Ørsted Hires Ed LeBlanc to Join Marine Affairs Team
Global Leader in Offshore Wind Adds Waterways Management Expert to Aid U.S. Operations
Providence, RI (August 19, 2019) - Today, Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind announced it has hired former U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officer Ed LeBlanc as Manager of Marine Affairs. Mr. LeBlanc has over 40 years of experience in the USCG, most recently serving as the Chief of Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England since 2003.
“We are thrilled to add such an accomplished veteran of the USCG to our team. Ed’s breadth of experience will be a significant addition to the Marine Affairs department,” said John O’Keeffe Head of Marine Affairs U.S. for Ørsted.
In addition to his experience with waterway management, Mr. LeBlanc has invaluable institutional knowledge of how the offshore wind industry interacts with the marine community. Mr. LeBlanc has been a vital part of the USCG’s operations concerning offshore wind farms ever since the offshore wind industry began in the U.S. His experience working with industry since its nascency in the U.S. mirrors Ørsted’s own experience with the industry’s beginnings in Europe.
“I'm delighted to join the global leader in offshore wind farm development and eager to contribute to Ørsted’s forward-leaning Marine Affairs Program, “said Mr. LeBlanc
With Mr. LeBlanc’s addition, Ørsted will bolster its marine community outreach efforts as its projects move closer to the construction phase. Ørsted’s commitment to working with the marine community, including the fishing industry, demonstrates how it has successfully built offshore wind farms across Europe to deliver clean energy and economic development to local communities.
Outside of Ørsted’s outreach efforts, Mr. LeBlanc will help coordinate the company’s safety operations with the USCG. Recently, the USCG, in coordination with Ørsted and General Electric, successfully executed its first ever helicopter search and rescue training exercise to assess operations near and from offshore wind turbines at our Block Island Wind Farm. Mr. LeBlanc’s addition to Ørsted will help accelerate the implementation of industry wide safety procedures.
About Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind
Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind delivers clean, renewable energy along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. It operates the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm, and has been awarded over 2,900 megawatts of capacity through six projects. It is jointly headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island and employs more than 100 people.
About Ørsted
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted develops, constructs and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, bioenergy plants and provides energy products to its customers. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs 6,300 people. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2018, the group’s revenue was DKK 76.9 billion (EUR 10.3 billion). For more information on Ørsted, visit orsted.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.
CONTACT
Media Inquiries:
Cam Stoker
Communications Manager, Ørsted
857-332-6215
casto@orsted.com