Northeast Utilities’ Chairman Charles W. Shivery last week announced changes in senior leadership and in the emergency preparedness organization of its Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) operating company.

Shivery announced the company has accepted the resignation of Jeffrey D. Butler, president and chief operating officer (COO) of CL&P, effective immediately. The company will undertake a national search for his successor.

“We reluctantly accepted Jeff’s resignation,” Shivery said. “His commitment and dedication on behalf of our company, employees and customers have been exceptional. We thank him for his important contribution to NU, CL&P and the community. We wish him all the best.”

James A. Muntz, NU president – Transmission, will serve as president and chief operating officer of CL&P. Muntz currently has overall leadership and management responsibility for NU’s Transmission business. He joined CL&P as vice president – Customer Operations, responsible for the operation and maintenance of CL&P’s electric power distribution system. Muntz will report to Lee Olivier, executive vice president and chief operating officer for NU and chief executive officer of CL&P.

Shivery also announced actions he has taken to enhance CL&P’s emergency preparedness.

The company has retained Davies Consulting, Inc., an internationally recognized consulting firm, to perform a thorough evaluation of CL&P’s preparedness and response to recent unprecedented storms. Shivery stated that by the first week of January preliminary findings will be delivered to him and the NU Board of Trustees, with a final report completed in early February.

In addition, Shivery announced the creation of a new CL&P position to lead emergency preparedness, which will be filled by William J. Quinlan. As CL&P senior vice president - Emergency Preparedness, Quinlan will lead the consolidation and integration of all CL&P emergency preparedness. He will work with state and town officials to put protocols in place to allow CL&P to partner effectively in any type of emergency.

Quinlan will also coordinate the company’s participation in the various post-storm reviews being conducted, including the Governor’s review of utility restoration by Witt Associates.

Quinlan has more than 25 years of operational, legal, regulatory, technology and business experience at CL&P. He currently serves as vice president – Customer Solutions. His previous experience includes overseeing distribution, operations and maintenance among other functions. Additionally, he has worked closely with the towns and the state following Tropical Storm Irene. Quinlan will continue to report to the president and COO of CL&P.

Additionally, Shivery announced that Dana Louth, currently vice president – Asset Strategy, has been named to the new position of vice president – CL&P Infrastructure Hardening, reporting to Quinlan. Louth is a 35-year CL&P veteran with extensive experience in the design and maintenance of electric systems.

Infrastructure hardening refers to making the electric system more resistant to weather related events. This includes vegetation management, structural hardening, electrical hardening and undergrounding of the electric system. In his new role, Louth will be responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on how the company can improve the resiliency of its electric system.

“I am proud of our employees and their hard work in response to these historic storms,” said Shivery. “Today’s changes are major steps to help CL&P and our employees better meet future challenges. There are still things to learn, but with winter coming these were changes I knew we should and could make right now.”