CLARKE, NJ — As part of ambitious plans for transformational growth in its second
century of innovation, the Board of Directors of Turtle, one of the country’s largest independent
electrical and industrial distributors, has announced that Jayne Millard, Executive Chairman of
the Board and fourth-generation family leader, and Luis Valls, President of Turtle’s Electrical
Division, will head the company as Co-CEOs. With a core mission of accelerating the transition
to clean, sustainable energy — Rethinking Energy and Advancing Tomorrow — together they
bring a unique perspective and diversity of thought combining Millard’s strategic vision and
Valls’ industry-leading engineering expertise.
In keeping with a multi-year succession management plan, Kathleen Shanahan, who
served as CEO, will assume a senior advisory role continuing her legacy of remarkable
leadership. Turtle sustains its decades-long certification as a WBE.
“This succession plan involved the Board of Directors, Kathleen and Luis,” explains
Millard. “I want to pay tribute to Kathleen whose extraordinary guidance has left an indelible
mark on Turtle and prepared us for this exciting next stage in Turtle’s trajectory. I also
congratulate Luis, who has been a beacon of leadership as the President of the Electrical Division
since 2018, consistently fulfilling our customers’ mission-critical needs with innovation and
enhanced sustainability.”
Millard continues, “Luis and I will jointly drive our company brand value of ‘Radical
Collaboration’ and invite members of our community of customers, suppliers, partners and
others who share our passion for uncovering actionable energy solutions to join us in
transforming the electrical and power ecosystem. Toward this most profound challenge of our
time, I am eager to take an active leadership role as Co-CEO while maintaining strategic
leadership as Executive Chair of the Turtle Board.”
As a 30-year industry veteran with over 20 years at Turtle, Valls brings to the Co-CEO
role his respected experience in engineering customer solutions that achieve energy efficiencies
and enhance the lives of the people and communities they touch. His resume includes high
profile projects such as the World Trade Center Reconstruction, NYU Langone Medical Center,
and Hudson Yards. Valls says, “There has never been a more exciting time for our industry to
enable public and private sector leaders to design and accelerate their electrification strategies.”
As a senior advisor, Shanahan will focus her strategic business and government policy
experience on Turtle’s Government Relations & Public Affairs, touching the company’s
significant national, state and municipal projects. “We are grateful to have Kathleen’s
exceptional expertise in her new role, which leverages her many accomplishments that include
successfully leading the company during the pandemic, driving top line business development,
and expanding our market presence with ESG and our broader sustainability goals among many
powerful customer-focused initiatives,” adds Millard.
“It is my honor to work with this exemplary family company whose core values and
respect for our generations of employees continue to fuel innovation and growth,” says
Shanahan.
Millard is the third generation of women to lead Turtle, a 100-year-old, family- and
woman-owned enterprise co-founded by her great-grandfather in 1923. Growing up in the
business, Millard held positions of increasing responsibility before being named CEO in 2010
and Executive Chairman in 2016. Under her leadership, the company has experienced explosive
growth by continuing her family’s legacy of relentlessly pursuing innovation and excellence.
Millard created the company’s new mission for the next century to inspire and build
sustainable solutions. She is widely recognized for creating opportunities for her customers and
employees. Most recently, Millard was inducted into the Women’s Business Enterprise Hall of
Fame (2021), honored with the Modern Distribution Management Women in Distribution Award
(2021), and bestowed the National Association of Electrical Distributors Women in Industry
Trailblazer Award (2020).
Founded in 1923, Turtle is celebrating 100 years of market experience and ranks among
the top 20 electrical distribution companies in the U.S. Turtle serves clients in the U.S., Canada,
Puerto Rico and Mexico. Visit them at: www.turtle.com.
