Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department General Manager Neale Lunderville today announced that Darren Springer, Chief of Staff to outgoing Governor Peter Shumlin, will join the leadership team at Burlington Electric as Manager of Strategy and Innovation and Chief Operating Officer. Springer, a resident of Burlington’s New North End, has more than a decade of experience in energy and will begin his new position in January 2017 after completing his service to Governor Shumlin and the State of Vermont through the gubernatorial transition.
“Darren is a big thinker, dedicated public servant, and talented leader who will make a great addition to our Burlington Electric team as we look to the future of energy in the Queen City,” said Lunderville. “He has demonstrated a strong commitment to energy innovation and energy efficiency and will be an integral part of our work to bring more renewable, local power to Burlington while keeping costs down for our customers.”
As the Manager of Strategy and Innovation, Springer will lead five departments, including resource planning, finance, information technology, energy services/efficiency, and administration/risk management.
Prior to his role as Chief of Staff, Springer served as Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS). At DPS, Darren helped manage a diverse staff of attorneys, engineers, finance experts, consumer affairs personnel, telecommunications staff, and energy planners. He worked with this team to advance DPS positions on behalf of ratepayers in complex Public Service Board proceedings. Darren played a critical role in crafting Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard, as well as its most recent net metering laws. Springer followed Liz Miller as chief of staff in March 2015.
Springer also spent four years working for Senator Bernie Sanders, having been responsible for advancing energy and environmental legislative priorities. Springer is a 2005 Vermont Law School graduate.
“I want to congratulate Darren and extend my sincerest appreciation for all he has done on behalf of our great state,” said Governor Shumlin. “We have a lot left to accomplish in the next three months, and I am grateful that Darren will continue in his current role through the inauguration of Vermont’s next governor. Darren is an incredibly talented leader who has spent years working to make Vermont a better place. I am pleased to see him continuing in public service. Burlington Electric and the entire Burlington community are fortunate to be adding him to their team.”
“It has been an honor to serve Vermonters as Governor Shumlin’s Chief of Staff, and I want to thank the governor for giving me the chance to give back to my state,” said Springer. “Burlington Electric is my local utility and Burlington is my home – I am excited to be joining such a talented team as I look to the next chapter in my career. I am passionate about energy and look forward to being part of the mission to deliver affordable electricity for Burlington, while helping the City and the State of Vermont meet key renewable energy and climate goals.”
About the Burlington Electric Department
Burlington Electric Department has been serving its customers with safe and reliable power since 1905. Burlington Electric is a recognized national leader in green energy with the recent milestone achievement of sourcing 100% of its power from renewable generation. With a focus on low and stable rates, and a commitment to energy efficiency, Burlington Electric’s 20,000 customers use less power today than they did in 1989.