Meet Darlene, Energy Buyer at Central Hudson.

She helps manage energy supply in real time, making sure energy is flowing to meet customer demand around the clock.

Darlene is an Energy Buyer at Central Hudson, where her work helps keep energy reliable and responsibly priced for customers across the Hudson Valley. Each day, she analyzes market conditions, times energy purchases, and balances risk to protect customers from volatility while ensuring energy is available when it’s needed.

Energy buying is a real‑time, nonstop responsibility. Wholesale markets operate around the clock, and customer demand must be met continuously, regardless of weather or system conditions. Darlene and her team manage the full wholesale energy supply for full‑service customers, making sure energy is purchased, scheduled, and flowing through the system at all times. To support that, the team rotates on‑call coverage so someone is always available to respond as conditions change.

One moment that stands out for Darlene was the extended deep freeze this past winter. For more than two weeks, she and her team were continuously adjusting schedules, monitoring markets, and securing supply to ensure safe, reliable gas service during extreme cold. That preparation and teamwork helped protect customers from potential service disruptions and significant cost impacts.

Darlene’s work directly affects the affordability and reliability of energy in the Hudson Valley. The decisions she makes help manage costs, guard against market volatility, and provide the stability customers rely on every day.

Outside of work, family is at the center of Darlene’s life. She has spent years coaching her children in local basketball programs and is now preparing to become a first‑time grandparent. She also supports local animal shelters by fostering kittens, caring for them until they’re ready for permanent homes.

After 20 years at Central Hudson, Darlene continues to take pride in showing up each day focused on doing her job well for the people who depend on the energy she helps deliver.

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