More news from Itron today: The maker of utility meters and smart grid technology has appointed Philip Mezey chief executive officer, taking over from LeRoy Nosbaum on Jan. 1.
Itron also announced another smart grid win in Asia.
Mezey joined Itron (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ITRI]]) in 2003 through the acquisition of Silicon Energy. He has held several senior positions in the Liberty Lake, WA, company, most recently as president and chief operating officer of Itron’s global energy business segment. Mezey will also have the title of president and join the company’s board of directors.
Nosbaum was Itron’s CEO from spring of 2000 until a first retirement in early 2009. He returned to lead the company again in August 2011. He will retire December 31.
Itron is also promoting John Holleran to global chief operating officer, leading the worldwide energy and water businesses. Previously a senior vice president and corporate secretary, Holleran spent most of 2012 implementing a manufacturing restructuring that was to include the sale, closure or downsizing of about a third of Itron’s 31 factories and elimination of 750 full-time positions around the world.
Following earlier news of a smart meter partnership with Panasonic, Itron announced a pilot project with CLP Power Hong Kong through which it will provide smart meters, data collection and management software, as well as Cisco Connected Grid Routers and Network Management System.
The project involves 4,500 electricity meters. Utility CLP Power Hong Kong supplies electricity to some 5.7 million people.
