UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 2, 2016

 

NRG YIELD, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-36002

 

46-1777204

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification
No.)

 

211 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(609) 524-4500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements or Certain Officers.

 

On May 2, 2016, the Board of Directors of NRG Yield, Inc. (the “Company”) named Christopher S. Sotos as President and Chief Executive Officer and Mauricio Gutierrez as Chairman of the Board. Mr. John F. Chlebowski returned to his role as Lead Independent Director.  All changes are effective as of May 6, 2016.

 

Mr. Sotos, age 44, has served as a director of NRG Yield, Inc. since May 2013.  Mr. Sotos has also served in various positions at NRG Energy, Inc. (“NRG”), including most recently as Executive Vice President — Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions from February 2016 through May 2016 and Senior Vice President — Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions from November 2012 through February 2016.  In this role, he led NRG’s corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and other special projects for NRG.  Previously, he served as NRG’s Senior Vice President and Treasurer from March 2008 to September 2012, where he was responsible for all treasury functions, including raising capital, valuation, debt administration and cash management. Mr. Sotos joined NRG in 2004 as a Senior Finance Analyst, following more than nine years in key financial roles within the energy sector and other industries for Houston-based companies such as Koch Capital Markets, Entergy Wholesale Operations and Service Corporation International. Mr. Sotos also serves on the board of FuelCell Energy, Inc.

 

The terms of Mr. Sotos’ compensation as President and Chief Executive Officer have not yet been finalized. The Company will file an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K once such terms have been finalized.

 

In addition, on May 2, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company, upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance, Conflicts and Nominating Committee, appointed John Chillemi to the Board of Directors of the Company effective May 6, 2016.

 

Mr. Chillemi, age 48, has served as Executive Vice President, National Business Development of NRG since December 2015.  In this role, Mr. Chillemi is responsible for all wholesale generation development activities for NRG across the nation.  Prior to December 2015, Mr. Chillemi was Senior Vice President and Regional President, West since NRG’s acquisition of GenOn Energy, Inc. (“GenOn”) in December 2012.  Mr. Chillemi served as the Regional President in California and the West for GenOn from December 2010 to December 2012, and as President and Vice President of the West at Mirant Corporation from 2007 December 2010.  Mr. Chillemi has 30 years of power industry experience, beginning with Georgia Power in 1986.

 

A copy of the Company’s press release announcing the governance changes is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, dated May 5, 2016

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

NRG Yield, Inc.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brian E. Curci

 

 

Brian E. Curci

 

 

Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:  May 5, 2016

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, dated May 5, 2016

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

 

PRESS

RELEASE

 

NRG Yield Appoints Christopher Sotos as CEO

 

Mauricio Gutierrez Becomes NRG Yield Chairman of the Board,
and John Chillemi Appointed to Board of Directors

 

PRINCETON, NJ May 5, 2016 — NRG Yield, Inc. (NYSE: NYLD, NYLD.A) today announced the appointment of Christopher Sotos as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 6, 2016. Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Mauricio Gutierrez will transition the role to Mr. Sotos through the second quarter 2016. Mr. Sotos will be employed and compensated solely by NRG Yield.

 

“With Chris’ extensive expertise in the financial and energy markets, there is no better candidate to lead NRG Yield,” said Mauricio Gutierrez, NRG Yield’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Board of Directors is confident in Chris’ ability to seamlessly transition into this role and strategically evaluate opportunities across the landscape. We look forward to his immediate contribution to the company.”

 

Mr. Sotos has been on the Board of Directors of NRG Yield since its initial public offering in July 2013. Prior to his appointment as President and CEO of NRG Yield, Mr. Sotos served as Head of Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions at NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG). In this role, he led NRG’s corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and other special projects for NRG and NRG Yield.  He also served as NRG’s Treasurer from March 2008 to September 2012, where he was responsible for all treasury functions, including raising capital, valuation, debt administration and cash management. Mr. Sotos joined NRG in 2004 as a Senior Finance Analyst, following more than nine years in key financial roles within the energy sector at companies including Koch Capital Markets, Entergy Wholesale Operations and Service Corporation International. Mr. Sotos also serves on the board of FuelCell Energy, Inc.

 

“Having been part of NRG Yield since its inception, I am honored to accept the role of CEO and will continue to evaluate management structure for NRG Yield going forward,” said Christopher Sotos. “In addition, with the offer from NRG of its remaining CVSR ownership stake and its continued dropdown of distributed and residential solar assets, I am focused on continuing NRG Yield’s history of dividend growth going forward.”

 

In connection with Mr. Sotos’ appointment as President and CEO, Mr. Gutierrez will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of NRG Yield, and John Chlebowski will return to his role as the Lead Independent Director. Further, NRG Yield Board of Directors appointed John Chillemi, Executive Vice President, National Business Development for NRG to the Board of Directors to fill the existing vacancy on the Board.

 

Mr. Chillemi has served as Executive Vice President, National Business Development of NRG since December 2015. In this role, Mr. Chillemi is responsible for all wholesale generation development activities for NRG across the nation. Prior to December 2015, Mr. Chillemi was

 

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Senior Vice President and Regional President, West since NRG’s acquisition of GenOn Energy, Inc. (GenOn) in December 2012. Mr. Chillemi served as the Regional President in California and the West for GenOn from December 2010 to December 2012, and as President and Vice President of the West at Mirant Corporation from 2007 to December 2010. Mr. Chillemi has 30 years of power industry experience, beginning with Georgia Power in 1986.

 

About NRG Yield

 

NRG Yield owns a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the United States, including fossil fuel, solar and wind power generation facilities that provide the capacity to support more than two million American homes and businesses. Our thermal infrastructure assets provide steam, hot water and/or chilled water, and in some instances electricity, to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units in multiple locations. NRG Yield’s Class C and Class A common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols NYLD and NYLD.A, respectively. Visit nrgyield.com for more information.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements may state NRG Yield’s or its management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although NRG Yield believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, risks and uncertainties associated with NRG Yield’s business, economic and competitive factors, the capital markets and other risks detailed in NRG Yield’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NRG Yield assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

 

# # #

 

Contacts:

 

Media:

 

Investors:

 

 

 

Karen Cleeve

 

Kevin Cole, CFA

609.524.4608

 

609.524.4526

 

 

 

Marijke Shugrue

 

Lindsey Puchyr

609.524.5262

 

609.524.4527

 

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