WASHINGTON (April 14, 2024) — Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Chair Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, and Exelon President and CEO and EEI Vice Chair Calvin Butler today issued the following statement on the passing of Christopher M. “Chris” Crane, former President and CEO of Exelon Corporation, who served as EEI Chair from 2019-2020.
“I was saddened to learn the news of Chris Crane’s passing,” Pizarro said. “Chris was a respected leader known for his operational expertise and was a friend to me and to so many others in our industry. Throughout his career, Chris dedicated significant time and focus to advancing clean energy sources, especially nuclear energy, and to helping ensure that the clean energy transition benefits customers in all communities.
“Among his accomplishments as EEI Chair, Chris led an initiative to enhance the industry’s workforce development efforts and to address employment gaps and acute socioeconomic needs within underserved communities. He was a champion for high-potential students who aspire to pursue careers in STEM and focused on enhancing STEM/vocational education and awareness opportunities, identifying and eliminating barriers to entry, and creating tangible job opportunities within our industry,” Pizarro added.
Calvin Butler noted this profound impact Crane had, stating, “While we recognize Chris’ great impact on our industry, it is perhaps even more important that we honor the lasting effects of Chris’ personal passions on Exelon’s culture. He was an early advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly focusing on gender equity in energy. In 2017, he signed on as a champion of the United Nations’ inaugural HeForShe campaign, committing to invest $3 million in STEM programs for young women and girls and to improve the company’s retention of women. He was immensely proud of the Exelon Foundation STEM Leadership Academy that resulted from this commitment.”
EEI’s Board of Directors presented Crane with the EEI Distinguished Leadership Award in 2021 in recognition of his efforts to expand educational and workforce development programs and to identify steps to enhance energy grid resilience.
“On behalf of the EEI Board and our member electric companies, I extend my deepest condolences to Chris’ wife, Jillian; his family; and his Exelon colleagues,” Pizarro said.
