Josué A. Colón-Ortiz, P.E. studied at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Engineer Colón-Ortiz has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including electric utility operations.
During his professional career, engineer Colón-Ortiz has worked in the government sector as well as in academia. From 2006 to 2009 served as Faculty Professor, in mathematics, at John Dewey College.
In 1988, Mr. Colón-Ortiz joined the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) as a Mechanical Engineer in the Mechanical Design Section, in which he designed mechanical systems for power plants, including troubleshooting and designing solutions.
Since his beginning at PREPA, engineer Colón-Ortiz grew steadily through various positions from which he obtained vast knowledge in areas from, Maintenance Engineer, Project Administrator, Outage Manager, Power Plant Head, and Electric System Director, where he was responsible for directing and supervising the integrated operation, as well as the preventive and corrective maintenance of the entire Electric System.
Engineer Colón-Ortiz also served as the Electric System’s Technical Advisor, responsible for advising PREPA's management in critical areas of the administration and operation of the public corporation. After seven years as technical advisor, engineer Colón-Ortiz was appointed as the Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Director, with the responsibility of overseeing a new organizational model that consolidated the functions of design, construction, operation, maintenance, and protection of Puerto Rico’s electrical system infrastructure.
As the Electric System Director, he was responsible for the successful direction of all the efforts and resources assigned towards the accomplishment of the transition to the New Millennium. Under his leadership as Electric System Director, the Engineers and Surveyors College of Puerto Rico awarded PREPA with the Outstanding Achievement Award in mechanical and electrical engineering for two projects developed at the Palo Seco Power Plant.
From 2010 to 2012, engineer Colón Ortiz was responsible for leading the PREPA’s transition to generating with natural gas and renewable sources. The conversion of the Costa Sur Power Plant to natural gas earned PREPA the Engineers and Surveyors College of Puerto Rico’s Outstanding Achievement Award in mechanical and electrical engineering.
From 2012 to 2013, engineer Colón Ortiz served as PREPA’s Executive Director and later worked as Energy Consultant to various Puerto Rico Government officials, Mayors, and Legislators, as well as for private companies, all related to Puerto Rico's Electrical Power System. Given his vast experience in Puerto Rico's electrical system, we can say that engineer Colón-Ortiz is a mechanical engineer recognized as a dynamic, result-oriented executive, with a strong record of accomplishment in leading challenges regarding organizational transformation.
