NRG Energy’s Board of Directors this week appointed Robert J. Gaudette as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 30, the date of the company’s 2026 annual stockholders meeting.
In connection with his appointment as CEO, Gaudette was also named President of NRG, effective immediately. Gaudette, who has been with the company 25 years in various roles of increasing responsibility, had been serving as Executive Vice President and President of Business and Wholesale Operations since 2022.
The board’s announcement on Jan. 7 also stated it also plans to nominate Gaudette for election to the NRG Board of Directors at the 2026 annual meeting.
As part of a planned succession, Lawrence Coben, Ph.D., has stepped down as President and will remain as Chair and CEO until April 30. He will serve as an adviser to the company for the remainder of 2026. In addition, NRG’s Board has appointed Antonio Carrillo, Lead Independent Director, as Chair, effective April 30, 2026.
“Serving as CEO of NRG has been a great privilege and highlight of my career. I am grateful to have worked alongside NRG’s talented team during this exciting time for our industry and am proud of all that we have accomplished together,” Coben said.
“Rob has played a central role in strengthening NRG’s position as a leader in our industry through strategic growth, operational excellence, and customer-focused innovation,” Coben said. “He is a strong, decisive leader with extensive knowledge of our business, markets, and customers. The Board and I are confident that Rob is the right person to lead NRG forward and take the NRG rocket ship to new heights. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
In his current role, Gaudette manages one of the largest business-to-business retail gas, power and demand response platforms in North America. He oversees NRG’s broad portfolio of commercial and industrial products and services as well as its market operations, including gas and power trading, origination, commercial analytics, and real-time operations.
Gaudette also leads all of NRG’s power generation, including plant operations, asset management, development, engineering, and procurement.
“It is an honor to be appointed NRG’s next CEO at this transformative time for the energy sector and our company,” Gaudette said. “With NRG’s electricity, natural gas and smart home portfolio, we are ideally positioned to meet America’s evolving energy needs.
“I am grateful to Larry and all my NRG colleagues, both past and present, who built our great company and positioned us for the future," Gaudette said. “I look forward to leading our incredible team to deliver affordable, resilient power for the customers and communities we serve, while creating substantial value for our shareholders.”
Carrillo and the board thanked Coben for his leadership, strategic vision, and guidance during his time as CEO at NRG. Corben has been an NRG board member since 2003 and Chair since 2017.
“Under his stewardship, NRG achieved excellent operational and financial performance," Carrillo said. "His many contributions to the company will be felt for years to come.
“Rob is a proven leader with an exceptional track record who is deeply respected within NRG and across the energy sector,” Carrillo said. “We know he will lead NRG to continued success.”
NRG is a leading North American energy and home services company operating across many states, with major hubs in Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Illinois, plus numerous power plants and service centers nationwide, serving over 8 million customers in 24 states and Canada.
