Senior Executives

As the president and chief executive officer of South Jersey Industries (SJI), Mike Renna leads one of New Jersey’s most prominent energy infrastructure companies.

Mr. Renna joined SJI in 1998 and through his hard work and commitment to success, he advanced through a number of managerial and professional positions. Prior to his leadership role at SJI, Mr. Renna held the titles of president of South Jersey Energy Solutions and South Jersey Energy, the region’s largest energy marketer. He was appointed to the South Jersey Energy Solutions executive committee in November 2012 and to the SJI Board of Directors in 2014. In 2015, Mr. Renna was appointed to his current position as president and chief executive officer of SJI.

Under his leadership, SJI has strengthened its focus on supporting the state’s vision of a clean energy future while continuing to uphold the company’s longstanding commitment to delivering safe, reliable, affordable clean energy to over 700,000 natural gas customers via SJI Utilities (SJIU). In 2021, SJI took significant strides to fulfill the goals outlined in its comprehensive sustainability plan, including the development of a portfolio of  innovative renewable energy projects through its growing non-utility subsidiary, SJI Energy Enterprises (SJIEE). Mr. Renna and SJI are at the forefront of this transformation, delivering clean energy solutions for a better today and tomorrow.

An alumnus of the University of Delaware, where he earned his undergraduate degree in finance, Mr. Renna also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Cornell University. He serves on various boards of directors including the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and Choose New Jersey. Additionally, Mr. Renna sits on the board of trustees for The Hun School of Princeton, participates in the University of Delaware’s Student Mentoring Program and serves as a member of the steering committee for the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University. Moreover, he is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Economic and Community Advisory Council and the Jefferson Health Foundation's New Jersey Business Leadership Council. 

As senior vice president, SJI and president of SJI Utilities, Melissa J. Orsen provides strategic oversight and drives full alignment of operational excellence across SJI’s collective utility operations.

Ms. Orsen joined SJI in 2017 as senior vice president, general counsel, responsible for advising the Board of Directors and executive team on legal matters, overseeing all corporate legal and government affairs. Shortly after her arrival, Ms. Orsen was appointed to president and chief operations officer of South Jersey Gas. In 2021, she was named to her current position as president of SJI Utilities and continues to maintain her role as senior vice president, SJI.

Before joining SJI, Ms. Orsen served as the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, where she directed more than $1 billion in economic development activities across the state. Earlier in her career, she served as chief of staff to the former lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and as deputy commissioner to the Department of Community Affairs, where she focused on the state's recovery after Superstorm Sandy. Ms. Orsen was also a deputy attorney general, with a focus on federal and appellate litigation.

An alumna of the University of Delaware, Ms. Orsen earned her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and holds a Juris Doctor from Widener University Delaware Law School. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey Board of Directors, the American Gas Association Board of Directors and Junior Achievement of New Jersey. Ms. Orsen also serves as secretary to the New Jersey Utilities Association. For three consecutive years, NJ Biz has recognized her in its Law Power 50 list, naming her within the top five in 2021.

As senior vice president and chief financial officer, Steven R. Cocchi is responsible for maintaining the organization’s fiscal strength, enabling profitable operation through effective strategic planning and oversight of financial activities.

Mr. Cocchi joined the company in 2009 as director of legal affairs, where he was responsible for a variety of corporate legal matters. In 2011, he was appointed director of rates and revenue requirements and was later named vice president of rates and regulatory affairs. Prior to his current role, Mr. Cocchi served as chief strategy and development officer, responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of the company’s regulatory initiatives and filings. Mr. Cocchi assumed his current role in 2020.

An alumnus of Rutgers University, Mr. Cocchi earned his undergraduate degree in political science and history and also holds a Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law. He is a member of the Public Utility Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the State Affairs Committee of the American Gas Association, and the Board of Trustees at the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City.

As senior vice president of human resources for SJI, Karen Phillips builds and strengthens the company’s human resources foundations, leading to increased employee engagement, greater individual and organizational performance, and a more diverse and effective workforce for SJI and its subsidiaries.

Ms. Phillips joined SJI in 2015 as senior director of organizational design and leadership development. In 2018, Ms. Phillips was appointed vice president of human resources. In this role, she was responsible for providing strategic leadership across all business partner operations and core human resources activities, including talent acquisition, learning and development, labor relations and diversity and inclusion.

Ms. Phillips assumed her current role as senior vice president of human resources in 2022, where she continues to lead and direct all human resources functions for SJI’s +1,100 non-union and union employees. As part of The Senior Leadership Team, she also works alongside SJI’s other senior executives to help drive corporate strategy and ensure the company’s continued growth.

Prior to joining SJI, Ms. Phillips held several leadership roles in human resources and organizational development across various industries, including retail, finance and healthcare. An alumna of West Chester University, she earned her undergraduate degree in accounting.

As senior vice president and general counsel for SJI, Tim Lowry serves as the principal legal officer for SJI and key advisor to the CEO, senior management, and the Board of Directors. Mr. Lowry is also responsible for strategic leadership for the Office of the General Counsel, providing the expertise needed to support SJI’s growing business.

Prior to joining SJI, Mr. Lowry served as a seasoned partner at Holland & Knight, where he provided legal and strategic advice to domestic and international clients in the gaming, entertainment, and hospitality industries. Mr. Lowry has represented private equity sponsors, capital groups, large technology companies, professional sports teams, entertainment and media companies, casino and lottery operating companies, energy generating companies, real estate development companies, and government instrumentalities and agencies. He also previously served as senior corporate counsel to Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.

Mr. Lowry sits on the Board of Trustees for Stockton University, is active in the community on various profit and non-profit boards, and he is an esteemed international speaker, panelist, and moderator at events and conferences.

As an alumnus of Saint Joseph’s University, Mr. Lowry earned his undergraduate degree in political science and holds a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is admitted to the bar in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and the District of Columbia.