POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, May 5, 2025 – Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Central Hudson), is excited to announce the appointment of two visionary leaders to its executive team, underscoring the utility’s commitment to top-tier customer service and groundbreaking operational strategies. Lauren Preston joins as Chief Customer Services Officer, while Joel Eline steps into the newly created role of Chief Transformation Officer.
“Central Hudson customers deserve a utility that is best in class in all facets, including customer service, work and asset management and innovation,” Steph Raymond, President and CEO of Central Hudson said. “I am thrilled to have Lauren and Joel join our team as we work to safely and reliably deliver the energy that powers our lives.”
Lauren Preston joins Central Hudson with more than 30 years of experience in the regulated utility industry, most recently from Liberty Utilities where she served as Vice President of Customer Care for the US and Canada. At Liberty, Lauren led comprehensive customer strategy and operations, including billing, business planning, call centers, website transactions, credit and collections, major account billing, meter data management, and walk-in office service. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Business Administration from Boston College.
Joel Eline moves into the newly created role of Chief Transformation Officer, overseeing critical strategic areas, such as asset management, project governance, vegetation management, data analytics, and experience assessment. Joel’s experience in the utility sector exceeds 15 years, having led operations, reliability, analytics, and strategic planning initiatives. Prior to joining Central Hudson, Eline founded Spark Data Lab, where he helped organizations leverage advanced analytics to drive performance and innovation. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
ABOUT CENTRAL HUDSON
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., is an energy delivery company headquartered in Poughkeepsie, New York. The utility serves approximately 315,000 electric and 90,000 natural gas customers in eight counties of New York State’s Mid-Hudson River Valley, delivering natural gas and electricity in a 2,600-square-mile service territory that extends north from the suburbs of metropolitan New York City to the Capital District around Albany. Central Hudson supports local community service and business organizations, and offers value-added products and services, including energy efficiency and economic development programs. For more information, visit www.CentralHudson.com. Join the conversation on Facebook, keep up with our adventures on Instagram, learn about our achievements on LinkedIn, and follow us on X.