BGE names Pepco executive as new president, CEO

Baltimore Gas and Electric has announced that Tamla Olivier will be the new president and CEO starting May 1. She will succeed Carim Khouzami, who has been named executive vice president of Transmission and Development for Exelon, the parent company of BGE.

The move comes as BGE faces criticism for rising rates and controversy around alleged safety mismanagement. Several former BGE employees raised questions about gas inspections made by an employee they claimed was falsifying reports for years. The Maryland Public Service Commission validated the allegation in a report released last week.

Olivier joined Exelon nearly 15 years ago and has been a senior vice president and chief operating officer of Washington-based Pepco Holdings, which serves the District of Columbia and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. She previously served as BGE’s senior vice president of customer operations and chief customer officer before her current role with Pepco.

“Tamla is a dynamic leader, focused on delivering results for customers and creating a workplace that encourages collaboration and innovation. She understands the complexities of the utility business, specifically BGE’s business, and will build on the important work BGE’s 3,200 employees have accomplished over the last five years under Carim’s leadership,” said Mike Innocenzo, Exelon’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As we welcome Carim to a role looking across Exelon’s regions to strengthen our transmission and supply operations, we can expect Tamla to be a powerful force for the company and the communities BGE serves in central Maryland.”

During Olivier’s tenure with Pepco, the company delivered large-scale infrastructure upgrades, including Pepco’s Waterfront substation and Delmarva Power’s Indian River transmission project, according to a BGE news release. Prior to this role and her role as BGE’s chief customer officer, Olivier was president and CEO of BGE Home, a provider of direct-to-customer home improvement services and a Constellation subsidiary, prior to Exelon’s separation from Constellation.

“It is an honor to return to a company and community that taught me so much about how to understand and meet the diverse needs of those customers we have the privilege to serve,” Olivier said. “I’m excited to partner with BGE’s dedicated team to ensure our customers continue to count on us as one of the most reliable and responsive utilities in the country.”

Olivier is active in several organizations that serve the Maryland region, serving on the Board of Directors for MedStar Health and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. She is also the vice-chair for Catholic Charities of Maryland and co-chair of the women’s leadership council for the My Sister’s Place Women’s Center.

Khouzami, a 20-year Exelon veteran, was named BGE president and CEO in December 2019. He will be responsible for transmission operations for the company’s six local energy companies across the Mid-Atlantic and in northern Illinois, while preparing the company to meet the unprecedented growth in energy demand. Khouzami will continue serving on Exelon’s Executive Committee.

“Great companies are built by great people, and at Exelon, we’re committed to recognizing and advancing those who help drive our success,” Innocenzo said.