Cynthia Hunt Jaehne Named Executive Director of PLMA

Cynthia Hunt Jaehne

The Peak Load Management Alliance (PLMA) recently announced the appointment of Cynthia Hunt Jaehne as its next Executive Director, effective February 9, 2026.

Cynthia brings more than 20 years of experience across the energy sector, as well as experience in nonprofit, technical, and energy-adjacent organizations. She most recently served as Senior Director of Programs and Events at the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), where she oversaw major industry conferences, executive programs, working group communities, and online learning initiatives. In that role, Cynthia led strategic planning, project management, education program development, and engagement across a broad set of stakeholders advancing the clean energy transition. She holds a B.A. in political science from the University of South Carolina.

Cynthia succeeds Rich Philip, who has led the organization since 2020. Rich will continue to support PLMA in a new role as Executive Advisor through June 15, 2026, ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

Sterling Martin is proud to have been a part of this search and congratulates PLMA and Cynthia Hunt Jaehne on this exciting appointment.

About PLMA

PLMA serves the energy industry as the leading association for flexible load management experts, practitioners, and vendors to share best practices, hands-on experiences, technology advances and training, plus leadership and mentorship opportunities, all with a focus on DR, DERs, and managed charging. PLMA encourages all organizations with an interest in flexible load management to join us.

Sterling Martin

Sterling Martin Associates, a ZRG Company, is a leading executive search firm specializing in CEO, C-suite, and senior leadership searches for associations, professional societies and nonprofits organizations nationwide.

Since its founding in 2006, Sterling Martin has conducted more than 335 C-suite searches, building a strong reputation for exceptional client service and the recruitment of outstanding leaders across a broad range of functions and disciplines.

As part of ZRG, a global talent advisory firm, Sterling Martin combines the specialized sector expertise, extensive relationships, and personalized approach for which it is known with the resources and capabilities of a broader global platform.

Founder and Managing Director David Martin continues to play an active leadership role in the firm’s executive search practice.

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