Gerry Runte
Gerry Runte is a forward thinking leader with a broad perspective of the energy business who can rapidly assess circumstances and identify potential solutions. His expertise in renewable energy, alternative fuels, and hydrogen energy systems drives actionable approaches to evolving issues and clear communication of often complex concepts.
Gerry currently serves as the State Representative (D) for House District 146 in Maine, which includes parts of York and Wells and the Town of Ogunquit. He serves on the Joint Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology and the Maine Climate Council.
Formerly a Principal at Worthington Sawtelle (now retired), Gerry mentored client market development, product commercialization, positioning, business strategy, assessments, and due diligence in the clean energy and alternative fuels sector, as well as providing analysis to market research firms on smart grid, nuclear power, HVDC, hydrogen, desalination and distributed generation sectors. Previously as General Manager of Clean Energy at ARES Corporation, Gerry has played a central role in developing partners, structuring joint ventures, and executing the corporation’s investment strategy in the clean energy and alternative fuels sectors.
Earlier, Gerry served in executive leadership roles at the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and two of its fuel cell development companies, Mosaic Energy (President) and M-C Power Corporation (Director Strategic Planning). At GTI, he launched a hydrogen energy and alternative fuels contract research business unit and achieved 40% annual revenue growth, establishing the organization as a key player in the hydrogen energy sector.
Gerry’s experience also includes numerous roles in strategic planning, new business development, and regulatory affairs at General Public Utilities Corporation, an investor-owned electric utility holding company acquired by First Energy in 1999. During his tenure at GPU Gerry held the position of Director Strategic Planning, responsible for establishing a new strategic planning function and process for the GPU System, including development and implementation of a competitive retail energy business plan and the facilitaton of domestic mergers and acquisition; telecommunications; distributed energy; and capital allocation strategies. He also identified, launched and marketed unregulated businessed for the GPU System. Prior to strategic planning, Gerry managed the rate regulatory activities of GPU Nuclear Corporation and held positions in nuclear fuel procurement, corporate planning and federal lobbying.
Gerry holds a bachelors in Math and Chemistry and a masters in Nuclear Engineering, both from Pennsylvania State University.