Ava Community Energy names Howard Chang as its new CEO

Chang, previously COO at Ava Community Energy, has over 20 years of experience in renewable energy, business development and finance

OAKLAND, California., June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ava Community Energy (Ava), a leading provider of clean energy to more than 1.7 million residential and commercial customers worldwide Alameda County and parts San Joaquin Valleyannounced today that it has promoted renewable energy expert and former COO Howard Chang to CEO. Chang succeeds Nick Chaset, who was the agency’s inaugural CEO since 2017. As the new head of Ava, Chang will focus on the goal of 100% carbon-free energy by 2030; access to cheap, clean energy throughout the service area and continuous cooperation with the Management Board and the community.

Chang helped launch Ava Community Energy (formerly East Bay Community Energy) in 2017. Prior to joining Ava, he served as senior director of utility creation and development at Sol Systems and worked at SunEdison, where he led the C&I Channel Operations team , serving as Director of Staff for the North America Region and in utility-scale project financing. His previous roles, including at General Electric and JP Morgan, provided extensive experience in strategy, new business development and operations in solar energy systems, energy management systems and other energy-related ventures.

“I want to thank the ad hoc selection committee and the recruitment firm for conducting a rigorous search and interview process. “From these efforts, it has become clear that Howard is the right leader for Ava Community Energy as we move through our next phase of growth and impact,” he said Jacek BalchMember of the Council at City of Pleasanton and Chair of the Ava Community Energy Council. “We look forward to more groundbreaking projects and new members joining Ava Community Energy this year – including the launch of our electric vehicle fast charging network, our e-bike incentives and our official market expansion Stockton AND Lathrop. Howard is an experienced man who will successfully lead us to achieve important goals that will benefit the residents of Ava Community Energy.”

In just a few years, Ava has become one of the leading green energy providers in the country. This year, Ava announced two major milestones: enabling over 100 million dollars in customer savings and contracting for more than one gigawatt of wind, solar and storage projects. As CEO, Chang will oversee all aspects of Ava’s long-term vision to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in communities Alameda County AND San Joaquin Valleyoffering innovative approaches that go beyond the usual scope of traditional utility services.

“I truly can’t think of anyone better qualified to lead Ava on our ambitious clean energy work,” she said Nick Chaset, former CEO of Ava Community Energy. “Howard is a talented leader, a shrewd negotiator and a caring manager. Ava is in great hands for the future.”

“I am extremely grateful for the Board’s confidence in me as the next leader of Ava Community Energy. I am honored to continue his legacy as a model for the broader energy transformation, in California and nationwide,” he said Howard Chang, newly appointed CEO of Ava Community Energy. “I look forward to working with the Board and the rest of the Ava team to achieve our goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. As the son of first-generation immigrants, I am particularly proud to be part of our local community and motivated by to ensure healthy communities for future generations.”

About the energy of the Ava community
Ava Community Energy (Ava), formerly East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), is a not-for-profit public electricity provider to more than 1.7 million residents and commercial customers in Alameda County and City of Tracywith an inclusive service San Joaquin County cities Stockton AND Lathrop in 2025 as one of 25 Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs operating in California, Ava is part of the movement to ensure energy choice while accelerating local and statewide climate action goals. Ava is committed to creating a better future in our communities and beyond by delivering clean energy at competitive prices, reinvesting in member communities and developing programs that make it easier for customers to discover, try and implement clean energy solutions. To date, Ava has saved over 100,000 clients 100 million dollars and contracted for more than one gigawatt of renewable energy projects. For more information about Ava Community Energy, visit avaenergy.org.

Contact with the media:
Mission Control Communications for Ava Community Energy
(email protected)

SOURCE Ava Community Energy