New Jersey Utility Board Appoints New Top Leadership
The state agency tasked with clean energy oversight selects new staff to lead its policy and administrative operations.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People
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The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has officially appointed Lloyd Kass as its new executive director and Ben Giovine as its chief of staff. These new leaders will manage the agency's technical staff and coordinate administrative operations to advance state energy goals.
Why it matters
These appointments are central to the agency's mission of promoting utility affordability, reliability, and clean energy across New Jersey. The new leadership team will play a vital role in implementing board policies and working with utility stakeholders.
Lloyd Kass brings 20 years of experience in utility policy and energy efficiency, while Ben Giovine offers 7 years of tenure with U.S. Senator Andy Kim. These figures represent the professional backgrounds guiding the board's new administrative direction.
The players
Lloyd Kass
He is the newly appointed executive director of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities who has served as an adjunct associate professor at Columbia University.
Ben Giovine
He is the new chief of staff for the board and previously served as the president of the Toms River Board of Education.
Andy Kim
He is a U.S. Senator who employed Ben Giovine as a staff member for seven years.
John Adler
He is a former U.S. Representative who previously employed Ben Giovine as his Ocean County director.
The details
Lloyd Kass joins the board with a background including roles at Franklin Energy, the New York Power Authority, and the New York City Housing Authority. Ben Giovine brings experience from his previous roles as the Ocean County director for former U.S. Representative John Adler and president of the Toms River Board of Education.
Timeline
2009: Lloyd Kass began his tenure as an adjunct associate professor at Columbia University.
October 27, 2026: The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities officially announced the new appointments.
Market Landscape
The transition in leadership at the state utility board reflects a broader industry move toward strengthening agency oversight and regulatory efficiency. These appointments align the board with the specific clean energy and reliability mandates currently shaping the utility sector in New Jersey.
Residents may see changes in how state utility policies are implemented as the new leadership team settles into their roles. These operational shifts aim to prioritize long-term reliability and affordability for consumers across the state.
The takeaway
The appointment of experienced leadership at the utility board marks a new chapter for the agency's administrative and technical operations. Residents can expect these officials to focus heavily on the intersection of clean energy initiatives and grid reliability in the coming years.
Further reading
For more on state agency leadership and public policy, visit the New Jersey People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRNJ Radio.
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