Linda Ferrone resigned from the Orlando Utilities Commission effective August 25, 2016, leaving a vacant seat on the Commission.  As is set forth in the Charter that establishes the OUC, the City’s Nominating Board met and submitted the names of three individuals to the OUC for consideration for the vacant Commission seat.  At its meeting on January 31, 2017, the OUC nominated one of the three individuals, Britta Gross, to fill the Commission seat for the remainder of the term through December 31, 2018.  Pursuant to the OUC Charter, the City Council shall elect or reject the Orlando Utilities Commission’s nominee.

Britta Gross is the Director of Advanced Vehicle Commercialization Policy at General Motors. She is responsible for steering the infrastructure and commercialization efforts for GM’s alternative fuel vehicle technology programs, including biofuel, natural gas, plug-in electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle programs. Ms. Gross has an extensive and diverse background in the Aerospace and Automotive industries.

Ms. Gross received a degree in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and studied language arts at the University of Wurzburg in Germany. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Electric Drive Transportation Association and GoElectricDrive and is one of Automotive News’ “Electrifying 100” and a 2013 recipient of the GreenBiz “Verge 25” award.