Former National Security Minister Wayne Caines has been made President of Belco – in addition to serving in the same post for parent company Ascendant, it was announced this afternoon.

After 32 years, Belco President Dennis Pimentel is leaving and several new management appointments have been made.

A Belco spokesman said: “Mr Pimentel will depart from the company in June 2021 to pursue other opportunities. As part of a restructuring initiative, Ascendant President Wayne Caines will assume the additional role of President of Belco.”

Two managing director roles have been created to manage the company’s two licensed entities, Transmission, Distribution and Retail (TD&R) and Bulk Generation (BG).

Michelle (Shelly) Leman has been appointed managing director of transmission, distribution and retail and Nadir Wade has been appointed managing director of bulk generation.

The posts were advertised internally within the company with several qualified applicants.

Mr Caines said: “I’m pleased to announce these new appointments of highly qualified and dedicated Bermudian members of our team. Shelly and Nadir bring many years of experience and are an asset to our Company.”

Ms Leman attended Bermuda High School and has been with Belco for more than 20 years, having started with the company as an Environmental Field Technician in the Environment department.

She has held roles in the Customer Accounts and Customer Experience Departments and was most recently the Director of Retail Operations, responsible for the Customer Experience, Metering & Revenue Protection and AMI operations of the Company.

Mr Wade is a graduate of the Berkeley Institute and began his career in Washington DC working in the Federal Government Contractor General Service Administration Central Plant Heating, Operation and Transmission Division for four years.

He then moved back home to Bermuda and joined Belco nine years ago, as an engineer-in-training. He went on to become an engineer within the grid operations team and most recently held the position of director of grid management services, responsible for engineering, construction, maintenance and records.

Mr Wade and Ms Leman will assume their roles on April 1 and will work with Mr Pimentel to ensure a smooth transition.