Newsroom & Public Notices

Lloyd Kass will serve as Executive Director and Ben Giovine will serve as Chief of Staff to drive utility affordability, reliability, and New Jersey’s clean energy goals

TRENTON, N.J. — October 27, 2026 — New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Ben Hertz-Shargel today announced the appointments of Lloyd Kass as Executive Director and Ben Giovine as Chief of Staff. Together, they will help lead the agency’s work to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, broadband, and cable television services for New Jersey residents and businesses while advancing the State’s clean energy goals.

As Executive Director, Kass will oversee NJBPU’s technical staff divisions and help implement Board policies and decisions.

As Chief of Staff, Giovine will work closely with President Hertz-Shargel to advance agency priorities, oversee administrative operations, and strengthen relationships with government officials, utility stakeholders, and communities across New Jersey.

“With Lloyd Kass and Ben Giovine, we have established a strong, experienced leadership team focused on the issues that matter most to New Jerseyans,” Hertz-Shargel said. “Lloyd brings deep expertise in utility policy and program management, while Ben has a proven record of public service and community leadership. Together, they will help keep utility services affordable and reliable, strengthen essential infrastructure, and ensure every New Jersey household and business can count on safe, dependable water, energy, and communications services today and for the years ahead.”

Lloyd Kass

“As we work to deliver more affordable, reliable utility services and prepare New Jersey’s infrastructure for the future, the BPU is sharpening its technical expertise and driving bold policy innovation,” Kass said. “I’m excited to partner with President Hertz‑Shargel and the talented BPU team to strengthen the agency’s impact and position New Jersey as a national leader in modern utility regulation.”

“New Jersey families want lower energy bills and a cleaner future, and this agency is focused on delivering both,” Giovine said. “I am proud to have joined this team and am grateful to President Hertz-Shargel for the opportunity to serve. Real progress requires collaboration, which begins with listening to ratepayers and community stakeholders. I look forward to working with communities across New Jersey to ensure residents have confidence in the decisions we make.”

Ben Giovine

Kass brings more than two decades of leadership in utility policy and management excellence. He previously served as Vice President of Strategy & Market Development at Franklin Energy and held senior roles at Lime Energy, Willdan, the New York Power Authority, and the New York City Housing Authority. An Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs since 2009, he is also a founding board member of the Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey. A proud New Jersey native, Kass holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University.

Giovine joins NJBPU after seven years with U.S. Senator Andy Kim, most recently serving as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. He previously served as Ocean County Director for Congressman John Adler and helped lead the launch of ReNew Jersey Stronger, the state’s Superstorm Sandy recovery program. A Toms River native and former President of the Toms River Board of Education, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from American University.

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

The NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by the NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility services, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility incidents. To find out more, visit www.nj.gov/bpu/.

###