Nick Stavropoulos has been named the new chief safety advisor at Columbia Gas, which is headquartered in Westborough and has continued to struggle with high-visibility safety concerns.
NiSource Inc., the full owner of Columbia Gas, announced Wednesday that Stavropoulos will serve in this newly created senior role reporting directly to Joe Hamrock, CEO and president of NiSource. Stavropoulos will be based in Massachusetts and will advise on all operational safety strategy and planning statewide. Mark Kempic will remain president and COO of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.
“We know that recent events have led many to lose trust in Columbia Gas and that our customers are worried about whether they are safe in their own homes,” said Hamrock. “We take responsibility for that lost sense of security, and to help rebuild confidence and trust we are bringing in an industry safety leader who knows Massachusetts.”
Stavropoulos retired from his role as president and COO of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Stavropoulos joined PG&E in 2011 to lead the multi-billion dollar recovery and restoration effort following the San Bruno explosion. He was promoted to president and COO in March 2017.
The decision comes in the wake not only of last September’s natural gas disaster in the Merrimack Valley but another major gas leak that resulted in evacuations in Lawrence.
