Page 47 - CARILEC CE Journal CEMAY2021

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hugo V. Hodge, Jr., Hodge holds a Master of Business Administration
is the Executive Vice Degree from Georgia State University and a
President and General Bachelor of Science Degree in mechanical
Manager, Caribbean engineering from Southern Polytechnic State
Basin, for Tantalus University. He is a former chairman and current
Systems. At Tantalus, Board Member of the Caribbean Electric Utility
he leads strategic Service Corporation (CARILEC) and a former
efforts to expand the member of the board of directors for the American
company’s presence Public Power Association (APPA). He also served as
in the Caribbean Basin through his extensive co-director of the Energy Development in Island
experience in distribution utility operations Nations- U.S. Virgin Islands (EDIN-USVI) initiative,
coupled with his understanding of the unique a collaborative effort between the U.S. Government
business and operational issues in the territory. and the Government of the Virgin Islands which
Mr. Hodge is an accomplished utility veteran seeks to achieve a 60% reduction of fossil fuel
with more than 25 years’ experience in power usage by 2025.
distribution, marketing, engineering and utility A native son of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hodge
leadership roles. remains an active member of community
Prior to joining Tantalus, he served an eight-year organizations, specifically those that mentor and
tenure as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer provide guidance to the younger generation. He
of the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority has been a facilitator for the Junior Achievement
(WAPA). Under his leadership, the Authority Program. Hodge currently is Vice President of the
embarked on an ambitious strategic plan to bring Elrod Hendricks Little League West and coaches
state-of-the-art solutions by which both electricity several sports teams. He also mentors young
and potable water are generated and distributed people towards careers in technology and business.
throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. He committed Hodge is also a Board Member of the St. Thomas-
himself to leading a utility that efficiently served St. John Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of
the people of the Virgin Islands as the very best the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission and
steward of the public’s dollar. Chairman of the Foundation for the Reichhold
With more than two decades of experience in Center for the Arts’ Board of Directors.
the utility industry, Hodge has honed his skills as
a Certified Power Quality (CPQ) professional and
public manager. He is experienced in managing
alternative sources of generation, and possesses
an impressive record of both improving and
sustaining system efficiency at power utilities.
Most recently at WAPA, Hodge guided the utility
through the negotiation, contracting, construction
and pre-commissioning of the first LPG facility in
the Caribbean. During his tenure, WAPA connected
over 8 megawatts of generation capacity to its sub
transmission grids with the connection of solar
facilities in each island district, and successfully
negotiated for an additional 8 MW to be added
by 2017.

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