COLUMBUS, OH: American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is pleased to announce that Branndon Kelley has been named chief strategy officer (CSO) and senior vice president of strategy and innovation. At the same time, AMP has promoted Jared Price to chief information officer (CIO).
Kelley, who also serves as AMP’s executive sponsor for innovation and transformation, is a member of AMP’s executive leadership team, most recently serving as senior vice president of technology and CIO. In his new role as CSO, he will oversee all innovation and transformation efforts as well as the development, implementation and tracking of the organization’s strategic plan. He also will lead efforts to help AMP and its Members embrace the electric utility of the future and will provide oversight of the risk, audit and information technology departments.
“Branndon has made a significant positive impact on AMP and its members,” said Jolene Thompson, AMP President and CEO. “His business acumen, leadership and critical thinking capabilities have made him a valued member of our executive leadership team. His role as chief strategy officer will be vital in helping AMP support our Members and achieve our strategic goals.”
Kelley joined AMP in 2009 and has more than 20 years of experience providing vision, leadership, governance and execution for technology programs, projects and departments. In his new role, he will continue to provide oversight for information technology as well as the areas of innovation and risk. Kelley also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Hometown Connections, Inc., representing AMP’s ownership interest in Hometown Connections.
“I have spent the last 13 years at AMP focused on providing high-value, transformative and member-focused solutions,” Kelley said. “As chief strategy officer, I will build upon that body of work, working closely with Jolene Thompson and the rest of the executive management team to help create strategies that use innovative solutions to help AMP and our Members prepare for the digital utility.”
Price, who has served as vice president of information technology and chief technology officer since 2015, joined AMP in 2011 as IT director. In his tenure at AMP, he has taken on increasing responsibility in the areas of information technology and operations technology strategy. As CIO, Price will provide oversight for all information technology functions, including all data centers and technical service centers and all computer systems operations across the organization. He will continue to report to Kelley. Before joining AMP, Price worked at OhioHealth Group, where he was manager of information systems, and United Midwest Savings Bank, where he was director of information technology. He also has held other IT positions at Matrix Psychological Services, and Nationwide Financial.
“Jared has been a key part of my team and our IT department’s for more than a decade,” Kelley said. “A proven leader, Jared always considers AMP Members in his decision-making process. I am confident there is no one more prepared to take on the role of CIO and I am eager to see him succeed in this new role.”
Kelley has a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from DeVry University and was inducted into their alumni hall of fame, earning a Pinnacle Award. He also has a Master of Business Administration in finance from the Keller Graduate School of Management, where he was recognized as one of the top 40 graduates in school history with the 40 for 40th Award. In 2012 he was named the Intelligent Utility’s CIO of the Year. He currently serves as president of the Board of Directors of the DeVry Scholarship Fund and serves on the board of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.
Price has a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from DeVry University and a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in information systems management from the Keller Graduate School of Management.