Our team is purpose-driven, highly collaborative, deeply experienced, backed by a strong sponsor, and growing rapidly.
Ahmad Ababneh is Senior Vice President of Operations at Viridon, responsible for the safe and reliable operation and maintenance of all Viridon assets.
Ahmad has over 30 years of electric operations and engineering experience. Most recently, he led electric transmission and substation operations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Prior to joining PG&E, Ahmad served in a variety of technical and leadership roles for Fortune 500 companies including Florida Power & Light, General Electric, Schlumberger and Entergy.
Ahmad holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Orleans, and an MBA from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Giuseppe Di Pietro is Director of Engineering & Construction at Viridon, responsible for meeting the needs of our customers by overseeing the engineering and construction of transmission projects.
Giuseppe has over 9 years of experience in transmission engineering, project management, and proposal development. Prior to joining Viridon, he was a transmission engineer at NextEra Energy, and before that served in a variety of transmission engineering and project management roles at Mott MacDonald and Black & Veatch.
Giuseppe holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Università Roma Tre and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University, and is a licensed professional engineer.
Eric Gleason is Chief Executive Officer of Viridon, responsible for overall leadership and management including corporate strategy, equity funding, team building, and execution of our growth plan.
Eric has over 30 years of executive experience in support of utilities and energy transition. Prior to co-founding Viridon, he served for more than a decade as president of NextEra Energy Transmission, which under his leadership grew into one of North America’s leading electric transmission companies.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Verónica Gómez is General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of Viridon, responsible for providing legal, regulatory, information technology, and human resource services across the organization.
Verónica has over 30 years of experience as a lawyer and utility executive. Prior to co-founding Viridon, she served as general counsel and led energy and regulatory policy at Commonwealth Edison, an Exelon utility.
Verónica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago.
Matt Kelahan is Managing Director of Environmental at Viridon, responsible for directing the siting and licensing, permitting, and environmental compliance for transmission projects.
Matt has over 15 years of experience as an environmental professional supporting the development of energy infrastructure projects. Prior to joining Viridon, he led siting, environmental due diligence, and permitting for NextEra Energy Transmission and before that served several utility clients as an environmental consultant at Rincon and CH2MHILL/Jacobs.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Fanny Kidwell Langlois is President of Viridon California, responsible for regional relationships, business strategy, and financial performance.
Fanny has over 15 years of energy-related finance and development experience, and led financial and commercial aspects of the Path 15 acquisition in her previous role as head of corporate development. Prior to joining Viridon, Fanny served in a variety of development and finance roles at NextEra Energy and Distributed Solar Development.
Fanny holds a Master of Science in Financial Markets and Investments from SKEMA Business School and is a chartered financial analyst.
Joe Mockapetris is Managing Director of Engineering & Construction at Viridon, responsible for meeting the needs of our customers by overseeing the engineering and construction of transmission projects.
Joe has over 20 years of experience in high voltage transmission lines and facilities. Prior to joining Viridon, he was the owner’s engineer for NextEra Energy Transmission and before that served in a variety of engineering, project management & construction roles at NextEra Energy, National Grid, and ABB.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a licensed professional engineer.
Eric Mooney is Vice President of Development at Viridon, responsible for meeting the needs of our customers by planning, permitting, and developing transmission solutions.
Eric has over 25 years of energy-related commercial and development experience. Prior to joining Viridon, he led acquisitions and business integration for NextEra Energy Transmission and NextEra Water, and before that served in a variety of commercial and financial roles at NextEra Energy and the Southern Company.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Certificate of Economics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University.
Chad Newhouse is Vice President of Regulatory at Viridon, responsible for the development, oversight, and execution of Viridon’s regulatory strategy.
Chad has over 20 years of experience as an accountant and utility executive. Prior to joining Viridon, he led regulatory policy and strategy at Commonwealth Edison, and before that served in a variety of regulatory, accounting, and audit roles at Exelon and KPMG.
Chad holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from Illinois Wesleyan University and is a certified public accountant.
Erin O’Malley is Director of Development at Viridon, responsible for meeting the needs of our customers by planning, permitting and developing transmission solutions.
Erin has over 10 years of experience in program management, finance, and product development. Prior to joining Viridon, she provided consultancy services to several energy companies, focusing on business development and program management, and previously directed program management at Sunfolding.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Paul Smith is Chief Financial Officer of Viridon, responsible for all financial functions, including accounting, finance, budgeting and forecasting, tax, and treasury.
Paul has over 30 years of executive experience in the utility industry. Prior to co-founding Viridon, he served in several leadership roles at Big Rivers Electric Corporation, NextEra Energy, and Duke Energy.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management – Computer Science and Accounting from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Chicago and is a certified public accountant.
Neeya Toleman is Managing Director of Transmission Planning at Viridon, responsible for identifying and assessing the transmission solutions that best meet the needs of our customers.
Neeya has nearly 10 years of experience in energy. Prior to joining Viridon, she led reliability and economic transmission planning analyses for NextEra Energy Transmission and before that served in a variety of transmission planning and engineering roles at NextEra Energy and the Southwest Power Pool.
Neeya holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with an Electrical/Computer Concentration from John Brown University.
Becky Walding is Chief Development Officer of Viridon, responsible for meeting the needs of our customers by planning, permitting, and developing transmission solutions.
Becky has over 20 years of management experience in the utility sector. Prior to joining Viridon, she led development for NextEra Energy Transmission, and before that served in a variety of commercial, financial, and technical roles at NextEra Energy and the Southern Company.
Becky holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University.
Warren Whitson is Vice President of Development at Viridon, responsible for meeting the needs of our customers by planning, permitting, and developing transmission solutions.
Warren has over 20 years of energy-related engineering and planning experience. Prior to joining Viridon, he led transmission analytics and power markets for Sunraycer Renewables, and before that served in a variety of engineering and development roles at Southern Company and Silicon Ranch.
Warren holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a licensed professional engineer.
Warren Whitson
VP Development
Warren Whitson is Vice President of Development at Viridon, responsible for meeting the needs of our customers by planning, permitting, and developing transmission solutions.
Warren has over 20 years of energy-related engineering and planning experience. Prior to joining Viridon, he led transmission analytics and power markets for Sunraycer Renewables, and before that served in a variety of engineering and development roles at Southern Company and Silicon Ranch.
Warren holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a licensed professional engineer.
