professional affiliations,” said Despars.
“I am delighted to join Vermont Gas at this important time to bring innovative ideas to Vermonters to help lower energy costs and provide a cleaner energy future,” Rendall said. “I am looking forward to working closely with our communities, customers, and the Vermont Gas team to bring the benefits of natural gas service to Vermonters in Addison and Rutland counties.”
That process of extending the natural gas line from Chittenden County to Addison and Rutland counties has been an embattled one, with protesters contesting it on environmental grounds and with the cost of the endeavor becoming more expensive.
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Rendall is currently Senior Vice President of Financial and Strategic Affairs at Green Mountain Power, where he has served as an executive since 2002. Before joining GMP, Rendall practiced law for 15 years as a partner in Burlington firm Sheehey Furlong & Behm.
Vermont Gas, based in South Burlington, and GMP, based in Colchester, share a common parent company, Gaz Metro from Montreal.
Rendall has served many professional and community organizations, including the Vermont Bar Association, where he served as President in 2002; United Way of Chittenden County, where he has served as Community Campaign Chair (2006) and President of the Board of Directors (2009-2011). He also serves on the Board of the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce and is a former Chair of that board. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Duke University School of Law.
Don Rendall and his spouse, Sandy, are long-time residents of South Burlington. hey are the parents of three grown children. Sandy Rendall serves as Communications Director of the Stern Center for Language and Learning in Williston.
Source: Vermont Gas 10.28.2014