Geisha Williams
Cuban American businesswoman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geisha J. Williams (born Jimenez, c. 1961/1962)[1] is a Cuban American businesswoman. She was the president and CEO of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) from March 2017 to January 13, 2019.[1][2]
Nova Southeastern University (MBA)
Geisha Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961 or 1962 (age 63–64) |
| Education | University of Miami (BA) Nova Southeastern University (MBA) |
| Title | Former CEO, Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
| Term | March 2017 - January 2019 |
| Spouse | Jay Williams |
| Children | 2 daughters |
Early life
Williams was born Geisha J. Jimenez in Cuba.[3][4] Her parents named her Geisha from the title of a John Wayne movie, The Barbarian and the Geisha.[4] At the age of five, Geisha migrated to the US with her parents, after her father, a political prisoner in Cuba, was released from prison.[4] Her father worked various jobs to provide for his family and went on to own their own grocery store.[4]
She has a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Miami and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.[1]
Career
While at the University of Miami, Williams interned for Florida Power & Light (FPL). She returned to the company after earning her degree, starting as a residential energy auditor.[5][3] In 2005, she was the company's vice president for distribution and was in charge of the restoration effort after Hurricane Wilma.[6]
Williams joined Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in 2007.[1] In 2010, she was Vice President for Energy Delivery, and in 2011, she was put in charge of electric operations.[7][8]
In March 2017, Williams became the first Latina chief executive officer of a Fortune 500 company.[9]
She has been a director at the Edison Electric Institute, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, and the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, the board chairwoman for the Center for Energy Workforce Development, and a trustee of the California Academy of Sciences.[10] She is on the Board of Directors for the Bipartisan Policy Center.[11]