Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) welcomed Greg Wade as the organization’s new chief executive officer (CEO). Wade brings significant experience, expertise, and a strong commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives to the role. He follows in the footsteps of CEA’s first CEO, Barbara Boswell, who held the position from 2019 to 2024.
“Greg’s eight-and-a-half-year tenure as the city manager of Solana Beach positions him as the right choice for the leading role at CEA,” said CEA Board Chair Dave Druker. “During his time at the city, he played a pivotal role in developing and launching Solana Energy Alliance, which was the first community choice aggregation program in San Diego County.”
As CEO, Wade is committed to enhancing CEA’s position as a valued partner and leader for its member cities in achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets. His objectives include providing more choice and value to CEA customers, successfully launching clean energy programs like Solar Plus, and expanding the benefits of clean energy across CEA’s diverse socioeconomic communities.
“My experience working with an environmentally conscious city like Solana Beach, coupled with my passion for addressing environmental and climate challenges, drew me to this role,” said Wade. “The opportunity to lead an organization dedicated to developing renewable energy resources and transitioning us collectively to a clean energy future is both appealing and inspiring. I am honored to represent our board members and their communities in this important mission.”
Wade succeeds Barbara Boswell, who served as CEO since CEA’s inception and leaves behind a remarkable legacy. She oversaw the creation of CEA and after its initial launch in the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Solana Beach, expanded the organization’s service territory to include the City of Escondido and the City of San Marcos. Under her guidance, the City of Oceanside and City of Vista are set to officially join CEA’s service area in April 2024, further solidifying CEA’s impact in North San Diego County.
During her tenure, Boswell collaborated with various partners to offer and promote incentives, rebates, funding and support that help customers save energy and money, including programs related to electric bikes, electric vehicles (EVs), OhmConnect, and residential building electrification. As a CCA industry expert, she also provided invaluable guidance to the members of the CEA Board of Directors and the Community Advisory Committee.
Additionally, she established a strong record of fiscal security for the organization, setting CEA up for success in the years to come. In the final stages of her tenure, Boswell significantly expanded the CEA team, bringing on five full-time staff members, all of whom have joined within the past three months along with the new CEO.
“I am confident in Greg’s ability to continue CEA’s track record of success in the years to come,” said Boswell. “He is the perfect fit to preserve and expand upon our mission to guide North San Diego County towards its sustainability goals. As the torch passes to Greg, I know CEA will achieve continued growth and success.”
