Eric M. Markell is founder and CEO of Markell & Company LLC, a business advisory service specializing in business strategy, special situation investing and turnaround services. He has over 30 years of experience in the utility and power industry.Markell is a retired senior executive of Puget Energy Inc., and its Washington-based utility subsidiary, Puget Sound Energy, where he held positions as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Resources Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Vice President of Corporate Development. Markell also has extensive experience in the independent power industry where from 1990-2000 he served as Vice President and CFO of United American Energy Corp., a private independent energy company based in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., specializing in special situation investing and turnaround management of distressed energy companies. Markell is also a past treasurer and controller of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, a New York state investor-owned utility. Prior to joining Central Hudson he was vice president and treasurer of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, a public benefit corporation active in utility finance and energy research and development. Markell joined the Board of Directors of The Hudson Renewable Energy Institute in 2013. Markell has been a frequent speaker and panelist on energy matters and has been a guest lecturer at various colleges and universities. He holds a bachelor's degree with distinction in Economics from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., and a master's of Public Administration degree from The Maxwell School, Syracuse University.