Calvin Butler takes top spots at Exelon, charting path for largest U.S. energy transmission, distribution company

With the new year, so too began the work of Calvin Butler as Exelon’s newest CEO and a member of its Board of Directors, promising big things ahead for the company’s more than 10 million customers across state lines.

While maintaining his role as president, Butler’s debut as CEO followed time previously as Exelon’s COO. He succeeded Chris Crane, who retired at the end of 2022 following a divorce that saw his shares in the company dwindle and health issues that will require significant spinal and hip treatments.

“Leading this company has been the honor of a lifetime, and I can’t think of anyone better suited to build upon our successes and usher in our next chapter than Calvin Butler,” Crane said. “I am so proud of what we have achieved as a company over the past decade for our customers and communities. We have an incredibly strong foundation to build upon and so much ahead for us to achieve. Under Calvin’s leadership, our exceptionally talented Exelon team will continue to thrive for years to come.”

Butler served as COO of Exelon since October 2021 and was named president a year later. This is not his first time as a CEO, though, as he previously held the position at Exelon Utilities and Baltimore Gas and Electric. Time in leadership at ComEd and Central Illinois Light Company also padded his resume.

His ascent at Exelon comes at a time of great transition for the company and the larger energy industry.

“It is an honor and a privilege to lead this great company into its next chapter,” said Butler. “I have had the pleasure of working alongside Chris Crane for the past 10 years, and I am excited to build upon the legacy he has built for this company. We are in a unique position to lead our customers and the nation on a path to a clean energy future. And we strive to not only lead the energy transformation but to do so equitably while strengthening our infrastructure, modernizing our energy delivery systems, and improving the lives of those in our communities.”

At the helm of the massive company, Butler will oversee plans that impact customers in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.