ERCOT Names Gilbert Hughes as New Vice President of Public Affairs

Key Position Will Continue Communications and Government Affairs Coordination

(Austin, TX) – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) today announced the hiring of Gilbert Hughes as the organization’s new Vice President of Public Affairs. Hughes brings four decades of experience in the electric utility industry with a focus on Texas public policy.

The position is responsible for the organization’s external communications, government affairs, and customer support. Gilbert will take over this role from his predecessor, Robert Black, who will serve as Vice President and Executive Advisor at ERCOT during a transition period to provide guidance to Hughes. This announcement is effective immediately.

Hughes joins ERCOT from American Electric Power (AEP) Texas, where he served as Vice President of External Affairs, responsible for developing, organizing, and implementing legislative, community affairs, customer service, and energy efficiency strategies, as well as educating key audiences about industry issues.

“With Texas experiencing tremendous economic and population growth, we remain focused on continuing to meet the electric reliability needs of the Texans we serve,” said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas. “A key component of this will be to collaborate closely with state leaders and agencies, Market Participants, and lawmakers, while communicating transparently with the public. Gilbert brings a wealth of corporate and government affairs experience to ERCOT to continue building on that goal.”

During his tenure with AEP, Hughes also served as Director of Regulatory Services, Governmental Affairs Manager, Key Account Manager, Area Business Manager, Commercial Program Advisor, and Principal Regulatory Consultant.

Hughes has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Laredo State University.

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