Washington, D.C. (January 14, 2021) — The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today announced the promotions of four employees in recognition of their leadership and contributions to EEI and the industry across the clean energy, external affairs, human resources, and state regulatory fronts. The promotions were approved by EEI’s Board of Directors during the Institute’s winter meeting, which was held virtually, and are effective immediately.

EEI’s Board also welcomed a loaned leader from Entergy who will work with EEI and member companies to advance our industry’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative. Todd Manuel will serve as EEI’s Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Transformation, reporting to EEI President Tom Kuhn. At Entergy, Manuel is Director of Organizational Health and Diversity, and his responsibilities include developing and leading the company’s strategy for improving organizational health, diversity, and inclusion, in addition to ensuring the company’s compliance with all requirements of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He joined the company in 2012 and previously served as assistant general counsel within the legal services department’s litigation group.

“I am excited to welcome Todd to this new role at EEI,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “Todd’s experience and leadership will be incredibly valuable to our EEI team and to our member companies as we work to advance our industry’s DEI initiative, increasing workforce diversity and helping to shape our industry’s long-term strategy for sustained DEI commitment. Todd also will serve as an internal resource as we work to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment across EEI.”

EEI’s Board also approved the promotions of:

• Emily Sanford Fisher to General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & Senior Vice President, Clean Energy. Fisher joined EEI in 2008 and has headed the legal department, first as Vice President, Law, and then as General Counsel, since 2017, when she also was named Corporate Secretary. She will continue in those roles, as she oversees and coordinates strategic clean energy engagement across EEI and across the federal government. Fisher has directed EEI’s response to climate change-related regulations and litigation since 2015. Before joining EEI, Fisher was a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and was in private practice representing electric companies before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission. She is a member of the Advisory Council for the Energy Systems Integration Group and the National Board for the Women’s Energy Network. She will continue to report to EEI President Tom Kuhn.
• Adam Benshoff to Vice President, Regulatory Affairs. Benshoff joined EEI in 2015 and oversees EEI’s engagement and strategy on economic regulatory issues before both FERC and state public utility commissions. He also co-leads EEI’s cross functional state practice, which focuses on emerging industry policy trends on key topics. Prior to his current role, Benshoff served as Deputy General Counsel, State and Federal Regulatory, where he represented EEI and its member companies in proceedings before state utility commissions and various federal regulatory agencies. Prior to joining EEI, Benshoff worked for National Grid, and he also spent time in private practice with the law firm of McNees Wallace and Nurick, where he represented the interests of commercial and industrial end users in electric, natural gas, and water proceedings. Benshoff will continue to report to Phil Moeller, EEI Executive Vice President of the Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs.
• Terri Oliva to Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Oliva joined EEI in 2009 and oversees EEI’s internal human resources department and facility operations. She also leads EEI’s external engagement with member company chief human resources officers; industry DEI initiatives; and the supplier diversity program. Oliva began her career with KPMG as an auditor, serving clients in the financial services and not-for-profit industries. She also held accounting, compensation, and benefit positions at Johnson & Johnson, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae prior to joining EEI. Oliva will continue to report to EEI President Tom Kuhn.
• Brad Viator to Vice President, External Affairs. Viator joined EEI in 2011, and his primary responsibilities include outreach to state elected officials, including state legislators, governors, and attorneys general. He manages EEI’s online advocacy community, We Stand For Energy, and co-leads EEI’s cross functional state practice with Benshoff. Before joining EEI, Viator worked at the National Association of Realtors, focusing on electoral and legislative advocacy for federal elected officials. He also did extensive political campaign work at the local, state, and federal levels in several western states. Viator will continue to report to Brian Wolff, EEI Executive Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs.

“I am pleased to announce the promotions of Adam, Emily, Terri, and Brad,” said Kuhn. “Each manages critical portfolios for EEI and is a major contributor to our overall success. I look forward to their continued leadership and service on behalf of EEI’s member companies and the customers they serve.”