Edison Announces New Roles for Finance Leaders

As Aaron Moss prepares to step into his new role as Southern California Edison’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, the utility’s ongoing commitment to a clean energy future is aligned with his personal commitment as a proud owner of a recently completed all-electric auxiliary dwelling unit that has been functioning as his home office.

The 350-square-foot “tiny home” has an electric water heater, heat pump and range stove. Six years ago, he also traded in his gas-fueled car for an electric vehicle.

“I’m an SCE customer who is aligned to our business strategy. The decisions we are making at Edison will help all our customers to go all-electric,” said Moss, who has held several leadership roles at Edison critical to business operations and transitions since 2004. “I’m enthusiastic about our clean energy strategy that is aligned with my personal commitments.”

After nearly two decades with the company, he notes that Edison makes the right decisions for the right reasons. “Edison operates with the highest level of integrity and transparency, and this includes our financial decisions.”

After nearly 27 years with SCE and Edison International, Tres Petmecky will be leaving the company noting that "I want to express my gratitude to all the people I’ve worked with over the last 26 years. I don’t know who I’ve learned more from, my mentors or my staff."

Moss will step into the role following William (Tres) Petmecky’s recent decision to leave after nearly 27 years at SCE and Edison International to become chief financial officer at Cypress Creek Renewables. Joining SCE in 1995, Petmecky held several leadership roles, including director of Risk Control at SCE, treasurer at Edison Mission Energy and director of Strategic Planning, Analysis and Corporate Finance at Edison International. Kate Sturgess replaces Moss as vice president and controller of SCE and Edison International. The role changes take effect April 29.

Petmecky called his decision “bittersweet” and “difficult,” noting that Edison is a “great place, with great people.” His new opportunity is at an innovative company, which focuses on solar and battery storage across the nation. “I’m excited about the possibilities, but the rich history, mission and people here at Edison made it hard to leave.”

“We want to thank Tres for his invaluable contributions to the company the past three decades. I have relied on his expertise these past several years and his contributions will continue to have an impact. We wish Tres well as he takes on new opportunities,” said Maria Rigatti, Edison International executive vice president and chief financial officer. “I look forward to working with Aaron and Kate in their expanded leadership roles and congratulate them both.”

As Petmecky gets ready to enter a new phase in his accomplished career in utility finance, his wife and four kids are excited for him. And after nearly three decades at Edison, there are mentors and colleagues alike whom he wants to thank.

We want to thank Tres for his invaluable contributions to the company the past three decades. I have relied on his expertise these past several years and his contributions will continue to have an impact. We wish Tres well as he takes on new opportunities. I look forward to working with Aaron and Kate in their expanded leadership roles and congratulate them both.”
Maria Rigatti, Executive Vice President and CFO

“I want to express my gratitude to all the people I’ve worked with over the last 26 years. I don’t know who I’ve learned more from, my mentors or my staff,” he said. “Edison has powered every aspect of our lives in Southern California for over a century and it is well positioned to lead the clean energy revolution.” His departing advice: “Always have passion for what you do. You will do it better that way.”

As Moss, a certified public accountant, takes on his new role at SCE, he acknowledges the challenges facing the finance department to help deliver on the company’s long-term clean energy goals while addressing its wildfire risk mitigation commitments.

“We want to support our investors and customers with a high-caliber execution of our clean energy pathway,” he said. “We also want to ensure that the company provides its employees with the tools they need to deliver on these goals while being financially disciplined.”

This includes a recent effort to gather employee-generated ideas to improve safety and quality while saving hundreds of millions of dollars. Employees worked to identify bottlenecks to help simplify and streamline key work processes.

“Our employees are in the best position to help solve problems and lower costs for our customers,” said Moss, who noted that they are working to fill job openings in the finance department. “Finance has a big role to play to help us succeed together.”

Kate Sturgess (pictured, right) will step into her new role of vice president and controller of SCE and Edison International on April 29.

Sturgess succeeds Moss and is the new vice president and controller of SCE and Edison International. A transplant from England via New York, Sturgess joined the company last July, moving to the West Coast for the first time. She brings 16 years of experience in auditing and accounting in the utilities industry, including former positions at National Grid USA and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In her new role, Sturgess, a chartered accountant, will be responsible for the strategic leadership and oversight of the company’s accounting, financial reporting and governance of internal controls for both Edison International and SCE.

She points to leaders “truly living our values such as integrity and continuous improvement” and the company’s commitment to a clean energy future as reasons why she was first attracted to working for Edison.

“I have seen it in action, what we are doing as an organization around climate change and how it shapes our decisions every day. Edison is truly a leader in this area,” she said. Sturgess is doing her part, having just purchased her first EV after her move to California and is excited to participate in Edison’s journey toward a clean energy future.

Sturgess notes the warm welcome she has received at Edison since joining last year and has been impressed by the team’s commitment to do their best for customers and colleagues.

“We are always working on continuous improvement, looking for better ways to do things and provide maximum value,” she said, and is excited to continue this journey in her new role.