Priti Patel, Great River Energy’s vice president and chief transmission officer, has joined the Great Plains Institute’s (GPI’s) board of directors.
“With more than 20 years in the electric utility industry, Priti brings a wealth and depth of experience to our board,” Rolf Nordstrom, GPI’s president and CEO, said. “Her perspective and knowledge will be a major asset to our work to help modernize the nation’s electric grid by addressing the challenges and pursing the opportunities of a rapidly changing 21st century electric system.”
Prior to her work at Great River Energy, Patel was with Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) as a regional executive and executive director for transmission system planning and competitive transmission, spearheading MISO’s implementation of its competitive bidding process under FERC Order 1000. Before that she was with Xcel Energy and held positions in legal, transmission development, and corporate strategy and planning. While there, she was instrumental in her role as the organization’s lead counsel and co-executive director for the CapX2020 transmission expansion initiative, a nearly $2B build out of high voltage transmission in the Upper Midwest.
“I am honored to serve on the board for Great Plains Institute at this exciting time as GPI presses forward on a multitude of critical energy issues,” Patel said. “I have long admired GPI for its unique approach toward consensus-building and problem-solving, and its ability to attract innovative thought partners across the industry.”
With a law degree as well as experience in the energy sector, Patel has frequently represented companies at state and federal legislative, regulatory, and industry forums. She began her career as an attorney at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and in a private law practice. Patel has a business degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a JD from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
