Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced today the appointment of Karen Felton to serve as EY Americas Power & Utilities Leader and Mitch Fane to serve as EY Americas Oil & Gas Leader. Felton succeeds Dana Hanson, who recently was named EY UK&I Technology Consulting Leader. Fane succeeds Deborah Byers, who will continue to serve as the EY Americas Industry Leader and work with energy clients.
In their new roles, Felton and Fane will be responsible for setting the strategy and direction for the Americas power and utilities sector and oil and gas sector, respectively. They will team with the global industry group; develop solutions and thought leadership; cultivate diverse, high-performing teams for exceptional client service; and help bring clients the firm’s full capabilities and innovative solutions across EY service lines assurance, tax, strategy and transactions, and consulting.
“The energy industry is in transition, experiencing tremendous change and uncertainty unlike ever before,” said Byers. “Karen and Mitch bring tremendous leadership and industry expertise to help our clients as they balance short-term commercial pressures with a need to reshape their businesses for the future.”
Power & Utilities Leadership
Felton has more than 20 years of experience in the power and utilities industry helping companies transform their operations to integrate digital technologies and respond to changing customer and regulatory demands. Before assuming the Americas Power & Utilities Leader role, she served as the lead client partner at two of the firm’s largest utility clients and oversaw client service across all EY service lines and solutions.
“Power and utility companies are facing radical transformation,” said Felton. “The business models of yesterday and today need to reshape for a more complex and competitive future energy system. Companies will need to develop new capabilities and a mindset centered around agility and collaboration. I am honored to lead our Americas Power & Utilities practice and support our client teams in bringing the full power of EY to our clients.”
Felton is a consulting partner based in Minneapolis. She is the board membership chair for the Women’s Energy Network Chicago and sits on the board of directors for Camp Fire Minnesota. Felton holds a Master of Business Administration, Finance from St. Thomas University in Houston and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota.
Oil & Gas Leadership
In addition to serving as the Americas Oil & Gas Leader, Fane will continue his role as EY Americas Energy & Resources Leader. He has more than 25 years of experience that spans all segments of the oil and gas, petrochemicals, power and utilities, and renewables industries, with experience in mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, fairness opinions, strategic alternative evaluation and collateral purposes.
“Changing energy demand and pricing outlooks are requiring oil and gas companies to fundamentally rethink their operations and develop new business models,” said Fane. “Across the oil and gas value chain, we are helping clients reshape their organizations by focusing on structure and culture; investing in the right technologies, capabilities and skills; and evolving to respond to changing customer dynamics. Our exceptional client teams and solutions are uniquely equipped to help our clients navigate current market challenges and generate long-term value.”
Fane is a strategy and transactions principal based in Houston. He holds a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in business from the University of North Florida.
For more information about the EY Energy & Resources Industry and to read the firm’s latest thinking, visit ey.com/en_us/energy-resources
About EY
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This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member of the global EY organization that provides services to clients in the US.
