In 2017, Folsom-based SJI appointed its first chief information officer. Now, the company will name the first woman to the position. 

The energy infrastructure holding company announced Jan. 24 Barbara Romano has been promoted to the role. She succeeds Leonard Brinson Jr., who is retiring at the end of the month. 

Currently vice president of technology and operations, Romano joined SJI in 2015 as director of the CIO office, according to her LinkedIn profile. 

“[Romano’s] results-focused mindset and energetic leadership have consistently driven success across various sectors, demonstrating a deep understanding of technology’s pivotal role in achieving our business, technology, and financial objectives,” SJI President and CEO Michael Renna said in a statement. 

In her role, Romano will be tasked with providing strategic guidance, leadership and oversight at the corporate level for all technology and business information system initiatives for SJI and its subsidiaries: SJI Utilities (whose subsidiaries are South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas) and SJI Energy Enterprises. She will also be responsible for new technology initiatives. 

Before joining the SJI team, Romano held leadership roles at companies including WGroup, QVC and Case New Holland, according to LinkedIn. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer and information sciences from Bloomsburg University. 

“I am both honored and excited to break through barriers and pave the way for more women in leadership roles,” Romano said. “My goal is not only to navigate the currents of information technology but to empower our teams, foster collaboration, and illuminate a brighter, more connected future for our company and the communities we serve.” 

Thanking ‘an IT legend’

As for Romano’s predecessor, Renna described him as “an IT legend” and an “inspiration” who was “the driving force behind our company’s remarkable transformation.” 

“From swiftly transitioning our entire workforce to a virtual environment amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in just two weeks to orchestrating a seamless acquisition that united three companies, he and his team have made it all seem simple,” Renna added. 

Brinson played a key role in the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp, which prepped students interested in careers in AI and other emerging technologies. He also served on the New Jersey chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy and on SJI’s Diversity Council. 

SJI – which provides natural gas to more than 725,000 customers in New Jersey – was acquired by Infrastructure Investments Fund for $8.1 billion in February 2023. 

In July 2021, SJI named Melissa Orsen – former CEO of the New Jersey Economic Authority – as the first female president of SJI Utilities.