Donald E. Brown —
Independent Director since 2020
Chief Financial Officer, Viridon
Committee Assignments and Rationale
Audit Committee (Chair)
- Multiple leadership positions with financial oversight responsibility, including as current Chief Financial Officer at Viridon, and former Chief Financial Officer at NiSource.
Risk and Return Committee
- Experience evaluating risk exposures and return opportunities as a senior leader in a highly regulated utilities company
- Chair of Allstate Audit Committee
Professional Experience
- Current Chief Financial Officer at Viridon, a company that invests in and manages electric transmission facilities across North America.
- Former Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of NiSource Inc., a highly regulated natural gas and electric utilities company serving customers across multiple states.
- Former EVP and CFO of NiSource Inc.
Key Experience and Qualifications
Risk Management: As former Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of NiSource, had overall responsibility for identifying and evaluating financial risk exposures and determining steps to mitigate those risks.
Accounting and Finance: Significant financial and accounting experience gained leading the financial operations of one of Viridon and NiSource.
Technology and/or Cybersecurity: In depth understanding of technological advancements and operational transformation to enhance the customer experience at NiSource.
Complex, Highly Regulated Businesses: Expertise developed while working within the heavily regulated utilities industry.
Sustainability: Brings deep expertise in sustainability gained while leading NiSource's transition to a less carbon intensive business model and serving as Chief Financial Officer of Viridon, a company focused on grid transformation and clean energy transition solutions.
Succession Planning and Human Capital Management: Responsibilities as a senior leader at NiSource included oversight of employee recruitment, development and retention, as well as leadership of large teams.
Innovation and Customer Focus: Experience obtained while overseeing a business focused on delivering safe, reliable and efficient services to customers and communities.
Government, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs: Deep understanding of compliance and governmental requirements acquired as a senior leader of one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States.
Other Public Board Service
