NRG Energy has announced that Robert J. Gaudette will become its next Chief Executive Officer, effective April 30, 2026, coinciding with the company’s annual stockholders meeting. Gaudette was also named President of NRG immediately. He has been with NRG for 25 years and most recently served as Executive Vice President and President of Business and Wholesale Operations since 2022.
The board’s announcement stated that Gaudette will be nominated for election to the NRG Board of Directors at the upcoming annual meeting. This leadership transition is part of a planned succession process.
Lawrence Coben, Ph.D., who currently serves as Chair and CEO, will step down as President but remain in his other roles until April 30, after which he will serve as an adviser to NRG for the rest of 2026. The board also 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,” said Coben.
Coben added: “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. 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 at NRG, Gaudette oversees one of North America’s largest business-to-business retail gas, power and demand response platforms. His responsibilities include managing commercial and industrial products and services along with market operations such as gas and power trading, origination, analytics, real-time operations, power generation management 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 continued. “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 thanked Coben for his leadership: “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 operates across multiple states in North America including Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, California and Illinois. The company runs numerous power plants and service centers nationwide serving more than eight million customers in 24 states plus Canada.
