Former public service commissioner and Democratic nominee for governor Brandon Presley has found a new job.
According to a press release sent out Thursday, Presley has been hired as vice president of strategic initiatives for Edelen Renewables, a Kentucky-based solar development firm. In the role, Presley will look to advance the firm’s mission to “bring the promise of renewable energy to the forgotten place of America.” He will also provide leadership to Edelen Renewable’s “Farmers Powering Community” initiative, which seeks to advance community scale solar projects of 25 to 50 acres to provide energy to Americans who don’t have access to rooftop solar.
Known for their work in the coal-to-solar sector, Edelen Renewables is currently advancing several utility and community solar scale projects in 12 states – including Mississippi. The release noted that it will soon open an office in the Magnolia State, in which Presley will manage and work out of.
“For Brandon, it’s all about giving folks a shot at the American Dream. His commitment to that mission, his expertise in the energy space, and his stature as a nationally recognize utility regulator and public servant make him an ideal leader in our company,” Edelen Renewables CEO Adam Edelen said. “As we strive to expand the green energy winners’ circle, Brandon will lead much of our engagement, from utility executives and policymakers to community leaders working to bring modern economic opportunity to their hometowns.”
This will be Presley’s first known stint in the private sector as the Nettleton native became the mayor of his hometown at the age of 23, becoming the youngest mayor in Mississippi history. He then was elected to public service commissioner for the northern district in 2007, holding the position until this year following an unsuccessful attempt at the governor’s office.
During his four terms as public service commission, he held multiple leadership positions, including chair of the three-member commission from 2016-2020 and president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from 2019-2020.
“Getting this country to energy independence, while creating good jobs for good people in hard luck communities has been my focus as a public service commissioner in Mississippi,” Presley said. “The opportunity to build upon my services as president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and take that mission across American is too good to pass up. I believe in the mission and people of Edelen Renewables and am excited to join them in their important work.”
Presley, who lost to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves in the closest gubernatorial race Mississippi had seen in decades, has not ruled out a comeback to politics in the future. After last year’s loss, he wrote on social media that “the work to build a better state doesn’t stop with one election.”
